Broncos/Steelers- Broncos win. If Roethlisberger and Brown are out I think the Broncos win this no question. Broncos defense is one of the best in the league, and the steelers will be missing two key offensive weapons.
DEN 21, PIT 14
Patriots/Chiefs- Patriots win. Chiefs offense didn't look too good against one of the most overrated defenses in the NFL. Clowney was a scratch, Wilfork is old, JJ Watt is hurt. The Texans also have one of the worst offenses in the NFL. The Patriots are getting a bunch of key players back. (Volmer, Hightower, and Edelman) The Patriots are undefeated with Edelman, Gronk, and Amendola, so I think they have the chiefs defense checked. Also, Hightower can shut down any running offense, so the Chiefs are kinda screwed.
NE 35, KC 7
Seahawks/Panthers- The seahawks won in the luckiest way possible (a missed field goal). I don't see them getting lucky a second time, and Cam Newton's Panthers are more than capable of picking apart their defense and shutting down Russell Wilson.
CAR 28, SEA 24
Packers/Cardinals- This is going to be the best game of the weekend IMO. I was sure the Redskins would toss the Packers, but the Packers looked better than ever. Aaron Rodgers looked amazing, and he finally started clicking with his offense. The Cardinals won't be a pushover by any means though. I think the game will go to overtime with the Cardinals winning by a field goal.
Like, everyone here knows that the Seahawks are "better" than the Vikings, but you are really kidding yourself if you think they decisively outplayed the Vikings in that game.
I would argue that the Vikings were lucky to have been in the situation to win there: By every measure of efficiency, Seattle outplayed Minnesota: Higher yards per play, higher redzone effiency, higher 3rd/4th down efficiency, more yards per punt return. More net yards gained special teams per punts/kick off.
Minnesota got lucky that they lost less field position from failures on 3rd/4th downs since Minnesota's were mostly on 3rd while Seattle's failed 3 4th down attempts (and there is no difference between how teams play 3rd/4th and short so this isn't about 'clutch').
If you replay that game, under those conditions with the way those teams plays, even excluding the missed field goal (which btw wasn't lucky, it was bad performance by Minnesota), Seattles wins that more often then not.
Seattle outplayed Minnesota yesterday and Minnesota was lucky the final score was 10-9. Except the luck Minnesota benefited from wasn't a botched field goal, so isn't as memorable, but from the perspective of sabermetrics, is equally important.
hey i agree that seattle > minnesota in terms of who is the better team but seattle got handed a second life and it's sad how both the vikings and bengals tossed games that they should have won
Seahawks have been consistent, they've only ever lost one game the last 3 seasons by more then 1 score, while many of their wins have been blowouts.
Seahawks obliterated the Vikings in their regular season matchup and then just won their second match-up. They've clearly been the best team in the league the past few seasons and are clearly a better team then the Vikings.
Barely winning a game means that one play (such as a shanked field goal attempt) can alter the game, and means luck did play at least a part in the win.
Blowing out every opponent you face clearly means you're better then said opponent.
