Seasons Greetings & NFL Week 16 Picks

Here are the rest of the weeks picks, posted later than usual as I was watching my beloved Bearcats complete their first ten win season in 56 years with a 31-21 win over Southern Miss. I’m hopeful for bigger and better things next season.
The picks have been so-so as of late, (I'm not complaining about a 10 win week mind you) but my goal of surpassing my total from last year and staying under 100 incorrect picks is still on schedule. With a majority of the playoff spots locked up there are few good games among the clunkers this week. But the gems are good ones and are thick with playoff rammifications. The odds are provided courtesy of Yahoo Sports and are for comparison and entertainment purposes only. I’ve been telling you for 16 weeks so I don’t think I have to remind you about leaving my name out of it if you get in too deep with Vinnie No-Neck, or 88 Fingers betting these lines..

Saturday, December 22

Cowboys (12-2) @ Panthers (6-8 )
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte 8:15 (NFL Network)
Favorite Cowboys by 10½
Playoff Implications: Cowboys have clinched first round bye and need win to stay in #1 playoff slot. Panthers need win and lots of help to remain in playoff contention.
Fast Fact: The Cowboys are unbeaten in 3 regular season trips to Charlotte, but winless in two postseason visits
The media has been waiting all year to jump on something that TO says or does, and they are taking his comments about Tony Romo’s arm candy a little too serious and are trying to blow it into a full blown controversy. The Pokes looked lethargic in a sloppy loss to the Eagles but should bounce back. The Panthers caught a playoff bound Seahawk squad napping but shouldn’t get as lucky against the Pokes.
Pick-Dallas



Sunday, December 23

Browns (9-5) @ Bengals (5-9)
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Browns by 2½
Playoff Implications: The Browns clinch playoff spot with win or Tennessee loss, a Browns loss clinches the AFC North for Pittsburgh
Fast Fact: The winner of this game will lead the all time series which is currently tied at 34 wins apiece.
The Browns slugged and slogged through a wintry game with the Bills and have an outside chance of still claiming an AFC North title once thought to be an unreachable star. The Bengals are looking at the calendar and want it all to be over. Jamal Lewis has always run well on the Bengals and this should be no different.
Pick-Cleveland

Packers (12-2) @ Bears (5-9)
Soldier Field, Chicago 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite Packers by 8
Playoff Implications: The Packers have clinched a bye and need to win and have Cowboys lose to move into #1 NFC playoff slot.
Fast Fact: Packers are 1 of 4 teams to have won at least 12 games in a season after 14 games, the last time this happened was 1968.
The Pack are rolling along but for some reason the Bears have played them tough. Though they looked a bit unsteady against the Vikes. Their QB situation is a mess and Kyle Orton is not the answer. The Pack, wary of a late season stumble that could cost them a shot at the #1 seed will be focused and ready. This game could get ugly and fast.
Pick-Green Bay

Texans (7-7) @ Colts (12-2)
RCA Dome, Indianapolis 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Colts by 7
Playoff Implications: Texans need win and lots of help to stay in playoff contention, Colts are locked into #2 AFC playoff slot
Fast Fact: Colts are first team in NFL history to have at least 12 wins in 5 consecutive seasons.
The Colts are cruising to the postseason and have only to worry about staying healthy. The Texans are fast improving and could give them a good game, but still have yet to prove to me that they are ready to step up to the Colts class.
Pick-Indianapolis

Chiefs (4-10) @ Lions (6-8 )
Ford Field, Detroit 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Lions by 4½
Playoff Implications: None
Fast Fact: Lions have not beaten Chiefs at home since 1981
Zzzzzz. The Chiefs are limping along and the Lions are in free fall. I give the edge to the Lions only because they play much better at home.
Pick-Detroit

NY Giants (9-5) @ Bills (7-7)
Ralph Wilson Stadium; Orchard Park, NY 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite Giants by 2½
Playoff Implications: Giants clinch wild card spot with win, Buffalo needs win and help to stay in playoff contention
Fast Fact: The Giants have won four of their last seven in spite of failing to score more than 21 points in any of those seven.
Uh oh…The playoff berth that was all but a spot on lock for the G-Men has suddenly gotten very tenuous. Eli Manning should take none of the blame for the shameful play of his receiving corps last Sunday against the Skins (12 drops???) but he and head coach Tom Coughlin are starting to look like they are under a ton of pressure. The Bills are hanging on to slim playoff hopes and may be energized by an emotional appearance by injured TE Kevin Everett. If the G-Men fall behind early, they could be in trouble. A loss here might bounce them from the playoffs, guess what unbeaten juggernaut is on the docket next week? I’m thinking that hot seat that Coughlin has been on starts to roast him.
Pick-Buffalo (Upset of the Week)

Raiders (4-10) @ Jaguars (10-4)
Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Jaguars by 13
Playoff Implications: Jaguars clinch playoff berth with win
Fast Fact: This is the Raiders first ever visit to Jacksonville
The Jags are hitting their stride at the most opportune time and are the team that no one wants to face in the playoffs. The Raiders are ready to go home and it helps matters none that they are now quibbling over who should start at QB. I’ll help you out Coach Kiffin. Start JaMarcus Russell, let him take his lumps now to get used it. You don’t want to waste another season while he learns, Al Davis wants his super bowl rings…
Pick-Jacksonville (Lock of The Week)


Eagles (6-8 ) @ Saints (7-7)
Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite Saints by 3
Playoff Implications: Saints need to win to stay in playoff contention
Fast Fact: The Saints are one of seven teams without a player going to the Pro Bowl
The Saints are still in it, and with a little help could realistically get in. The Eagles may be playing for pride, but they are still playing tough and Brian Westbrook is an absoulte nightmare to plan for. Both teams are very evenly matched but the possible return of Reggie Bush to limited duty may give the Saints a slight edge at home.
Pick-New Orleans

Falcons (3-11) @ Cardinals (6-8 )
University of Phoenix Stadium; Glendale, AZ 4:05 (FOX)
Favorite Cardinals by 10
Playoff Implications: None
Fast Fact: Falcons have won the last four meetings.
Both teams are playing out the string, but the Cards have a lot of hope for the future and something to build on. The Falcons have by and large quit as was painfully evidenced by the thrashing that they took in Tampa.
Pick-Arizona

Buccaneers (9-5) @ 49ers (4-10)
Monster Park, San Francisco 4:05 (FOX)
Favorite Buccaneers by 5½
Playoff Implications: None, Bucs have clinched AFC South but need a Seahawks loss to move into the #3 NFC Playoff slot with win.
Fast Fact: Micheal Spurlock had the franchise's first kickoff return for a touchdown, it only took 31 years and 1865 times for it to happen.
The Niners stunned many with an efficent win in primetime last week while the Bucs are gearing up to the playoffs. NBC flexed out of this game with the quickness knowing that this game is nothing more than a Bucs tune up for the postseason. The Bucs also need this game to avoid the surging Vikes in the playoffs
Pick-Tampa Bay

Ravens (4-10) @ Seahawks (9-5)
Qwest Field, Seattle 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite Seahawks by 11
Playoff Implications: The Seahawks need to win to remain in #3 NFC playoff slot
Fast Fact: This is the Ravens first visit to Seattle
Caught unawares in a sloppy game in Charlotte, the Seahawks need a bounce back game in the worst way. The Ravens are fresh off of a humiliating loss to the previously winless Dolphins and have more or less quit. What? The Ravens won’t have the services of Ray Lewis either? Not a real good omen for the road weary Ravens.
Pick-Seattle

Miami (1-13) @ New England (14-0)
Gillette Stadium; Foxboro, MA 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite Patriots by 22
Playoff Implications: None, Pats have clinched AFC East Title and #1 seed.
Fast Fact: This marks the largest win differential between two teams in NFL history
Hoodie man swears up and down that players will not be rested in this matchup. The Dolphins come in off an emotional first win while the Pats are trying not to skylark. The Pats are fighting off the comments that they are playing too many close games now to be a serious contender for this exalted state that the media wonks have put them in. To borrow a line from Al Davis, “Just Win, baby.” And that’s what the Pats are doing and will do. Its too easy to ride the Pats as a lock and as it has been noted the lock is elsewhere, though this is as about as close to one as you could hope for.
Pick-New England

NY Jets (3-11) @ Titans (8-6)
LP Field, Nashville 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite Titans by 8½
Playoff Implications: Titans need win to stay in playoff contention
Fast Fact: The Jets' run defense is ranked 30th in the league at 141.1 yards allowed per game
The Jets played the Pats tough but were worn down, while the Titans got a badly needed win to stay afloat in the AFC playoff race. With all the questions swirling around who will start for the Jets now and in the future, the Titans are catching them at the right time. This will be a rather ugly game, but the Titans have something to play for.
Pick-Tennessee

Washington (7-7) @ Minnesota (8-6)
HHH Metrodome, Minneapolis 8:15 (NBC)
Favorite Vikings by 6½
Playoff Implications: Minnesota clinches playoff berth with win and Saints loss, Washington need win to stay in playoff contention.
Fast Fact: The Redskins are the second team to play back to back Sunday Night games this year (NE)
Easily the best matchup of the week has been smartly flexed into the showcase primetime spot. The Vikings are playing as about as good as they can, while the Skins are another hanging ‘round type team. Good enough to be in playoff contention, but with too many holes to be taken seriously, yet dangerous enough to knock off a team that isn't careful. The Vikings looked rather sluggish in beating the Bears in primetime last week, I doubt that will happen again. Both teams have dual threat running games but the Vikings have a better run defense and that will be the difference in a game that will look and play like a playoff game.
Pick-Minnesota


Monday, December 24

Broncos (6-8 ) @ Chargers (9-5)
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego 8:00 (ESPN)
Favorite Chargers by 8½
Playoff Implications: Chargers have clinched AFC West but need win to remain in #3 AFC playoff slot
Fast Fact: With a win, the Chargers will have back to back double digit win seasons for the first time since 1980-81
The Chargers are winning in spite of Norv Turner and in the weak AFC West their play is just enough for the city. The puzzling Broncos are chock full of questions and play horrendous on the road. This should be no exception.
Pick-San Diego

Last Week: 10-6 (Upset & Lock Correct!)
Overall: 140-84 (13-2 Locks, 4-11 Upsets)

The stockings have been hung by the fire, and ol Bandito is sitting in his recliner with the cup of hot cocoa and trying to get Snacks the wonder puppy to lay down just so. I'm not the nostaglic type, but you can't help but get all warm and fuzzy about this time of the year. So from my side of the keyboard to yours. May you and your loved ones have the Merriest Christmas, Joyous Kwanzzah, Happy Hannakkah or Winter Solstice or whatever you celebrate to make your season's bright. I tried to cover everyone not to be PC, but to make sure I didn't ignore anyone. Friends and family are something I do cherish and I wanted to make sure my blogging "Family" knows that I wish them all the best. I'll post again with more bowl picks on the far side of Christmas.

The Best of the Season to you and yours Fellow Sports Fans!!!