Saturday, December 23rd, 2006
Kansas City -6 @ Oakland--- I do know that Oakland plays MUCH better at home. They do not like the Kansas City Chiefs. It is a hated rivalry, but if you don't score ( which is something Oakland does not do well ) and you allow an average of 21 points a game that tells me that regardless of what the rivalry is if you don't score, you can't win. I will take the Chiefs ( and give up the points ) to keep their dwindling playoff hopes alive.
Sunday, December 24th, 2006 ( Christmas Eve )
Tennesee +5 @ Buffalo--- The Bills are hot having won 5 of their last 7 games. The Titans are as hot winning 7 of their last 9 games. Something here has got to give. The Bills might very well be the 2nd best team in the division behind the Patriots. The Titans are going to be a good team for the future. Both teams with upswing, I will go with the home team and give up the points.
New Orleans +3 @ NY Giants--- The biggest upset here is that the Giants are the favorites. Those that made up these odds have not appartently watch the Giants over the last 6 weeks as the Giants are 1-5 over those 6 weeks. The Saints an indoor team has played well enough that with a win and a Dallas loss will clinch a first round bye. Weather will not be a factor here as the temperatures will be in the mid 50's and the winds will be a about 15MPH. So what exactly were the oddsmakers looking at??? I guess we will never know. Take the points and the Saints to beat the woeful Giants.
Carolina +6 @ Atlanta--- Last time these two teams met it was Opening Day to the NFL season. The Falcons upset the then favored Carolina Panthers 20-6 in Carolina. This will be no upset this time. Carolina is a beaten team. The team that I picked to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl fell flat on their faces. The Falcons are fighting to go to he playoffs. All I can see is the Falcons winning this game. Take the Falcons and lay the 6 points.
Washington +2 1/2 @ St. Louis--- St.Louis has been hit or miss all year. Washington is playing very competitive despite their 5-9 record. For that reason ( and the fact that the Rams are 2-7 in their last 9 games, ) I will take the points and Washington to actually beat the Rams.
Indianapolis -8 1/2 @ Houston---Will the real Indianapolis Colts please stand up??? Indianapolis has struggled for the last 4 weeks until they met up with Cincinnati on Monday Night. Maybe now the Colts will get on that roll. The last time these faced each other was back in September as Indianapolis scored a 43-24 victory in Indianapolis. Though Houston has improved since then, I would still expect a similar outcome. Lay the 8 1/2 and take the Colts.
Baltimore +3 @ Pittsburgh---These two teams met on November 26th in Baltimore and the Ravens pounded the Steelers 27-0. The Steelers are probably really angry and will come out firing against their hated rivals. Baltimore still has a first round bye to play for and the Steelers have the slimmest of playoff hopes. Look for the Steelers to extract revenge for the pounding they took in Baltimore and win this game outright. Taking the points and the Steelers.
Tampa Bay +3 1/2 @ Cleveland--- Cleveland is 2-5 at home. I am sure they would love to win their home finale. Tampa is 0-7 on the road. I do like Cleveland in this game, so I will give up the points and take the Browns to go to 5-10.
Chicago -4 1/2 @ Detroit--- Detroit has played better at home. The Bears actually have nothing to play for here. They need to stay healthy and that is what they will be playing for. So with that said, Detroit actually has a fighting chance in this game. Fact is, many Lions fans are hoping this will be the final 2 games of the Matt Millen era so the fans themselves probably do not care what happens here. They want the off-season to being and hear the words " you're fired Millen." Taking the points and the Lions.
New England +3 @ Jacksonville--- Let's be fair here. I want to see New England here because of the Jets playoff hopes. Though if Jacksonville should win the Jets could still make it. Fact is, if the Jets finish in a three way tie that involves Jacksonville, the Jets lose out. That said, New England still has not clinched anything yet. If New England wins, they clinch the AFC East division. If Jacksonville wins, they keep a strong hold on a wildcard spot. New England is 5-1 on the road and Jacksonville is 6-1 at home. An interesting game. It will be fun to watch. Taking the points and the Pats.
Arizona +4 @ San Francisco--- San Francisco needs this game. If they win and Seattle loses at San Diego the 49ers have something to play for next week. Arizona is 1-5 on the road. The 49ers should prevail here. Taking the 49ers and giving the points.
Cincinnati +1 @ Denver--- I like Denver at home. Cincinnati's Carson Palmer is hurt. And if he isn't he is acting like it. This is the playoffs for BOTH teams. Again, I like Denver to win at home.
San Diego -4 1/2 @ Seattle--- I think that Seattle is choking this season away. After the previous Thursday debacle against San Francisco, Seattle draws the high flying Chargers. Now I believe this will be a high scoring affair, but I also believe that the Chargers will prevail. Seattle will probably need to win next week to have a shot at winning their division. I am taking the Chargers and giving up the points.
Christmas Day
Philadelphia +7 @ Dallas--- The Eagles are dead. That is all I heard from Giants and Dallas fans. Then this should be easy picking for Dallas. Nope!!! Philadelphia has scored the Daily Double by beating the Redskins and the Giants on the road. Now they go for the Trifecta. I think they can do it. Furthermore, I think that the Eagles think they can do it. For two reasons. 1) T.O. is acting is usual self again. 2) I am sure that the Eagles would love nothing more than to stick it to T.O. since T.O. felt their was an " I " in team. So I will take the Eagles to upset the spitter and his " little girls."
NY Jets +3 @ Miami--- Miami has played extremely well down the stretch. Though their 21-0 trashing at the hands of the Bills really made the fans of Miami question whether or not their QB of the future is on the team at this time. The Jets on the other hand are playing with house money. They were not expected to win 5 games let along be in contention for the playoffs. I think that the Jets will play a close game with Miami as usual and this game will be decided by a field goal. I look to take the points and the Jets in this huge game for the Jets and the rest of the AFC playoff contenders.
Those are the picks for week 16. Have a safe and Happy Holiday!!!
