The Hail Mary - Week 16

The Carolina Panthers often go overlooked. Despite making 3 NFC Championships in their 12 year existence, and one Super Bowl, they don't get much mainstream attention. They also have one of the best WR's in the game in the man you see to your right, Steve Smith. That lack of attention will change this weekend. The Panthers are in the marquee Sunday Night game against the New York Giants. The winner will clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs. If the Panthers can win this game against a strugg a ling Giants team, they will be the favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLIII.

Games That I Will Be Watching

Indianapolis (10-4) at Jacksonville (5-9)

The Colts continue to streak through the easy part of their schedule and have won 7 in a row. The Jaguars showed they have some life left with a home win over the sliding Packers. The Jags always play the Colts tough and I think they will show up ready to play in this one. It won't be enough.

Prediction: Indianapolis 27, Jacksonville 21

Baltimore (9-5) at Dallas (9-5)

Huge Saturday Night game in what will likely be the last game ever played in Texas Stadium. (A quick tangent, major props to the NFL schedule makers this year as they have created a schedule with a ton of important, meaningful games to close out the year. Sure some of it is luck but foresight has a little bit to do with it) The Ravens are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Steelers, while the Cowboys put all the drama behind them and manhandled the Giants. Both teams are in must win situations if they want to make the playoffs. Much like the Steelers last week, the Cowboys are just a little bit better than the Ravens.

Prediction: Dallas 24, Baltimore 14

Arizona (8-6) at New England (9-5)

Arizona has nothing to play for with the NFC West already clinched, but the Patriots have everything to play for as they are in a 3 team dog fight for the AFC East title. Arizona stinks on the East coast.

Prediction: New England 28, Arizona 17

Pittsburgh (11-3) at Tennessee (12-2)

The AFC also has a game between teams vying for home field advantage. If the Titans win they clinch home field, if the Steelers win they would just have to beat the sorry Browns next week to clinch home field. The Titans are banged up on defense where they will be missing Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vandenbosch (Go Huskers!). The Steelers are my Super Bowl favorites right now, the schedule they have played against this year has been absolutely brutal and they have been up to the challenge. They do it again here.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 16, Tennessee 10

Philadelphia (8-5-1) at Washington (7-7)

I must be a sucker for punishment as I will be attending this one. The game is nothing more than a pride game for the Skins, following their horrendous loss to the Bengals that I fortunately missed. The Eagles were left for dead 3 weeks ago but now are one of the hottest teams in the NFL. I believe the Skins will come ready to play, but the offense is atrocious and the Eagles are the better team right now. Hard to believe it wasn't long ago that Skins fans were excited that they were getting their last 3 division games at home. Looks like they will finish that string 0-3.

Prediction: Philadelphia 20, Washington 17

Carolina (11-3) at New York Giants (11-3)

So maybe Plaxico Burress was a little more important than everyone else thought? The Giants have looked like garbage on offense the last 2 weeks while the Panthers are playing excellent football. I have come around on Carolina and I think they will pull off the road upset.

Prediction: Carolina 24, New York Giants 20

Green Bay (5-9) at Chicago (8-6)

I hate the Packers. As a Niners fan the Packers were the cause of many horrible memories for me in the 90s. Shame on me for picking them the past 4 weeks and them losing every single one of those games. Unfortunately, I will be cheering for them to win this one, as the Vikings need a Bears loss. I'm picking you to lose Packers, do what you have been doing so well this year, underwhelm.

Prediction: Chicago 28, Green Bay 24

Rest of Week 16

Cincinnati (2-11-1) at Cleveland (4-10)

Awful, awful game.

Prediction: Cincinnati 3, Cleveland 2

New Orleans (7-7) at Detroit (0-14)

This could be a game I regret not having the guts to pick the upset, kinda like last week's Houston/Tennessee game.

Prediction: New Orleans 31, Detroit 28

Miami (9-5) at Kansas City (2-12)

Sure the Dolphins schedule the past month has been ridiculously easy, but to win 9 games after winning 1 the year before is miraculous.

Prediction: Miami 19, Kansas City 15

San Francisco (5-9) at St. Louis (2-12)

7-9 is a distinct possibility for the Niners which to me should ensure Mike Singletary gets the interim tag removed from his label. Hey Chris Berman, should the Rams still make Jim Haslett their coach? That 2-8 record is amazing.

Prediction: San Francisco 21, St. Louis 13

San Diego (6-8) at Tampa Bay (9-5)

This game was deemed unworthyy of its original prime time slot but still has huge playoff implications. The Chargers are clinging to hopes of winning the AFC West, while the Bucs need to stop a 2 game slide to ensure they will make the playoffs.

Prediction: Tampa Bay 27, San Diego 14

New York Jets (9-5) at Seattle (3-11)

The Jets have been awful on the West coast this year, and the Seahawks are still playing hard for lame duck coach Mike Holmgren so signs point to a Seattle upset. I think the Jets break the conventional wisdom here.

Prediction: New York Jets 20, Seattle 17

Houston (7-7) at Oakland (3-11)

The Texans are getting hot at the end of the season and living up to the team I expected them to be. The goal now is to have their first over .500 season in franchise history.

Prediction: Houston 31, Oakland 19

Buffalo (6-8) at Denver (8-6)

This is the type of game Denver could blow but the Bills have been so bad recently I will give the Broncos the benefit of the doubt in this one.

Prediction: Denver 29, Buffalo 24

Atlanta (9-5) at Minnesota (9-5)

Tavaris Jackson shocked everyone with his 4 TD performance at Arizona. It is still unknown whether he will start this one. This will be a tough one, especially with Pat Williams out with an injury, which might allow Michael Turner to run all over the Vikings. I think the Metrodome atmosphere will affect the seemingly unflappable Matt Ryan and allow the Vikings to avoid another late season collapse.

Prediction: Minnesota 18, Atlanta 14

The next Hail Mary will be posted on Friday, December 26.

Last Week: 11-5
Overall: 114-62-1