Thursday Night Football
Cleveland +7 1/2 @ Pittsburgh--- I really believe that the Browns like the idea of playing spoiler. In this case they are just playing the game. The last time these two teams met was on November 19th. The Steelers won that game 24-20 with 35 seconds left on a shovel pass then had to hold off the Browns from pulling out a miracilous win in the final seconds. Now I know this game is in Pittsburgh, but what has changed with these two teams in the last three weeks??? Nothing. So my thoughts are that Cleveland can keep this game within a touchdown. And since Cleveland has had 9 of their 12 games have been decided by 8 points or less. So based on that, I will take the points and the Browns.
Sunday, December 10th,2006
Baltimore +3 @ Kansas City---These two teams lost bad games last week. The Ravens in the rain to the Bengals and the Chiefs in Cleveland blew a 14 point lead. Baltimore needs to win to clinch the division and Kansas City to hang in with wildcard playoff hanging in the balance. This game is very important to both teams. I will stay consistant and go with the home team when they need an important win.
Atlanta -3 @ Tampa Bay--- Atlanta continues their weird season and at 6-6 has a chance to go to the playoffs. But are they ready to win a BIG game??? I am not so sure. Tampa Bay is involved in a lost season but they do have a chance to drive a dagger into the Falcons hearts. I am going to give up the points in this game and cross my fingers that the Falcons will actually win this game.
Minnesota +2 1/2 @ Detroit---How bad is this game??? Let's see. Minnesota lost a game last week in which the opposing QB was 6 for 19 for 34 yards and threw three INT's. But their QB threw four INT's. The Lions actually played a quality game against the Patriots as the Lions lost 28-21. I have been a believer ( probably too much so ) in the Lions. Since Minnesota really stinks as well as the Lions, I will go with the home team.
Tennessee +1 @ Houston---This is not a glamore game. But it will be a fun game. You have two exciting teams who are playing well. The Texans since October 1st is 4-5. The Texans were blown out in the second half in both Dallas and the Jets. All the other games have been VERY close. The Titans have won five of their last seven with HUGE wins against the Giants and now the Indianapolis Colts. This Titans team is really growing up with Vince Young as QB. Now is Young's ankle going to be okay this week??? If it is the Titans could win on the road. I will watch this game with great interest. I will take the Titans on the road this week.
Giants +3 1/2 @Carolina--- The Giants came acrossed last week with a much more spirited effort in the loss against Dallas. Though they lost they did show that if this Giants defense was healthy they could have beaten Dallas on Sunday. Carolina has struggled losing 5 games this season after they lead in the 4th quarter. Both of these teams desparately need this game. At this time I have learned that Jake Delhomme will not play on Sunday. That being the case and Chris Weinke starting in his place I will go with the Giants to win this game. Taking the points and the Giants.
New Orleans +6 1/2 @ Dallas---So here we are. The Saints who have become the darlings of America against a team where their fans have been disrespectful to them all year long. These are NOT Archie Manning's Saints. And these are NOT Roger Staubach's Cowqueens. Fact is, the Saints have been the second best team versus the conference at 7-1. Only the Bears are better at 8-0. The Saints are 4-2 on the road this season. The Saints with a win and a Giants win will just about give the Saints the division. Something to prove. In the meantime while the fans can start the threads about those Cowboys the bottomline is that this team has yet to prove anything to anyone except the Dallas fans. This is a team that has been to a playoff only once in the last 6 years. Let's keep that in mind. And though, Tony Romo has been outstanding to this point he has yet to have a pitfall game to bring Dallas fans crashing back down to earth. This could be the week. In fact, if I am a Dallas fan, I am hoping he has one of those crash and burn weeks BEFORE the playoffs start. Is this the week??? Probably not. I actually believe in the Cowboys this week. I am just not a believer in the spread. I will take the points and the Saints.
Buffalo +3 1/2 @ Jets--- Buffalo at 5-7 are out of the playoff picture. Since unlike the NFC where a losing record or a .500 record in that hideous conference will make you a wildcard team, the AFC wildcard teams will need to win 10 or 11 games. So with Buffalo having nothing to play for, they come to the Meadowlands to play the Jets. The Jets know they need this game. Mangini and the rest of the Jets will play on that. The Jets served notice to Buffalo in September that they were a different team with a 28-20 victory over the Bills. Now they come to the Jets playground. Expect similar results. Give up the points and go with the Jets.
Indianapolis -1 1/2 @ Jacksonville--- I believe that Indianapolis needs to jump on the horse this week. A loss this week to Jacksonville and that old feeling of not playing well down the stretch as it was a year ago could start to fill their heads. I believe that Indianapolis NEEDS this game. Jacksonville really does need this game as well. They are 7-5 and in the thick of the wildcard playoff hunt. A loss could be a disaster for the Jaguars. For whatever reason, I am going to take the Colts to deliver a blow to the Jaguars playoff hopes.
Philadelphia +1 1/2 @ Washington--- What a performance by Jeff Garcia and the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. They will need another such performance by Jeff Garcia if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive. This is the start of an incredibly tough stretch. The Eagles play at Washington, then play at New York to take on the Giants and finish their three game stretch with a game in Dallas on Christmas Day. The Eagles are 2-3 on the road. If they are to continue to fight for a playoff spot they must beat Washington to do so. Washington would love nothing better than to play spoiler to a division foe. As a result, no easy task for the Philadelphia Eagles this week. Washington is 3-3 at home this season with their wins at home coming from Houston, Jacksonville and Dallas. No easy game, but I will take the Eagles and the point and a half.
Oakland +11 @ Cincinnati--- Cincinnati is another team fighting for their playoff life. The fact that this is a home game makes it a little easier. Cincinnati is 3-3 at home while the Raiders are 0-6 on the road. Oakland is has given up an average of 13 points on the road in their last four road games. The Raiders have only averaged a touchdown on the road over that same stretch of four road games. The Bengals over their last four home games have had games decided by an average of five points. Keeping with that thought, I will take the Raiders and the 11 points. I believe that the Raiders will lose on Sunday but I do believe that they will play with pride.
New England -3 1/2 @ Miami--- This is a tune-up for the Patriots before the playoffs begin. With the division in control ( lead the Jets by two games with four to play ) and Miami all but out of playoff contention, this is a pride game for the Fish. Can they control the Pats and keep this game close or have they closed the door on the season. I will take the Patriots and give up the points.
Green Bay +5 @ San Francisco--- San Francisco has played well lately. They have played well at home with a 4-2 record. In order to have a shot at the playoffs the 49ers need to run the table. Green Bay though 3-3 on the road got hammered last week by the Jets 38-10. I think that the Packers will play close for a while but San Francisco will win this game. Giving up the points and taking the 49ers.
Seattle -3 1/2 @ Arizona--- Arizona is showing signs of life. They are showing that the future is certainly bright. Here is a game that could be the true tail of how bright it is. A win here would go a long way of boosting this franchise confidence that the future is VERY soon. But Seattle is still playing for a first round bye in the playoffs. I will take the Cardinals here only because Arizona has only been blown out at home once this season and four of Seattle's eight victories have been decide by a last second field goal.
Denver +7 1/2 @ San Diego--- Hey there Denver fans, did Jay Cutler give you everything you want in a QB??? What Denver did still surprises me. Jake Plummer for all his faults had this team at 7-4 and in the wildcard playoffs. With one game by Jay Cutler ( not that it was the rookie's fault ) the Broncos find themselves in a five way tie for the final two playoff spots. The schedule is not easy going to San Diego either. San Diego defeated the Broncos in Denver 35-27 on November 19th. That was after the Broncos jumped out to a 24-7 lead. Let's also throw into the mix that if San Diego wins and Kansas City should happen to lose to Baltimore, San Diego will knock Denver out of the division mix and have Kansas City on life support for a division title. I am going with the Chargers and giving up the 7 1/2.
Monday Night Football
Chicago -6 1/2 @ St.Louis--- Chicago is playing for homefield throughout the playoffs. St.Louis is still playing for a playoff spot. I expect that to end on Monday. I will take the Bears despite the fact that I think that my mother is a better QB that Rex Grossman is.
Those are the picks for week 14. As always, my picks are subject to change based on injuries and whatever ends up happening over the course of the week. Good Luck to everyone!!!
