Just four weeks left in the regular season, meaning every game takes on more significance. The Saints and Colts are both 12-0 and looking to not only clinch home field advantage but perhaps make a run at 16-0. Then there are the teams that are battling for divisions and wild card spots. These are exciting times in the NFL!
Games That I Will Be WatchingPittsburgh (6-6) at Cleveland (1-11), Pittsburgh favored by 9What has happened to the Steelers? The defending champions are on the ropes, losers of four straight, including a shocking home loss to Oakland last Sunday. They have to win out to have any chance of sneaking into the playoffs. The Steelers know they can do it, when they won the Super Bowl in 2006, they were 7-5, in danger of missing the playoffs, then reeled off 8 wins in a row to become Super Bowl champions. The Browns are a good team to get back on track against, but they could be dangerous. This is still a rivalry game, despite the Steelers dominance of the series, and the crowd in Cleveland should be revved up. Browns QB Brady Quinn has also played much better of late. This game will be closer than it should be, but the Steelers will end their losing streak.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 24, Cleveland 17Cincinnati (9-3) at Minnesota (10-2), Minnesota favored by 6 1/2The Vikings showed some chinks in their armor last Sunday night against Arizona. The running game couldn't get going, making Brett Favre the focal point, and he struggled, throwing 2 INTs. The Vikings have to pretty much win out to maintain any hope of having home field advantage. The Bengals can clinch the AFC North with a win. Their defense could give the Vikings some problems. Questions also remain about the Vikings, as they have struggled against some of the better teams they have faced. I think they come through in a close game.
Prediction: Minnesota 23, Cincinnati 20San Diego (9-3) at Dallas (8-4), Dallas favored by 3The Chargers are very hot, winning seven in a row and becoming legitimate Super Bowl contenders. QB Philip Rivers has been excellent, and he pretty much single-handedly carried my FFL fantasy team into the playoffs. The Cowboys are into December so of course they lost. The schedule is brutal for them this month, almost like a cruel joke from the schedule makers. Full blown panic will set in if they lose this one, especially with a game against New Orleans looming next week. Like I said last week, until the Cowboys prove they can win in December, I will pick against them.
Prediction: San Diego 27, Dallas 23Washington (3-9) at Oakland (4-8), Washington favored by 1For the third straight week the Redskins watched a fourth quarter lead go by the wayside. I was there in person to see it and was mad at myself for actually thinking they wouldn't find a way to choke the game. The Raiders are coming off a surprising win at Pittsburgh, where QB Bruce Gradkowski threw more touchdowns in the 4th quarter then Jamarcus Russell had thrown all season. The Raiders and Skins are both tough teams to figure out. If Washington plays like they have the last three weeks then that should be good enough to beat a bad Oakland team.
Prediction: Washington 21, Oakland 17Philadelphia (8-4) at New York Giants (7-5), New York Giants favored by 1Huge NFC East battle. The Giants got a much needed boost after defeating Dallas, while the Eagles have won three straight after throttling Atlanta. The Eagles embarrassed the Giants in their first meeting, so revenge will definitely be on New York's minds. The Eagles haven't always done well when having to play the Giants in prime time and unfortunately I think it will remain that way Sunday night.
Prediction: New York Giants 27, Philadelphia 21Arizona (8-4) at San Francisco (5-7), Arizona favored by 3The 49ers were all but eliminated from the playoff race after their loss at Seattle. They squandered a great opportunity to make their Monday night matchup against Arizona really mean something. The Cardinals will clinch the NFC West with a victory. Hopefully, the 49ers are motivated enough to not want to give up the division on their home field. The Cardinals have been excellent on the road all season, especially QB Kurt Warner. The Niners will play valiantly, but as has been the case all season, it won't be enough.
Prediction: Arizona 26, San Francisco 20Rest of Week 14New Orleans (12-0) at Atlanta (6-6), No LineIt is still unknown whether Falcons QB Matt Ryan will play. The Falcons have really been killed by injuries and it looks like their string of never putting together back to back winning seasons will continue. The only thing standing in the way of the Saints and 16-0 is next Saturday's game against Dallas.
Prediction: New Orleans 31, Atlanta 14Green Bay (8-4) at Chicago (5-7), Green Bay favored by 3The Packers are peaking, winners of four straight. The Bears finally got a win, albeit an unimpressive one against St. Louis. This is another case where the home team could be aided by a pumped up crowd for a rivalry game. The Bears just aren't very good though and the scream for change, something Chicagoans are used, will become louder after this one.
Prediction: Green Bay 34, Chicago 17Denver (8-4) at Indianapolis (12-0), Indianapolis favored by 7Indianapolis has been a house of horrors for the Broncos in recent history. This may be the last time this season we see the Colts full squad, as a win clinches them home field advantage. I really think the Colts should play for 16-0, as resting their starters in the past has never done any good. We shall see.
Prediction: Indianapolis 24, Denver 13Buffalo (4-8) at Kansas City (3-9), Line is EVENVegas doesn't even care enough about this game to pick a favorite.
Prediction: Buffalo 9, Kansas City 6Carolina (5-7) at New England (7-5), New England favored by 13 1/2The other heavyweight that has hit hard times in the AFC is the Patriots. Their AFC East lead is down to just one after falling to the Dolphins. Thankfully for them, they are home, where they are undefeated, and playing the Panthers. The Panthers defense played magnificently last week, but don't get too excited Pinto, it was against the Buccaneers. New England gets a much needed win, however, if they lose, expect to see some Patriots fans jumping off bridges.
Prediction: New England 24, Carolina 14New York Jets (6-6) at Tampa Bay (1-11), New York Jets favored by 3Left for dead two weeks ago, the Jets suddenly have a playoff pulse. They will be without QB Mark Sanchez, and will start Kellen Clemens. Jets fans are expecting a loss here, as the team gets their hopes up and then tends to lose games they should win. I think things will be different this time.
Prediction: New York Jets 17, Tampa Bay 12Miami (6-6) at Jacksonville (7-5), Jacksonville favored by 3The Dolphins saved their season with the upset of New England at home. The Jaguars got back on track at home against Houston, although only 20 people showed up to watch it. Maybe the Dolphins fans can pack the Jags stadium so the game won't be blacked out. Every game is a must win for Miami, while the Jaguars also need to win to hold on to the sixth and final playoff spot. I still think the Jags are huge fluke frauds.
Prediction: Miami 21, Jacksonville 20Detroit (2-10) at Baltimore (6-6), Baltimore favored by 13The Lions are still losers, they just aren't losing quite as badly. Daunte Culpepper will start for the injured Matthew Stafford. The Ravens are another AFC team that pretty much have to win out to make the playoffs. QB Joe Flacco has really struggled lately, and with the defense not being nearly as good as last year, the Ravens have dropped six of their last nine. Good time to play the Lions.
Prediction: Baltimore 20, Detroit 10Seattle (5-7) at Houston (5-7), Houston favored by 6Texans coach Gary Kubiak is squarely on the hot seat, as a 5-3 start has turned into a 5-7 mess. The Seahawks have also been disappointing. It is kind of hard to figure out why they have struggled as QB Matt Hasslebeck has actually put up decent numbers. It probably comes from their lack of a running game. I must be foolish because I am actually picking the Texans. However, all of the pressure is off of them now, which is when they play their best.
Prediction: Houston 26, Seattle 23St. Louis (1-11) at Tennessee (5-7), Tennessee favored by 13Ten years ago this was a Super Bowl matchup. Now it is just a meaningless December game between two teams who will be home in January. The Rams, much like the Lions, are still losers, but are at least competitive. They won't embarrass themselves in Tennessee.
Prediction: Tennessee 19, St. Louis 13Last Week Against the Spread: 6-10Overall Against the Spread: 99-92-1Last Week Straight Up: 10-6Overall Straight Up: 123-68
It's the last week of the NFL regular season! I would love to give you a full preview to go with my predictions but it is New Year's Eve. All I really feel like doing is drinking. So enjoy the picks. Next week I will be back to full strength for the Wild Card round!
