Week 16 Picks

You can never trust the Packers, period. Am I bitter? A bit, you would like to think that I can get past my hatred of that team in Wisconsin and appreciate the solid playing career of Brett Favre. The Packers then lay a green and gold egg and lose 48-3 to the Ravens who wouldn't know an offense if it hit them in the face multiple times. When Favre is throwing balls that Deion Sanders (Is he still in this league??) Consider there were two separate four and three game stretches where the Ravens didn't score 48 points total. Oh well, I should be happy that the Pack is back in the crapper, but I can dare to dream that Brett Favre will have that last golden game against the Bears and blow up their playoff plans. Its a wild dream, but hey. 10-6 last week is pattern I wish I could break out of. There are too many games that make you scratch your head and are too close to call, but I give it a shot. Once again, humbly submitted for your approval are this weeks picks. NFL SCHEDULE – WEEK 16 Saturday, December 24 Atlanta (8-6) @ Tampa Bay (9-5) Raymond James Stadium-1:00 FOX Favorite-Bucs by 3 Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives, though the Bucs are in better shape neither can afford another loss. Atlanta has never had back to back winning seasons in their team history. With Carolina on their docket, that is still in question. Both teams can pound the rock and a repeat of November 20th 30-27 thriller could be on tap, but the Bucs are much better than the 28-0 thumping that they got last week and the Falcons aren't much better than the loss they took at Chicago. The Bucs put their playoff run into overdrive here. Fast Fact: For all the hand wringing about Michael Vick's stats, he threw for over 300 yards the last time he faced the Bucs. Don't think it will happen again. Pick-Tampa Bay Buffalo (4-10) @ Cincinnati (11-3) Paul Brown Stadiium-1:00 CBS Favorite-Bengals by 13 Someone needs to ask Takeo Spikes how it feels to play on a winner. What? He left the Bengals two years ago? You say that the Bills haven't had a winning season since he got there. Damn, one could only wish that Corey Dillon had suffered the same fate. But at least Dillon didn't throw potshot at Cincy, like Spikes did. It is refreshing to see him and Big Fatty...er Daddy Wilkinson in the non-playoff purgatory. In any case, the Bengals want to stay crisp for their imminent playoff appearance. If the AFC North champs get a sizable lead early, you won't see Carson Palmer or Chad Johnson much late. The Bills have no defensive presence and their offense is spotty at best. Most teams get a lead and dare the Bills to throw their way back into the game, something they can't do. Fast Fact: The last time the Bengals beat the Bills was the 1988 AFC Championship game. The Bills can only pray the game is as close as that one was. Pick-Cincy Dallas (8-6) @ Carolina (10-4) Bank of America Stadium; Charlotte, NC-1:00 FOX Favorite- Panthers by 5 That once smug look that was on Tuna and Jerry Jones face has evaporate as the Pokes have lost three of four and have fallen way behind in the playoff race. Carolina is bearing down hard on the NFC South title and is no sort of giving mood. Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker have 7.5 sacks apiece and can cause all sorts of mischief with their hard-hitting ball hawking talents. With the Pokes spotty offensive line and a lead-footed Drew Bledsoe to feast on, the lights are about to go out on the Pokes' playoff hopes. Fast Fact: The Panthers have beaten the Cowboys in 2 of their three meetings in Charlotte, both those wins were in the playoffs. Pick-Carolina Detroit (4-10) vs New Orleans (3-11) Alamodome; San Antonio, TX -1:00 FOX Favorite-Saints by 3 The offical who cares game of the week, pits two teams that have quit for different reasons. The Lions looked like they wanted to be elsewhere in their debacle loss to the Bengals. The Saints just want it all to be over. Neither team will know how to react for a large crowd. The Saints still have the ability to score, though Todd Bouman (St. Cloud State grads should not be NFL starters) is now at the helm. The Detroit defense can stiffen at times, but their offense has only averaged 11 points on the road. Not a good sign Fast Fact: The Saints don't like their dome away from dome, they have lost their last two in San Antonio. The Motor City Kitties are the perfect tonic for that problem Pick-New Orleans Jacksonville (10-4) @ Houston (2-12) Reliant Stadium, Houston-1:00 CBS Favorite-Jags by 6 The Jags seem to struggle against teams that they should be taking to the woodshed and the Texans are feeling a bit froggy after thumping Arizona, damaging their chances in the Reggie Bush sweepstakes. Nevertheless the Jags offense does enough under David Garrard and the Texans don't have the offense to stand up to the punishing attack of the Jags D. Fast Fact: The Jags are the only team that the Texans have an overall winning record against at 4-3. The Jags are a good bet to even that mark. Pick-Jacksonville. NY Giants (10-4) @ Washington (8-6) FedEx Field; Landover MD-1:00 FOX Favorite-Redskins by 3 The Skins, left for dead a couple weeks ago have slugged their way back into the fringes of playoff contention, and are aching to get revenge for the 36-0 humilation that the G-Men hung on them in week 8. The Giants have the pedal to the floor and are playing solid, they've won close one more often than not and with a playoff berth in reach would love to slam the coffin on their divisional rival. Fast Fact: Tiki Barber broke theGiants team record for rushing in a season. With two games to go he has 1,577 yards bettering his old mark of 1,518. If he gets on a roll like he did last week. Clinton Portis will have another 4 carry 9 yard performance and the Skins will be doomed. Pick-New York Giants Pittsburgh (9-5) @ Cleveland (5-9) Browns Stadium, Cleveland-1:00 CBS Favorite-Steelers by 7 Give Romeo Crennel credit for keeping his charges playing hard. They might have also found their quarterback in the form of Charlie Frye, he will get a stern test from a rugged Pitt defense that has given up but 12 points in the past two games. The Steelers have picked themselves up smartly and are poised to make a late playoff dash, they will continue to use the formula that works. A heavy dose of running and keeping Ben Roethlisberger from taking any real hits. Fast Fact:Beleive it or not, the Browns actually lead the Steelers in the overall series 55-52. The Steelers will continue to close that gap much in manner that they have lately winning their last four meetings by an average 11 points. Pick-Pittsburgh San Diego (9-5) @ Kansas City (8-6) Arrowhead Stadium; Kansas City, MO1:00 CBS Favorite-Chiefs by 1 One of the better early matchups has two teams needing a win to keep their dwindling playoff hopes alive. KC is all but dead if they lose and still might be if they win. SD need to win and get a bit of help, but they still have an outside chance of winning the AFC West. Both teams want to establish their will early and use their running game. Though LaDainian Tomlinson is banged up, Michael Turner might be able to pick up some of the slack. If the Chiefs keep the game close they can utilize Larry Johnson in the same way. The Chargers are not intimidated by hostile crowds as they went in to Indy and handed them a stunning upset. They will need more of that same steely resolve to win in one of the toughest venues in the NFL. Fast Fact: Larry Johnson has filled the void left by Priest Holmes injury quite capably, he has rushed for 100+ yards in each of the past seven games. They'll need another strong performance to hold off a Charger squad desperate for a win. Pick-San Diego San Francisco (2-12) @ St. Louis (5-9) Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis-1:00 FOX Favorite-Rams 9 The Niners have nosed back in the lead in Reggie Bush sweepstakes, they'll be aided by a Rams team that is trying to avoid its 1st 10 loss season since 1998, back when they were the "same ol sorry a** Rams" They're time of elite status is for all intents and purposes over. The Rams will want to avenge their shocking season opening loss and get Ryan Fitzpatrick some good experience Fast Fact: Speaking of losses, the Niners have double digit digits losses in 5 of the past 7 years. Thats a trend that won't change anytime soon. Pick-St. Louis Tennessee (4-10) @ Miami (7-7) Dolphins Stadium, Miami-1:00 CBS Favorite-Dolphins 5.5 Isn't ironic that the Fins win and get eliminated? They are getting to be one of the better young team in the league and a team to watch next year. That does them no good now, but they will finish strong against a weak Titans team playing out the string. Chris Chambers gets his turn to pick on the young Titans secondary and he will have his way. Fast Fact: The Titans have lead at the half in each of their past three road games, and have lost all three scoring a grand total of seven points. The Fins aren't an offensive juggernaut, but they have enough to put on the Titans Pick-Miami Philadelphia (6-8) @ Arizona (4-10) Sun Devil Stadium; Tempe, AZ-4:05 FOX Favorite-Cards by 1 Philly wants to prove that they aren't a drab team, but they're in the land of irrelavants right now. The Cards are hopeless. Will Denny Green last long enough to get his one time draft pick Daunte Culpepper?. Philly will sit back in a deep zone and dare the Cards to run. With Arizona's running game but a rumor. The Eagles will do all they can to make live miserable for backup Josh McCown Fast Fact: The winner of this game will take the lead in this series, its currently tied at 53 with 5 ties. Philly has a chance to at least salvage some pride out of a nightmarish season. Pick-Philly Indianapolis (13-1) @ Seattle (12-2) Qwest Field, Seattle-4:15 CBS Favorite-Seahawks by 8 Super Bowl XL preview??? In name only. Both teams will be resting starters and will want to show each other nothing in the happenstance that they might meet again in Detroit in 6 weeks. The Colts will no doubt be playing with heavy hearts for their coach who lost his son. The Seahawks will try to get to Peyton Manning early, if they do and get a lead, they'll gladly give the ball to Shawn Alexander all day and let him chase Priest Holmes TD record. Fast Fact: Both teams are riding long winning streaks, the Seahawks have won nine straight regular season games at Qwest Field; While the Colts are the definition of a rude guest having had won their last seven road games. The Colts will show nothing and will likely rest Manning and Harrison who are nursing injuries. Wonks like JT the Brick will say the Colts are slippin', but they will still have a say-so in the playoffs/ Pick-Seattle Oakland (4-10) @ Denver (11-3) Invesco Field @ Mile High, Denver-4:15 CBS Favorite-Broncos by 12.5 The Broncos need no slips as they try to hold off the Bengals for the coveted #2 seed and the playoff bye week. The Raiders look haven't been in a game in four weeks. As long as Jake Plummer doesn't try to get cute, the Broncos will use their multi-facted running game and wait paitently for the Oakland offense to self-destruct. Fast Fact: The road team has won each of the last four meetings, that will not be the case this time. Pick-Denver Sunday, December 25 Chicago (10-4) @ Green Bay (3-11) Lambeau Field, Green Bay-5:00 FOX Favorite-Bears by 6 The devil in me wants to say that Wreck...er Rex Grossman will boo-boo on himself on the fabled frozen tundra. But seeing how the Packers have...uh...packed it in. My dreams of a showdown game between the Vikes and Bears will be that, just a dream. How I hope to be wrong on this pick, but I know better. Look for the Bears to grind out the clock and keep Grossman on a short leash. The Bears will simply sit back and wait for Favre to force it, which he will with a non-existant running game and take the ball back. Fast Fact: One of the leagues oldest rivalries, these teams have played nearly 200 games. The Bears lead the series 86-78-8 Pick-Chicago Minnesota (8-6) @ Baltimore (5-9) M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore-8:30 ESPN Favorite-Ravens by 3 The Ravens are full of vigor after taking the Pack back o' the woodshed. They don't get it nearly as easy against an angry Minnesota team who got embarrassed in their crib by the Steelers. The Vikes still harbor playoff dreams however slim they are getting as the Bears will have likely clinched the NFC North by the time this game kicks off. The Vikes will still need wins to try to stay in the wild card hunt. Fast Fact: After being a one of the worst teams on the road in recent years, the Vikes are riding a three game road winning streak Pick-Minnesota Monday, December 26 New England (9-5) @ NY Jets (3-11) The Meadowlands; East Rutherford, NJ-9:00 ABC Favorite-Patriots by 6 Take a long last look, as this is the last Monday Night game on ABC. The football institution moves to ESPN next year where I fear that it will not be as big a deal. The new Sunday Night game will be on NBC and I doubt it will be as hyped up as all the Monday Night games were on ABC. Oh there is a game and it will be a snoozer, the Pats are all but locked into the #4 seed and the Jets are dreaming of Matt Linehart under center. Fast Fact: The Jets are glad to be at home, as they went 0-8 on the road this season, the last time they went winless on the road was 1964. That next year they got Joe Namath. Could another star power QB in the making? Pick-New England (survivor) Last week 10-6 Overall 142-82 (pick group) 144-80 (blog) If I don't see you personally, I want to wish a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa or Happy Holiday season no matter what you beleive don't believe whatever. Its just my seasons greetings for you and your peeps. I'm appreciate you reading my prognastications weekly. And for those that got the NCAA spec sheet last year, it'll drop again in February. For all those that don't know I got 63 of the 65 teams right. Joe Lunardi of ESPN should be so lucky!.