OK, so we suck, we both forgot the Thursday game. I would have taken the Chargers, probably up to like +10. Oh well.
Sunday 1:00
Buffalo @ Miami(-5)
For some odd reason, the Dolphins haven’t been as good at home. Letdown game after beating their division rival last week, too. Takin’ the Bills again.
Browns @ Cincinnati(-1)
The battle for Ohio, though I’m not sure the people in Ohio even care. I don’t like the Bungles to be favored against anyone. Cleveland.
Lions @ Tampa Bay(-4.5)
Detroit on the road? No way.
Jaguars @ Indianapolis(-4.5)
Wow, how about that, the Jags getting more than a field goal. I don’t see the Colts stopping the run, so I think the Jags can keep it close. This game is huge for the playoffs, so I like it to be close anyway.
Cardinals @ Carolina(-2.5)
This is the kind of game they show people in Hell to make sure they know they’re being eternally tortured. Panthers, I guess, since Arizona seems to be in a tailspin.
Saints @ Baltimore(-1)
Wild. I have to tell you, I was not impressed with the Ravens defense late against the Texans. If they have to go to OT to hold off Houston, I’ll happily take that point. The Baltimore D was looking downright old, even if they did get a pick to win it, they looked gassed giving up two 95+ yard drives in a row in the 4th. The Saints should be able to take advantage of that.
Eagles @ New Jersey Giants(-3)
Hunh? Someone in Vegas clearly knows something I don’t, because the wrong team is favored here. I mean, yes, if the Giants can hold on to the ball and get the run going, they can be competitive here, but that seems iffy. I hate this pick, because when the spread is the wrong way, that usually means something is up. Grr. No, I’m sticking with Philly here.
Chiefs @ St. Louis(-1.5)
Matt Cassel for MVP, right? I mean, how lost did their offense look last week without him? Cassel is still listed as “questionable” and frankly, I can’t imagine playing football that soon after losing an appendix. Without him, they have no shot. Rams.
Redskins @ Dallas(-7)
Sexy Rexy at QB! Woo hoo! Give the points. Give ten, easy.
Texans @ Tennessee(-1)
Super Mario is done for the season, so the Texans normally tepid pass rush will be even worse. We know they absolutely cannot cover anybody at all anyway, and with unlimited time to throw? This is going to be ugly. In fact, with Aaron Rodgers out, I just picked up Collins for my fantasy team, as he’s likely to have a huge day. Titans.
Sunday ~4:10
Falcons @ Seattle(+6)
Atlanta isn’t flashy, but they are incredibly solid. In some sense you’d say they don’t need this game, but they’re incredible at home and so they really want home field for the playoffs—they’ll be up for this game and win by at least at TD.
Jest @ Pittsburgh(-4.5)
So, Gang Green has sucked against good teams, and their offense has looked horrible lately, and… oh, great, a road game against the Steelers. Yeah, that should go well. Give the points, of course. Strangely, Rex Ryan seems to have cut down on all the yapping. Funny, that. Keep your mouth shut, Rex, and take your beating.
Broncos @ Oakland(-7.5)
Ahh, Tim Tebow gets the start for a team on a death march. Awful, awful. And it’s not like the Raiders won’t be up for the hated Broncos. This could get ugly. Raiders all the way.
SNF
Packers @ New England(-14)
Another team that would like home field would be the Pats. If the Steeler win, which they should, the Pats will know they need this game to keep ahead for home field. Without Rodgers, the Packers have no chance at all. Give the huge number.
MNF
Bears @ Vikings(+7.5)
I so love the idea of outdoor football in December in my hometown, just the the old Met when I was a kid. Unfortunately, it’s supposed to warm up there and might even be in the 20s, but they say 50% chance of snow. Tarvaris Jackson in the snow… the possibilities for turnovers are mind-boggling. Plus, the Bears actually play in the cold, and the Vikings don’t. Give the points, no problem.
Yeah, I would have picked the Chargers too, so no worries.
Sunday 1:00
Buffalo @ Miami(-5)
I’ve got the Bills. Too many points for a team that can’t score.
Browns @ Cincinnati(-1)
Wow. Wrong team favored. I’ve got the Browns.
Lions @ Tampa Bay(-4.5)
The Bucs have a lot of key injuries. Don’t think they should be laying more than a field goal. I’ll take the Lions.
Jaguars @ Indianapolis(-4.5)
Ugh. I don’t like this game. I guess I’ll take the points. Indy has struggled of late and the Jags have looked good. Maybe it will be close.
Cardinals @ Carolina(-2.5)
Carolina is hideous. I’ll take the Cardinals with the good pass rush. Clausen will hit the deck often.
Saints @ Baltimore(-1)
Baltimore is due for another loss against another quality NFC team. It should be similar to the Falcons game. I’ll take the Saints.
Eagles @ New Jersey Giants(-3)
I like getting points with the better team. The Giants almost won the last time they played. I guess the Eagles are overall playing better. I’ll take the Vick show. On a side note…it’s probably good that “who let the dogs out?” song isn’t popular anymore.
Chiefs @ St. Louis(-1.5)
I really like the Rams. I think they can handle the Chiefs at home, especially with their depleted unit.
Redskins @ Dallas(-7)
Yikes. Rex Grossman. That’s just scary. Ok, I guess it’s Dallas.
Texans @ Tennessee(-1)
Both teams are probably down after tough losses, but I think there are more questions on Fisher’s club. I like the Texans to have a bit more fight. Houston.
Sunday ~4:10
Falcons @ Seattle(+6)
The Falcons are on a serious roll. The Seahawks won’t be able to slow them down. Wow did Seattle look bad last week. And the Falcons are just solid in every phase. Very impressive…but just shows what you can do in a “parity” year. Falcons.
Jest @ Pittsburgh(-4.5)
So I’ve been picking against the Jets the past few weeks. And with good reason. But Troy is out and the Jets just can’t be as bad as they’ve looked. Really! Hopefully they can get Ben to make some mistakes and keep it close.
Broncos @ Oakland(-7.5)
The Broncos have closed up shop. They’re seeing what Tebow can do, or else showcasing him for a trade. There’s a chance that Oakland won’t take this game seriously, but they do need a win to keep pace. Raiders.
SNF
Packers @ New England(-14)
That number is just too high. The Pats don’t need this game. There’s no reason to play it. The Packers are desperate for it, even with Flynn playing. Green Bay.
MNF
Bears @ Vikings(+7.5)
Vikings have a third stringer going and their not at home. They won’t want to play. Normally I’d not pick the Bears in this spot, but the Vikings are just done. Give the big number.