Saturday Night Preview: Hope you had a good Festivus.

New England @ Buffalo

New England – 7.5

After struggling against a Packers team lead by Matt Flynn I think the Pats get back to the version we saw the past 3 or 4 weeks laying the hammer down on any opponent unlucky enough to cross their paths.

Pats 33

Just look at this face. Hilarity ensues

Bills 20

NY Jets @ Chicago

Chicago – 2.5

If theres something more awesome than Rex Ryan having a foot fetish that’s going on in the NFL right now then I’d like to see it. I’ll take the New York Devotees to go on the road and get the win.

Jets 17

Bears 13

Baltimore @ Cleveland

Baltimore – 3.5

Peyton Hillis isn’t looking good which means that the Browns chances of pulling an uspet are looking even worse.

Ravens 23

Browns 17

Washington @ Jacksonville

Jacksonville – 7

I just have a feeling that last week was the best effort will see from Rex Grossman in a Redskins uniform.

Jaguars 23

Redskins 9

San Francisco @ St. Louis

St. Louis – 2.5

The Sam Bradford NFL rookie of the year tour continues with another win in the division as the Rams creep closer to a division championship.

Rams 16

This picture is in every Florida Alums Bible

49’ers 10

Houston @ Denver

Houston – 3

I think this is the game that Gary Kubiak will get fired for. The Denver Broncos haven’t been able to keep it close with anyone these past few weeks but Tim “Jesus” Tebow will lead them to victory over the perennial 8-8 Texans.

Broncos 24

Texans 20

Indianapolis @ Oakland

Indianapolis – 3

The Raiders have finally given me a legit reason to hope this year. They’ve even managed to remain in the playoff picture all the way up to week 16. However that picture will be thrown in the trash this week by Peyton Manning.

Colts 27

Raiders 23

San Diego @ Cincinnati

San Diego – 7.5

San Diego needs to win their last two games and for the Chiefs to lose one. I don’t know if the Chiefs will lose but I can’t imagine the Chargers not winning these last two games.

Chargers 34

Bengals 20

Seattle @ Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay – 6.5

Tampa Bay lost an absolute must win last week against the Lions which would have put them at 9-5 and still in the hunt for a wild card birth and while their playoff hopes are still alive I think the door just shut on their 2010 season. With all that being said I think they’re still much better than the Seahawks

Bucs 20

Seahawks 16

Tennessee @ Kansas City

Kansas City -5

Kansas City can’t close the door on a division championship and a playoff berth in this game but by winning it they’ll officially close the door on the Raiders playoff hopes, consider that door shut.

Chiefs 20

Titans 9

NY Giants @ Green Bay

Green Bay - 3

After watching the game Green Bay played last week against the Patriots on the road without Aaron Rodgers I can’t pick against them at home against a Giants team that just suffered one of the all time worst sports gut punches in quite a while.

Packers 34

Giants 31

Minnesota @ Philadelphia

Philadelphia – 14.5

If you didn’t read the Tuesday wrap up check it out for my feelings on this Eagles team. Even if Brett Favre plays the Vikings don’t have a chance, and I honestly don’t know whether the score will be closer with or without him.

Eagles 27

Vikings 17

New Orleans @ Atlanta

Atlanta – 2.5

Atlanta shuts the door on a division championship and a 1^st place seed in the playoffs all in one fell swoop.

Falcons 24

Saints 21

Tuesday Night Week 15 Recap.

Week 15 Predictions heads up: 8-8

Week 15 Predictions against the Spread: 6-10

Record so far: 111-80

If the Eagles aren't the most exciting team in the NFL I don’t know who is

You wouldn't have punted to him in Madden either

Watching the end of that Eagles game I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a 7 or 8 minute span of football as exciting during a regular season game in my life. The Eagles have the two most dynamic players in the NFL in Michael Vick and Desean Jackson and they were at their most dynamic when their team was in dire straits. Every time the Giants got the Eagles in a 3^rd and long Michael Vick would break off another 20 or 30 yard run, and those are absolutely demoralizing to a defense because it seemed like he could do that pretty much anytime he wanted. Watching Michael Vick now, I think this is what we thought the mobile QB would be, you combine the accuracy and pocket presence of an elite QB with the running ability of a top tier running back or wide receiver and you have Michael Vick. However that wasn’t the kill blow of this game. That is reserved for the 65 yard point return for a touchdown by Desean Jackson. My brother called me after the game and told me that at this point he could be an Eagles fan; a team that’s this fun to watch with players that we honestly want to root for doesn’t come along very often. The last team that I can remember feeling this way about were those late 90’s early 2000’s Viking teams lead by Randall Cunningham and Daunte Culpepper. After this game a lot of people are going to be asking how the punter could kick the ball to Desean Jackson and it’s an absolutely valid question, but this loss isn’t completely on him. It’s on a defense that allowed them to score 21 points in about 5 minutes prior to that. It’s on Tom Coughlin who’s team wasn’t the least bit ready for that onside kick at the 7:30 mark, and it’s also on him for deciding to throw the ball on 3^rd and 8 as opposed to running it and taking at least another 40 seconds off the clock. Honestly though as much as the Giants blew it I don’t really care, this game was about the Eagles absolutely becoming the team I’m rooting to see not only in the playoffs but perhaps win the whole thing.

Well I guess he won’t be seeing the end of that contract extension

After looking at the language in Donovan Mcnabb’s contract extension we all pretty much knew there was no way that he would see most of that money but I think most of us thought he had a decent chance of making it out of this year as a Redskin. So not only does Mike Shanahan bench him he sends him all the way to the 3^rd string behind the unquestionably talented duo of John Beck and Rex Grossman.  I have to say Grossman wasn’t terrible Sunday he put together a very respectable 4 touchdown 2 interception performance. I highly doubt he can salvage much from Grossman at this point; he’s a 30 year old QB on his 3^rd team who’s only thrown for more than 3000 yards in a season once. He’s a career back up more or less and you don’t bench a hall of famer in order to give a 30 year old career back up a shot to show what he can do. Or at least I would think you don’t if you don’t want to alienate the rest of your team. On the other hand John Beck is on his 3rd team in 4 years and he's compiled over 500 yards and a touchdown during all that time so he hasn't been lighting the world on fir either and at 29 he's a little too old to be preaching up the potential tree. I’m not saying Mcnabb has been fantastic or even good, but to bench him in this manner for Rex Grossman of all people is an incredible disservice to not only him but also to the respectability of your franchise, what QB would want to come to Washington know seeing how quickly Mike Shanahan will abandon them. This is why the Redskins are the Redskins and even when it seems they've made a number of good moves as far as their head coach and Gm are concerned they still can’t manage to get things right.

Weekend Preview: Sorry I actually had a life for once edition.

Sorry I got back from an ugly sweater party at 3:30 so this is going to be pretty short. I wouldn't have felt right not doing a weekend picks article even if you don’t read it until the games are over.

New Orleans @ Baltimore

Baltimore – 2.5

After watching Matt Schaub rip apart a tired Baltimore defense in the second half of that Ravens Texans game I think New Orleans keep their streak of 30+ point games going and beat the Ravens.

Saints 33

Ravens 27

Arizona @ Carolina

Carolina –2.5

Arizona has had such weird hot and cold games this year but at this point I think the Panthers are playing for the first overall pick. Arizona goes on the road and gets a win.

Cardinals 17

You almost made it through the Year T.O. how could you

Panthers 10

Cleveland @ Cincinnati

Cincinnati – 1

What’s that you say? Terrell Owens lambasting is coaches and the owner? What a surprise.

Browns 23

Bengals 17

Washington @ Dallas

Dallas- 7

Everyone I’d like to reintroduce you to Rex Grossman. If theres one thing Mike Shanahan can’t resist it’s a white quarterback with a strong arm with a propensity to throw ridiculous interceptions. He fixed John Elway and he thinks he can fix everyone else. Someone please talk those Redskin fans off the ledge.

Cowboys 37

Redskins 10

Jacksonville @ Indianapolis

Indianapolis – 5

Sorry. As much as I want to after their gusty performance against my Raiders last week I can’t pick against the Peyton with the division on the line.

Colts 27

Jaguars 24

Buffalo @ Miami

Miami – 4.5

Miami wins this game and nobody outside of Miami cares.

Dolphins 17

One word

Bills 13

Philadelphia @ NY Giants

NY Giants – 3

The Giants rushing attack has been stupendous lately with the two headed monster of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw but Philadelphia has even better two headed monster in Michael Vick and Desean Jackson.

Eagles 31

Giants 24

Kansas City @ St. Louis

St. Louis - 3

Matt Cassel’s a game time decision if he plays reverse the scores, because I have absolutely no faith in the Brodie Croyle Express.

Rams 23

Chiefs 10

Detroit @ Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay – 4

I'm sorry I'd like to pick against the almighty power of Josh Freeman and the other Mike Williams and a guy who's last name is blount........what a second no I don't.

Bucs 23

Lions 17

Houston @ Tennessee

Tennessee – 1

Tennessee had one of the most pointless late touchdowns in the NFL last week. A team that poorly coached will lose to a Texans team that’s only coached at a mediocre level.

Texans 24

Titans 21

Atlanta @ Seattle

Atlanta – 6.5

Atlanta goes on the road and has their 3^rd loss of the year at qwest field scaring every NFC team that could possibly play there in the first round.

Seahawks 24

Falcons 20

Denver @ Oakland

Bring on Friar Tuck

Oakland – 7.5

Tim Tebows first start is in the Black hole with a Raiders front four that leads the league in sacks?? This could get ugly

Raiders 31

Broncos 23

NY Jets @ Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh – 4.5

I don’t know how or why, but Rex Ryan will right the ship this week. Oh wait I know why, no Troy Polamalu.

Jets 16

Steelers 13

Green Bay @ New England

New England – 14

Patriots vs. the Packers with no Aaron Rodgers? Hide thine eyes.

Patriots 41

Packers 13

Chicago @ Minnesota

Chicago –7.5

It seems as though the career that wouldn’t die finally died. Brett Favres reign of terror is over. Good work America.

Bears 24

Vikings 10

Thursday Night Preview.

Week 14 Predictions heads up: 11-5

Week 14 Predictions against the Spread: 9-7

Record so far: 103-72


San Francisco @ San Diego

San Diego – 10.5

Fun Fact: Philip Rivers can only talk through yelling at people

The Chargers blasted the Chiefs in a game that pretty much all of us saw coming. It was a game they had to win against a QB who doesn't have a win as a NFL QB. They proceeded to win the game in a 31-0 shutout. The 49'ers beat the Seahawks by 21 points last week at home to keep their NFC west hopes alive for at least one more week. However as off and on as the Chargers have been this year I still can't imagine their season ending at home to the 49'ers. Alex Smith put together a very solid performance last week in a rather dominating performance by the niners but I doubt he'll be able to get on track as easily against the Chargers, especially without the dominate run game needed to put the Chargers on their heels. Philip Rivers is pretty much out of the MVP race with the season that Tom Brady is putting together but he's still put together an amazing season so far and I'm expecting that to continue this week.

Chargers 34

49'ers 20

Week 14 Preview: Sleepless in Screen and Roll Out

Cleveland @ Buffalo

Buffalo – 1

Cleveland enters this game on a 2 game win streak and with 5-7 record that doesn’t tell the story of how competitive a team they’ve been this year with victories over both the Patriots and Saints. Buffalo followed a heartbreaking loss to the Steelers at home by getting creamed by a Tavaris Jackson lead Minnesota Vikings team.  I don’t know if the Vikings have been inspired by Leslie Frazier, but that Vikings team hasn’t been good enough to blow out anybody this year. For the Bills to follow up such a tough outing against the Steelers with that egg tells me they’re not ready to play a team as tough as the Browns even at home.

Browns 23

Bills 20

Atlanta @ Carolina

Atlanta – 9

Atlanta just keeps winning. They may seem to get quite a few lucky breaks throughout the wins but at the end of the game the dirty birds are on top of the scoreboard. There’s absolutely no reason why that shouldn’t be the case against a dreadful Panthers team.

Falcons 31

Panthers 13

Green Bay @ Detroit

Green Bay – 7

Dear Aaron, See you soon. Love Ndamukong

The Packers put a hurt on the 49’ers last week with pretty much just Aaron Rodgers and nothing else. The Falcons exposed the Packers as a one dimensional team and the 49’ers lacked the talent to do the same. I think the Lions are in the same boat. While they have a borderline fantastic D line lead by Ndamukong Suh and Kyle Vanden Bosch I don’t think their offense will be able to sustain enough drives to keep Rodgers off the field. The Packers win this one but only because they have one of the top 5 Qb’s in football right now.

Aaron Rodgers 31

Lions 27

Oakland @ Jacksonville

Jacksonville – 4

Being a Raider fan has been a significantly better experience this year than it has been for the past 8 years of my life, and while I’m very happy that we’re at 6 wins for the first time in 8 years I’m incredibly frustrated by the Raiders lack of consistency. If the good Raiders show up they might be able to slow down Mojo while running over the Jaguars with their two headed running attack of D-Mac and Michael Bush. If the bad Raiders show up the Jaguars will run all over them and dominate the game. I hate to say this but looking at their last two east coast games I think the bad Raiders will show up.

Jaguars 24

Raiders 13

New York Giants @ Minnesota

New York Giants - 3

Well this game has been reschedule to Monday because of the insane snow storm in Minneapolis, and that could have an effect on both teams but honestly I have no idea what that might be. This game is more or less the Giants playoff hopes. They’re 8-4 with games against Green Bay and Philadelphia left. This game is basically a must win with those two coming up. As good as the Vikings looked last week I think they bring Brett Favre back to preserve his starting record and it ends up costing them the game.

Giants 26

Vikings 17

Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh – 9

Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore was an absolutely fantastic game Sunday Night. Watching that game in comparison to the games from earlier Sunday it seemed like the Steelers and Ravens were playing at a different speed than the rest of the NFL. A lot of people think this will be a letdown game but I don’t think the Steelers can afford to let up knowing the Ravens are still right on their tail and the 2^nd seed isn’t guaranteed.

Steelers 31

Bengals 20

Tampa Bay @ Washington

Tampa Bay – 2

It sucks but I think the Buccaneers season ended last week against the Falcons. As good as the NFC is I think the two wildcard teams will probably be two of the following 3: New Orleans, New York, and Green Bay. I just don’t think Tampa Bay will elbow its way into that conversation but they can keep their hopes alive with a win this week over a listless Washington team that has seemingly given up on their season. 

Bucs 20

Redskins 13

St. Louis @ New Orleans

New Orleans – 10

The offensive rookie of the year trophy will be going to a Qb for the 2^nd time in history and the first time since Big Ben won it while leading the Steelers to the playoffs, can Sam Bradford pull of a similar feat? Hmmm I’ll say this somebody has to make it out of the NFC West and at this point I have to ask myself why not the Rams? Are they any more flawed than the Seahawks…….enh not really. This line seems a bit high when looking at the early year home performances of the Saints except for the fact that current Saints are on a 5 game winning streak putting up 30 in 4 of them. Well make it 6 straight with 30 in 5 of them.

Saints 34

Rams 20

Seattle @ San Francisco

San Francisco – 5.5

This is how bad the NFC west is. The 49’ers lost by 18 points in a game that wasn’t even that close last week and are 5 ½ point favorites over the Seahawks who won by 17. The reason being pretty much everyone knows that the Seahawks are a team that will just no show on the road.  Yes the Seahawks have been bad on the road this year but their road record is 2-3 which is just mediocre and they’ve beaten a tough Saints team in the superdome. I don’t think the Hawks have been given enough credit for the mediocre quality of road team they are. Mediocre will be enough to beat the 49’ers.

Seahawks 23

49’ers 20

New England @ Chicago

New England – 2.5

Solemn American Heads

I can’t pick against the Pats after that performance on Monday night football last week. At the same time I spent a quick hit last week finally admitting that the Bears were for real. The truth is I still believe both of those things I just think that the Pats are on a different level than the Bears. I think the Pats are at this point are the easy super bowl favorite while the Bears are a strong contender to make it to the NFC championship game at best. I think Tom Brady makes an example of the Bears cover 2 defense using short and intermediate passes as he leads the solemn american heads to victory.

Patriots 27

Bears 20

Denver @ Arizona

Denver – 4.5

In the 3^rd debut of a new head coach this NFL season we begin the 4 game season for Eric Studesville who prior to becoming the interim head coach had been a running backs coach his entire NFL coaching career. I doubt he’ll make much of an impression with this 4 game stint but so far the two interim coaches we’ve had this year have more or less knocked it out of the park in the 5 games they’ve coached.  The thing that was most confusing about the McDaniel’s firing is that the Broncos played hard for their coach in the loss against the Chiefs last week; if they can put together another effort like that they’ll beat a much worse Cardinals team starting John Skelton a rookie QB from Fordham.

Broncos 17

Cardinals 9

Miami @ New York Jets

New York Jets – 5

Wow just wow did New York get smashed last week. The Patriots absolutely went 1990’s Mike Tyson on them beating them relentlessly and not stopping until the bell rung. If the Jets are half the team we thought they were before that game last week they’ll beat this Dolphins team. They’re lead by an incredibly turnover prone QB in Chad Henne who should be just what the Dr. ordered to begin to rebuild the confidence of a Jets defense that has to be questioning itself after Tom Brady just dissected them. However what was more troubling than their defense was the absolute egg their offense laid. I don’t know if that’s as fixable as the defense however.

Jets 19

Dolphins 10

Kansas City @ San Diego

Pick Em

I have two words for you. Brodie Croyle. If San Diego doesn’t absolutely cream the Chiefs in this one they have no one to blame but themselves.

Chargers 23

Chiefs 10

I expect to see this next year with a 12 on it

Philadelphia @ Dallas

Philadelphia – 3.5

It just came down from the king of the NFL scoop Adam Schefter that both Winston Justice and Asante Samuel won’t be playing in the game against the Cowboys. As well as the Cowboys are playing I think that changes this game from a blowout to a close one. The Eagles with Michael Vick are too dynamic for a Cowboys team without Dez Bryant to keep up.

Eagles 34

Cowboys 27

Baltimore @ Houston

Baltimore – 2.5

Baltimore lost a game to the Steelers that will probably come back to bite them in the ass at the end of the year when it’s time for playoff seeding. That game could be the difference between the 2^nd seed and the 5^th or 6^th seed. Houston on the other hand probably had their season ended last week with that loss to the Eagles, doesn’t take a brain surgeon to see who I’m gonna pick here. Expect Joe Flacco to get back on track against that dreadful Texans pass defense.

Ravens 27

Texans 20

Thursday Morning preview of Thursday Night football.

Week 13 Predictions heads up: 12-4

Week 13 Predictions against the Spread: 7-9

Record so far: 92-67



Sorry for the lack of Tuesday morning/night recap things have been crazy lately with my other work projects ramping up quite a bit. However there will still be a weekend preview up this Friday no worries.



Indianapolis @ Tennessee


Indianopolis - 4

This face= interception for touchdown

As far as a Thursday preview goes this Colts Titans game could end up being the season for either team. Right now the Jaguars are ahead of both of these teams with a tie breaker on both of them. They’re one game ahead of the Colts and 2 ahead of the Titans. If the Titans lose this game I think they’re mathematically eliminated and if not they’re realistically eliminated. As far the Colts go they can afford to lose this game a bit more than the Titans can because they still have a home game against the Jags. However the Colts have already lost 3 straight they don’t want to make it 4 and possibly drop two games behind the Jags. I don’t know where Chris Johnson or the Titans offense has been these past few weeks but they had better show up because as bad as Peyton Manning has been playing; and he’s played terribly mind you, he’ll still blow out the Titans team that’s taken the field the past few weeks. The hope for the Titans is that the porous Colts run defense will allow them to finally get a ground game going with Johnson and set up Kerry Collins for the play action pass. Collins was absolutely exposed last week without a running game and it was hard to tell how they improved with him over Rusty Smith. The Colts pretty much just have one key to victory: Peyton Manning needs to stop throwing touchdown passes to the other team. Its honestly that simple when you give up 2 defensive touchdowns a game you’re going to lose. I’ve picked the Colts for the past two weeks and I have to do it again. As bad as Peyton's been the Titans have been worse. Colts in an ugly one to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. 


Colts 27


Titans 10

Saturday Night Week 13 Preview

New Orleans @ Cincinnati

New Orleans – 7

Early in the year I wasn’t a believer in the Saints, I saw the way their offense looked and I saw the points they put up and they didn’t have any resemblance to the Super Bowl champs of last year. However the Saints have put up 30 points or more in their past 3 games during a 4 game winning streak. The Bengals on the other hand extended their losing steak to 8 games with a loss to the Jets. They always seem to be competitive in games before things eventually fall apart for them. I think they fall apart again as the Saints continue their streak of 30+ point games. 

Saints 34

Bengals 24

Chicago @ Detroit

Chicago – 5

I told you last week that I was a believer in Chicago so I’m going with them in this game over the Lions. Detroit has nothing to play for except spoiler while the Bears are coming off probably their biggest win of the season beating a tough Eagles team at home.  Wait a second…….who does Chicago play next week? Oh will you look at that they play the Patriots next week, this has the classic makings of a trap game, so I’ll just say this Chicago will probably win this game but they’ll have to play all 60 minutes to do so.

Chicago 24

Detroit 23

San Francisco @ Green Bay

Green Bay – 9.5

Green Bay seems to be a one man team at this point with their only reliable source of any offense being Aaron Rodgers. Luckily for them that one man is good enough to beat the 49’ers while they’re at home. They had better use this game to find some other people to get Rodgers some help on offense or they might not make it into the playoffs.

Packers 27

49’ers 20

Denver @ Kansas City

Kansas City – 10

Kansas City showed they were legit by going on the road in one of the toughest environments in the NFL and absolutely handing it to the Seahawks. The Broncos showed who they were by losing at home to St. Louis in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score would have you believe. Chiefs in a big way.

Chiefs 31

Broncos 17

Cleveland @ Miami

Miami – 5

Note enough money on earth for me to block this guy

Miami was finally able to run the football for one last week as they ran over the Raiders to the tune of almost 200 total rushing yards with their combo of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. The question is whether that was a one week aberration or a sign of things to come as they close out the season. Cleveland's rush defense is ranked 20th in the league so they're nothing to write home about however I think a guy like Shaun Rogers can make all the difference to a team that isn't a equipped to handle him and the Dolphins lack the size up front to handle him. Combine that with another installment of the Peyton Hillis show and I think the Browns go into Miami and pretty much end the Dolphins season.

Browns 19

Dolphins 17

Buffalo @ Minnesota

Minnesota – 5

With Adrian Peterson being a game time decision this game comes to down to whether you trust Brett Favre with possibly no Adrian Peterson or Percy Harvin to be able to beat the Bills at home. My answer: Just barely.

Vikings 27

Bills 24

Washington @ N.Y. Giants

New York – 7.5

New York beat a tough Jags team at home in a thriller last week now they play one of those games they can’t afford to lose if they want to make it into the playoffs. The Redskins are a team who has beaten a few listless opponents and not much else but division games can bring out the best in NFC east teams.  However I doubt it'll bring out enough to beat a Giants team fighting for their playoff lives.

Giant 17

Redskins 9

Jacksonville @ Tennessee

Tennessee – 3.5

Farewell Rusty Smith we hardly knew ye

Sadly it seems as though the Rusty Smith era has come to an end in Tennessee after a 20-0 drubbing at the hands of the Texans. The Titans couldn’t have played much worse than they did last week however Jacksonville is trying to hold off both them and the Colts for the lead in the AFC South. The Jags will be without Mike Sims Walker however the Titans will be without both Randy Moss and Kenny Britt. Oh what’s that you say?? Randy Moss has been active the past few weeks. Ouch. Jacksonville extends their division lead

Jaguars 17

Titans 13

Oakland @ San Diego

San Diego – 13.5

Oakland headed into the bye week with all the hope and go fortune they could have asked for and since then things have been pretty much all downhill. The Chargers like usual are performing their normal November December undefeated streak. The Raiders were barely able to beat the Chargers at home when they were spotted a 12 point lead by the Chargers dreadful special teams and then needed a questionable fumble call to snatch victory from the clutches of defeat. I don’t see any miracle around the corner for the Raiders this week.

Chargers 31

Raiders 17

Atlanta @ Tampa Bay

Atlanta – 3

The Bucs almost put a kink into my declaration of them as a team that can only beat the teams they’re supposed to beat and no one else, but this week I’m going to do it myself. The Bucs are going to beat the Falcons this Sunday and I’ll tell you why. The Falcons are a mediocre road team at best and all of their home wins against good teams have had a very questionable tinge to them. On top of that you look at how closely the Bucs played them last time and they were literally a goal line stand away from beating the Falcons at home where they seem to be unbeatable. Well the Falcons aren’t unbeatable on the road and the Bucs will show it this week.

Bucs 23

Falcons 20

St. Louis @ Arizona

St. Louis – 3.5

The Rams got their first road win in over a year last week in Denver and they’re looking to follow it up with another road win this week except this time against a divisional opponent. Sam Bradford and crew are currently tied for first place in the division and will need all the division wins they can get in order to hold off the Seahawks. Arizona on the other hand just got blasted by the Chiefs and had their greatest press conference debacle since the Denny Green tirade so that leads me to pick the Rams in this one.

Rams 24

Cardinals 20

Dallas @ Indianapolis

Indianapolis – 5.5

I wrote last week about whether this is the end of the Colts as we know them. They’ve had a run that probably won’t ever be equaled in the salary cap era of football; they’ve been in the playoffs for 10 of the 13 years they’ve had Peyton Manning at QB including this year. So it could end up being 11 for 13 at the end of this year. However this game is pretty much  a must win for the Colts, they’re tied with the Jaguars for the division lead and with the top two teams in both the AFC North and East having better records than the Colts they’ll only make it in as a division winner. I don’t know whether they’ll do that but I think they’ll beat a rejuvenated Cowboys team who won’t be catching a team by surprise on the road like they did the Giants in their first week with Jason Garrett.

Colts 31

Cowboys 24

Carolina @ Seattle

Seattle –4.5

In a battle that nobody outside of Seattle and Panther fans care about the Seahawks will keep their post season hopes alive by beating the worst team in the league at home.

Seahawks 23

Panthers 13

Pittsburgh @ Baltimore

Baltimore – 3

My real reason for picking the Ravens

In what should hopefully be a Sunday night epic the Steelers go on the road to face a team they’ve already lost to at home this season.  However that Steelers team the Ravens faced in week 4 was without Ben Roethlisberger but the Ravens were without Ed Reed and while these aren’t equal they’re both incredibly important changes to both teams. Both of these players are banged up coming into this game but both will undoubtedly play as the games between these two teams always seem to come down to the wire either late in the 4^th quarter or overtime. I think Baltimore makes it 2-0 and makes their claim to a top seed in the AFC playoff bracket.

Ravens 20

Steelers 17

NY Jets @ New England

New England – 3.5

In the game of the week the Pats and Jets face off for the crown of best team in the AFC East and the AFC as a whole. Rex Ryan added a little fire to the flames with some jabs at Tom Brady in his press conference this week and we all know how much the Pats love to take that bulletin board material and make examples out of people. Rex Ryan is 2-1 in his short Jets head coaching career against the Patriots but the Jets lost a key piece to their defense in practice this week in Jim Leonhard who was one of their starting safety and more importantly the signal caller for their back 7. They will replace Leonhard with Eric Smith who is a solid player but lacks the range of Leonhard and also the ability to return punts where he was solid and somewhat explosive with 4 returns for over 20 yards. Tom Brady hasn’t thrown an interception in 6 weeks and last week against the Lions he put up 341 yards and 4 touchdowns. The best possible news he could get is that the signal caller of the Jets defense will be out of this game and the rest of the year.

Patriots 27

Jets 20

Thursday Preview: Lunchtime prognistication

Be on the lookout for the weekend preview this Friday night, but I wanted to make sure I got my Thursday preview up before the game tonight. This was written from my desk during lunch so excuse any missteps. Also Handsome Joe Garcia likes the Texans in this game so either way somebody on my team will get this pick right.

Houston @ Philadelphia

Philadelphia -8

Watch out Asanate Samuel

Houston at Philadelphia should be an offensive showcase this Thursday night as both of these teams have the firepower to take advantage of two defenses that have shown incredibly poorly in the past few weeks. The Eagles defense was torn apart by Jay Cutler last week and it only gets harder having to face a Texans team that gets to take advantage of an unsuspended Andre Johnson;  luckily the birds are at home. The Eagles passing attack is one of the tops in the league and they're facing a Houston pass defense that finally put together a solid game only it was against Rusty Smith a 6^th round rookie from Florida Atlantic. In shootouts like this I tend to take the home team, but the Eagles are getting 8 points in this match up and I don't think they'll beat anybody by that much the way their secondary played last week. However Asante Samuel has practiced all week and he is the best player in their secondary. adding him back to the mix could push this from a close shoot out to a semi blowout in favor the Green American Birds.

Eagles 38

Texans 34