Week 14 Picks Part 2

Sunday, December 10

Falcons (6-6) @ Buccaneers (3-9)
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa- 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite- Falcons by 3.5
Its A Fact- The Bucs have lost five straight vs the NFC South
The Falcons returned to their running roots, as they pounded the Redskins and are still very much in the playoff hunt. While the Bucs are facing a ten loss season. The Falcons while not the most dominant team has more than enough to beat the Bucs who are playing out the string.
Pick-Atlanta

Ravens (9-3) @ Chiefs (7-5)
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore -1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Chiefs by 3
Its A Fact-The Chiefs have only lost twice at home in the past four years.
Both teams are coming off tough road losses. The Ravens were beat up and nearly shut out at Cincy, while the Chiefs blew a double digit lead lost yet another winnable game on the road. The Chiefs need this game more to stay in the ultra-tight AFC playoff hunt. I have a hard time picking against the rugged Ravens twice. But its hard to pick the Chiefs at home.
Pick-Kansas City

Colts(10-2) @ Jaguars (7-5)
Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville- 1:00 CBS
Favorite-Colts by 2
Its A Fact-The Colts are 4-1 in Jacksonville
The Colts can clinch the AFC south with a win, but have not played very well as of late. The Jags are the definition of inconsistent and have been alternating wins and losses over their last six games. The Jags are just too puzzling to figure out, the Colts have enough in the tank to beat the up and down Jags
Pick-Indianapolis

Vikings (5-7) @ Lions (2-10)
Ford Field, Detroit-1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Lions by 3
Its A Fact-The Lions have an eight game losing streak vs the NFC North.
The Vikes and Lions are both sinking fast. The Lions showed heart against the Pats while the Vikes were the very defintion of offensively anemic in a pathetic showing in Chicago. The Lions offense has not shown up lately, last week notwithstanding. The Vikes defense is good enough to force an error prone Lions offense into a couple big mistakes.
Pick-Minnesota

Patriots (9-3) @ Dolphins (5-7)
Dolphins Stadium, Miami-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Patriots by 3.5
Its A Fact-The Pats have won seven in a row on the road.
The Pats almost fell asleep at the switch against the Lions last week, but got the job done. The Dolphins keep hanging around the fringes of the AFC Playoff picture. The Fins will give them a go but the Pats are too strong.
Pick-New England

NY Giants (6-6) @ Panthers (6-6)
Bank Of America Stadium, Charlotte-1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Panthers by 3.5
Its A Fact-The Panthers are 3-0 vs. the Giants
The Panthers are maddening, they have the talent and depth to win more games than they have. The Giants played better last week. It might boil down to not who wants it more, but who can not give it away. I'm gonna bank on the Panthers being tough at home.
Pick-Carolina

Raiders (2-10) @ Bengals (7-5)
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Bengals by 7
Its A Fact- This is the Raiders first visit to Paul Brown Stadium
The Bengals looked like the playoff team that they were in 2005 with a near shutout of the Ravens. The Raiders are tough defensively but a mess offensively. If Chad Johnson gets loose like he has been doing lately it'll be a rough go for the Raiders. The Bengals need only to get enough points to make life rough for the Raiders offense. 21 points should be enough.
Pick-Cincinnati (Lock of The Week)

Eagles (6-6) @ Redskins (4-8)
FedEx Field; Landover, MD- 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite- Redskins by 1.5
Its A Fact-The Eagles have won eight of the last ten meetings
The Eagles were left all but dead last Monday in against the Panthers, but gamely got off the mat to win. The are still very much in the playoff hunt. The Skins are a spoiler, but would love to throw a crimp in their hated rivals playoff aspirations. The Eagles are still atough bunch to figure, Jeff Garcia gives them a nice option at QB, but his consistency is always a question. The Skins are their own worst enemy giving up 24 points in a fall from ahead loss to the Falcons.
The Eagles have more to play for and more to lose. I want to pick an upset, but am real hesitant.
Pick-Philadelphia

Titans (5-7) @ Texans (4-8)
Reliant Stadium, Houston-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Texans by 2.5
Its A Fact-The Titans lead the all time series 7-2
The Titans are coming together nicely and Vince Young simply put is a beast. He gives them a real chance to win every game they are in and may have very well saved Jeff Fisher's job. Don't think that Young isn't really anxious to shine in a homecoming against the Texans.
Pick-Tennessee

Packers (4-8) @ 49ers (5-7)
Monster Park, San Francisco 4:05 (FOX)
Favorite-49ers by 5
Its A Fact The Pack lead the series 31-26-1
Remember when this used to be a marquee matchup??? The Niners are watching the Pack slide down that mediocrity slope that they were on not too long ago. The Niners are a good young squad, prone to errors, but they will have their way against a Pack squad that looks lost.
Pick-San Francisco

Seahawks (8-4) @ Cardinals (3-9)
University of Phoenix Stadium; Glendale, AZ-4:05 (FOX)
Favorite -Seahwaks by 3.5
Its A Fact-The Seahawks lead the series 8-7
This could be a trap game for the Seahawks who are in firm control of the NFC West. But with Shaun Alexander looking more rested than rusty after his injury layoff and Matt Hasselbeck rounding back into form the Cards look more trapped than anyone.
Pick-Seattle

Bills (5-7) @ NY Jets (7-5)
The Meadowlands, East Rutherford, NJ-4:15 (CBS)
Favorite -Jets by 3.5
Its A Fact -The Bills last three game have been decided by a grand total of 7 points.
The Jets have been winning the games that they should, and the way is clear for 11 wins. The Bills have the tools and talent to spring an upset and JP Losman is looking better and better each week. Chad Pennington isnt spectacular but he has quietly been having a solid season and keeping the Jets in contention. This will be a fun one to watch, the home team gets the slightest edge.
Pick-New York Jets

Broncos (7-5) @ Chargers (10-2)
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego-4:15 (CBS)
Favorite-Chargers by 7.5
Its A Fact-The Chargers will not have to leave the Pacific Time Zone for the rest of the season.
Mr. Cutler meet Mr. Merriman. The Broncos rookie QB will continue his trial by fire as he faces a white-hot Charger team that stop being intimidated by the Broncos a while ago. LT is probably salivating at getting another shot at the suddenly vunerable Bronco D. The Broncos are coming apart fast and this could get ugly.
Pick-San Diego

Saints (8-4) @ Cowboys (8-4)
Texas Stadium; Irving, TX 8:15 (NBC)
Favorite-Cowboys by 7
Its A Fact -The Saints have won the last four meetings
These two teams are the elite of the NFC and this could very well be a playoff preview. The Tuna has seemingly found his man in Tony Romo and grudgingly settled on Martin Grammatica as his kicker. The Pokes are humming on all cylinders as of late and have taken control of the NFC East. The Saints bounced back from a mini slumpt to whip the Niners last week with a little help from Reegie Bush. It'll be interesting to see how the Pokes D tries to contain Bush and Drew Brees who can and will shred any defense. I'm probably gonna regret this pick but I think the Pokes are due for a comeuppance and the Saints may have just enough to win a tight one.
Pick-New Orleans

Monday, December 11

Bears (10-2) @ Rams (5-7)
Edward Jones Dome, St Louis-8:30 (ESPN)
Favorite-Bears by 7
Its A Fact-The Bears lead the overall series 47-34-3, but the Rams have won the last four meetings.
I'm going back to calling Rex Grossman "Wreck" The Bears are winning in spite of Grossman trying to blow games with his increasingly inept passing. The Bears have little to worry playoff wise, and have enough to beat the Rams. The Rams can put up points against some defenses but will have their hands full with the big play ball hawking Bears defense. Even without Tommie Smith, the Bears can still carry the day.
Pick-Chicago

Last Week 9-7
Overall 115-77