Fansided

NFL Week 12: 5 Can’t-Miss Games With Huge Playoff Implications

By Bryce Olin

Dec 22, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Nov 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks to head coach Sean Payton in the second quarter of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks to head coach Sean Payton in the second quarter of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Baltimore Ravens (6-4) at New Orleans Saints (4-6)

What’s At Stake:

The Ravens need to win this game much more than the Saints.

As I mentioned earlier, New Orleans just needs to keep pace with Atlanta and then beat them head-to-head when they play at the end of the season.

Baltimore, though, is basically a half-game back in the division, but they only have one more division game remaining, and that’s against the Cleveland Browns. Without a chance to beat the Steelers or Bengals, the Ravens need to keep pace. Falling a game or more back could be the fatal blow to the Ravens’ season.

Breakdown: 

The Saints’ most productive receiver, rookie Brandin Cooks, is going to be out for the season with a thumb injury. That puts a lot of pressure on Jimmy Graham and the Saints running backs to shoulder the load for the offense, as the receiving corps has been largely disappointing this season for the Saints.

Baltimore has the fifth best-scoring defense in the league, and they only allow 18.1 PPG on average.

The Saints’ defense, on the other hand, might as well be a rotating door compared to the Ravens’ defense. If the Saints can’t move the ball against the Ravens, this is going to be a blowout in favor of Baltimore.

I’m expecting a massive game from Joe Flacco. New Orleans’ pass defense is the ninth-worst in the league, and they’re allowing 25.2 PPG this season. Flacco lit up the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this season, who is only slightly worse than the Saints.

New Orleans, however, did play well against the Green Bay Packers and their explosive passing offense, so there’s still hope for the Saints.

Prediction:

New Orleans 34 Baltimore 31

New Orleans plays well at home and the Ravens don’t play that well on the road.

Next: Detroit Lions vs. New England Patriots

Home/Arizona Cardinals