After this week, there will only be three games left in the 2012 NFL season.\u00a0 The plot thickens…<\/p>\n
Denver (6-6) at OAKLAND (2-10)<\/span> – Vegas: Broncos -1.5 St. Louis (3-9) at BUFFALO (7-5)<\/span> – Vegas: Bills -6 Dallas (7-5) at CINCINNATI (8-4)<\/span> – Vegas: Bengals -1 Kansas City (6-6) at CLEVELAND (1-11)<\/span> -Vegas: Chiefs -2.5 Tennessee (5-7) at INDIANAPOLIS (2-10)<\/span> – Vegas: Pick ’em Chicago (8-4) at MINNESOTA (4-8)<\/span> – Vegas: Bears -3 Philadelphia (8-4) at TAMPA BAY (4-8)<\/span> – Vegas: Eagles -6 Baltimore (7-5) at WASHINGTON (4-8)<\/span> – Vegas: Ravens -3.5 Atlanta (8-4) at CAROLINA (4-8)<\/span> – Vegas: Falcons -1 N.Y. Jets (6-6) at JACKSONVILLE (4-8)<\/span> – Vegas: Jets -3.5 San Diego (7-5) at PITSBURGH (8-4)<\/span> – Vegas: Steelers -3.5 Miami (6-6) at SAN FRANCISCO (9-3)<\/span> – Vegas: 49ers -7 Arizona (4-8) at SEATTLE (3-9)<\/span> – Vegas: Seahawks -4 New Orleans (8-4) at N.Y. GIANTS (7-5)<\/span> – Vegas: Giants -2.5 Detroit (7-5) at GREEN BAY (11-1)<\/span> – Vegas: Packers -7.5 Houston (8-4) at NEW ENGLAND (10-2)<\/span> – Vegas: Patriots -6.5 NFC EAST: NFC NORTH: NFC SOUTH: NFC WEST: AFC EAST: AFC NORTH: AFC SOUTH: AFC WEST: There is no a clear, 2-game delineation between the teams currently in the 6 playoff spots and the 3 teams chasing them<\/em> 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<\/em> After this week, there will only be three games left in the 2012 NFL season.\u00a0 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 … Continue reading
\nI think this is the first time in 14 weeks that I am going against the home team on Thursday Night.\u00a0 But, I still believe in Peyton Manning in prime time…either that or I think the Raiders really stink.\u00a0 Broncos (close)<\/strong><\/p>\nSunday, Early Afternoon<\/h1>\n
\nBy this point, the Bills could be in the playoff hunt, and the Rams will probably be done.\u00a0 Even if that wasn’t the case, the Bills are the better team – at home, in December, against a team with a dome.\u00a0 I love Steven Jackson, but it would take a monumental performance from him here.\u00a0 Bills (easy)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe Bengals are coming back from a long West Coast trip.\u00a0 The Cowboys are coming off of a tough Sunday Night game against the Eagles.\u00a0 This is as tough a pick as there is this week.\u00a0 When in doubt, go with the home team with the longer rest.\u00a0 Bengals (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe Browns are coming back from a long trip our west and, well, they’re not very good.\u00a0 Chiefs (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nVegas has this as a pick ’em?\u00a0 That sounds like too much respect for the rookie QB, even at home against a mediocre (at best) team.\u00a0 Titans (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe Bears are simply the better team.\u00a0 Bears (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe Eagles are simply the better team…though they are coming off a Sunday Night game in Dallas.\u00a0 Eagles (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n“The Battle of the Beltway” is usually an August scrimmage, but this year it is for real.\u00a0 There is a lot of intensity surrounding this matchup, so the Redskins will probably come to play even if they are out of it.\u00a0 But, I don’t think they have the horses.\u00a0 Ravens (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe 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.\u00a0 And, particularly if the Panthers already have 7 or 8 losses, I like the Falcons here.\u00a0 Falcons (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nI am not the biggest fan of this Jets team, and I’m not so quick to kill Blaine Gabbert.\u00a0 But, it is kind of scary to think what this Jets defense might do to a Gabbert-led offense.\u00a0\u00a0Now, the question is – can they score?\u00a0 Jets (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe 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.\u00a0 Steelers (close)<\/strong><\/p>\nSunday, Late Afternoon<\/h1>\n
\nCan’t even imagine Miami walking into San Fran at this point in the season and stealing one.\u00a0 49ers (easy)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nWith that homefield advantage?\u00a0 Seahawks (easy)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nBy now, the bodies of NFL players are hurting – constantly.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Tough scheduling blow for the defending champs.\u00a0 Saints (close)<\/strong><\/p>\nSunday Night<\/h1>\n
\nThis Lions team has to prove that they can beat this Packers team anywhere<\/em> before I pick them to win in Lambeau.\u00a0 Packers (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\nMonday Night<\/h1>\n
\nI think the Pats are the better, more experienced, better coached team – which means they shouldn’t blow a Monday Night home game.\u00a0 Patriots (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\nStandings After Week Fourteen<\/h1>\n
\nA 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<\/em>
\n9-4 Eagles
\n7-6 Giants
\n7-6 Cowboys
\n4-9 Redskins<\/p>\n
\nThe 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
\n<\/em>12-1 Packers
\n9-4 Bears
\n7-6 Lions
\n4-9 Vikings<\/p>\n
\nIt’s now a three-game season for the NFC South title, though both teams take big steps forward for making the wild card
\n<\/em>9-4 Falcons
\n9-4 Saints
\n4-9 Panthers
\n4-9 Bucs<\/p>\n
\nThe Niners continue to roll, looking good for a first-round bye
\n<\/em>10-3 49ers
\n4-9 Seahawks
\n4-9 Cardinals
\n3-10 Rams<\/p>\n
\nDon’t look now, but the Jets and Bills continue to make pushes for a playoff spot
\n<\/em>11-2 Patriots
\n8-5 Bills
\n7-6\u00a0Jets
\n6-7 Dolphins<\/p>\n
\nThe top three all win, which is important as the rest of the field starts to make a push
\n<\/em>9-4 Steelers
\n9-4 Bengals
\n8-5 Ravens
\n1-12 Browns<\/p>\n
\nThe Titans gain a game and still have a fighting chance in the division, even if the wild card is slipping away
\n<\/em>8-5 Texans
\n6-7 Titans
\n4-9 Jaguars
\n2-11 Colts<\/p>\n
\nAn ugly three-way tie at 7-6 through 14 weeks of muck in the AFC West
\n<\/em>7-6 Broncos
\n7-6 Chargers
\n7-6 Chiefs
\n2-11 Raiders<\/p>\nNFC Playoff Picture<\/h1>\n
\n1 \u2013 Packers (12-1)
\n2 – 49ers (10-3)
\n3\/4 – Eagles\/Falcons\/Saints (9-4)
\n5\/6 \u2013 Falcons\/Saints\/Bears (9-4)
\nFALLING OUT \u2013 Cowboys\/Giants\/Lions (7-6)<\/p>\nAFC Playoff Picture<\/h1>\n
\n1 -Patriots (11-2)
\n2 \u2013 Steelers (9-4)
\n3 – Texans (8-5)
\n4\/OUT \u2013 Broncos\/Chargers\/Chiefs\u00a0(7-6)
\n5 \u2013 Bengals (9-4)
\n6\/OUT \u2013 Bills\/Ravens (8-5)
\nIN THE MIX \u2013 Jets (7-6)
\nFALLING OUT – Dolphins (6-7)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"