It's time for another round of bold predictions from the Around The NFL team. Remember, these predictions are not for the faint of heart.
Tony Romo throws four TDs in return
Back in the lineup for the first time since Week 2, Tony Romo won't need much time to heat up against the Dolphins on Sunday. I'm ticketing the Cowboys quarterback for four touchdowns against Miami's defense. Since 1990, no team has made the playoffs after starting 2-7. Dallas will begin their nearly impossible quest with a victory thanks to their beloved star passer. If they don't, Around The NFL's Gregg Rosenthal will treat 200 local schoolchildren here in Los Angeles to a free showing of "Goosebumps."* --Marc Sessler*
Eddie Lacy busts out of slump
Eddie Lacy gets back on track for the Packers, netting 75 total yards and a touchdown against a stout Vikings defense led by All-Pro candidate Linval Joseph. When healthy and in-shape, Lacy is a better player than career backup James Starks. He was the only NFL back to generate 100 yards from scrimmage in each of the 2014 season's final nine games. Coach Mike McCarthy sounds optimistic this week that Lacy is finally looking like his old self. Lacy is too good of a player to stay mired in a season-long slump. * -- Chris Wesseling*
Adrian Peterson will run for 250 yards
Peterson is already ahead of his 2012 pace, when he rushed for 2,097 yards. He'll keep well above that threshold by gashing a 24th ranked Packers run defense that allows 116.2 yards per game on the ground. It really will be All Day for Peterson Sunday. The Vikings will pound the rock on the ground profusely keeping Aaron Rodgers on the sideline. To earn some distance in the NFC North the Vikings ride Peterson on a chilly afternoon outside in Minnesota to a huge day. --Kevin Patra
Rex Ryan will make his presence felt in Foxborough
Rex Ryan will cause a scene at Foxborough: If you follow the typical Rex Ryan story arc, we've arrived at the cyclical revenge tour portion of his narrative. Back in the 2010 playoffs -- with a slightly better team -- Ryan and injured safety Jim Leonhard developed one of the greatest defensive schemes in recent NFL memory, curbing Tom Brady en route to the AFC championship game. This isn't the playoffs, but this is the last time we've seen Ryan so volatile and unhinged. That's why we believe Ryan won't leave New England quietly. Maybe that means a victory and a Bart Scott redux where one of the Bills players takes a swing at Belichick. Maybe it is Ryan himself, stacking another artful press conference on top of his last. Either way, this will be must see television. -- Conor Orr
Matt Hasselbeck does it again
I believe the Colts turned a corner before Andrew Luck was injured and the bye week hit. While this team has no chance to advance in the playoffs without Luck, Matt Hasselbeck showed early in the season that he is a more-than-capable replacement given the right opponent. The Falcons are that opponent. Their front seven has no pass rush and their secondary can't handle the depth of weapons the Colts possess. Frank Gore also was running well before the bye. These are two teams heading in opposite directions. --Gregg Rosenthal
