Last Week: 10-6
Season: 43-35-1
After struggling two weeks ago, I bounced back nicely in Week 15 with a 10-6 record. Hopefully I will be able to continue the good fortune over the holiday season as we head into Week 16 of the 2010 campaign. We are entering the home stretch of the season with several games having major playoff implications. As always, home teams in CAPITALS.
STEELERS (-15) over Panthers
15 points may seem like a lot but one must remember that the Carolina Panthers stink. Jimmy Clausen and company are coming off of a victory last week against Arizona but will not make it two in a row on a short week. The Steelers haven’t lost two games in a row at home since September of 2003. That streak will continue into the 2011 season as Pittsburgh will win handily at home against one of the worst teams in the entire NFL.
Cowboys (-8) over CARDINALS
Hmmm… this line smells like a trap. The Cowboys have been playing much better football since Jason Garrett took over as head coach. Additionally, Arizona is in the midst of a terrible season with rookie John Skeleton finishing out the year at quarterback. Still…. the 5-9 Cowboys are 8 point favorites on the road? My gut tells me that Arizona is going to surprise people in this matchup but my mind says that they stink. I’m cautiously pick the Cowboys.
DOLPHINS (-3) over Lions
Detroit won their first road game in over 3 seasons last week defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime. The Lions will not make it two in a row on the road this week in Miami. QB Chad Henne has struggled mightily this season but I still expect him to have enough success to take care of Detroit at home.
JAGUARS (-6.5) over Redskins
QB Rex Grossman played much better last week against the Cowboys in his first start of the 2010 season than most people expected. The question now is can he make it two strong performances in a row? We’ll find out on Sunday afternoon as the Redskins travel to take on the Jaguars. Snow flurries are in the forecast in Jacksonville and star running back Maurice Jones Drew is doubtful for the game with a knee injury. If you are in a fantasy football championship, pick up Rashad Jennings on the waiver wire. Jacksonville is coming off of a tough divisional loss and needs the win to stay in playoff contention. Go with the Jaguars at home.
RAMS (-2.5) over 49ers
Somehow the 5-9 San Francisco 49ers are still right in the thick of things in the paltry NFC Western division race. In a matchup of two teams that have no business still talking about the playoffs, I would go with better Quarterback (Sam Bradford over Troy Smith) and the home team. Cautiously take the Rams.
Patriots (-9) over BILLS
The best team in the National Football League is coming off a close win at home over backup quarterback Matt Flynn and the Green Bay Packers last week. I expect the Patriots to come out with a much stronger effort on Sunday afternoon against the Bills and win by double digits in Buffalo.
Jets (+2.5) over BEARS
QB Mark Sanchez will start after battling a knee injury throughout the week. Sanchez and the Jets are coming off of a huge road victory in Pittsburgh last week and will look to carry that momentum into Soldier Field on Sunday. The Bears clinched the NFC North on Monday night in a rout of the Minnesota Vikings and I could see Chicago letting up a bit this week at home even though they are still battling for a first round bye. Jay Cutler is due for a bad week. Go with the J-E-T-S.
Ravens (-4) over BROWNS
I have been a huge fan of the work the Cleveland Browns staff has done this season in making significant improvements to their franchise. But this is not the week to stick with the Browns as the old team from Cleveland will return to take on the new version Browns. Joe Flacco and company are still competing for playoff positioning and coming off a big win at home last week against the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints. I expect the momentum to carry over to Week 16 and Baltimore to pull out a big road win.
CHIEFS (-4.5) over Titans
I’m still surprised that the Tennessee Titans came out and won last week. I had thought the team quit on head coach Jeff Fisher and were pretty much done for the 2010 season. That being said, the Titans will not make it two in a row on the road at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City desperately needs a victory as they look to keep their playoff hopes alive in the AFC West. Chiefs all of the way.
Colts (-2.5) over RAIDERS
This is a tough game to pick. Peyton Manning and the Colts are heading out west to take on the Raiders. Coming off of a huge home win against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, the Colts could fall susceptible to a letdown game in Oakland. However, the Raiders have nothing to play for at this point in the season. It’s a tricky line but I’ll go with Peyton Manning and the Colts.
Texans (-3) over BRONCOS
Houston has had yet another up and down season and will head to Denver this week looking for a much needed up note. The Texans have one of the worst pass defenses in the league and a disappointing offense but with Andre Johnson likely to play, I like Houston in this matchup. QB Tim Tebow will be making the second start of his NFL career and I simply don’t think he is at the point where he can win games.
Chargers (-8) over BENGALS
The Bengals continue to be one of the most disappointing teams in the entire league this season and their misfortunes will continue on Sunday as they take on the San Diego Chargers. With the game blacked out in the Cincinnati market, Bengals fans won’t have to suffer through another tough defeat. The Chargers have had 10 days to prepare for this matchup and with Terrell Owens (injured) and Chad Ochocinco (inactive – coaches decision) out for Cincinnati, San Diego will roll to a big victory.
Seahawks (+6.5) over BUCCANEERS
Tampa Bay is in desperate need of a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive after an inexcusable loss last week to the Detroit Lions at home. Seattle continues to be the most schizophrenic team in the NFL as we never know which version of the Seahawks will show up week to week. With the Seahawks somehow still in the thick of the NFC West divisional race and Tampa Bay decimated by injuries, I’ll go with Pete Carroll’s squad and the points.
PACKERS (-3) over Giants
The million dollar question in this matchup is how do the New York Giants respond after blowing a 21 point lead with 8:09 to play last week at home against the Philadelphia Eagles? Do the Giants come out angry and take their frustration out on the Packers? Or does Tom Coughlin’s squad lay down after an embarrassing defeat last week? The Giants would clinch a playoff spot with a victory at Lambeau Field on Sunday. But with Aaron Rodgers back, I like the Packers at home. I simply don’t think New York is mentally strong enough to respond from last week’s loss. Let’s see if the Giants prove me wrong.
Vikings (+14.5) over EAGLES
Michael Vick and the Eagles should normally be able to handle a Minnesota Vikings squad being led by 3rd string QB and converted wide receiver Joe Webb. The Eagles still might but with a major blizzard scheduled to hit the Philadelphia region with winds up to 50mph, I wouldn’t take any chances on this game. Take the points and enjoy some ugly, snow filled football.
FALCONS (-2.5) over Saints
Atlanta heads into Monday night’s matchup on a 9-game winning streak and on the cusp of clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Matt Ryan simply does not lose at home. New Orleans is coming off of a tough road loss in Baltimore but with a playoff berth wrapped up and not much to play for, I expect the Falcons to pull out a close victory.
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