The cold December is none better warmed than by meaningful NFL games. With the defending champs, America’s team, and everybody’s 2011 darling all two games out of a playoff spot in the NFC, the field could become pared down to just the 6 qualifiers this week. As for the AFC, we’ve got one crazy division up for grabs, as well as the wild card spots for which the other team in New Jersey has quietly (as quietly as they can do anything) come back to relevance. A big week is about to unfold about as there are a whole slew of fantastic matchups. Get your popcorn ready….the show all starts in the City of Brotherly Love.
Thursday Night
Cincinnati (9-4) at PHILADELPHIA (9-4) – Vegas: Eagles -7
I need a good reason to pick against the home team on a Thursday Night, and I can’t find one here. Eagles (moderate)
Sunday, Early Afternoon
N.Y. Giants (7-6) at ATLANTA (9-4) – Vegas: Falcons -1.5
The Georgia Dome is a pretty tough place to play, even if you’re the Giants in desperation mode. Falcons (close)
Minnesota (4-9) at ST. LOUIS (3-10) – Vegas: Rams -3
Uh…home team? Rams (close)
Jacksonville (4-9) at MIAMI (6-7) – Vegas: Dolphins -7.5
The Dolphins may not be the best football team in the state of Florida, but they might be better than the other 2 NFL teams. Dolphins (close)
Green Bay (12-1) at CHICAGO (9-4) -Vegas: Packers -3.5
The Bears might need this game more than the Pack, and even if they don’t, it’s not crazy to think they can beat Green Bay on a cold, blustery Chicago day in December. Bears (close)
Washington (4-9) at CLEVELAND (1-12) -Vegas: Redskins -1
I like the 21-year old rookie better than the 29-year old rookie. Redskins (close)
Denver (7-6) at BALTIMORE (8-5) – Vegas: Ravens -3.5
The Broncos have 10 days to rest and prepare for the Ravens in this one – another kick in the balls from the schedule-makers to the Ravens – but, I just don’t trust this Denver team all that much. Ravens (close)
Indianapolis (2-11) at HOUSTON (8-5) – Vegas: Texans -10.5
Even on the short week, the Texans ought to be able to beat the Colts at home. Texans (easy)
Sunday, Late Afternoon
Tampa Bay (4-9) at NEW ORLEANS (9-4) – Vegas: Saints -10
This has all the signs of a potential letdown game for the Saints, as this one is sandwiched in between road games with the Giants and Cowboys. Plus, the Bucs can be a feisty bunch, but by now they are probably out of it, and the Saints should be able to break their spirits. I would take the Bucs +10 right now, but I can’t get that far against Vegas, though if the Saints piss this one away – remember that you heard it on September 6th. Saints (close)
Detroit (7-6) at ARIZONA (4-9) – Vegas: Lions -1.5
If the Lions are legit, they have to win this game. I don’t think it will be easy, but I want to trust in this team. Lions (close)
Carolina (4-9) at SAN DIEGO (7-6) – Vegas: Chargers -5.5
The grand potential of the 2012 Panthers is heading towards another double-digit loss season. I can’t find a reason – other than the huge elephant in the room named Norv – to pick the Chargers to lose this game at home. But, don’t think I didn’t consider it… Chargers (close)
Seattle (4-9) at BUFFALO (8-5) – in Toronto – Vegas: Bills -3
How nice of the NFL. This has all the makings of a huge game with playoff implications for a city that lost 4 straight Super Bowls in the ’90s and haven’t been the playoffs since the turn of the century. And, this big home game is…well…not at home. It’s across the border in Toronto. And, not only that, but instead of what would normally be a 1:00, bad Buffalo-weather December game, they are playing at 4:00 in a dome against a West Coast team that plays its home games in domes. But, I guess that’s what you get when you don’t sell out your home games. Seahawks (close)
Pittsburgh (9-4) at DALLAS (7-6) – Vegas: Cowboys -1.5
This is about as much of a coin flip as can be. I can’t find a reason to or not to pick either of these teams. While I generally pick the home teams in cases like this, the Cowboys December troubles are well-documented. And, they are one offensive line injury away from being totally overmatched in this game. It’s more likely that the Steelers are healthy here than the ‘Boys, so I will take the road team here to win the coin flip. Steelers (close)
Kansas City (7-6) at OAKLAND (2-11) – Vegas: Raiders -2.5
I have proven all year that I think the Chiefs are a lot better than the Raiders. But, at home, with 10 days to prepare, I am taking the Raiders in this one. Raiders (close)
Sunday Night
San Francisco (10-3) at NEW ENGLAND (11-2) – Vegas: Patriots -6.5
It’s a short week for the Pats, but I think that, despite the records, they are a grossly superior team in this one – and worlds better at the most important position in games like this. Patriots (moderate)
Monday Night
N.Y. Jets (7-6) at TENNESSEE (6-7) – Vegas: Pick ’em
Just when things look like they might be coming together for the Jets, they are reminded that you have to score points to win football games. Titans (close)
Standings After Week Fifteen
NFC EAST:
It’s official – the Philadelphia Eagles are the 2012 NFC East champions; the Giants and Cowboys have officially been eliminated
10-4 Eagles
7-7 Giants
7-7 Cowboys
5-9 Redskins
NFC NORTH:
The Packers fail to clinch the North, but are still pretty set for that #1-seed; the Bears and Lions pick up big wins
12-2 Packers
10-4 Bears
8-6 Lions
4-10 Vikings
NFC SOUTH:
6 NFC teams are at 10 wins already; these two could be anywhere from on the road in the Wild Card round to sitting at home with a bye
10-4 Falcons
10-4 Saints
4-10 Panthers
4-10 Bucs
NFC WEST:
A tough loss for San Fran might put them into the first playoff weekend
10-4 49ers
5-9 Seahawks
4-10 Cardinals
4-10 Rams
AFC EAST:
Brutal losses for the Bills and Jets really hurt; the Dolphins are still alive; the Pats have all but locked up the top seed
12-2 Patriots
8-6 Bills
7-7 Dolphins
7-7 Jets
AFC NORTH:
A bad loss for the Bengals and very good wins for the Steelers and Ravens put Cincy’s playoff hopes in flux, all of a sudden
10-4 Steelers
9-5 Bengals
9-5 Ravens
1-13 Browns
AFC SOUTH:
A big win for Tennessee keeps them alive; the Texans win to close in on another division title
9-5 Texans
7-7 Titans
4-10 Jaguars
2-12 Colts
AFC WEST:
Brutal losses for Denver and KC put the Chargers back on top
8-6 Chargers
7-7 Broncos
7-7 Chiefs
3-11 Raiders
NFC Playoff Picture
The 6 playoff teams are pretty much assured, with on the Lions left that can crash the party; there is a HUGE mixup for seeds 2 through 5/6
1 – Packers (12-2)
2/3/4 – Eagles/Falcons/Saints/49ers (10-4)
5/6 – Falcons/Saints/Bears (10-4)
STILL ALIVE – Lions (8-6)
ELIMINATED THIS WEEK – N.Y. Giants/Dallas (7-7)
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 (12-2)
2 – Steelers (10-4)
3 – Texans (9-5)
4 – Chargers (8-6)
5/6 – Bengals/Ravens (9-5)
IN THE MIX – Bills (8-6)
STILL ALIVE – Dolphins/Jets/Titans/Broncos/Chiefs (7-7)
