Saturday
NFL SCHEDULE - WEEK 16
Odds provided by Yahoo Sports and are for comparison and entertainment
purposes only, so don't come crying to me if you lose the Christmas fund
bettin these lines!
Saturday, December 23
Kansas City (7-7) @ Oakland (2-12)
McAfee Coliseum, Oakland- 8:00 (NFL Network)
Favorite-Chiefs by 7
Its A Fact-The Chiefs are one of three teams that the Raiders do not
own a winning record all time against. The Jags lead all time 2-1 and
the Texans are 1-1 lifetime
The Chiefs looked sluggish in losing to the Chargers and the Raiders
looked finished in October. But in a rivalry game one can never be too
sure of the outcome. Larry Johnson will get his and the Raiders offense
will find some way to self destruct. Raider Nation is in revolt and no
one knows how to fix it.
Pick-Kansas City
Sunday, December 24
Ravens (11-3) @ Steelers (7-7)
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Steelers by 3.5
Its A Fact-Ravens QB Steve McNair is 10-4 vs the Steelers
The Ravens clinched the AFC North when the Bengals lost to the Colts,
so they don't have that concern, they still have an outside shot at one
of the first round bye and if they finsh tied with the Chargers for the
either the bye or the #1 seed they will win the tiebreak. First thing is
deep sixing the Steelers flickering playoff hopes. The Steelers will
find the Ravens D a lot tougher than the Panthers were last week. As
long as the Ravens keep Steve McNair upright they should be able to
grind out a win. This will be a physical game to be sure and Ray Lewis
has extra incentive after his shocking omission from the AFC Pro Bowl
squad.
Pick-Baltimore
Panthers (6-8) @ Falcons (7-7)
Georgia Dome, Atlanta- 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Falcons by 6.5
Its A Fact-The Falcons lead the series all time 15-8
This was supposed to be a showdown for divisional control, but with
Jake Delhomme out and Michael Vick fighting nagging injuries of his own,
neither team is a serious threat to go anywhere but home. Jim Mora's
ill-timed comments about his desire for the University of Washington job
has left some, including this scribe, questioning his dedication to the
job he has. The Falcons have a little more left in the tank and Chris
Weinke still looks like another Heisman bust in the NFL.
Pick-Atlanta
Bears (12-2) @ Lions (2-12)
Ford Field, Detroit-1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Bears by 5
Its A Fact- The Lions have lost 11 straight vs the NFC North
The Bears have nothing to play for as they clinched home field
advantage throughout the playoff for only the second time since the
concept was established. The Lions...insert your own punch line here.
I'm tempted to pick this as my lock, but the Bears are the dumb luck
team of the NFL and they are way overdue for a game to go against them.
It may happen in the playoffs, but not this week. But I still don't feel
good enough with Wreck and company to make them a lock.
Pick-Chicago
Colts (11-3) @ Texans (4-10)
Reliant Stadium, Houston- 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Colts by 9.5
Its A Fact-The Colts have never lost to the Texans (9-0)
The Colts looked sharp in beating the Bengals, while the Texans looked
abysmal in getting thrashed in New England. The Its A Fact line says all
you really need to know. The Colts are getting focused on their fifth
straight playoff appearance and seventh in the last eight years. The
Texans are the least of their worries as they try to win as many as
possible to snag a bye
Pick-Indianapolis (Lock Pick Of The Week)
Patriots (10-4) @ Jaguars (8-6)
Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Jaguars by 3
Its A Fact: The Patriots have never lost to the Jags in the regular
season (3-0)
This is rather intriguing matchup, the Jags are redefining inconsistent
every week. Which team will show up is anyones guess. Will it be the
team that dominated the Colts and shut out the Jets? Or will it be the
team that got throttled by the Texans twice? Tom Brady is aching to take
his Pro Bowl snub out on someone and the Jags are in his sights. The
Pats are inconsistent themselves but to a lesser degree, I think that
the win over the overmatched Texans may have cleared their shutout
hangover that the Dolphins gave them, this is still a battle tested team
and should win a tight one.
Pick-New England
Saints (9-5) @ NY Giants (7-7)
Giants Stadium; East Rutherford, NJ-1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Giants by 3
Just The Facts: The Saints become the fourth different teams to win the
NFC South in the last four years (Atlanta '03, Carolina '04,
Tampa Bay '05) The Giants have won the last four meetings in the
Meadowlands
The Saints clinched the NFC South last week despite an abysmal
performance against the Redskins, meanwhile the G-Men looked pathetic in taking a beating from the Eagles and are fading badly. I'm looking at
the possiblities of Drew Brees abusing the Giants secondary much worse
than what Jeff Garcia did last week. The Giants defense looks worn out
and the infighting has made them struggle in winnable games. The Saints
have more than enough to bounce back from that puzzling loss last week. Pick-New Orleans
Buccaneers (3-11) @ Browns (4-10)
Browns Stadium, Cleveland- 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Browns by 3
Its A Fact-This is the Buccaneers first trip to Cleveland since 1995
The Bucs deal with another cold weather venue as they travel to
Cleveland. Their offense showed some spark with Tim Rattay and very
nearly stunned the Bears, taking them into OT. The Browns are on auto
pilot and though they are home are playing with no spark, the Bucs are
at least keeping games interesting and will steal this one
Pick-Tampa Bay
Titans (7-7) @ Bills (7-7)
Ralph Wilson Stadium; Orchard Park, NY-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Bills by 4
Its A Fact-The Titans have won 7 of their last 9, The Bills have won 5
of their last 7
Had both of these teams not had horrid starts this would be a high
stakes battle for a playoff positions. Get used to seeing these two
teams and their fast improving QB's in big games. Its hard to bet
against the Bills in the cold. But Vince Young is a beast and the Titans
ball-hawking roughhouse defense have shed their pushover status. Tough
call indeed.
Pick-Tennessee
Redskins (5-9) @ Rams (6-8)
Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis-1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Bills by 4.5
Its A Fact-The Redskins have won 6 of the last 7 meetings
The Skins stunned the Saints in New Orleans and Jason Campbell is
showing a good deal of promise. The Rams are clinging to a faint playoff
heartbeat and need to keep winning. Marc Bulger should be able to get
what he wants against the Skins weak secondary.
Pick-St. Louis
Cardinals (4-10) @ 49ers (6-8)
Monster Park, San Francisco-4:05 (FOX)
Favorite-Niners by 4
Its A Fact-The Niners lead the all time series 17-13, but the Cards
have won the last three.
The Niners still have a shot at winning the NFC West, but the Cards
have fast become their nemesis. Matt Leinart is showing improvement, but I have a hard time seeing the Cards slowing Frank Gore down and Alex Smith is fast becoming the type of leader the Niners envisioned whenthey drafted him. Leinart could have been in this position, but chose tostay in school. Too bad.
Pick-San Francisco
Bengals (8-6) @ Broncos (8-6)
Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver- 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite-Broncos by 3
Its A Fact: Denver has won 7 straight at home vs Bengals, last losing
in 1975
This game has all the look of a playoff game and it will be played like
one. The Broncos broke a four game losing streak in beating the
Cardinals, but the Bengals will present a much much stiffer test. The
Bengals got their butts handed to them in Indy last Monday simply
because they couldn't keep Carson Palmer upright, If the Bengals O-line
stays intact. Palmer will have the time to pick apart the Broncos
increasingly suspect defense that looks nothing like the team that gave
up 38 points in their first 6 games. With a little help the Bengals win
this game, they make the playoffs. 31 years between wins in the Mile
High is too long.
Pick-Cincinnati
Chargers (12-2) @ Seahawks (8-6)
Qwest Field, Seattle 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite-Chargers by 4.5
Its A Fact-LaDainian Tomlinson's 188 points broke Paul Hornings 1961
record for points scored by one player.
A study in contrasts are featured here in this battle of divisional
leaders. The super hot Chargers have won 8 in a row and you run out of
superlatives to describe Tomlinson. The Seahawks are stumbling bad and
have blown two chances to win the division and give their players some
badly needed rest before the playoffs. Unless the Niners lose, the
Seahawks season may depend on cross-country trip to Tampa. The Chargers are on a butta-type roll.
Pick-San Diego
Monday, December 25
Eagles (8-6) @ Cowboys (9-5)
Texas Stadium; Irving, TX-5:00 (NBC)
Favorite-Dallas by 7
Its A Fact-The Cowboys have played on Thanksgiving and Christmas last
in 2000.
The Pokes and Eagles battle for control of the NFC East. Tuna got the
Pokes a playoff berth, but if they lose to the Eagles, they'll need help
to win the division since the Eagles would own the tiebreak. Jeff Garcia
is playing well and have the Eagles doing better than anyone could have
dared to dream in Eagle Country. I want to pick the Eagles who have been hot, but I think TO will shine against his former team and would relish a chance to cripple their playoff hopes.
Pick-Dallas
NY Jets (8-6) @ Dolphins (6-8)
Dolphins Stadium 8:30 (ESPN)
Favorite-Dolphins by 2.5
Its A Fact-The Jets are 13-4 vs the Dolphins since 1998, including
winning 4 of the last 5
The Jets know full well that if they can win this game they might be
home free to the playoffs, since they have the Raiders at home next
week. The Dolphins could very well play the spoiler, and the Jets have
that real annoying habit of falling flat in games they should win,
notable example are the debacle to the Jags (0-41) and getting thumped
by the Bills at home. The Dolphins will keep it close, but I think the
Jets squeak by, they still need some help, but they will help
themselves.
Pick-New York Jets
Last Week-10-6
Overall 133-91
NCAA College Football
R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Rice (7-5) vs Troy (7-5)
Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans 8:00 (ESPN)
Favorite-Rice by 5.5
Its A Fact- This is the first bowl game in New Orleans since Hurricane
Katrina, last years bowl was played in Lafayette, LA
Rice has made a dramatic turnaround, going from a dismal 1-10 season
last year to a respectable 7-5 and the schools first bowl appearance
since 1961 when they lost to Kansas in the Bluebonnet Bowl. Troy is
making its second bowl appearance since moving up to division 1-A in
2002, and looking for its first bowl win. Points will be plentiful as
both teams have wide open offenses. Keep an eye on Rice WR Jarrett
Dillard who has 20 touchdown catches this season and a current streak of 14 games with at least one end zone visit. Troy can score and nearly
ruined Florida State's homecoming. Omar Haugabook has the talent to move the Trojans up and down the field, Gary Banks is his favorite target,
they've connected up for 7 TD's. Bottom Line. Doubt it'll take Rice
another 45 years to make another bowl, and another 52 to win one. The
Owls have a little more firepower than the Trojans and that should be
enough in a high-scoring affair.
Pick-Rice
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