NFL predictions

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jan 20, 2008

NFL predictions by Rick Dean

Last week: 2-2 n Season: 163-90No way did I see the San Diego upset at Indy last week, the biggest reason for a 2-2 weekend. The Giants beating Dallas? You could sense that coming. Just wish I made the call. Surprises this weekend are even more unlikely, but the Giants will again be the best bet for an upset.The matchup: Giants have won an incredible nine consecutive road games and won't be overwhelmed by the single-digit weather expected at Lambeau Field. They are in prime position to pull the upset here, just as they did in Big D.

But Green Bay kicked New York earlier this year in Week 2, 35- 13, when Brett Favre threw for 286 yards and 3 TDs at the Meadowlands. Ryan Grant, who shook off two early point-producing fumbles to run for 200 yards against Seattle last week, has extra motivation against the Giants, who traded him to Green Bay for a mere sixth-round draft pick at the end of camp.

The Giants' pass rush can be intimidating even when they rush only four and drop seven into coverage. They'll try to confuse Favre with a lot of different looks, but their secondary can be burned - especially by a legendary quarterback looking to take one last shot at the big prize.

The Giants' Eli Manning is starting to play more like a big-time quarterback, but he doesn't have the offensive supporting cast Favre does. The weather - and the big-game atmosphere -will affect him more than Favre.

Who doesn't like the Packers? But I don't like the seven-point spread.

The prediction: Packers 24, Giants 20GIANTS (10-6) AT PACKERS (13- 3)

5:30 p.m. today, KTMJ 43 (Cox Cable 6)The matchup: It's looking as if LT will try to play for the Chargers on his hyperextended knee, and yappy San Diego QB Philip Rivers (knee) may even talk his way into the game. Tight end Antonio Gates (toe) might not be so lucky.

So do the underdog Chargers stand any chance in frozen Foxborough against 17-0 New England with their top offensive weapons either down or barely moving? If their reserves play as well as they did in Indy Naw, forget that.

Nobody gives SD a chance, though the Bolts did win here in 2005 when they snapped New England's 21-game home winning streak with a stunning 41-17 rout. Of course, that was in Week 4, and Drew Brees was the Chargers QB, but we thought we'd hold out a glimmer of hope.

Of more recent historical note is the Pats' 38-14 steamrolling of the Chargers in Week 2 this year. New England scored 24 first-half points and cruised, which might very well happen again in the AFC Championship.

San Diego's front seven is playing well enough to hold Pats RB Laurence Maroney down, but all he has to do is take some heat off Tom Brady and the Pats passing game.

Patriots will cover the 14-point spread.

The prediction: Patriots 28, Chargers 13CHARGERS (11-5) AT PATRIOTS (16-0)

2 p.m. today, WIWB 13 (Cox Cable 12)