"The Stack" 11-25-16
Ezekiel Elliott ran for two scores as the Cowboys ran past Washington 31-26. The Cowboys have now won ten straight since an opening week loss to the Giants.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Prater hit the game-tying field goal and the game-winning field goal with no time remaining as the Lions won yet another game in which they trailed in the fourth quarter, this one 16-13 over the Vikings.
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
It’s Black Friday and a Football Friday. The Stack is back on this holiday?? Friday and I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Would have been a little better had the purple come through with a win, but as you try and get out of your food coma or try and get a little rest in from all of that shopping, it’s time to preview and predict what will happen in week 12 in the NFL in “the stack” for today, Friday, November 25th:
Quick Turkey Day recap
The Detroit Lions had the Minnesota Vikings right where they wanted them…ahead in the fourth quarter. Once again the Lions came back in the fourth quarter to beat the Vikings 16-13. The game-tying field goal came on a drive that started from the Lions two-yard line. Then Sam Bradford threw an interception and Matt Prater won the game for the Lions on the final play. Essentially two games up now on the Vikings. Tough pill to swallow for the Vikings…Dallas and Washington had a very entertaining fourth quarter scoring back and forth, but Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott were able to fend off Kirk Cousins for the 31-26 victory (I had the total points right, but was just off by one point on each side)…finally Pittsburgh beat Indianapolis 28-7 thanks in large part to the efforts and connection between Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown. The two hooked up for three touchdowns and the Steelers defense came up with two huge goal line stands as the Steelers beat Scott Tolzien and the Colts 28-7. Now let’s get on to the rest of what we should expect on Sunday…
Arizona Cardinals @ Atlanta Falcons 1 PM ET FOX
This is a must win for the Cardinals, but between these two birds of a different feather, the Falcons right now are better. I think Matt Ryan and Julio Jones make just enough plays late to keep the Cardinals in a downward spiral.
Prediction: Falcons 27 Cardinals 23
Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens 1 PM ET CBS
No A.J. Green. No Giovani Bernard. Normally the Bengals play the Ravens tough and can beat them in Baltimore. Don’t see it happening this week, not without two of their biggest weapons on offense.
Prediction: Ravens 20 Bengals 9
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Buffalo Bills 1 PM ET CBS
Bills head coach Rex Ryan has declared the Jaguars the best two win team he has ever seen. Chances are Blake Bortles will throw a pick that will be returned to the house on Sunday and then Ryan will see just why the Jaguars are a two win team.
Prediction: Bills 24 Jaguars 10
Tennessee Titans @ Chicago Bears 1 PM ET CBS
The Bears are the walking wounded right now. Matt Barkley is likely to start at quarterback for them. No Alshon Jeffrey. No Zach Miller. The Titans were disappointing last week, but there is no reason to think they won’t win this game.
Prediction: Titans 27 Bears 10
New York Giants @ Cleveland Browns 1 PM ET FOX
If I am the Giants, I would be acutely aware of an upset here. The Browns have to win a game at some point and perhaps Josh McCown is the right man to lead them to said victory. If I had any guts I would take the Browns, but I will go with Eli Manning and company to win what I expect to be a close game.
Prediction: Giants 27 Browns 20
San Diego Chargers @ Houston Texans 1 PM ET CBS
The Texans have played really well at home so far this season. The Chargers are better than most 4-6 teams though and with two weeks to get ready for this game, I think Philip Rivers and the Chargers beat Brock Osweiler and company.
Prediction: Chargers 27 Texans 24
San Francisco 49ers @ Miami Dolphins 1 PM ET FOX
The Dolphins have been playing some really good football as of late. The 49ers have been playing pretty terrible football since week 2. That isn’t going to change.
Prediction: Dolphins 37 49ers 20
Los Angeles Rams @ New Orleans Saints 1 PM ET FOX
Jared Goff making his second career start against an average Saints defense, but he can’t match Drew Brees score for score.
Prediction: Saints 24 Rams 13
Seattle Seahawks @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4:05 PM ET FOX
The Seahawks won’t have Earl Thomas for this game which is going to hurt the Seahawks defense, but Pete Carroll knows how to get the Seahawks prepared. Russell Wilson will make some big plays and the Seahawks defense will force a couple of Jameis Winston turnovers and get the win over a Bucs team that isn’t that great at home.
Prediction: Seahawks 27 Buccaneers 17
New England Patriots @ New York Jets 4:25 PM ET CBS
Ryan Fitzpatrick is starting at quarterback for the Jets. A questionable decision perhaps for the Jets. They want to win though. Tom Brady is questionable for this one, but hopefully he can play. If he does the Patriots will win. If he doesn’t, the Jets will win. I’ll go with the fact that he will play.
Prediction: Patriots 24 Jets 16
Carolina Panthers @ Oakland Raiders 4:25 PM ET CBS
The Panthers have had more time to prepare for the Raiders than the Raiders have had to prepare for the Panthers. Won’t matter though. The Panthers have some pretty significant injuries with linebacker Luke Kuechly and Ryan Kahlil. The Raiders are playing really good football right now and they will pick up another victory this weekend.
Prediction: Raiders 31 Panthers 24
Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos 8:30 PM ET NBC
Both teams have tremendous defenses. The Chiefs have the more experienced quarterback. Even though they will be without wide receiver Jeremy Maclin in all likelihood, I think the Chiefs will do enough to edge Trevor Siemian and the Broncos in a game that will put the winner in firm control of a wild card spot.
Prediction: Chiefs 16 Broncos 13
Coming up Monday: Week 12 recap and reaction plus MNF preview
