The Joe Lodanosky Show

When you have set the bar as high as I have, 10-6 just doesn’t cut it. Despite a rough week, I improve to 134-58 on the year, .698% still ain’t too shabby. I guess if you feel you need an apology, go talk to the Steelers, Patriots, and the Cowboys, that’s who really let us down last week!

Pittsburgh (6-6) @ Cleveland (1-11)
I will be freezing my ass off at this one. The Steelers have had me scratchy my head on more than one occasion. Last Sunday they blew their fifth 4th quarter lead, on their way to their 4th straight loss. The Steelers just don’t make sense. They are 3-2 this season against teams with 8 or more wins, yet 3-4 against teams with 6 or fewer wins. The defense has been down right awful with the game on the line. But here’s the deal, the Browns just stink. They have been out gained 4,803 to 2,909. Through 12 games, they have been out gained an average of 145.6 yards per game. I don’t care how bad things are in Pittsburgh, granted they might not cover the spread, but the Steeler organization is just too proud to loose to the Browns.
STEELERS

New Orleans (12-0) @ Atlanta (6-6)
This one hangs in the balance of a toe, and I am not referring to a kickers toe, it’s the turf toe of Matt Ryan that held him out against the Eagles. ATL’s chance is with Ryan at 100%, after Washington missed that FG, I am convinced the Saints are a team of destiny. The Saints are the best team in the NFL, too much balance and defense. I don’t think the Saints will run the table, but I don’t think they’ll loose this game either. ATL would have to play a perfect game.
SAINTS

Green Bay (8-4) @ Chicago (5-7)
The thing that impresses me most with the Packers is their “D”. Holding Flacco to 15 of 36 for 137, Ray Rice to 54 yards on 14 carries, and only giving up 1 TD to the Ravens, these guys are someone to be reckoned with. This week Green Bay is 1st in total yards (273.5), 3rd against the pass (186.3) and 4th against the run (87.2), GB is the only team ranked in the top 5 in all three categories. Chicago just doesn’t have enough weapons on the offensive side of the ball. In their last 4 games, the Bears have averaged 13.25 points per game.
PACKERS

Denver (8-4) @ Indianapolis (12-0)
This is one of the most intriguing games of the weekend. Win or loose it doesn’t mean much to the Colts, home field is all but wrapped up. Denver is like Jekyll and Hyde, which one will we get? The team that opened 6-0 or the squad that lost 4 straight. The Denver “D” in its 4 game skid, gave up 29.25 per game, in their last 2 wins they gave up 9.5 per game. Are they good enough to slow Peyton and boys? I think so. Denver is 2nd against the pass (180.2), 3rd in scoring (16.8) and 3rd in total yards (288.9). Denver’s ground game (9th/125.6) is good enough to eat clock and keep Peyton on the side line.
BRONCOS

Buffalo (4-8) @ Kansas City (3-9)
The Bills can’t stop the run; the Chiefs have no one to run it… This makes for an exciting game. Buffalo has too many weapons, and KC doesn’t have enough talent to score. The Chiefs have been outscored 87-27 in the last 2 weeks. Add in the Bills 4th rated pass defense (188.2) and the Bills improve to 3-4 on the road.
BILLS

Cincinnati (9-3) @ Minnesota (10-2)
A must win for Cincy, a loss here and they might be kissing home field good bye! To me this game is much more interesting than that. I don’t think that either one of these teams are as good as their record indicates. The Vikings at 10-2 have beaten 1 with a winning record, the Packers twice. Their opponents combined record is 57-87. The Bengals on the other hand, at 9-3, have beaten 1 team with a winning record, coincidently; it was the Green Bay Packers. Cincy opponents are a combined 58-86, so something’s got to give. This is one of those games…
VIKINGS

Carolina (5-7) @ New England (7-5)
I know all about Moss and friends being sent home from the facility. This is like Belichick motivation 101. Despite losing last week, the Pats are still in the driver’s seat. Unfortunately for the Panthers, they happen to be in the way. Yes Carolina’s pass defense is 6th (192.4), but this is a statement in 2 ways. 1. The Patriots are a contender for more than a division title or 2. The baton has been passed to the Colts as the AFC’s premier team. For now I will go with #1.
PATRIOTS

N.Y. Jets (6-6) @ Tampa Bay (1-11)
Real quick… Thomas Jones. The Jets are 1st running the ball (168.6). The Bucs are 31st against the run (160.1)
JETS

Miami (6-6) @ Jacksonville (7-5)
The 3 other 6-6 AFC teams play opponents with record of 4-32 and the Fish get the Jags. In reality, this is the biggest AFC game of the week. A Dolphin win gives them a tiebreaker and Jags win puts the Dolphins in a tuna can. The Jags have yet to beat a team with a winning record, but are 5-1 at home. Miami is 2-4 on the road, but are coming off of an emotional 22-21 win over the Pats. Statistically these teams are dead even, but in situations like this I look to QB play and David Garrard gets the edge.
JAGUARS

Detroit (2-10) @ Baltimore (6-6)
Joe Flacco really struggled against at veteran Green Bay secondary, a real confidence boost in a do or die game would be playing the league’s worst pass defense. You guessed it, it’s the Lions (274.8). The last 2 weeks Detroit has faced tough defenses, Cincy and Green Bay, scoring 12 and 13 points. Baltimore may be 6-6, but still have a better than average defense. The Lions are 0-6 on the road; Baltimore is 4-2 at home.
RAVENS

Seattle (5-7) @ Houston (5-7)
Both of these teams are on a 4 game skid. Call me crazy, but I think the Texans may still have shot at a Wild Card berth. They could be 8-7, going into Week 17 and the Patriots and NE will likely have the AFC East wrapped up. The Texans have one of the league’s best passing games (278.9/4th). Seattle’s biggest weakness is their pass defense (243.5/25th). I might have too much faith in Matt Schaub, but the table is sure set to finish 4-0 and get the final WC spot.
TEXANS

St. Louis (1-11) @ Tennessee (5-7)
The Titans have won 5 of 6, and the Rams, well the Rams aren’t very good. Chris Johnson is having an MVP type season rushing for 1,509 averaging almost 6.2 ypc. STL is 28th against the run (146.2). The Rams just can’t score points.
TITANS

Washington (3-9) @ Oakland (4-8)
Prior to last week the Skins had the league’s top pass defense, after giving up 419 yards to Drew Brees they fall to 5th this week (190.2). Despite what you saw in the 4th quarter last week, don’t confuse Bruce Gradkowski and Drew Brees. Washington’s lone defensive weakness would be against the run, giving up 121.8 (24th). Oakland’s offense is just plain old bad. After 3 consecutive heart breaking losses the Skins are due.
REDSKINS

San Diego (9-3) @ Dallas (8-4)
It’s December in Dallas that means it’s time for the Cowboys to go in the tank. Since 2007 the ‘Boys are 5-8 in the last month of the year. Excluding the undefeated teams, the Chargers are the league’s hottest team winners of 7 straight. I have never been a Tony Romo guy nor will I until he proves me wrong.
CHARGERS

Philadelphia (8-4) @ N.Y. Giants (7-5)
This is a pretty evenly matched defensive contest between these 2 NFC East rivals. The thing that the Eagles have going for them is getting their 2 biggest stars back in the line up DeSean Jackson and Brian Westbrook. The Giants won last week, but have been in a free fall since starting 5-0, that’s 2-5 in their last 7. The Eagles need to find some semblance of a running game, but haven’t given up a 100 yard rusher all season long.
EAGLES

Arizona (8-4) @ San Francisco (5-7)
After last week, a return trip to the Super Bowl for the Arizona Cardinals wouldn’t surprise me a bit. Minnesota’s leading rusher was Percy Harvin, 2 carries for 22 yards. The AZ “D” held Peterson to 19 yards on 13 carries. I have said it all along, the Cards “D” doesn’t get enough credit. Imagine if Larry Fitzgerald played on the East coast, he would be the NFL’s biggest star. Aside from the undefeateds, both AZ and the Chargers are 5-1 on the road. The 49’ers pass defense just won’t get the job done on Kurt Warner (27th/250.6).
CARDINALS