Football expert Phil Steele is the owner and publisher of Phil Steele’s College Football Preview, regarded as the college football bible. Get in-depth coverage of college and pro football 24/7/365 at PhilSteele.com.
TOMORROW
Texans (-3) over LIONS: The football definition of a quality team is to figure out how to win close games. Detroit was in an almost “must win” situation and lost a game-long lead vs. Green Bay with 19 seconds left. Houston was in a flat spot and trailed by 14 in the fourth quarter yet found a way to pull out an OT win. The Texans at 9-1 basically have the AFC South wrapped up, but they still know how to win games on the road, having already knocked off the NFC North and AFC West leaders.
SUNDAY
Falcons (-1) over BUCCANEERS: Let me make this simple. Atlanta has the better offense (No. 7 vs,. No. 10), better defense (No. 18 vs. No. 29) and is outgaining its foes by 35 ypg while Tampa Bay is getting outgained by 25 ypg. The Bucs’ six wins have come against teams with an average record of 3-7 and now they host the Falcons (9-1). Contender vs. pretender.
LAST WEEK (NFL): 1-1. SEASON: 13-9.