The cold December is none better warmed than by meaningful NFL games.\u00a0 With the defending champs,\u00a0America’s team, and everybody’s 2011 darling all\u00a0two games out of a playoff spot in the NFC, the field could become pared down to just the 6 qualifiers this week.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 A big week is about to unfold about as there are a whole slew of fantastic matchups.\u00a0 Get your popcorn ready….the show all starts in the City of Brotherly Love.<\/p>\n
Cincinnati (9-4) at PHILADELPHIA (9-4)<\/span> – Vegas: Eagles -7 N.Y. Giants (7-6) at ATLANTA (9-4)<\/span> – Vegas: Falcons -1.5 Minnesota (4-9) at ST. LOUIS (3-10)<\/span> – Vegas: Rams -3 Jacksonville (4-9) at MIAMI (6-7)<\/span> – Vegas: Dolphins -7.5 Green Bay (12-1) at CHICAGO (9-4)<\/span> -Vegas: Packers -3.5 Washington (4-9) at CLEVELAND (1-12)<\/span> -Vegas: Redskins -1 Denver (7-6) at BALTIMORE (8-5)<\/span> – Vegas: Ravens -3.5 Indianapolis (2-11) at HOUSTON (8-5)<\/span> – Vegas: Texans -10.5 Tampa Bay (4-9) at NEW ORLEANS (9-4)<\/span> – Vegas: Saints -10 Detroit (7-6) at ARIZONA (4-9)<\/span> – Vegas: Lions -1.5 Carolina (4-9) at SAN DIEGO (7-6)<\/span> – Vegas: Chargers -5.5 Seattle (4-9) at BUFFALO (8-5)<\/span> – in Toronto – Vegas: Bills -3 Pittsburgh (9-4) at DALLAS (7-6)<\/span> – Vegas: Cowboys -1.5 Kansas City (7-6) at OAKLAND (2-11)<\/span> – Vegas: Raiders -2.5 San Francisco (10-3) at NEW ENGLAND (11-2)<\/span> – Vegas: Patriots -6.5 N.Y. Jets (7-6) at TENNESSEE (6-7)<\/span> – Vegas: Pick ’em NFC EAST: NFC NORTH: NFC SOUTH: NFC WEST: AFC EAST: AFC NORTH: AFC SOUTH: AFC WEST: 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<\/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> The cold December is none better warmed than by meaningful NFL games.\u00a0 With the defending champs,\u00a0America’s team, and everybody’s 2011 darling all\u00a0two games out of a playoff spot in the NFC, the field could become pared down to just the … Continue reading
\nI need a good reason to pick against the home team on a Thursday Night, and I can’t find one here.\u00a0 Eagles (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\nSunday, Early Afternoon<\/h1>\n
\nThe Georgia Dome is a pretty tough place to play, even if you’re the Giants in desperation mode.\u00a0 Falcons (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nUh…home team?\u00a0 Rams (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe Dolphins may not be the best football team in the state of Florida, but they might be better than the other 2 NFL teams.\u00a0 Dolphins (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe 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.\u00a0 Bears (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nI like the 21-year old rookie better than the 29-year old rookie.\u00a0 Redskins (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe 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.\u00a0 Ravens (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nEven on the short week, the Texans ought to be able to beat the Colts at home.\u00a0 Texans (easy)<\/strong><\/p>\nSunday, Late Afternoon<\/h1>\n
\nThis 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Saints (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nIf the Lions are legit, they have to win this game.\u00a0 I don’t think it will be easy, but I want to trust in this team.\u00a0 Lions (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe grand potential of the 2012 Panthers is heading towards another double-digit loss season.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 But, don’t think I didn’t consider it…\u00a0 Chargers (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nHow nice of the NFL.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 And, this big home game is…well…not at home.\u00a0 It’s across the border in Toronto.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 But, I guess that’s what you get when you don’t sell out your home games.\u00a0 Seahawks (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThis is about as much of a coin flip as can be.\u00a0 I can’t find a reason to or not to pick either of these teams.\u00a0 While I generally pick the home teams in cases like this, the Cowboys December troubles are well-documented.\u00a0 And, they are one offensive line injury away from being totally overmatched in this game.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Steelers (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nI have proven all year that I think the Chiefs are a lot better than the Raiders.\u00a0 But, at home, with 10 days to prepare, I am taking the Raiders in this one.\u00a0 Raiders (close)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\nSunday Night<\/h1>\n
\nIt’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.\u00a0 Patriots (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\nMonday Night<\/h1>\n
\nJust 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.\u00a0 Titans (close)<\/strong><\/p>\nStandings After Week Fifteen<\/h1>\n
\nIt’s official – the Philadelphia Eagles are the 2012 NFC East champions; the Giants and Cowboys have officially been eliminated<\/em>
\n10-4 Eagles
\n7-7 Giants
\n7-7 Cowboys
\n5-9 Redskins<\/p>\n
\nThe Packers fail to clinch the North, but are still pretty set for that #1-seed; the Bears and Lions pick up big wins
\n<\/em>12-2 Packers
\n10-4 Bears
\n8-6 Lions
\n4-10 Vikings<\/p>\n
\n6 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
\n<\/em>10-4 Falcons
\n10-4 Saints
\n4-10 Panthers
\n4-10 Bucs<\/p>\n
\nA tough loss for San Fran might put them into the first playoff weekend
\n<\/em>10-4 49ers
\n5-9 Seahawks
\n4-10 Cardinals
\n4-10 Rams<\/p>\n
\nBrutal losses for the Bills and Jets really hurt; the Dolphins are still alive; the Pats have all but locked up the top seed
\n<\/em>12-2 Patriots
\n8-6 Bills
\n7-7 Dolphins
\n7-7 Jets<\/p>\n
\nA bad loss for the Bengals and very good wins for the Steelers and Ravens put Cincy’s playoff hopes in flux, all of\u00a0a sudden
\n<\/em>10-4 Steelers
\n9-5 Bengals
\n9-5 Ravens
\n1-13 Browns<\/p>\n
\nA big win for Tennessee keeps them alive; the Texans win to close in on another division title
\n<\/em>9-5 Texans
\n7-7 Titans
\n4-10 Jaguars
\n2-12 Colts<\/p>\n
\nBrutal losses for Denver and KC put the Chargers back on top
\n<\/em>8-6 Chargers
\n7-7 Broncos
\n7-7 Chiefs
\n3-11 Raiders<\/p>\nNFC Playoff Picture<\/h1>\n
\n1 \u2013 Packers (12-2)
\n2\/3\/4 –\u00a0Eagles\/Falcons\/Saints\/49ers (10-4)
\n5\/6 \u2013 Falcons\/Saints\/Bears (10-4)
\nSTILL ALIVE \u2013 Lions (8-6)
\nELIMINATED THIS WEEK – N.Y. Giants\/Dallas (7-7)<\/p>\nAFC Playoff Picture<\/h1>\n
\n1 -Patriots (12-2)
\n2 \u2013 Steelers (10-4)
\n3 – Texans (9-5)
\n4 \u2013 Chargers\u00a0(8-6)
\n5\/6 \u2013 Bengals\/Ravens (9-5)
\nIN THE MIX \u2013 Bills (8-6)
\nSTILL ALIVE – Dolphins\/Jets\/Titans\/Broncos\/Chiefs (7-7)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"