CONTRIBUTOR
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GAME 1
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GAME 2
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GAME 3
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Kevin
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San Diego Chargers at TB Buccaneers (-3.5)
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Carolina Panthers at NY Giants (-3)
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New York Jets (-3.5) at Seattle Seahawks
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Bucs -3.5
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Giants -3
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Jets -3.5
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2008 Record: 28-15-2 (65.1%)
See all 2008 Kevin picks
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The Bucs have stumbled the past 2 weeks on
the road against the Panthers and Falcons.
In fact, their strength (rushing defense, which
allowed only 1 rushing TD in the first 12
games of the season) has become their
biggest liability. The Bucs allowed 3 100-yard
rushers in those 2 games and 5 rushing
TDs. The Panthers rushed for 299 yards and
the Falcons for 175 yards against the Bucs.
So, why am I picking them? They (as well as
the rest of the NFC South) are a different
team at home than they are on the road.
The Bucs are 6-0 (NFC South teams are
26-2) at home on the season. Home-field
advantage will help the Bucs get back into a
groove as the hugely disappointing San
Diego Chargers lose another one.
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See Bucs/Chargers game. The NFC South
teams are 26-2 at home. The Panthers are
8-0 at home. But this game will be played on
the road, where they are 3-3. They are playing
the defending Super Bowl Champs, who also
happen to be the current Vegas favorite to win
it again. The Giants will get Brandon Jacobs,
who has 12 rushing TDs in 12 games, back.
There is no way that I can envision the Giants
losing 3 straight, especially playing at home in
such a meaningful game with their best player
(Jacobs) back.
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Despite Brett Favre's (questioning his) arm
strength, the Jets need to get back to basics.
In the past 6 weeks, the Jets have won all 4
games where Thomas Jones had 20+ carries
and lost both games where he didn't. Favre
helps keep opposing defenses honest and the
Seahawks have the league's worst pass
defense allowing 260.9 ypg. They have also
allowed 21 passing TDs while picking off only 6
passes. The Jets have plenty of motivation to
win this game as they are the division winner if
they win out.
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Jamie
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Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys (-4)
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Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5) at Tennessee Titans
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Carolina Panthers at NY Giants (-3)
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Cowboys -4
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Steelers -2.5
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Giants -3
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2008 Record: 25-18-2 (58.1%)
See all 2008 Jamie picks
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Going to take the tough matchups this week
with some heavy playoff implications. The
Cowboys are making a desperate push for
the playoffs behind the Defense and
Demarcus Ware. They will not let Baltimore
run effectively enough in this one so the
game will fall on Flacco, who I think will
struggle in Big D this week. Dallas leads the
league in sacks over the past 5 weeks and
will continue to do so this week. Take the
Pokes and give the points.
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One big thing in this game, which makes it a
lock, is the absence of Albert Haynesworth. The
Titans D just isn't the same without the
headstomper. Pitt will demolish the Titans this
week as the Titans continue to lose their grip
on the #1 seed. The Steelers win this one by
10+ with a lot on the line. Take the Steel
Curtain and give the points.
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The Giants are down and out after losing the
last 2 weeks, right? And Carolina is the best
team in the NFC now, right? WRONG. Carolina
is a totally different team on the road than at
home. Every statistical category for the
Panthers is down by a good amount on the
road this year where all 3 losses for them have
come. Brandon Jacobs is due back and will
wear down the Carolina D. Take the Giants and
give the points.
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Dan
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Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns (-3)
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New York Jets (-3.5) at Seattle Seahawks
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Carolina Panthers at NY Giants (-3)
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Browns -3
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Seahawks +3.5
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Panthers +3
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2008 Record: 27-17-1 (61.4%)
See all 2008 Dan picks
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So all week 16 games are riveting and worth
watching? Unless you are an avid fan of
these teams, or you reside in the state of
Ohio, I can't think of a worthy reason to
watch this game. Oh yes, there is another,
well you know if you happen to be in Las
Vegas, this game has value to it. The Browns
come in fresh off of another defeat to
Philadelphia on Monday night, guess we won't
be seeing them 4 times in prime time next
year. The Bengals come in strong after
posting a win to an already in the tank
Washington team last week. Cleveland has
had the Bengals number as of late, posting 2
wins in the last 3 contests, and won 20-12 on
the road earlier this year. Cleveland will look
to use Shaun Rogers to stuff the anemic
running attack by Cincy, and force Ryan
Fitzpatrick to beat them in the air. The
Browns defense has actually forced 18 picks
this year, a surprising number, as they are
tied for the Ravens with the league lead. I
would look for lots of Jamal Lewis, and a
sputtering Bengals offense, I would say
Browns by 14, but Braylon Edwards will drop
one in the end zone to make it only by 10.
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Of course, not all of the week 16 games are
unwatchable, as you also have teams fighting
for a berth in the playoffs, and a team that just
would like to play spoiler. Every year, we have
one of those games, in which a team that has
nothing to play for, jumps up and springs the
upset. This year, I have a strong feeling the
Seahawks will be that team, stating hey if we
don't go to the dance, then you can't go. First
off the Jets are 0-3 on the West Coast this
year, and that is vs San Diego, Oakland, and
San Francisco, not exactly world beaters. This is
also the end of Mike Holmgren's 10-year run in
Seattle, and you know the 12th man, and all
the players on the sidelines would like to send
him out a winner at home. Seattle is 6-4 in
their last 10 vs the spread, and look to have a
solid offense with John Carlson, and Deion
Branch. The Jets have looked very shaky
these last 3 weeks, and if it weren't by one of
the dumbest calls since taking the wind in an
overtime contest would be scratching for help in
the playoff race. I would look for the Seahawks
to be as fired up as they were against New
England, and to close the deal for their leader.
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Well now here is a week 17 game that really
matters, the winner of this game will look to
stamp their authority on home-field advantage
throughout the playoffs. Recently, the Panthers
have become the trendy pick, and why not?
They dismantled a Bucs defense that yours
truly thought would give them fits, pounding
out 300 yards rushing against them. Carolina
has also taken 3 out of the last 4 games,
including a victory in the 2005 playoffs, and
would love to give coach John Fox another
happy homecoming. New York, has sputtered
the last two weeks, losing to both Philly and
Dallas, where Westbrook blew up the Giants
run defense, and the Giants offensive line
considered by most to be the best in the NFL
gave up 9 sacks. The Giants always have
match up problems created by speedy backs
who can run and receive well out of the
backfield, and that lines up for a huge
DeAngelo Williams day. The Giants are still
missing Jacobs, still distracted by Plaxico
Burress, and lack the down field threat that
allows Manning to work so well. Take the
points, for a Carolina victory, and for the
Panthers taking home field throughout the
playoffs.
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Brendan
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Miami Dolphins (-3.5) over Kansas City Chiefs
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San Diego Chargers at TB Buccaneers (-3.5)
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New Orleans Saints (-7) at Detroit Lions
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Dolphins -3.5
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Chargers +3.5
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Lions +7
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2008 Record: 23-20-2 (53.5%)
See all 2008 Brendan picks
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I have hit a bit of a rough patch lately but I
am confident that I will right the ship this
week. The AFC East is the tightest division in
football at the moment and each team has
to view this week as a playoff game. The
Dolphins go into Kansas City winners of 7 out
of their last 8 overall and 3 in a row on the
road. Pennington only needs 135 yards to
pass his career high and I expect him to
easily get it this Sunday. The Dolphins need
this game too badly to have a letdown this
week so take them and lay the points.
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San Diego got an early Christmas miracle last
week with their dramatic comeback victory vs
the aforementioned Chiefs and I like them to
continue that momentum into Tampa this
weekend. Rivers leads the league with 104.1
passer rating and only needs 3 touchdowns to
acheive the second highest touchdowns in a
season in Chargers history. The Chargers have
won the last 4 meetings in Tampa and are 7-1
overall in the series. I also like that they play
at 1 and can put the pressure on Denver, who
doesn't play until 4. Take the Chargers and
the points.
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In a complete gut feeling, I think the Lions
may actually get their first victory of the year
this week. The Saints have been eliminated
from the playoffs and just found out that
Reggie Bush is now done for the year. I think
the Saints are just going to go through the
motions this week whereas Detroit is still
playing for something even if it is for their first
win. Calvin Johnson is having a monster year
and Culpepper is 4-1 lifetime vs the Saints,
who do have a suspect secondary. No team in
history has ever been 0-15 so look for the
Lions to play hard and take the points at home.
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Sean
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Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys (-4)
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New York Jets (-3.5) at Seattle Seahawks
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Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots (-8)
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Cowboys -4
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Jets -3.5
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Cardinals +8
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2008 Record: 27-18 (60.0%)
See all 2008 Sean picks
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With the ice storm that has hit the northeast region, Sean is without internet access. He has given me his picks for the pick, but hasn't had
the ability to forward rationale.
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