Amid the Action
Amid the Action

Amid the Action: November 22 NFL predictions

November 21, 2015

Three big games this Sunday. Here are my picks.

Colts will beat Falcons

On Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts will visit the Atlanta Falcons. The Colts are first in their division, AFC South, at a 4-5 record. Atlanta is second in NFC South at 6-3 and is second in their division.

Andrew Luck leads the Colts in passing with 1,881 yards, completing 162 passes out of 293, and has 15 touchdown passes on the season.

Former San Francisco running back Frank Gore leads the team in rushing. He’s had 148 carries this season with 599 yards and four touchdowns. Currently, Gore is averaging four yards per carry.

Unsurprisingly, T.Y. Hilton leads the team in receiving. Hilton has 43 receptions for 703 yards with three touchdowns this season. He is averaging 16.3 yards per catch.

For Atlanta, quarterback Matt Ryan has 2,702 passing yards, going 239 completions for 357 attempts.

Running back Devonta Freeman, who was surprisingly contained for most of the game against San Francisco, has 721 yards on 164 carries. Freeman has nine touchdowns on the season and is averaging over four yards per carry.

Julio Jones, arguably the best receiver this season, has 80 receptions for 1,029 yards, averaging 12.9 yards per catch. Jones has six touchdowns on the season.

For this game, I’m taking the Colts. Yes, their record is worse, but they are looking hot right now. They just pulled off a major upset, beating the then-dominant Broncos, and preventing Manning from breaking the all-time passing yards record. Brett Farve held it before, and Manning only needed three more yards to break it. But the defense stepped up, with a late interception, and from there the Colts ran down time and came out victorious.

Atlanta has a winning record, but if they can’t beat a struggling and messy 49ers offense, how are they supposed to beat Andrew Luck and the Colts? The Colts are better than the 49ers this season (I hate to say it), and if the 49ers can beat them, who says the Colts can’t? Shaun Draughn was able to pick up good yardage against Atlanta’s defense, and Gore will find even more opportunities.

Update: Colts 24, Falcons 21

Rams will send Ravens to 2-8

The St. Louis Rams will travel to Baltimore to play the Ravens on Sunday, Nov. 22. The Rams are currently 4-5 and are in third place in NFC West. They just came off a brutal loss to Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears, losing 37-13. Baltimore has been really struggling, even with Joe Flacco behind center. They are currently 2-7 and recently lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 22-20. They are third place in the AFC North.

Nick Foles, former Eagle, leads St. Louis in passing. He has completed 145 out of 256 attempts, wracking up 1678 yards. He has seven touchdown passes on the season so far.

Todd Gurley, rookie running back, has been nothing short of great this past season. Coming out of Georgia, the rookie was recovering from an ACL tear and many weren’t sure how he would do this season; however, the rookie leads the team, replacing the injured Tre Mason with 709 yards on 130 carries. He has five touchdowns on the season and is averaging over five yards per carry.

Kenny Britt leads the team in receiving. Britt has 317 yards on 16 catches, averaging 19.8 yards per catch. He has one touchdown on the season.

Baltimore is led by 2013 MVP Joe Flacco, who beat the 49ers in Super Bowl 47. He has 2,492 passing yards on the season, completing 239 passes out of 369 attempts.

Baltimore is led in rushing by Justin Forsett. Forsett has 615 yards on 147 carries on the season. He is averaging over four yards per carry and has two touchdowns this year.

Steve Smith leads the Ravens in receiving. He has 46 receptions for 670 yards. Smith is averaging 14.6 yards per catch and has two touchdowns on the season.

In this game, I’m taking the Rams. While they came off a harsh loss against the Bears, the Ravens came off a loss to a worse team. Baltimore has really been going downhill this year, and the Rams are still in the hunt, looking for a playoff spot. Todd Gurley will have a great game, and the Rams will advance to 5-5.

Update: Ravens 16, Rams 13

Panthers will move to 10-0, continuing perfect season

On Sunday, the Washington Redksins will travel to Carolina to face off against Cam Newton and the Panthers. Both teams are coming off wins in their most recent games.

Washington buried the New Orleans Saints 47-17, improving to 4-5. Carolina continued their win streak to 9-0 with a 27-10 win over the Tennessee Titans. The Redskins are in second place in the NFC East, and the Panthers are first in the NFC South.

Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins, who replaced Robert-Griffin III this season, has completed 226 out of 333 passes, accumulating a total of 2278 yards and 14 touchdown passes this season.

Power running back Alfred Morris leads the Redskins in rushing. He has 404 yards on 110 carries and is averaging over three yards per carry.

Washington is led in receiving this year by Pierre Garcon, who has 43 catches for 430 yards. He is currently averaging 10 yards per catch and has three touchdowns on the season.

Carolina’s quarterback Cam Newton has been very impressive this year. The Panthers and the Patriots are the only teams in the NFL right now with perfect records. Newton has thrown for 2037 yards this season, completing 153 out of 272 passes. He has also thrown 15 touchdown passes this year.

Jonathan Stewart leads the Redskins in rushing with 662 yards on 169 carries. Stewart is averaging almost four yards per carry and has four touchdowns on the season.

Tight end Greg Olsen is Newton’s main target and leads the team with 664 receiving yards. Olsen has 45 receptions and is averaging 14.8 yards per catch. He has five touchdowns on the season.

For this game, I pick the Panthers. Yes, Kirk Cousins has stepped up, and defeated Drew Brees and the Saints. But the Panthers are on a roll right now, and they have so much momentum. Plus, Drew Brees is a different quarterback from Cam Newton. Not only can Newton deliver effective passes, but he can kill a defense with his legs when he decides to take off and scramble. This game has the Panthers written all over it, and they will advance to 11-0.

Update: Panthers 44, Redskins 16

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