Last Week: 7-9 This Week: 1-0 Season: 105-113-7
Dallas (-7) at Arizona
Any chance to get away from the family this Christmas went away when the words "Dallas at Arizona" appeared on the NFL schedule as the lone Christmas Day game. Only a degenerate gambler would watch a game like this during the holiday. Oh wait...
New York (+2.5) at Chicago
I really think the Jets will go down to Chicago and put their best foot forward to clinch a playoff berth. I have no confidence that Jay Cutler will be able to go toe-to-toe with the Jets defense, especially Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis.
Baltimore (-4) at Cleveland
After Art Modell moved the Browns franchise to Baltimore in 1996 in the middle of the night, Cleveland fans/players have been salivating at the chance to get even for 14 years. This could be the perfect opportunity. (Remembering current Browns players were young and living in cities other than Cleveland at the time of relocation). Wait a minute, this won't affect the game at all!
Washington (+7) at Jacksonville
Rex Grossman is starting for the Redskins in Week 16. If you didn't watch a single NFL game all season long and just read that one sentence, it's safe to say you'd think Washington is in deep trouble. And that might even be an understatement. But seven points is a little too much to cover for Jacksonville in the proverbial "let-down game."
San Francisco at St. Louis (-2.5)
San Francisco has had so many ups-and-downs during this season that it feels like they've played 30 games already. No really, it does. St. Louis should win this game at home and move one step closer to clinching the NFC West title. Or, as I like to call it, moving one step closer to giving the #5 seed a first-round bye.
New England at Buffalo (+9)
Buffalo is on a two-game winning streak? They played competitively at Baltimore and at home against Pittsburgh? With Ryan Fitzpatrick and Steve Johnson, the backdoor cover is always in play? (Desperately searching for reasons to support this pick).
Tennessee (+5) at Kansas City
I think it's safe to say that a Cincinnati team that may have quit in Week 4 won't defeat the Chargers. So a lot of pressure here for the Chiefs at home against the Titans. And I'll just close my eyes, and pretend I didn't just pick Kerry Collins in a hostile environment.
San Diego (-8.5) at Cincinnati
What Marvin Lewis should be telling his offensive coordinator: "For the love of God, can you just call effing running plays!?!?" The over/under on interceptions returned for touchdowns in this game is 1.5, and that might even be a little bit too low. And by the way, I never thought I'd be writing this five years ago.
Detroit at Miami (-3)
Three weeks ago, this spread would have been Miami by six or seven. But then we learned how awful Chad Henne is and saw the Dolphins blow a perfect opportunity to stay in the playoff hunt last week vs the Bills. Still, I'll take the Dolphins in what basically amounts to a pick-em' game, but I plan on not watching a single play from this game all afternoon. Not a one.
Indianapolis (-3) at Oakland
Last week, I picked the Raiders by seven in a pick that was more against Denver and their historically dysfunctional 2010 season than it was for Oakland. Am I ready to take the Raiders and only three in a game that the Colts need to stay atop the AFC South? As Mr. McMahon once told Stone Cold Steve Austin, "No chance in hell!"
Seattle at Tampa Bay (-6)
The Steve Smith battle that took center stage at the beginning of the season now gives way to the Mike Williams battle in Week 16. Credit to (Seattle) Mike Williams for resurrecting his career and, more importantly, winning a couple of fantasy weeks for me in the process. But the combination of a Charlie Whitehurst appearance (who is somehow 10000000000000 times worse than Matt Hasselbeck) and the chance that this game could be meaningless if St. Louis wins means I think I'll go with the Bucs.
Houston (-3) at Denver
Two teams with awful defenses, that are going nowhere fast as the season comes to a close, with coaches who are probably not coming back next season means this game is a fantasy owner's dream! And this might be the only time I can type, "Tim Tebow is a viable starting option at quarterback this week."
New York (+3) at Green Bay
The Rex Ryan story has amazingly moved Matt Dodge's foot to No.2 in New York this week. Which is a good thing, because the Giants defense should have taken much more of the blame for Sunday's Meltdown at the Meadowlands. But I don't think 7:30 p.m. on Sunday is the proper time to eulogize the 2010 Giants season.
Minnesota at Philadelphia (-14)
Same situation as last week with a backup quarterback going against a team looking to get in position for a first-round bye. The only difference is that unlike Green Bay, Minnesota is a complete mess. That, and the fact that Joe Webb is starting at quarterback for the Vikings.
New Orleans at Atlanta (-2.5)
Never pick against Matt Ryan at home. Never pick against Matt Ryan at home. Never pick against Matt Ryan at home. Never pick against Matt Ryan at home.
Enjoy the games!
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