Irsay and Luck get the last (or first?) laugh

Before we look at where the Cold Hard Locks failed, going into Monday Night Matty D sits at a record of 7-6 for the week while the G-Man is boasting the same record. Tonight’s game is critical as the G-Man is going with Freeman and the Vikings and Matty D thinks the Giants will snag their first win. The week is in the balance…

Prediction:     Dolphins over Bills – 20 to 13

Actual:            Bills over Dolphins – 23 to 21

Last time we trust the Dolphins here at the Thunderblog. Thad Lewis played well enough for the Bills but Mario Williams is finally starting to live up to his mega contract with a huge two-sack performance, one of which included the fumble that sealed the deal. This defense makes the Bills a team that no one wants to play.

Prediction:             Bears over Redskins – 27 to 13

Actual:            Redskins over Bears – 45 to 41

So much for me claiming that the Redskins are punchless. RGIII is starting to look like his old self again and Roy Helu Jr. added 3 rushing TDs as the Redskins won the shootout at in the nation’s capital. The Bears lost Jay Cutler to injury to add to the insult. All of the sudden the Redskins are only a game out in the NFC East. The Bears just need to hope Cutler can be back soon.

Prediction:            Lions over Bengals – 17 to 14

Actual:            Bengals over Lions – 27 to 24

The Red Rifle found his man Sunday. A.J. Green snagged 6 receptions for 155 yards and a big 82-yard TD reception. Megatron was better with 9 receptions for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns but the difference was the Bengals’ special teams, which had a blocked field goal and a 54-yard Mike Nugent field goal to win to move to 5-2 and a commanding lead in the AFC North.

Prediction:            Eagles over Cowboys – 37 to 35

Actual:            Cowboys over Eagles – 17 to 3

Really saw this game being better. This was the definition of a clunker. Nick Foles did not have the statement game we predicted. In fact, he never made any plays. He missed wide open receivers all night and looked little in the spotlight. Tony Romo played well enough with 300 yards receiving and a TD, but more importantly no interceptions. The Eagles looked bad and the Cowboys just good enough to win the NFC East.

Prediction:            Patriots over Jets – 24 to 21

Actual:            Jets over Patriots – 30 to 27 (OT)

I picked the Patriots because of one reason, Tom Brady. After what he did against the Saints last week, I couldn’t see him losing to Rex Ryan and the hated Jets. But even with Gronk back and playing well, the Patriots defense couldn’t overcome all their injuries and a critical pick-6 by Brady helped get this game to overtime. The controversial penalty that gave Nick Folk a second chance didn’t help. The maddening Jets are suddenly 4-3 and only a game behind the Patriots.

Prediction:            Broncos over Colts – 28 to 24

Actual:            Colts over Broncos – 39 to 33

Juicy story lines indeed! Manning was given an incredible reception and returned the favor. But Andrew Luck equaled Manning all night and the Colts defense stepped up, disrupting Manning and his receivers. Robert Mathis got to Manning a few times and were able to hold off a late Broncos comeback-bid. It was a great win for the Colts as they move to a surprising 5-2. But unfortunately, the Colts lost Reggie Wayne for the season making this victory just a little bittersweet.