Let’s start with the games that don’t matter:
Steelers over Panthers… they’re already in, they’re at home, and their opponent is playing for the rights to Andrew Luck. I expect a boring, methodical bitch-slapping.
Cowboys over Cardinals… ah, an old NFC East rivalry. I bet the Cards are glad to be out of that division and in one where all you need is 8 wins to make the playoffs. Can someone please rescue Larry Fitzgerald? He’s dying out there!
Lions over Dolphins… earlier in the season this would have been harder to pick. Lions are bad on the road, Dolphins are bad at home, and the whole Chad Pennington vs. Drew Stanton debate. Can someone please rescue Calvin Johnson? He’s dying out there!
Patriots over Bills… what’s the over/under on points here? 75? 95??? Can I take the over no matter what?
Texans over Broncos… I was going to lean on the Broncos’ passing tearing through the Texans’ secondary, but Tebow is too much of wild card. It appears the Broncos have quit, while the Texans legitimately look to be fighting to keep their mediocre coach.
Moving on to the games that matter for one team:
Jaguars over Redskins… rule # 115b of picking NFL games: NEVER back a QB nicknamed “Sexy Rexy.”
Chiefs over Titans… rule #7 of picking NFL games: ALWAYS pick the home team with a desperate fan-base that can smell the playoffs and has already swung 2 or 3 games this year.
Ravens over Browns… if the Ravens had clinched, or were out of contention, I’d lean towards the sneaky Browns. But they’ve had their big upset… at least they can look forward to the Cavaliers season. Oh, wait… my bad.
Chargers over Bengals… what a lousy break for the Chiefs. They’re one game ahead and the Chargers are playing teams that are a combined 6-22. At least they’re on the road for both.
Eagles over Vikings… has Mike Vick repaid his debt and realigned his karma? I’m not sure what it would take for most people to forgive and forget. Personally, I’m hoping he gets his throwing hand bitten off by a Chihuahua.
And finally, the games that matter for both teams:
Rams over 49ers… despite looking lost last week for half the game, the Rams are probably the best all-around team in the NFC West… which is like saying “look out for Florida International, they are the most balanced team in the Sun Belt.”
Bears over Jets… the Bears are playing for a first-round bye, the Jets are too inconsistent offensively… take the home team.
Colts over Raiders… rule #707d for picking football games: if Peyton Manning has a chance to make the playoffs, he will. Also, tough break for the Raiders… they could go 6-0 in the AFC West and not win it.
Packers over Giants… they almost beat the Patriots without Aaron Rodgers, and they are the only offense that doesn’t become one-dimensional in the freezing cold.
Buccaneers over Seahawks… Seattle’s hopes are a long shot, but the game still does matter. I see this game as laying the ground work for a Tampa resurgence, but I don’t think it will involve Josh Freeman.
Falcons over Saints… so many picking rules over lapping: Matt Ryan is like 20-1 at home; never count out the defending champs; pick the better running game; pick the better coach; pick the team that lost the previous match-up; never pick against a team starting two guys from your alma mater… let’s just say I wouldn’t bet ANY money on either team, not matter what the spread may be.
Last Week: 9-7Season: 135-89
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