Last week’s picks: 14-2
Season total: 118-58
I finally had a great week of picks last week. This week features a lot of teams barely hanging on to their playoff aspirations. A couple of teams could get eliminated from playoff contention, as a result.
I can’t believe the December games are here already!
Thursday, December 1
Philadelphia Eagles (4-7) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-7) – Both teams are out of the playoff hunt now. Andy Reid is probably coaching his last five games in Philadelphia. It’s a short week and Philly has to go all the way to Seattle. My pick: Seattle Seahawks
Sunday, December 4
Oakland Raiders (7-4) @ Miami Dolphins (3-8) – Despite Miami’s record, this is actually a very good matchup. Both teams are hot and Miami has an opportunity to hurt Oakland’s playoff chances. The Raiders have Green Bay and the Lions in the coming weeks so they really need to take care of the Dolphins. They may look ahead, though. I have a feeling this one comes down to a long field goal to win it. It just won’t be by the guy you’d expect. My pick: Miami Dolphins
Tennessee Titans (6-5) @ Buffalo Bills (5-6) – After losing four in a row, the Bills playoff hopes are all but done. They played much better against the Jets but that may have been their last big-time effort. The Titans need this game to keep their playoffs hopes alive. My pick: Tennessee Titans
Kansas City Chiefs (4-7) @ Chicago Bears (7-4) – The Chiefs may as well start Orton for this one and hope he provides a spark going up against his former team. Caleb Hanie has a game under his belt and should improve. Chicago is a better team overall, are playing at home and need this more. My pick: Chicago Bears
Denver Broncos (6-5) @ Minnesota Vikings (2-9) – This is a great opportunity for Minnesota to play spoiler. The Broncos have the Bears and Patriots in the coming weeks so this could be a trap game. Minnesota does not have enough to blow out a team so the game will be close. That is just the way the Broncos like it. My pick: Denver Broncos
New York Jets (6-5) @ Washington Redskins (4-7) – The Jets did not look good on Sunday, despite their win. They have not looked good for three weeks now. Meanwhile, the Redskins have played hard the last few weeks and are much better with Grossman at quarterback. The Jets need this game but I’m picking the Redskins for the upset. They have a good defense and a good tight end in Fred Davis: something the Jets struggle with. My pick: Washington Redskins
Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) – The Bengals played the Steelers tough in their game three weeks ago. I think that the Bengals get payback this Sunday, especially with Troy Polamalu likely out for the game with a concussion. The Steelers D always looks a little shaky without him and the Bengals have the weapons to match points with Roethlisberger. A late score should win this. My pick: Cincinnati Bengals
Atlanta Falcons (7-4) @ Houston Texans (8-3) – The Falcons need to win this more and the Texans can afford to lose one. No one knows what the Texans are going to get with T.J. Yates at quarterback. They should be able to run the ball on Atlanta so it should be a close one. My pick: Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers (3-8) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) – The Buccaneers have been a big disappointment this season. On the other hand, the Panthers have shown a lot of spark with Cam Newton at quarterback. Unfortunately for them, they do not have the type of defense to shut down LeGarrette Blount. My pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Indianapolis Colts (0-11) @ New England Patriots (8-3) – Seriously? My pick: New England Patriots
Baltimore Ravens (8-3) @ Cleveland Browns (4-7) – Joe Flacco has never lost to the Browns. That is not changing this Sunday. My pick: Baltimore Ravens
Dallas Cowboys (7-4) @ Arizona Cardinals (4-7) – This is a trap game for the Cowboys before their big game against the Giants next week. The good thing for them is that Arizona does not have a quarterback and that their own fans own pack them in when they play in Arizona. The Cardinals may give a scare. My pick: Dallas Cowboys
Green Bay Packers (11-0) @ New York Giants (6-5) – The Giants are on a free fall and the Packers just keep on winning. I don’t see either scenario ending this week. My pick: Green Bay Packers
St. Louis Rams (2-9) @ San Francisco 49ers (9-2) – The worst team in the NFC against arguably the second best team in the NFC. Hmm. My pick: San Francisco 49ers
Detroit Lions (7-4) @ New Orleans Saints (8-3) – The Lions are in trouble and are on the verge of a collapse. With Suh rightfully suspended for two games, their pass rush will struggle. I expect the Saints to blow them out like they did against the Giants on Monday night. My pick: New Orleans Saints
Monday, December 5
San Diego Chargers (4-7) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8) – Who cares? My pick: San Diego Chargers
Thanks for reading. See you again next week. Cheers!