The Joe Lodanosky Show

A Merry Christmas to all, with hopes of improving my .705 winning percentage. After going 12-4 for like the 4th week in a row, the Christmas plan is to coral lucky #13 in week 16.

San Diego (11-3) @ Tennessee (7-7)
Both of these teams are coming off of near misses, but nonetheless both of these teams are some of the hottest teams in the NFL. Chris Johnson and the Titan ground game has almost been unstoppable the last few, I use the word “few” loosely, weeks. Averaging 162.6 (2nd) and Johnson is the league’s leading rusher, 1,730 yards, almost 400 in front of Steven Jackson in 2nd place. San Diego does have some trouble with stopping the run, (116.9/21st). To me the number that jumps off the page, and decides things for me, is the 265.1(31st) passing yards a game the Titans give up. Yes the Titans had some injuries early, but Rivers, the NFL’s most pure pocket passer, and a Charger passing game that averages 268.9(5th) and a offense that averages 27.8 (5th) ppg makes this an easy pick for me. SD is also 6-1 on the road this year, winning at places like Dallas, NYG, and Denver.
CHARGERS

Buffalo (5-9) @ Atlanta (7-7)
Much to do about nothing here, it would take an act of God to get the Falcons in the post season, and even that might fall short. This is story of underachievers and injured QB’s. The Bills have struggled on the road, 3-4, and have been even worse stopping the run 165.6 ypg(32nd). Without Michael Turner, it levels the field to an extent, but the Bills have only scored more than 20 points in a game once since Halloween.
FALCONS

Kansas City (3-11) @ Cincinnati (9-5)
I’ll give the Bengals a pass for the obvious circumstances with the death of Chris Henry. But this team hasn’t done anything yet to convince me that they are a legit playoff team. If they don’t win by double digits, the free fall back to Bengal reality will be real. KC’s “O” vs. Cincy’s “D”, appears to be a no brainer, but I am not drinking the Kool Aid in the Queen City just yet.
BENGALS

Oakland (5-9) @ Cleveland (3-11)
The Raiders have more impressive wins than any other team in the NFL. The Browns likely have the best player in the NFL. Despite the records, I am actually looking forward to this one. The Raiders are 4-7 against teams in the playoff hunt, but have managed lose too KC and Washington. Despite Brady Quinn being ruled out, I am gonna role with the Brownies 2 weeks in row. Cribbs may run 3 back this week!
BROWNS

Seattle (5-9) @ Green Bay (9-5)
What do these two teams have in common? Sadly, these are the only 2 teams the Buccaneers have beaten. The Seahawks are 1-6 on the road and the Packers “D” is much better than they showed last Sunday. I really can’t see Seattle having a whole lot of success against that pass rush. Hasselbeck is not athletic enough to move in the pocket the way Roethlisberger did.
PACKERS

Houston (7-7) @ Miami (7-7)
One less team in playoff discussion after this one. Matt Schaub leads one of the league’s best passing offenses (2nd/291.4), paired against one of the league’s most dynamic rushing attacks (4th/ 148). One team has a harder time defending the others strength. The Dolphins give up 233.8 (23rd) passing yards a game, the Texans run “D” gives up 112.6 (17th) rushing yards per game. The Texans have played well on the road (4-3). However, the Texans are such a tease, every time I think they are about to kick down the door, they stumble on the welcome mat. Only scoring 16 points against the Rams?
DOLPHINS

Jacksonville (7-7) @ New England (9-5)
I told you Randy Moss and the Patriots would kiss and make up. Granted, I thought they might have scored a few more points than 17 last week, but they are 7-0 at home. Of all 113 7-7 AFC teams, JAX is the least impressive. They have yet to beat a team with a winning record, kind of miss leading stat, because they are one of 3 7-7 teams in their division. Did you watch the game on Thursday night? Talk about finding a way to loose. I like Maurice Jones-Drew, but he is the lone bright star in a very cloudy sky.
PATRIOTS

Tampa Bay (2-12) @ New Orleans (13-1)
I sorta figured one of these teams would be coming off of a loss and the other coming off of a win, just not sure I figured it would have worked out the way it did. Assuming the Saints aren’t resting anyone, which they shouldn’t be the top seed isn’t locked up yet, no contest.
SAINTS

Carolina (6-8) @ N.Y. Giants (8-6)
Brandon Jacobs is starting to run the ball with authority, look out Carolina. The 130.4 rushing yards per game allowed by the Panthers is 26th in the NFL. Steve Smith is becoming a big time WR and the Giants pass rush looked liked the pressure they got en route to winning the Lombardy Trophy. Carolina can run the ball, but the Giants “D” is in the top 10 in everything but scoring.
GIANTS

Baltimore (8-6) @ Pittsburgh (7-7)
Last week’s Steelers game was the greatest finish in any sport I have ever witnessed in person, just wanted to get that out there. And with the way everything worked out last week, and the signing of Joey Galloway, don’t tell the Steelers they aren’t making the playoffs. Roethlisberger threw for 503 against a much better defense last week then he will see this week. Flacco hasn’t been the dynamic passer that he was last year. Ray Rice has become a Brian Westbrook type player out of the backfield, for his sake I hope he is more durable. The Steelers had a chance in Baltimore without #7. This week they have a few more injuries to contend with Ward’s hamstring and Greg Warren being done for the year, it’s hard to bet against the Super Bowl Champs at home. Not to mention they are now 4-2 against teams’ with 8 or more wins.
STEELERS

St. Louis (1-13) @ Arizona (9-5)
AZ might be the worst good, home, team in the NFL. The Cards are 3-3 at home. The Rams, oh boy, what to say about the Rams, aside from Steven Jackson they are just terrible. Too much offense for the Rams.
CARDINALS

Detroit (2-12) @ San Francisco (6-8)
The Lions have not won a road game since 10/28/07, defeating the Bears 16-7. It might be the egg nog, it is Christmas…. Ehhhhh what the hell!
LIONS

N.Y. Jets (7-7) @ Indianapolis (14-0)
Manning wants the undefeated season, he’s a football nerd.
COLTS

Denver (8-6) @ Philadelphia (10-4)
Two different stories here, Denver has gone 2 and 6 since starting out 6-0. The Eagles have won 5 in a row and been scoring gobs of points. Denver is now fighting for their playoff lives, but winning 2 out of 8 games doesn’t really convince me you are playoff team. The Eagles appear to be too strong offensively and their run “D” is stout yielding only 101.9 ypg (10th). Kyle Orton just doesn’t get it done against that pass rush.
EAGLES

Dallas (9-5) @ Washington (4-10)
Hooray, Tony Romo won a game in December. If he beats a terrible Redskins team will they enshrine him in Canton while still playing? I like the Cowboys only because they can run the ball, Washington gives up 117.2 rushing ypg (23rd).
COWBOYS

Minnesota (11-3) @ Chicago (5-9)
What a perfect way for Brad Childress and Brett Favre to make up, by giving Adrian Peterson the ball. Peterson only had 12 carries last week and the Bears give up 128.5 (25th) rushing yards per game. The Vikes handle their business with “D” and on the ground. The Bears can’t run it (88.4/29th) and Jay Cutler has had a hard time completing passes to his team mates.
VIKINGS