passing of Lamar Hunt, who was not only the founder of the Kansas CIty
Chiefs but also the AFL and the person who coined the name Super Bowl
for the then awkwardly named AFL-NFL Championship. All football fans
should be glad that Hunt decided to start a league of his own after
being denied a chance at ownership of an NFL team in the late 50's. Hunt
was all of 28 when he founded the AFL and after a high-stakes bidding
war with the NFL organized a merger between the two leagues and the
creation of the NFL that we follow so devotedly today.
Last week was a disaster, no thanks to the Seahawks or Jets who made me
look like a fool with their bumbling performances and the Niners who
made Green Bay look like a playoff team. I'm going to get back to an 11
or 12 win week.
Saturday December 16
Cowboys ((8-5) @ Falcons (7-6)
Georgia Dome, Atlanta-8:00 (NFL Network)
Favorite-Cowboys by 3
Its A Fact-The Falcons have won the last two meetings
The Pokes got brought down to earth with a bump Sunday after getting
blasted by the Saints. Tony Romo looked befuddled and bewildered against
a strong Saints pass rush. He should find the sledding a bit easier
against the Falcons. The Pokes pass defense more or less gets the week
off to aid in the chase of Michael Vick. Its anyones guess which Falcons team will show up from week to week. Tuna's curse will likely haunt me again. Pick-Dallas
Sunday, December 17
Browns (4-9) @ Ravens (10-3)
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Ravens by 11
Its A Fact-The Ravens last swept the season series in 2003.
The Ravens bounced back to thump the Chiefs last week and look to wrap
up a playoff berth with a win. The Browns are still trying to figure out
who their quarterback is and their running back and oh their defense
needs direction and...oh nevermind. The Ravens are ten tons better and
anxious to prove that the 14-13 scare they got from the Browns in week 3
was a fluke.
Pick-Baltimore
Lions (2-11) @ Packers (5-8)
Lambeau Field, Green Bay-1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Packers by 5
Its A Fact-The Lions have lost 10 of their last 11 divisional road
games.
The Pack looked rather decent in throttling the Niners, the Lions are
their usual mewling kitty self. The Lions don't win on the road much
less, in Green Bay. The Pack get a badly needed home win. They are
deluding themselves as on the fringe of the playoff hunt but they are
fooling only themselves
Pick-Green Bay
Texans (4-9) @ Patriots (9-4)
Gillette Stadium; Foxboro, MA-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Patriots by 11.5
Its A Fact-This is the Texans first visit to New England
The Texans are coming in to the blustery northeast at the absolute
wrong time, down after a heartbreaking loss to the Titans and the Pats
coming in angry after a stunning shutout loss in Miami. This looks like
it will get real ugly. The Texans have some heart, but they will wilt
quickly under a withering attack from the Pats.
Pick-New England (Lock pick of the week)
Jaguars (8-5) @ Titans (6-7)
LP Field, Nashville-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Jaguars by 3
Its A Fact-The Jags have won the last three meeting by a combined score
108-48
Tennessee's love affair with the incomparable Vince Young is growing
fast every day. The Titans are walking tall after their OT win in
Houston and Jeff Fisher is looking more like a genius for giving Young
the reins when it looked as if he was giving up on the season. The Jags
are equally sky high after their stunning rout of the Colts last week.
The Jags have too many weapons for the young Titans and will slowly pull
away.
Pick-Jacksonville
Dolphins (6-7) @ Bills (6-7)
Ralph Wilson Stadium; Orchard Park, NY 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Bills by 2
Its A Fact-The Dolphins have averaged 29 points in their last two road
games
The Bills and Dolphins have playing well as of late, too bad slow start
for each make this a meaningless game. If the Fins can have Ronnie Brown
at their disposal they will be able to keep the fast maturing Bills
offense of the field. The Bills seem to always play the Fins better at
home. It may not be snowing and cold with a lot on the line like it was
when I saw these two teams battle in 1995, but it will be a tight game
nonetheless.
Pick-Buffalo
NY Jets (7-6) @ Vikings (6-7)
HHH Metrodome, Minneapolis-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Vikings by 3
Its A Fact-The Vikings have lost five straight versus the AFC
The Vikes are still on the fringes of the playoff race. Their inconsistent play has Brad Childress pulling out what little hair he has left. The Jets have been playing over their heads all year, and their inexplicable loss to the Bills may have been exposed. The Jets are the one team in the NFL no one can figure out. I'm more wishing than trying to make a pick here, but something tells me the Jets are due for one more dumb loss and they aren't that tough on the road. Pick-Minnesota
Steelers (6-7) @ Panthers (6-7)
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-No Line
Its A Fact-The Steelers are a 11-1 vs the NFC since 2004
Bill Cowher is still living under the delusion that his Steelers can get on a roll and sneak back into the playoffs. With as many teams in front of them as it stands now that's all that is, a delusion. The Panthers realistically should be something like 10-3 or 11-2 and the class of the NFC. But with injuries and puzzling play hampering them, one isn't sure what to make of them. I'm banking on the notion that the Panthers will play better at home and that the Steelers who have only one win on the road, can't turn the trick. Pick-Carolina
Buccaneers (3-10) @ Bears (11-2)
Soldier Field, Chicago 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Bears by 13
Its A Fact The Buccaneers are 0-6 on the road after going 5-3 last year.
Da Bears are rolling and the Bucs are looking for the exit door. The
Bucs don't play well in cold weather though its supposed to be balmy in
Chi-town this weekend. No matter the weather, the Bears need only not
let Wreck Grossman throw the ball too many times and they have more
than enough to beat the Bucs.
Pick-Chicago
Redskins (4-9) @ Saints (9-4)
Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans-1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Saints by 9.5
Its A Fact-The Redskins are averaging 11.25 points during their current 4 game losing skid
The Saints are looking like a serious Super Bowl contender after
thrashing the Cowboys last Sunday Night. The Skins are going nowhere and
the education of Jason Campbell continues. Reggie Bush will pick the
Skins soft defense apart and Drew Brees would be the runaway choice for
MVP if not for the exploits of his former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson. He'll continue to make his dark horse case for it this week. Pick-New Orleans
Broncos (7-6) @ Cardinals (4-9)
University of Phoenix Stadium; Glendale, AZ-4:05 (CBS)
Favorite-Broncos by 2.5
Its A FactThe Broncos are 6-0-1 vs the Cardinals
The Broncos are a-sinkin' fast, but they have more than enough to beat
the Cards who despite a couple upset wins in a row are marking time till
the off-season. This was supposed to be a triumphant homecoming for Jake
Plummer. But oh that kid Jay Cutler. Pick-Denver
Eagles (7-6) @ NY Giants (7-6)
Giants Stadium; East Rutherford, NJ- 4:15 (FOX)
Favorite-Giants by 5.5
Its A Fact-The Giants lead the series 77-65-2 This has all the makings of a good old fashioned grudge match and the stakes couldn't be higher with playoff implications riding on this game. The soap-opera like questions abound, will Eli Manning continue his improved play? Will Jeff Garcia continue to play like he did when he was leading the 49ers to the playoffs? Will Jeremy Shockey say something stupid? I think the Eagles would like nothing more than to ruin their hated rivals postseason dreams. I don't think Garcia can get the Eagles to the playoffs but he can get them past the G-Men Pick-Philadelphia
Rams (5-8) @ Raiders (2-11)
McAfee Stadium, Oakland 4:15 (FOX)
Favorite-Raiders by 1.5
Its A Fact-Both teams played each other six times while they were both in LA. This is their fourth meeting since they both left LA in 1995.
Two teams going nowhere. The Raiders have a decent defense; but when
given so many times to pound on it because their offense is so putrid,
The Rams will get theirs
Pick-St. Louis
Chiefs (7-6) @ Chargers (11-2)
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego-8:15 (NBC)
Favorite-Chargers by 7.5
Its A Fact-Late Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt was the first member of the AFL
in the pro football Hall of Fame.
The Chiefs might be playing with a bit of extra drive after the passing
of their beloved team owner. The Chargers are in high gear after
clinching the AFC West and are in the drivers seat for home field
advantage. The Chargers ordinarily might be the victim of a hyped Chiefs
squad but have to keep winning to stay at the #1 seed. LT is going to
get his an unless the Chiefs Larry Johnson can match him score for
score, it might get ugly. Pick-San Diego
Monday, December 18
Bengals (8-5) @ Colts (10-3)
RCA Dome, Indianapolis-8:30 (ESPN)
Favorite-Colts by 3.5
Its A Fact-The Colts are 5-0 on Monday Night since 2004
The best Monday night game this year by far. Both teams are bearing
down for playoff runs. But the Colts leaky run defense is starting to
cost the them games. Facing a Bengals squad with a solid run game is a
big problem. If the Bengals pound the rock and force the Colts to put
more emphasis on stopping the run, they will pick apart the Colts. But
if they try to play shootout like they did last year, they'll be on the
wrong end of another high scoring affair. Pick-Cincinnati
Last Week 8-8
Overall 123-85
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