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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Carolina Panthers (-1.5) at N.O. Saints
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New England Patriots (-5.5) at Buffalo Bills
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Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (-1)
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Panthers -1.5
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Patriots -5.5
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Cowboys +1
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2008 Record: 29-17-2 (63.0%)
See all 2008 Kevin picks
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No team has more rushing TDs (29) in the
NFL than the Carolina Panthers. DeAngelo
Williams is making his MVP argument by
scoring in 9 consecutive games. Williams
has 11 rushing TDs in the past 4 games.
The Panthers need a win today to clinch the 2
seed and a first-round bye. The Saints, on
the other hand, just need passing yards to
help Drew Brees break Dan Marino's
single-season passing yards record. With a
spread this low, I'm taking the team that has
more on the line.
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Marshawn Lynch is a game-time decision.
James Hardy was placed on IR this week. In a
windy day in Buffalo, I don't expect Lee Evans
to be the recipient of many bombs. The
Patriots will use a lot of WR screens to Moss,
underneath stuff to Welker and get their points
unlike the Bills. After the Pats win, they'll all be
gathering around the TV and rooting for the
Jets, right Bill Belichick?
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This is strictly a hunch pick. And maybe a
hope pick. But I'm 63% on the season and I
really think that this team with all its talent, will
come out swinging with their backs against the
wall. As WR Roy Williams put it: "They joke
about me with the 0-16 Detroit thing and I just
told them, 'If we don’t win this game, we’re all
in the same boat. We both are going to be
watching the same playoff game next week.’
They all understood that. That put it in
perspective."
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Jamie
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Tennessee Titans (-3) at Indianapolis Colts
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New England Patriots (-5.5) at Buffalo Bills
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Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (-1)
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Titans -3
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Patriots -5.5
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Eagles -1
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2008 Record: 26-20-2 (56.5%)
See all 2008 Jamie picks
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Jamie says with picks like these, who needs rationale? Seriously though, he was having some technical difficulties...
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Dan
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Miami Dolphins at New York Jets (-2.5)
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New England Patriots (-5.5) at Buffalo Bills
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New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings (-7)
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Jets -2.5
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Patriots -5.5
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Giants +7
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2008 Record: 28-19-1 (59.6%)
See all 2008 Dan picks
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Well, it doesn't get much bigger than this,
two teams battling for a playoff berth, a
potential division championship, and a guy
trying to give you 60% on winners for the
year. The Jets come in humbled off another
loss on the West Coast, and the questions
have begun to abound about Farve's arm
strength, and Mangini's coaching decisions.
Miami comes in after surviving a shootout
with Kansas City, but now has to travel to the
Meadowlands to cap off an amazing
turnaround. Miami is fighting history, and I
think the Jets have it in them, after all most
were crowning them after beating Tennessee
and New England back-to-back on the road.
The Jets have won 8 out of the last 9
meetings vs the Dolphins, and will still be
playing for something even if New England
beats Buffalo. If not the genius he was
portrayed to be, Eric Mangini is still from the
Bill Belicheck coaching tree, and will be
analyzing the film on how to stop the Wildcat
formation a la New England. I would look for
Kris Jenkins to have a huge day in shutting
down the rushing lanes, and for the Jets to
ride Thomas Jones to victory, as they are
averaging 128 yards rushing per game. I
would lay the points and put your faith in
Farve & Co. one last time.
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I am going with another favorite this week, and
I really like New England's chances in going up
to Buffalo to prolong their playoff dream. Again
for the great historical significance, the Patriots
have simply dominated the Bills, winning 15
out of the last 16 games that is just one loss in
7 years. This is the classic story of a team with
everything to play for, vs a team that has their
engines running in the parking lot just waiting
for the season to end. The Bills have been
hanging around the past few weeks, were one
bad call by the coach away from knocking off
the Jets, and used Fred Jackson and Marshawn
Lynch beautifully in a victory at Denver last
week. However, New England's offense has
been firing on all cylinders under Matt Cassel,
who has a 102 passer rating the last 4 games,
and Sammy Morris who has averaged over 100
yards rushing in the same timeframe. New
England has also started to look like the
Patriots of old recently with their offensive
explosion putting up 24, 49, and 47. I would
lay the points a second time this week, and
look for the Patriots continued ownership of
Buffalo.
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I am really having trouble understanding this
spread, I mean can you really tell me that the
best team in the NFC is a 7-point dog on the
road? I know that the Giants have home field
locked up throughout the playoffs, and that
Minnesota is fighting for their lives, but the
Giants are never one to take it easy even when
the game result doesn't matter. New York
comes in off a huge win vs Carolina, and also
boasts an impressive 11-4 record vs the
spread this year. Conversely, the Vikings
played a stinker at home, turning the ball over
4 times to Atlanta, and are only 5-10 vs the
number this year. The Vikings will look to use
Adrian Peterson early and often this week,
after his recent struggles vs the Falcons only
netted him 75 yards on the ground. The Giants
will look to establish the run on the famed
Minnesota front 7, and to use Toomer and
Boss in the short passing game to keep time
of possession. I do not have faith in Tarvaris
Jackson's ability to win the big game when it
counts, and even if the experts predict the
Giants starters will be done by the half, I like
the best team in the NFC getting points as an
unexpected late Christmas gift.
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Brendan
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Brendan is on vacation - no picks this week.
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2008 Record: 25-21-2 (54.3%)
See all 2008 Brendan picks
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Sean
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St. Louis Rams at Atlanta Falcons (-14)
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Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers (-8)
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Tennessee Titans (-3) at Indianapolis Colts
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Falcons -14
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Broncos +8
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Titans -3
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2008 Record: 27-21 (56.3%)
See all 2008 Sean picks
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Atlanta has a chance to go from worst to first.
Atlanta's run has been just as impressive as
Miami's this season. With a win this week,
and a loss by the Panthers at New Orleans
(which is very likely going on current NFC
South home team trend) they will secure the
#2 seed in the NFC. St. Louis is a mess. They
are nowhere near being competitive. I think
Atlanta blows them out here in this spot.
Atlanta 34 St.Louis 13
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Division games are always tough. Everyone in
America is predicting the Chargers win this
game and make the playoffs. There are even
some crazies out there that say that they are
going to go all the way. Although it is possible,
their defense is just not good enough. I
actually could see Denver winning this one
outright!! In a battle between young
Quarterbacks, i will go with Rivers in a close
one. Ed Hochuli will not be a factor!!
San Diego 31 Denver 27
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Tony Dungy will sit his key players this week
with a playoff game coming up the following
week. Tennessee is one of the most if not the
most physical team in the league. In a game
that means nothing, i expect the Titans D-line
to dominate the Colts up front and force Sorgi
into all kinds of mistakes. Vince Young will get
some play time this week most likely which is
actually a good thing for the Titans. I expect
this to be a close contest, but the Titans
should win & cover.
Titans 20 Colts 16
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