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| Photo creds to Brad W. Stewart |
*Disclaimer* the Steelers will be written about in a seperate preview. Also, I won't talk about Denver-Miami because it is a waste of my time and yours too.
The boys are back for a December edition of NFL Picks. Let's see if anybody can get close to Jeff or Ryan this week. Here we go.
1:00
Vikings (9-2) at Falcons (7-4)
Line: ATL -3.0
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| Photo creds to ESPN.Com |
For weeks, I've expected Minnesota to suffer at least the slightest of setbacks, but it hasn't happened yet. Once again, I predict that this be the day the Vikings show weakness
After a rough start to their NFC title defense, Matt Ryan and the Falcons are returning to form. As it fights for a playoff spot in the competitive NFC, Atlanta is starting to click, and I expect that to continue Sunday. Brad think the Vikings are going to the Super Bowl. Sorry, buddy. I don't buy it.
Falcons 31, Vikings 20
Pats (9-2) at Bills (6-5)
Line: NE -8.5
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| Photo creds to Hollywood Life |
Buffalo got a big win last Sunday. Now Tom Terrific will bring them back to reality.
Pats 35, Bills 14
"Who the hell cares?"
49ers (1-10) at Bears (3-8)
Yuck.
Bucs (4-7) at Packers (5-6)
Line: GB -2.5
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| Photo creds to SI.Com |
Don't count Green Bay out just yet. As Steeler fans know, Brett Hundley looked like a stud last Sunday, and I see no reason he can't continue that play this week at home. If the Packers could push Pittsburgh to the limit on the road in primetime, I'm pretty sure they can handle the most disappointing team in the NFL at Lambeau Field.
Packers 34, Bucs 24
Texans (4-7) at Titans (7-4)
Line: TEN -7.0
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| Photo creds to Tennessee Titans |
A lot has happened since Houston smoked Tennessee 57-14 in Week Four. The Titans are 5-2 since that debacle, while the Texans are 2-5, and more importantly, without DeShaun Watson.
Tennessee is playing good football and will be out for revenge playing a depleted team in their house. Advantage, Mike Mularkey.
Titans 33, Texans 14
AFL Throwback
Chiefs (6-5) at Jets (4-7)
Line: KC -3.5
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| Photo creds to The Wall Street Journal |
The Jets have had some hard luck this year. They've lost games to New England, Atlanta and Carolina by a combined total of 20 points. New York has played well against good teams, and like they did against Jacksonville way back when, I think the Jets get rewarded Sunday.
The Chiefs are reeling, and I expect the Mo Claiborne and the Jets defense to add to Alex Smith's misery Sunday afternoon in front of the Metlife Stadium faithful. It will be a close one, but a Chandler Catanzaro field goal as time expires will be the difference.
Jets 23, Chiefs 20
Colts (3-8) at Jags (7-4)
Line: Jax -9.0
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| Jacksonville keeps moving this week (photo creds to CarWale) |
Indy has had some tough luck losses this year, with last week against Tennessee being the most recent example. But 3-8 is 3-8. Jacksonville is coming off a bitter loss in Arizona, and I think Blake Bortles and the gang have an excellent opportunity to get their act together against a lousy team at home. The Jags have a shot at a division title. If they play like that, then they will be golden.
Jags 27, Colts 14
Lions (6-5) at Ravens (6-5)
Line: BAL -3.0
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| Photo creds to TeePublic |
I am the only person in our group that has Baltimore winning this one. Let me explain.
Baltimore has an elite defense. The problem is that it has to rely almost solely on that unit to be successful. The Ravens are offensively challenged, but I think they'll get away with that today. For the Lions to win Matt Stafford and the passing game need to be successful, and Stafford needs to be clicking with his top receivers for that to happen. I think that Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb will limit Marvin Jones and Golden Tate respectively and that will prevent the Lions from being too productive.
I also see the Ravens offense showing a little more life than usual today, with Joe Flacco making enough big plays to get the job done. Dirty Birds win and keep themselves moving in the AFC wildcard race.
Ravens 21, Lions 17
4:05
LOL
Browns (0-11) at Chargers (5-6)
Line: LAC -13.5
The Chargers are hot, the Browns are not. I like Cleveland to cover though. Not sure why. Brad was actually tempted to pick the Browns, but realized that the LA is kinda on fire right now.
Chargers 27, Browns 16
4:25
LOL, Geno Smith
Giants (2-9) at Raiders (5-6)
Line: OAK -8.5
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| Photo creds to bleacher report |
The fact that Oakland is up against Geno Smith at home and are favored by less than two touchdowns should give motivation the kick the living crap out of the Giants. Not that the Raiders will need it.
Oakland 34, Giants 10
4:25
Toss up
Panthers (8-3) at Saints (8-3)
Line: NO -5.0
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| Photo creds to www.drewbrees.com |
Talk about a one that could go either way. I'm not a huge "home-field advantage" type of guy, but in a game like this, sometimes the tiebreaker is whoever is playing at home.
New Orleans is usually solid wherever it plays, but especially in the dome. With the Saints being back at home and coming off a reality check week in LA, my gut tells me that the offense will get back moving and that the New Orleans o-line will win the battle up front against Kawann Short and co.
Brad too has the Saints, saying that he doesn't trust the Panthers passing attack without Kelvin Benjamin.
The Saints banged-up defense worries me, but I still have a feeling that Drew Brees will get by in a barn burner.
Saints 34, Panthers 28
Arizona Giant Killers?
Rams (8-3) at Cardinals (5-6)
Line: LAR -7.0
| Photo creds to latimes.com |
Last Sunday, the Cardinals upset a division leader at home. Will they do the same this week? No.
The Rams are too hot. Jared Goff is coming into his own, Todd Gurley is a beast and the Aaron Donald-led defense is still stout despite flying more under-the-radar than usual. If the Rams play their game, they will be fine. LA has not played down to its competition since establishing itself as a contender, and I don't expect the Rams to do that today. LA in a close one.
Rams 24, Cardinals 21
Sunday Night
Eagles (10-1) at Seahawks (7-4)
Line: PHI -4.0
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| Two of the game's best meet Sunday night. (Photo creds to Eagles Wire) |
I'm picking the Eagles to have a setback mainly because I hope it doesn't happen. But whatever takes place tonight, Philly will be ok. Playing in Seattle is a lot to handle, and a Seahawks team on the outside looking in could prove trouble for the white-hot Eagles.
Seahawks 28, Eagles 20
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