I was only 6-9-1 last week; but I remain 121-110-6 for the year.
This week's picks:
ATLANTA 12 over St. Louis. PICK: RAMS. To keep it close; not to win. Atlanta tends to play conservatively; St. Louis' defense has played decently at times (see last week).
New England 3 over BUFFALO. PICK: PATRIOTS. The Pats have too much to play for, too much experience to let this one slip away. Matt Cassel has certainly improved as the year has gone on.
CINCINNATI 2 over Kansas City. PICK: BENGALS. Both of these bottom-feeders have improved slightly in the past weeks. But Ryan Fitzpatrick has been able to secure wins; Tyler Thigpen hasn't.
GREEN BAY 3.5 over Detroit. PICK: PACKERS. There's just no sign that anything is going to change for the Lions this year. At least their nightmare will soon end.
INDIANAPOLIS 2 over Tennessee. PICK: COLTS. It all depends on which coach chooses to play his starters longer...and I have a hunch that will be Dungy and the Colts here. They'd really like to beat the Titans once, and keep their momentum.
NY Giants 1.5 over MINNESOTA. PICK: VIKINGS. The Giants have home field etc etc clinched. They have little on the line in this game. I can't believe nicked-up starters like Jacobs, or even Manning, will play the whole way, therefore. The Vikings most likely have everything--the playoffs, division title. I think that will help the Vikes.
Carolina 2.5 over NEW ORLEANS. PICK: PANTHERS. Because of that defense, and because playoff positioning and home-field advantage may be on the line for them in this game.
PITTSBURGH 8.5 over Cleveland. PICK: STEELERS. The Browns got shut out last week by the Bengals. Can you imagine what the Steelers will do to them?
TAMPA BAY 4.5 over Oakland. PICK: BUCCANEERS. The playoffs are on the line for the Bucs. And they're at home. Meanwhile, the Raiders have played a bit better lately but are still far too inconsistent, especially on the road, to pick them in a game like this.
Chicago 4 over HOUSTON. PICK: TEXANS. Yes, the Bears were able to steal a couple up in Soldier Field in the last few weeks, thanks to cold weather, blocked kicks, etc etc. But they haven't been a great road team, and they'll have no icy winds and frozen limbs helping them out this week in Houston. And the Texans are an improved club.
Washington 2 over SAN FRANCISCO. PICK: 49ERS. Yes, the Redskins won last week. But their offense continues to struggle to put points on the board. Meanwhile, the Niners have some momentum under Singletary, are at home, and seem to be motivated to finish strong.
BALTIMORE 5.5 over Jacksonville. PICK: RAVENS. I think that Ravens D, at home, will again puts its offense in position to get the job done. They've been doing it most of the season. The Jags meanwhile may have little left after their big effort last week vs the Colts.
Miami 2 over NY JETS. PICK: JETS. The Jets struggled in the snow and ice last week. But I still like Brett Favre, at home, in a big game like this.
PHILADELPHIA 1.5 over Dallas. PICK: EAGLES. They're at home, and they still have things to play for. Meanwhile, you just have the feeling that the Cowboys' offense remains a bit off, out of sync. It's the last regular season game, and they still haven't fixed it. It's doubtful one more week will do it.
ARIZONA 2 over Seattle. PICK: CARDINALS. Yes, I know, the Cards have looked horrible lately. But, if you look at the entire season, they've played better at home, and remember--Seattle hasn't been too hot this year, either. I look for the Cards to be motivated to get well in this game, and I think they will, away from the snow, ice, and wind of the frozen north.
SAN DIEGO 5.5 over Denver. PICK: BRONCOS. Well, so it's come down to this between two of the most schizophrenic, hard-to-figure, and--let's face it--disappointing teams in the AFC. Winner here get the division title. Both teams have been up and down; just when you think either one of them has things figured out, they fall on their face. I look for that to continue here. It seems the Chargers have things all their way now--they looked to be out of it, but now they have Denver at home...win and they're in. Denver meanwhile merely had to win, at home, last week vs a Buffalo team that's out of the playoffs, and they're in. But they didn't. Which explains why, given this season, it looks to me like Jay Cutler will come up big and lead Denver to the division win on the road. Why? Because it looks like they have no shot. And in this division this year, the team that appears to have no shot...is the team to bet on. Happy holidays...
