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The Redskins have been playing
well lately and Todd Collins is 3-0
as a starter. He has a QB rating
over 100 and has thrown 4 TDs to
0 INTs. In fact, if the 'Skins make
the playoffs (a win and they're in),
there will something of a mini QB
controversy as Jason Campbell
should be healthy for the playoffs.
That being said, they are playing
their biggest division rival who also
happens to be the NFC's #1 seed
in the playoffs. In order for the
Redskins to cover, they need to
win by double digits. Even if the
Cowboys rest their starters the
majority of the game, I think a
Redskins double-digit win is a tad
too much. This game will be much
closer. Take the Cowboys and the
points.
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Nothing beats a game at Lambeau field
in late December, when viewed from the
nice warm confines of your home. Of
course Green Bay will be quite at home in
the cold, as the dome team of Detroit
comes for a visit. The Lions started off
the season so promising, but the wheels
have busted off the bandwagon faster
than a Matt Millen draft pick. This game
is so one-sided, numbers wise for the
Pack, how can you ignore such a
generous number? The Packers are an
impressive 11-3-1 vs the spread, while
the Lions post a sub-.500 6-8-1 mark.
The Packers have also won the last four
meetings in a row vs the Lions. Look
again for Aaron Kampman and company
to rack up a ton of sacks on Kitna, plus
you really should accomplish at least a
few victories before you guarantee a 10-
win season. Remember Kitna was good
enough to be replaced in Seattle and
Cincinnati, both on sub .500 teams when
he was the starter. Lay the points and
look for a Packers runaway win.
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Lets keep it short and simple
this week. I'm simply picking
games where teams HAVE to win
the game against teams that
could really care less. Let's start
with the Titans vs the Colts.
The Bengals did the Titans a
huge favor last week by
upsetting the Browns and now
the Titans control their own
destiny. Couple that with the
fact the Colts have the #2 seed
clinched and will most likely be
resting their starters this week I
CANNOT see how the Titans
don't win this game by more
than a touchdown.
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The Chargers are 9-2 in their last
11 games and are playing as well
as anyone. LT has 4 straight
100+ yard rushing games and has
scored 7 TDs (6 rushing) in those
4 games. The Raiders allow the
2nd most rushing ypg in the NFL
after the Dolphins and have given
up 6 more rushing TDs than the
next worst team (Lions). Although
the #3 seed is still up in the air
and the Chargers would prefer to
lock that position up to not have
to face the Jaguars next weekend,
the Chargers have one of the best
back-up RBs in the league in
Michael Turner. Turner will pick up
where LT leaves off regardless of
the quarter he comes out of the
game. Take the Chargers and
give the points.
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A classic week 17 match-up of two teams
looking to accomplish two different
objectives. The Vikings are needing a win
desperately to keep their playoff hopes
alive, with a little help from the Cowboys.
The Broncos need the W just to establish
a sense of pride in a lost season, sadly
they post a 4-11 record vs the spread.
Also Denver comes into this contest after
being embarrassed by San Diego on
Christmas Eve. Minnesota boasts a two-
headed running attack led by Adrian
Peterson and Chester Taylor, going
against the 30th-ranked rush defense.
Look for Minnesota to ride their talented
backs and to let Tarvaris Jackson throw
the ball sparingly. Plus Minnesota will
bottle up the Denver offense, who will
need to rely on a banged up Jay Cutler.
Again the theme this week is lay the
points and take the favorite for the win.
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This game doesn't matter as
much as it does to the Titans
but the Chargers certainly would
like to grab the #3 seed and
avoid the Jaguars in the first
round and the Patriots in the
second. The Raiders just are
not a good team and they will
be starting JaMarcus Russell
this week and I look for the
Chargers to take advantage
early and take a big lead. Yes
they will probably rest LT in the
second half but I look for them
to have a big lead by then and
have faith that Darren Sproles
can continue to punish the weak
Raiders D. Also, the Chargers
are 7-1 ATS in their last 8
against the Raiders.
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PATRIOTS (-13.5) @ GIANTS
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PATRIOTS (-13.5) @ GIANTS
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PATRIOTS (-13.5) @ GIANTS
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This season, the Giants have beat
only one winning team (the
Redskins week 3). Although that
was a great come-from-behind win
and probably what saved their
season, the Giants have lost 5
straight to teams with a winning
record. The Giants should have
incentive to play well in this game
and try to develop some
momentum as they head to
Tampa next weekend.
Nonetheless, I expect the Pats to
come out swinging and knock out
the Giants early. Once the game
gets out of reach early, the Giants
will probably pull their starters and
we will see the Pats become the
first team to go 16-0. Take the
Pats and give the 2 TDs...
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In the game everyone will be watching,
with so much history on the line, New
England travels to Jersey to battle the
Giants. New England comes into this
game bringing a 10-5 record vs the
spread, granted they have had very
difficult numbers to hit this year with so
many games being 20+. This a game the
Patriots are built to play in, with all the
motivation for history, and a favorable
match-up vs the Giants, who have only
two wins vs teams with winning records
this year. Belichick will not rest his
starters until the game is well in hand,
and he is satisfied with their execution in
a pre-playoff tune-up. Look for Brady to
have 2+ TD passes to surpass Peyton
Manning, and for Randy Moss to catch
two TD's to eclipse Jerry Rice's record.
Give the points and a toast of your
favorite beverage for perfection.
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At the last minute I decided to
take the game that could go
down in the history books. I do
believe the Giants are going to
give it a go this Saturday at the
Meadowlands and try to line up
nose to nose with the Patriots.
With that being said, I don't
think their starters or their
backups would make any
difference as to who is winning
this game. I like the Patriots to
put an exclamation point on the
season and Brady and Moss to
go into the record books as the
single season touchdown
leaders at their respective
positions. I think the Patriots
will build a decent lead where
the Giants will then throw in the
subs and the Patriots will cruise
to victory.
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