Man, I am SO AWESOME at this.
Friday, December 25
1. Tennessee Titans
A desperate team, at home, with a vicious running game, fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, versus a team that's already clinched their division, with a poor run defense. This isn't just a consolation pick: I really think the Titans will win this one.
Sunday, December 27
2. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons won't be in the playoffs, but if they win out they can finish with back-to-back winning seasons
for the first time in franchise history. So don't tell me they're not playing for anything.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
Chiefs, you let 3rd-string RB Jerome Harrison rush for 286 yards in one game last week. This is his fourth year in the league, and that's 40 more yards than he had run for in any of his first three SEASONS. He was averaging 23 ypg THIS season. I mean... wow. I mean, Chiefs, it's looking like Betty White could run for 100 yards on you. And the Bengals, who just showed as much heart in defeat as any team all season, will need this game to clinch the NFC North.
4. Cleveland Browns
Shane Lechler and Sebastian Janikowski versus Joshua Cribbs in a four-round death match.
5. Green Bay Packers
I don't know what you saw in the Seahawks getting undressed by a bad Tampa Bay team, but I saw that it's time for Matt Hasselbeck to retire. On the other side, the Packers aren't losing because of Aaron Rodgers, who has been terrific despite a porous offensive line.
6. Miami Dolphins
Down 24-9, on the road, at the start of the 4th quarter, and the Dolphins came back to tie and take the game to overtime. I look over the Dolphins other losses (Colts, Chargers, Saints, Patriots, etc.) and there's really only one stinker in the bunch (at Buffalo? Seriously?). Miami is a pretty good 7-7 team.
7. Baltimore Ravens
The Steelers had just taken the lead with five minutes left in the fourth quarter, and Mike Tomlin called for an onside kick. Why? He figured his defense was SO BAD, that he'd give the Packers a short field to score, so Big Ben would have time to drive the Steelers one more time for another score. He was right on both counts. But wow, it's tough to take the Steelers as a serious playoff threat with that defense.
8. New York Giants
The sign of a mediocre team is one that beats the bad teams and loses to the good teams. The Giants are 3-6 against teams that entered their game with a winning record, and 5-0 against teams that entered at .500 or below. The Panthers are 6-8.
9. New England Patriots
When all is said and done, if the Patriots win Sunday, they'll clinch the AFC East. What more needs to be said?
10. New Orleans Saints
The Saints simply were not the better team last week. They definitely will be this week, and they still need a win to clinch home-field in the playoffs.
11. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are notorious for playing up or down to the level of their opponents... but I just couldn't pick against them because that Rams offense is SO DAMN BAD.
12. San Francisco 49ers
The Lions are 0-7 on the road, having lost by an AVERAGE of 21 ppg, and they haven't stayed within single digits in a single game.
13. Philadelphia Eagles
You know, I thought the Broncos were pretty legit by about Week 8. But letting JAMARCUS RUSSELL punk you with a game-winning drive, at HOME? The Broncos are the biggest fraudy frauds that ever did fraud.
14. New York Jets
You've already clinched homefield advantage, you've got A BUNCH of banged up starters who really need a week or two off, and you'll be facing a rabid, Rex Ryan-led defense that will either be fighting for their slim playoff lives, or pissed off that they've been mathematically eliminated. As much as I hate the '72 Dolphins, if you're the Colts I just can't see WHY you'd play your starters more than a quarter or two. Even a 16-0 season is just not worth it. That said, I feel REAL nervous about choosing any team with Mark Sanchez at QB. He'll be good in a couple years: he's not that good right now.
15. Dallas Cowboys
"Hmm, Dallas has lost three of their last four in D.C., and this could be a let-down game after their big win at New Orleans... maybe I should pick the Redskins?" Then I watched the Monday night game. Heh. Nevermind.
Monday, December 28
16. Minnesota Vikings
People think it's an either/or statement, when it's not: Brett Favre is BOTH a sure-fire Hall of Famer
AND the most overrated QB of all time. The Brett Favre of earlier this season, throwing darts all over the field and terrifying opposing defenses? That was not an anomaly, that's the real Brett Favre. The Brett Favre against Carolina, impatient, making rookie decisions, throwing terrible free-for-all passes that were easily intercepted? That was also not an anomaly, that's ALSO the real Brett Favre. But it's not all his fault: if the Vikings can't start tackling better, they'll be one-and-done in January. My point? Oh, uh, the Bears are terrible.
Bonus Question 1: What will be the Point Spread of Game# 15 ( Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Redskins )?
16
Bonus Question 2: What will be the Final Total Points of Game# 16 ( Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears )?
53