3 NFL Games to Watch - Week 12

Garda gives you his three games to watch this week as we all try to recover from the shock of Thursday's game.

If you’re in the mood and have shaken off the post-Turkey shock that was Thursday night’s Packers game—and I can’t blame you if you haven’t since I’m not even a Packers fan and I’m still in shock—there is plenty of football today for you to watch.

I’ve got three games that Packers fans should keep an eye on this week and you can catch up on my thoughts on all three as well as the Thanksgiving Day games on my podcast as well.

 

Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta

Sure you hate the Vikings, but from here on out you’ll want to keep a sharp eye on what they’re doing.  With a win today, they retake the division lead and while it’s clear that holding it is a difficult thing for them, stringing wins together is equally tough for the Packers.

So it matters.

How they rebound from the disappointing loss to Green Bay last week is key to how they manage against a sliding Atlanta Falcons team.  After compiling a 6-1 record to start the season, Atlanta has lost three straight and won just 1-of-4. They are barely above .500 at home (3-2) and defensively and offensively are vulnerable.

The Vikings should combine some short passes by Teddy Bridgewater with some run plays from Adrian Peterson, though it seems as if offensive coordinator Norv Turner is more interested in all run plays with occasional vertical throws for the hell of it.

As the majority of Minnesota receivers can’t seem to shake coverage, the easiest way to beat the Vikings is bottle up Peterson and blow the terrible Vikings offensive line over to get to Bridgewater.

If Turner has adjusted anything, the Vikings can move the ball.

Atlanta has its own issues, but it also has Julio Jones who, as much as I like the Vikings secondary, they cannot stop. If the Falcons can find one other person to throw too, if they can get the run game going again and if they can get one defensive stop, they can win this game.

If the Vikings make some offensive adjustments and find a way to get at Matt Ryan or limit Jones, they will win it.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks

It’s not likely that the Steelers or Seahawks win their respective divisions (I would lean towards Pittsburgh more than Seattle, as a Bengals collapse is more likely than a Cardinals one) but this is a vital game for two teams who are trying to make a Wild Card appearance.

The Steelers are limping along with a banged up quarterback, without their star running back (though DeAngelo Williams has been solid) and a youthful, but OK defense. Seattle has no offensive line, limited receiving options, is minus their star running back as well (though Thomas Rawls is playing well) and a solid defense.

This is a really interesting game as far as strategy goes. We’re never sure what to expect from either team but I suspect that the both of them are better than we give them credit for, especially the 5-5 Seahawks.

This game has huge Wild Card implications, and honestly if the Packers don’t get themselves together, that’s going to matter down the stretch.

 

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos

This would be more interesting – and a bit unbearable for hype reasons – if Peyton Manning was playing and any good. He’s not and he doesn’t seem to be, so the game itself loses some of the obvious luster of BRADY VS MANNING: THE RECKONING.

Don’t be fooled though – this game is just as interesting (and perhaps more so) without Manning.

The Broncos are now in a position where they have to win with defense and this defense has been shaky since they got manhandled by Indianapolis. In that game they got away from what I think they do well – generate pass rush without blitzing – and blitzed way too much. The book on Tom Brady is to get hands on him and I wonder if defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will fall into the same trap he did against Andrew Luck.

In which case, there is a good chance Brady will tear this defense apart, especially if the secondary has any letdowns at all. With Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots have a mismatch for the middle of the field and while I expect a heavy dose of Aqib Talib or TJ Ward, Gronk is still hard to stop.

On the other side of the field, we have a Patriots offense which is down to Brandon LaFell and a lot of prayers. Honestly, as much as I like Cam Newton for MVP, Brady has been doing a ton with very little talent—which is not unusual at all for him, but always impressive to watch.

Speaking of offense, will the Patriots be able to bottle up a sometimes unremarkable Denver backfield? And if so, can Brock Osweiler carry the Broncos to a win?

This is the best chessmatch of the week and the game I am most excited to see on Sunday.

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Comments (5)

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John Galt III's picture

November 29, 2015 at 06:49 pm

Osweiler is from the Montana high school where my entire family went and my grandsons now attend. He's very steady and capable.

The Broncos defense will be the key to a Denver win if they can limit Brady and force some turnovers.

Packers: Please start Jeff Janis and turn the season around. When he touches the ball good things usually happen.

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John Galt III's picture

November 29, 2015 at 06:55 pm

The Edmonton Eskimos are in the Grey Cup for the Canadian pro football championship. They lead at the half as I write.

Their QB is also from Flathead HS where Osweiler went. Great day for our High School.

Start Janis.

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TommyG's picture

November 29, 2015 at 09:50 pm

Watching New England pick apart Denvers defense with their own depleted roster makes me realize just how bad our offensive coaches are at their jobs.

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Tundraboy's picture

November 30, 2015 at 06:51 am

Hate to admit it but it is true. Yes occasionally they surprise us but woefully lacking.

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John Galt III's picture

November 30, 2015 at 08:22 am

Watching our local High School QB take apart NE in overtime makes me realize how proud we all are of him.

Start Janis - problem solved.

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