John’s Well-Educated Guesses: Week 14 – The Recap

Every week I make predictions about how things will play out in the game.  I’m a man of integrity and I always answer for my predictions.  It’s time to pay the piper. 

Prediction:  More picks for Brady – Last week I called out that Brady would be interception free.  I was wrong.  

Result: Yup, Brady threw a pick and it was a tough one.  It almost seems like he is good for at least one when the games get tough.  That being said, I had figured we would need to play a perfect game with no turnovers to win.  Amazing that we pulled it out.

Prediction:  Bell catches 7 passes – As I mentioned above, I think Bell will be used heavily in the passing game and they will split him out to get mismatches.  (This will also cause me to lose my fantasy football playoff game.)

Result: He caught 5 of 6 passes for 48 yards, so definitely less damage than I thought.  That being said, I think it’s because he was so effective on the ground.  Why throw him the ball when he is ripping chunk yardage every hand-off?  (P.S. I won my fantasy playoff matchup and now sit in the finals.  Winning two years in a row would be sweet.)

Prediction:  Bell goes over 100 on the ground – Can you tell I think he is going to kill us?  Lets hope he pulls a Ladanian Tomlinson an sits on the sideline with a hood on….like the AFC Championship game last year.

Result:  24 carries for 117 yards.  Holy Shit!  From the first quarter he was killing us.  I think we will be ok if we play them again as they will be without Antonio Brown.  Big difference if we get back Alan Branch and we can stack the box.   

Prediction:  31-28 Pittsburgh Wins – I know that this is sacrilegious, but the Patriots just don’t do themselves any favors at the end of the season.  We are a banged up football team, and last week’s disaster was really telling for me.  I am hoping I am wrong on this prediction.

Result:  27-24 Pats win.  Wow, what a memorable game.  I won’t say best ever because anyone who has been on this ride for the past 17 years knows there are 10-12 just like this.  That being said, there is still work to be done.  When the Pats are unable to close out the #1 seed, it has cost them.  We need to beat a decent Bills team at home, and can’t let the Jets spoil our party the week after.