Saturday Night
Bengals @ San Francisco(+8)
The Niners are terrible, just ugly bad. I say the Bengals cover this, even on the road.
Sunday 1:00
Cardinals @ New Orleans(-3.5)
I don’t have a clear sense of this game. Maybe the Saints can build on last week, I don’t know. Oh, heck, I’ll give the points.
Falcons @ Tampa Bay(-13)
Man, that’s a lot of points. But I’ve seen few teams that looked as bad as the Falcons did last week, and now with the coach thing… very ugly. Bucs.
Ravens @ Miami(+3.5)
In the first part of the season, the Dolphins did a good job of keeping it close. However, the two recent total blowouts suggest they’ve given up. I wonder if the Ravens haven’t given up as well, but surely they still have enough to pride to cover this.
Bills @ Cleveland(-5.5)
It’s been a very nice run for the Bills, and now they’re flirting with a playoff spot and everything, but this is really smoke and mirrors, isn’t it? I’m taking the Browns.
Packers @ St. Louis(+9)
One more win and the Packers lock up the first-round bye, and of course the Rams are horrible. Still, I think the Packers might lay off the gas a little and the Rams still have something, and will keep it closer than nine.
Jaguars @ Pittsburgh(-3)
This is the real test for the Jags, isn’t it? On the road against a good team. I think the Jags will crowd the line and try to get Pittsburgh to just throw, which is not their way. Still, the Steelers have something extra in the tank at home. Tough pick. Steelers, I think.
Jest @ New England(-21.5)
Pats. By like, I dunno, 40?
Seahawks @ Carolina(+7.5)
The only real question is whether the Seabags will start resting people because they’ve clinched. Nah, they’ll cover this.
Titans @ Kansas City(+4)
Tennessee still has some life, but what does KC have? Nothing comes to mind, so I’ll give the points.
Sunday, 4:10±5
Colts @ Oakland(+10.5)
The Raiders are awful and the Colts appear to be back to their old form, so I’ll give the points.
Lions @ San Diego(-10)
I’m going to take the points on the theory that it’ll somehow be more heartbreaking for Lions fans if they can manage to lose it late in the game in consecutive weeks.
Eagles @ Dallas(-10.5)
Meh, Philly has been a disaster most of the season. Cowboys cover this easily.
Sunday NBC
Redskins @ New Jersey Giants Stadium(-4.5)
Washington is done for the season, and given their circumstances, I think they’ll feel like nobody will blame them if they pack it in. Giants cover.
MNF
Bears @ Minnesota(-10)
OK, the Vikings have been on a roll lately, but ten? Oh, yeah, it’s the Kyle Orton show. OK, I’ll give the ten, but it still should be only eight.