Three weeks left of the regular aseson. Lots of playoff eliminations this week, but still plenty that are in contention.
This week’s picks:
GAME OF THE WEEK – Denver Broncos (10-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5), PIT by 6 – With Denver’s offense as anemic as it’s been, it’s going to be up to their defense to slow down this potent Steelers passing attack just enough to sneak away with a win. But on the road in a late afternoon game in December, they’re going to have their hands full, because Pittsburgh’s starting to put it all together at the right time. This could be a good one. Steelers 20, Broncos 16
THURSDAY NIGHT – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) at St. Louis Rams (5-8), STL by 1 – Disappointing yet predictable setback for the Bucs last week, who now have to hope they win out and get some help to get into the playoffs. They’re certainly a better team than the Rams, but the Rams are extremely unpredictable. UPSET! – Bucs 23, Rams 17
SATURDAY NIGHT - New York Jets (8-5) at Dallas Cowboys (4-9), NYJ by 3 – Great stat—at 4-9, the Cowboys are in contention for both the top pick in the draft AND the NFC East title. They’ll fall a little closer to the former this weekend. Jets 27, Cowboys 10
Chicago Bears (5-8) at Minnesota Vikings (8-5), MIN by 5.5 – The Vikings are playing bad football over the last three weeks. Though the Bears are coming off a crushing home loss to Washington, there have been enough signs of life in that team to make me think they’re capable of pulling off a potentially devastating upset to the Vikings this weekend. UPSET! – Bears 24, Vikings 20
Atlanta Falcons (6-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8), JAX by 3 – Holy fuck, what’s happened to the Falcons? 38-0 is absolutely embarrassing no matter who you’re facing. The Jaguars’ offense is on a roll lately, and they’ll notch another win here. Jaguars 33, Falcons 20
Houston Texans (6-7) at Indianapolis Colts (6-7), PUSH – This will likely be the game that decides the AFC South, but there could be a crazy scenario in which the Jags win out and take it, haha. No idea what to pick here. If Lucky plays, Indy wins. Otherwise, I’m taking Houston. Texans 20, Colts 17
Kansas City Chiefs (8-5) at Baltimore Ravens (4-9), KC by 7.5 – These Chiefs are absolutely on fire, and have a date with a dead-in-the-water Ravens team. They can effectively seal up a playoff spot this week, and could come within a game of Denver if Pittsburgh pulls it out. Chiefs 34, Ravens 6
Buffalo Bills (6-7) at Washington Redskins (6-7), PUSH – Two teams that have had major ups and downs this year. The Redskins picked up a really significant win on the road in Chicago, and are in a must-win scenario basically every week going forward. They will somehow manage to take down Buffalo at home. Redskins 27, Bills 24
Tennessee Titans (3-10) at New England Patriots (11-2), NE by 14 – Lol. Patriots 41, Titans 10
Arizona Cardinals (11-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (6-7), AZ by 3.5 – This game comes at a really bad time for the Eagles, who have managed to pick up some momentum in the last couple weeks. The smart money is on the Cardinals here, but I’m personally rooting for the Eagles to pull it out, for the Packers’ sake. Cardinals 27, Eagles 20
Carolina Panthers (13-0) at New York Giants (6-7), CAR by 5 – It would totally be the fucking Giants to end the Panthers’ streak. For that reason alone I’m taking them to win, even though I don’t think this will realistically happen. UPSET! – Giants 23, Panthers 20
Cleveland Browns (3-10) at Seattle Seahawks (8-5), SEA by 14.5 – Good god, the Seahawks just keep getting to play shit-tier teams on their way to the playoffs. This will be embarrassing. Seahawks 37, Browns 13
Green Bay Packers (9-4) at Oakland Raiders (6-7), GB by 3 – Love the Raiders, and wish we didn’t have to squash their playoff hopes this weekend. But the Packers played outstanding, well-rounded football last weekend, and if they continue to play that brand of football they may actually have a chance in January after all. The Raiders will certainly give the Packers fits, though. They’ve done it to Denver a couple times already. This will be a good game. Packers 27, Raiders 23
Miami Dolphins (5-8) at San Diego Chargers (3-10), SD by 1.5 – This could be the last game the Chargers play in San Diego. It’ll be memorable in one way or another, that’s for sure. UPSET! – Dolphins 20, Chargers 3
Cincinnati Bengals (10-3) at San Francisco 49ers (4-9), CIN by 4.5 – The Bengals can survive this game without Andy Dalton, but four to six weeks? That’s likely asking a bit too much. They need that first round bye badly. Bengals 24, 49ers 14
Detroit Lions (4-9) at New Orleans Saints (5-8), NO by 3 – Two disappointing teams, that’s to be sure. The Saints take it due to homefield advantage. Merry Christmas. Saints 30, Lions 20
