Before I get started on this week's picks, just a quick comment on last week's Monday Night Football game. At the risk of sounding like Ray Rice of the Ravens, did you see that horrible officiating at the Falcons-Saints game? I have just 2 stats for you...Saints 8 penalties for 92 yards and the Falcons ONE for 10 yards.....C'mon Man!
Just had to get that off my chest now for the picks. By the way, I had an incredible week last week at 12-4 bringing my season total to 145-95 not bad for an amateur. First up the home town team Saints are entertaining the Bucs. This is a must win for Tampa Bay. Contrary to many of the TV analysts the Saints are not going to be scoreboard watching and Drew Brees will not be pulled in the 2nd half if the Falcons are way ahead of the Panthers. You would have to drag Drew kicking and screaming to get him out of the game. Saints are at home and will come focused not to say it will be easy keep in mind the Bucs need this game to even have a slim hope of getting in the playoffs. Saints win in a close one. Panthers are at Atlanta. I am praying for the Panthers to give John Fox a going away present. Although they lost a lot this year Fox never lost the team. In the end I believe the Falcons will be too much for the injury plagued Panthers. Falcons win. Steelers at the Browns. Pittsburgh has too much on the line. Steelers win and win AFC North. Bengals at Baltimore. This is an interesting game. After dispatching the playoff hopeful Chargers last week Marvin Lewis could possibly save his job with a win today. If they were playing in Cincinnati I'd give the Bengals a slight edge but not today in Baltimore. Ravens win. Vikings at the Lions....another situation where there are two teams going in different directions. It would be nice to see Brett Favre go out riding into the sunset unfortunately that won't happen. He will finish his last game from the bench finally coming to the realization that the body relinquishes long before the mind. Forty-one doesn't seem that old to most of us but in football age he's ninety-two. Goodbye Brett....we will miss you. Lions win.
Raiders at the Chiefs....I do not understand the complicated playoff scenarios but I do believe that the Chiefs cannot get any higher in the seeding than they already are. This might be a game where they rest some people. I am going to say the motivation will be higher for the Raiders. Raiders win. Dolphins have to travel to New England...Although New England will probably rest their starters I do believe they will play a half at least and that should be enough to put away the Dolphins. Patriots win. Bills at the Jets....I cannot see how the Jets would not be ready to play but again with the seeding pretty much set the starters will only see a half at most. But I still believe Rex Ryan would like a little momentum going into the playoffs especially after last week's loss to the Bears. Jets win. Bears at Green Bay...another very interesting game. It's a long shot but the Bears can actually get the 1st Seed if both the Falcons and Saints lose. I see the Bears coming in with chip on their shoulder trying to prove they belong. Unfortunately, the Packers need it more and they are at home. One of the toughest places to play is Lambeau in January. Packers win in a slugfest and seal the final playoff spot. Giants at Washington....Giants going nowhere have no incentive. Redskins have shown new life. Redskins win.
Titans at the Colts...Simple....Colts have too much at stake and Peyton will be more focused today than even the last three weeks. He lead his team into the playoffs. Colts win. Jaguars at the Texans....another two teams with late season collapses and in my opinion both coaches are on the bubble. Both coaches have worn out their welcome and the patients of their respective owners. Jags have a little more to play for. Jags win. Cowboys at Philly. Eagles stuck in number 3 seed no matter what. Vick will not play today along with others. Dallas is still talented enough to beat Philly's second teamers. Cowboys win. Cardinals and the 49ers...who cares??? 49ers win at home. Chargers at Denver...I said once before if the Chargers lost another one where I picked them, I would never pick them again. I am sticking to my word. Tebow and team put the Chargers out of their misery and Norv Turner out of a job. Broncos win big. Finally the primetime matchup between the Seahawks and the Rams. I am picking the Rams for two reasons. One, I don't want a team with a losing record to get into the playoffs and Two, I do believe the Rams are the better team. Either way barring a meltdown by their opposing playoff opponent neither team will get past the first round. Rams win.
Have a great football weekend and let me hear from you on who you think will win in the upcoming playoffs.
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