After this week, there will only be three games left in the 2012 NFL season. The plot thickens…
Thursday Night
Denver (6-6) at OAKLAND (2-10) – Vegas: Broncos -1.5
I think this is the first time in 14 weeks that I am going against the home team on Thursday Night. But, I still believe in Peyton Manning in prime time…either that or I think the Raiders really stink. Broncos (close)
Sunday, Early Afternoon
St. Louis (3-9) at BUFFALO (7-5) – Vegas: Bills -6
By this point, the Bills could be in the playoff hunt, and the Rams will probably be done. Even if that wasn’t the case, the Bills are the better team – at home, in December, against a team with a dome. I love Steven Jackson, but it would take a monumental performance from him here. Bills (easy)
Dallas (7-5) at CINCINNATI (8-4) – Vegas: Bengals -1
The Bengals are coming back from a long West Coast trip. The Cowboys are coming off of a tough Sunday Night game against the Eagles. This is as tough a pick as there is this week. When in doubt, go with the home team with the longer rest. Bengals (close)
Kansas City (6-6) at CLEVELAND (1-11) -Vegas: Chiefs -2.5
The Browns are coming back from a long trip our west and, well, they’re not very good. Chiefs (moderate)
Tennessee (5-7) at INDIANAPOLIS (2-10) – Vegas: Pick ’em
Vegas has this as a pick ’em? That sounds like too much respect for the rookie QB, even at home against a mediocre (at best) team. Titans (close)
Chicago (8-4) at MINNESOTA (4-8) – Vegas: Bears -3
The Bears are simply the better team. Bears (moderate)
Philadelphia (8-4) at TAMPA BAY (4-8) – Vegas: Eagles -6
The Eagles are simply the better team…though they are coming off a Sunday Night game in Dallas. Eagles (moderate)
Baltimore (7-5) at WASHINGTON (4-8) – Vegas: Ravens -3.5
“The Battle of the Beltway” is usually an August scrimmage, but this year it is for real. There is a lot of intensity surrounding this matchup, so the Redskins will probably come to play even if they are out of it. But, I don’t think they have the horses. Ravens (close)
Atlanta (8-4) at CAROLINA (4-8) – Vegas: Falcons -1
The Falcons are not exactly the best road team, but they have 10 days to prepare and rest (even more important come December) for this one, and I think they have the better team. And, particularly if the Panthers already have 7 or 8 losses, I like the Falcons here. Falcons (moderate)
N.Y. Jets (6-6) at JACKSONVILLE (4-8) – Vegas: Jets -3.5
I am not the biggest fan of this Jets team, and I’m not so quick to kill Blaine Gabbert. But, it is kind of scary to think what this Jets defense might do to a Gabbert-led offense. Now, the question is – can they score? Jets (close)
San Diego (7-5) at PITSBURGH (8-4) – Vegas: Steelers -3.5
The week after a Baltimore game is always tough for the Steelers to get up for, both physically and emotionally, but the early start time might be just enough to for them to pull this one out. Steelers (close)
Sunday, Late Afternoon
Miami (6-6) at SAN FRANCISCO (9-3) – Vegas: 49ers -7
Can’t even imagine Miami walking into San Fran at this point in the season and stealing one. 49ers (easy)
Arizona (4-8) at SEATTLE (3-9) – Vegas: Seahawks -4
With that homefield advantage? Seahawks (easy)
New Orleans (8-4) at N.Y. GIANTS (7-5) – Vegas: Giants -2.5
By now, the bodies of NFL players are hurting – constantly. So, the fact that the Saints have FOUR extra days (Thursday vs. Monday) to rest up for this game might just be the edge they need. Tough scheduling blow for the defending champs. Saints (close)
Sunday Night
Detroit (7-5) at GREEN BAY (11-1) – Vegas: Packers -7.5
This Lions team has to prove that they can beat this Packers team anywhere before I pick them to win in Lambeau. Packers (moderate)
Monday Night
Houston (8-4) at NEW ENGLAND (10-2) – Vegas: Patriots -6.5
I think the Pats are the better, more experienced, better coached team – which means they shouldn’t blow a Monday Night home game. Patriots (moderate)
Standings After Week Fourteen
NFC EAST:
A huge week for the Eagles, as they pick up a game on the whole rest of the division – opening up a two-game lead with three to play
9-4 Eagles
7-6 Giants
7-6 Cowboys
4-9 Redskins
NFC NORTH:
The Pack is on the verge of another North title, as they beat the Lions in an important one; the Bears are looking good for the wild card
12-1 Packers
9-4 Bears
7-6 Lions
4-9 Vikings
NFC SOUTH:
It’s now a three-game season for the NFC South title, though both teams take big steps forward for making the wild card
9-4 Falcons
9-4 Saints
4-9 Panthers
4-9 Bucs
NFC WEST:
The Niners continue to roll, looking good for a first-round bye
10-3 49ers
4-9 Seahawks
4-9 Cardinals
3-10 Rams
AFC EAST:
Don’t look now, but the Jets and Bills continue to make pushes for a playoff spot
11-2 Patriots
8-5 Bills
7-6 Jets
6-7 Dolphins
AFC NORTH:
The top three all win, which is important as the rest of the field starts to make a push
9-4 Steelers
9-4 Bengals
8-5 Ravens
1-12 Browns
AFC SOUTH:
The Titans gain a game and still have a fighting chance in the division, even if the wild card is slipping away
8-5 Texans
6-7 Titans
4-9 Jaguars
2-11 Colts
AFC WEST:
An ugly three-way tie at 7-6 through 14 weeks of muck in the AFC West
7-6 Broncos
7-6 Chargers
7-6 Chiefs
2-11 Raiders
NFC Playoff Picture
There is no a clear, 2-game delineation between the teams currently in the 6 playoff spots and the 3 teams chasing them
1 – Packers (12-1)
2 – 49ers (10-3)
3/4 – Eagles/Falcons/Saints (9-4)
5/6 – Falcons/Saints/Bears (9-4)
FALLING OUT – Cowboys/Giants/Lions (7-6)
AFC Playoff Picture
The AFC West is three fighting for one, while the second wild card is a two-for-one, with the Jets just a game back
1 -Patriots (11-2)
2 – Steelers (9-4)
3 – Texans (8-5)
4/OUT – Broncos/Chargers/Chiefs (7-6)
5 – Bengals (9-4)
6/OUT – Bills/Ravens (8-5)
IN THE MIX – Jets (7-6)
FALLING OUT – Dolphins (6-7)
