How to interpret this page: Below are the Week 13 games in the 1998 NFL regular season. For each game, the latest point spread is provided with the favored team having the point differential in parenthesis directly to the right.
Based on The Author's analysis of Nostradamus' prophecies, he has color coded teams on the basis of how they will fare in each week's game. Teams highlighted in green are expected to win the game, both outright and with the point spread. Teams highlighted in blue are expected to win the game; however, the prophecy of Nostradamus does not support a resounding win, such that it covers the point spread.
NOTE TO READERS: YOU'LL NOTICE THE QUATRAINS OF NOSTRADAMUS ARE OBVIOUSLY ABSENT IN THIS WEEK'S PROPHECIES. FEAR NOT, THE PREDICTIONS BELOW ARE BASED ON NOSTRADAMUS' REVELATIONS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE ORIGINAL PROPHECIES, DROP THE AUTHOR A LINE AT:
nflnostradamus@sportsmail.com
Thursday, Nov. 26 (Note: All times listed are Eastern Standard Time)
Pittsburgh (-2.5) at
DetroitNostradamus Predicts:
Leo will not fail on their day of ancient tradition,
They are extolled by destiny.
The Iron warriors make crucial mistakes,
To the advantage of Moore and Sanders breaking free.
The Author's Thoughts:
This match-up is based on an equation of two unknowns: Which Lions will show up and which Steelers will show up. The "curse of Leo," 10 straight games where Nostrdamus picked the wrong outcome for Detroit, should end Thursday. Though the Steelers have won 4 straight over Detroit, the Lions are 3-0 in National TV games and always win on Thanksgiving. Watch for a big game from Barry Sanders as the Lions prevail by a touchdown.
Minnesota (-3) at Dallas
, 4:00 p.m.Nostradamus Predicts:
The Norse assault from Asgard,
Will leave the Stellar helmets helpless against the toss.
The wound of dancing Dion,
Will alllow great freedom for Moss.
The Author's Thoughts:
Minnesota has another big match-up. They also lose a key component with WR Jake Reed potentially out for the year. Dallas will try and mime Tampa Bay's successful strategy and use ball-control to keep the Minnesota offense off the field. But Dallas has major secondary woes even if Deion Sanders overcomes his turf toe. It's hard to go against the Vikings the way they have been playing of late. Minnesota is Nostradamus' best choice of the two Thursday games.
Sunday, Nov. 29 (Note: All times listed are Eastern Standard Time)
Philadelphia at
Green Bay (-17.5), 4:00 p.m.
The Prophecy of Nostradamus
:Broken wings cry in terror prior to the great bleeding,
They cravenly run from the green onslaught.
The battle is over before it begins,
Thirty and one unanswered bells later, Rhodes fury is for naught.
The Author's Thoughts: The Eagles have provide new meaning to offense -- in that they are truly offensive. They may even toss Coy Detmer in for a sacrifice. This is not an issue of the Eagles winning or even giving the Pack a good game. They will be happy just to score a touchdown. They probably won't. Green Bay may not be able to beat anybody competitve, but they are disciplined enough to beat the teams they are supposed to beat. They will need to make up a game on the 49ers to get the home field advantage, assuming they play each other in the wild card game. Don't let the points scare you, this is going to be ugly (unless you pick the Pack).
Carolina at New York Jets (-8), 4:00 p.m.
The Author's Thoughts: Remember when Nostradamus predicted the Jets would win the AFC East. The only concern I have is that the Jets don't show up for bad teams (read Rams, Ravens and Colts). However, they are at home and Carolina really is not up to the task here. The Jets will roll!
Buffalo at
New England (-3), 1:01 p.m.
The Prophecy of Nostradamus
:Two unpredictable forces,
Great consequences at stake.
The revolutionists make a glorious stand,
The Bisons are exposed as a fake.
The Author's Thoughts: Drew Bledsoe will play Sunday, broken finger and all. If Randall Cunningham can come back from knee surgery in three days and throw TD bombs to Randy Moss, then Bledsoe can throw with a busted finger. If the Pats go far in the playoffs, it will be as a result of this Monday Night game. Nostradamus has been fortelling the demise of Buffalo for weeks. But they keep winning with Doug Flutie. Buffalo won their first match two weeks ago, but Pete Carroll should make the necessary adjustments to counter that. The moving to Hartford talk is a non-factor. Players fighting in the trenches don't really care about what gives in the year 2001. This time, however, Nostradamus will be right about the illusion of the Bills!
New Orleans at
Miami (-8.5), 1:00 p.m.
The Prophecy of Nostradamus:
That which he could not accomplish with Pantera,
Will yield a similar tale as a crusader.
Pieces is vexed over the broken hand's triumph,
The sea creatures put down the invader.
The Author's Thoughts: Even at 5-6, the Saints are overachieving; it will all come to a crash soon. Nostradamus does not see Kerry Collins as a savior either. Despite a defeat, the one positive aspect in their Monday Night game is that Miami has some offense. Miami has never beaten New Orleans in the '90s. The playoff minded and home team Dolphins will end that nonsense in convincing fashion.
Tennessee
at Seattle (-2.5), 4:00 p.m.
The Prophecy of Nostradamus
:The conquering nomads take aim at the King's tower,
Their urgent sense will be evident.
The Talons of Sea falter with Kitten at the helm,
Their campaign is all but spent.
The Author's Thoughts: Tennessee is the better of the two teams. They also face a must-win game for any playoff aspirations. Seattle is going to give John Kitna the start at QB, probably sounding the end of Warren Moon's tenure. The home field advantage results in the Seahawks being the favorite here. Don't fret, the Oilers/Titans are 4-1 on the road.
Atlanta
(-5.5) at St. Louis, 1:00 p.m.
The Prophecy of Nostradamus
:The black bird's supremacy,
In jeopardy as injuries devastate.
But their reserves are up to the task,
And Aries fails to retaliate.
The Author's Thoughts: Vegas is still trying to ascertain the status of Chris Chandler and Tony Banks. Jamal Anderson was also hurting last week. Steve Bono is most likely going to start for the ams. He will have a rough time with Atlanta's vaunted defense. The Rams couldn't even beat the team with the worst record in the NFL at home. What are they going to do with one of the best teams in the NFL? Falcons by 10!
Jacksonville
(-7) at Cincinnati, 1:01 p.m.
The Prophecy of Nostradamus
:
The Central flag is within St. John's reach,
They face a struggle in the city of the Queen.
Too many weapons to counter,
The dying Tigers cannot hold off this machine.
The Author's Thoughts: What a mess in Cincinnati. O'Donnell and Blake riding the bench; no offense; no defense. There will be no late-season heroics. Bruce Coslet is history. Jacksonville will rebound from last week's lapse against Pittsburgh. However, Jacksonville's erratic play on the road precludes this game from being a lock.
Tampa Bay
(-2) at Chicago, 1:00 p.m.
The Prophecy of Nostradamus:
The sepulcher is laid in the field for dead soldiers,
It is prepared for Wannstedt.
The Pirates show little mercy to Ursus,
But they cannot recoup their debt.
The Author's Thoughts: Who will quarterback for Chicago. Steve Stenstrom has worked his way into the doghouse. And even if Erik Kramer could play at 90%, why would he jeopardize a lucrative future should he opt for free agency. Look for rookie Moses Moreno (not to be confused with Marino) to start. Tampa Bay has been a great disappointment. Of particular concern is the decline in QB Trent Dilfer's play. The Bucs will do well to try a new quarterback next year. In this battle of bottom-dwellers, Chicago has been atrocious since coming off the bye week. Tampa Bay still has mathematical possibilities, remote as they are, for a wild card berth. They win this game.
Washington
at Oakland (-7), 4:15 p.m.
The Prophecy of Nostradamus:
The One-eyed freebooter stunned,
The savages assault on deep strikes.
The return of George is of no factor,
His squad's future is not one to like.
The Author's Thoughts: Nostradamus alludes to the Redskins not only winning with the points, but also gaining a big upset. Trent Green can make things happen. He really got Michael Westbrook and Leslie Shepherd into the game last week. Oakland's secondary is hurting as well. Even at 7-4, they lose a lot of tie-breakers. Their playoff hopes are guarded at best,
Kansas City
(-3.5) at Arizona, 1:00 pm
The Prophecy of Nostradamus:
The Chieftains try to salvage their campaign in the desert,
They end their great slide.
The general in a final stand,
Shuts down the serpent and the rouge wings pride.
The Author's Thoughts: Everything has gone to Hades for the Chiefs in a relatively short time. Marty Schottenheimer has been sounding like an embattled WWII general of late with his canned and hackneyed comments. This is a team that was supposed to go 12-4. What's the deal? We still don't know if Grbac or Gannon will start Sunday. The Cardinals have been as surprising as much as the Chiefs are disappointing. But look, the Chiefs are not going 4-12! Derrick Thomas is back and the Cardinals will come nowhere close to last week's 45 point output.
Indianapolis at Baltimore (-5.5), 1:01 p.m.
The Prophecy of Nostradamus:
Victory for the Crows is all but sealed,
The horses are crushed in the harbor field.
The Author's Thoughts: The Ravens are making efforts to salvage their season. RB Priest Holmes looks like the real deal. The Colts are a losing machine with absolutely no ability to win on the road.
Denver
(-12.5) at San Diego,8:15 p.m.
The Prophecy of Nostradamus:
The Great Stampede aims for the immaculate campaign,
They cruelly end the miracle of Wheels.
The hosts shall be overwhelmed,
The reigning kings shall be upon their heels.
The Author's Thoughts: Denver won by 17 with Bubby Brister in their previous meeting. Now they have Elway back! Expect the same here as they catch San Diego emotionally spent after two dramatic 1-point victories. The Chargers will simply have problems generating any run offense without Natrone Means.
Monday, Sept. 30
New York Giants at San Francisco (-13), 8:20 p.m.
The Author's Thoughts:
The Giants defense looked good last week. Jerry Rice's trash talk is a distraction but is not a morale killer. He only leads the NFC in pass receptions. We all get old Jerry! Nostradamus feels the Giants can keep it closer than 13, just like their crosstown rivals did in Week 1.
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THE NOSTRADMUS GRANDE SIX