A good weekend for the picks; I went 11-3 for an overall record of 74-41. There are some elimination games this weekend – win or wait for next year. A few coaching staffs can see the writing on the wall.
On to the picks:
Indianapolis Colts (5-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-7) - Amazing Luck! at Misery
How has the NFL Network ended up with such bad games? Andrew Luck is every bit as advertised. The Jags are awful. Watch the Jags win to spite me. Pick: Colts
Denver Broncos (5-3) at Carolina Panthers (2-6) – Peyton’s Place at A Cam Sighting
A week ago the Broncos were the IT team. People have moved on already after that so-so showing this past weekend. The Panthers decided to show up for a game. I trust Peyton more than Cam. Pick: Broncos
N.Y. Giants (6-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-5) - The Champs at Sophomore Slumps
The Giants D-Line was called soft this week by the coach. OUCH. I feel bad for Andy Dalton since he will feel their wrath. The Bengals are slowly falling apart. They need a win in the worst way, but not this week. Pick: Giants
Tennessee Titans (3-6) at Miami Dolphins (4-4) – On Notice! at Better than Expected
Bud Adams blew a gasket after watching his team stink up the joint against the Bears. He’s cheap, so I don’t expect him to eat many contracts, but there will be changes this offseason since they will lose another one against the very surprising Dolphins. Dolphins lost a game they needed but aren’t done. Pick: Dolphins
Detroit Lions (4-4) at Minnesota Vikings (5-4) - Rebounding at Not so raging Hordes
These teams confuse me. Lions have issues and the Vikings are a team that needs more – something. Lions are slowly getting it together while the Vikings had it together early in the season. Honestly, I’m not sure who to pick so I’ll go with the team that will give me fantasy points. Pick: Lions
Oakland Raiders (3-5) at Baltimore Ravens (6-2) – New raging hordes at Not Contenders
On paper, this should be a mismatch. However, the Ravens D is a shell of its former glory and the O is having trouble finding the gear shift; they’re in neutral right now. Raiders- they compete, except when giving up hundreds of yards on the ground to a rookie RB. Maybe Ray Rice will get some touches. Pick: Ravens
Buffalo Bills (3-5) at New England Patriots (5-3) – Overrated at The Empire
The Bills are bad and overpaid. The Empire is back from London. No sure if the Sith are complaining this week, but I’m sure something has them mad. A playoff bye is there for the taking in the AFC. I expect an offensive explosion out of the Empire this weekend. Pick: Empire
San Diego Chargers (4-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4) – Fire Norv! at Pirates Ahoy!
Chargers are on the road in the Eastern Time Zone against a very tough Bucs team. If you have Doug Martin, play him again. Norv needs to keep winning, but I’m not sure this is going to be close. In Rivers I trust not! Pick: Buccaneers
Atlanta Falcons (8-0) at New Orleans Saints (3-5) – Prove it in the Post Season at Not this Season
If the Saints win, they might have a shot at the post season. Lose and that is pretty much it. No one is talking about the Falcons because they talked about them for the last three years and they flamed out in their first playoff game. Until they win that first game – NO ONE CARES. Still, unbeaten at this point is impressive. Pick: Falcons
N.Y. Jets (3-5) at Seattle Seahawks (5-4) – Media Hos at Not Sleepwalking in Seattle
Another game with major implications. Jets need to win to hope for a playoff shot while the Seahawks have to keep pace in the NFC. Beating the Vikes put them in the driver’s seat, but there is a lot of football left. The Jets…they are a mess and have lots of injuries and are playing in a very tough place. The mocking Tebow chants will be hounding the Jets by the 4th quarter. Pick: Seahawks
Dallas Cowboys (3-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-5) - Egomaniacs at Bye Andy
Elimination game. Winner has a chance, loser is done. Cowboys are a better mess than the Eagles. The Andy Reid countdown has started. I am so mad that I am actually doing this. I hate the Cowboys! Pick: Cowboys (I need a shower!)
St. Louis Rams (3-5) at San Francisco 49ers (6-2) – Rebuilding with Jeff at We Will BREAK YOU!
Rams got crushed in London. The Niners are still a team that will break you in two pieces and laugh while doing it. This might get ugly. Pick: 49ers
Houston Texans (7-1) at Chicago Bears (7-1) – Great Expectations at Midway Maulers
Game of the Week. The Texans don’t play well past their bed time. Night games aren’t their thing. The Monsters of the Midway should be mobsters; they will rob you blind. Jay may be snarly but he is getting the job done. I have a feeling that Barwin and Watt will be sitting on him a few times. Pick: Bears
Kansas City Chiefs (1-7) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) – Terrible at Old & Rusty
The Chiefs are just BAD. The Steelers may be old and they may be rusty, but they are still the Steelers! The Chiefs already have QB issues and after this game they will be on starter number three. Pick: Steelers
Bye: Arizona, Green Bay, Washington, Cleveland