The 2013 NFL Big 5: Week 16
The playoffs are looming and we have high hopes for them, and we’ll tell you why.
The new NFL week is here and with it comes chaos. Fortunately, Maxim is here to help you navigate these uncharted waters with five predictions that will undoubtedly (or just maybe) come true.
Big Upset – Chicago over Philadelphia
Nick Foles was still good in the Eagles’ loss on Sunday, but if you are letting the Vikings hang 48 points on you, your problems probably run a little deeper. Both of these teams have their division to lose, but it’s the visiting Bears with their starting QB and a running back that tends to blow up at the right times.
Big Performance – Cam Newton
After being stomped at the Superdome earlier this month, the Panthers are still facing questions about their legitimacy as a contender – questions they are eager to quiet at the expense of a Saints team that doesn’t travel well. The defense has proven itself to have stopping power (besides a brutal second quarter in their last meeting), and as long as Cam does what he does, Carolina should cruise into the postseason.
Big Flop – Matt Asiata
Think twice before picking up the Vikings’ new toy for your fantasy finals. Even though he broke the plane three times, the guy racked up 51 yards on 30 carries. In the business we call those “Anti-Peterson” numbers.
Big Storyline – We Just Don’t Know Any More
Remember all those teams you thought were good, like the Broncos, the Saints, the Patriots, the Bengals? Well, they all got “Any Given Sunday-ed” this week (and the Lions got “Any Given Monday-ed). This bodes well for the playoffs – the beatability (a word we definitely didn’t just make up) of the top teams leads to memorable playoff moments, like the birth of Beast Mode and the two rings owned by this year’s interception leader.
Big Stinker –Broncos at Texans
Broncos are coming off a loss and Case Keenum looked like he was more suited to play under Friday night lights last week, and because of an injury (so they say), it’s Matt Schaub time again. Combine that with the fact that there’s nothing keeping the Texans from the number one pick, with a couple tough games on the horizon. At least the Texans will have a lot of reading to do during the post-season.
Photos by Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/ Landov | Licensed to Alpha Media Group 2013
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