The Week 14 Picks

Why are the next four weeks so intriguing? Because only one of the NFL’s twelve playoffs spots has been secured, and just about everybody is still in the running for the other eleven spots. The bottom line is, when the dust settles, there will be a few talented teams on the outside looking in.

Sunday, December 10th, 2006

The Match-up: Atlanta (-3.0) @ Tampa Bay
The Skinny: Ron Mexico always seems to save his biggest games for Tampa, and with the Falcons in the thick of the NFC Wild Card race, I’d expect nothing less from ol’ Double Barrel this week.
Straight Up: Atlanta
Against the Spread: Atlanta

The Match-up: Oakland (+11.0) @ Cincinnati
The Skinny: After Sunday, the Bengals take their playoff chances to Indy and Denver before getting Pittsburgh at home in the finale. Translation – they’d better take care f business against Oakland this week, or the next three may not matter.
Straight Up: Cincinnati
Against the Spread: Cincinnati

The Match-up: Philadelphia (-1.5) @ Washington
The Skinny: Speaking of tough stretch drives, the Eagles start their NFC East barnstorming tour this Sunday in the nation’s capital. The next three weeks will determine whether or not Jeff Garcia and the Eagles make it to the postseason. There’s a sentence I never thought I’d write.
Straight Up: Philadelphia
Against the Spread: Philadelphia

The Match-up: New York Giants (Off) @ Carolina
The Skinny: Alright Panthers fans. You wanted Chris Weinke? You’ve got Chris Weinke. Jake Del-overrated is most likely out against the Giants this week, meaning Weinke will get his shot. Um, Chris, you may want to throw it to that Steve Smith guy on the outside. Just a suggestion.
Straight Up: New York Giants
Against the Spread: New York Giants

The Match-up: Minnesota (+2.5) @ Detroit
The Skinny: This game has some upset potential due to the fact that a) it’s in Detroit, b) Chester Taylor is out with a rib injury, and c) Brad Childress is actually considering benching Brad Johnson in favor of Brooks Bollinger. What in the name of Tony Romo is going on in this league?
Straight Up: Minnesota
Against the Spread: Minnesota

The Match-up: Indianapolis (-1.5) @ Jacksonville
The Skinny: Here’s an interesting stat – the Colts have not lost three consecutive games since 2001. They enter this game on a two-game losing streak. Something’s got to give, and that something may be Jacksonville’s fourth-ranked defense.
Straight Up: Indianapolis
Against the Spread: Indianapolis

The Match-up: Baltimore (+3.0) @ Kansas City
The Skinny: The Ravens are jockeying for home-field and a first round bye, plus their division rival Bengals are looking at an almost certain win over Oakland, so the Ravens will be motivated. Kansas City should be too, but they let a golden opportunity (and a 14-point lead) slip through their fingers in Cleveland a week ago.
Straight Up: Baltimore
Against the Spread: Baltimore

The Match-up: Tennessee (+1.5) @ Houston
The Skinny: Who’s hotter than the Titans? They’ve won five of their last seven, and Vince Young looks like the next big thing in this league. In case you haven’t heard it, like, a million times already this week, he’s a Houston native and the Texans could have selected him instead of Mario Williams in April’s draft.
Straight Up: Tennessee
Against the Spread: Tennessee

The Match-up: New England (-3.5) @ Miami
The Skinny: I know the Patriots have won four straight, but they’ve done so almost in spite of themselves. They’d better not sleep on the Dolphins in Miami, where New England has lost six of eight.
Straight Up: New England
Against the Spread: New England

The Match-up: Seattle (-3.0) @ Arizona
The Skinny: The Seahawks are getting healthy just in time to make a run in the NFC playoffs.
Straight Up: Seattle
Against the Spread: Seattle

The Match-up: Green Bay (+4.5) @ San Francisco
The Skinny: The NFC is so bad that the Packers are still mathematically alive for a post-season berth.
Straight Up: San Francisco
Against the Spread: Green Bay

The Match-up: Buffalo (+4.0) @ New York Jets
The Skinny: From the “Something’s Gotta Give” department, the Jets have won four straight home games against Buffalo, but haven’t swept the Bills in a season series since 2002.
Straight Up: New York Jets
Against the Spread: New York Jets

The Match-up: Denver (+7.5) @ San Diego
The Skinny: If you were Mike Shanahan, would you reverse gears and go back to Jake Plummer? Me neither. Jay Cutler may have struggled last week, but it’s not like Denver was going anywhere with The Snake anyway.
Straight Up: San Diego
Against the Spread: San Diego

The Match-up: New Orleans (+7.0) @ Dallas
The Skinny: Drew Brees has started to get some MVP buzz, and deservedly so. He may not be on pace to break Dan Marino’s single-season passing record, but the Saints are 8-4 and they’re 7-1 against NFC foes.
Straight Up: New Orleans
Against the Spread: New Orleans

Monday, December 11th, 2006

The Match-up: Chicago (-6.5) @ St. Louis
The Skinny: How good are Chicago’s defense and special teams? The Bears beat Minnesota last week in spite of Rex Grossman’s blood alcohol level-like quarterback rating of 1.3. Grossman has turned the ball over 18 times in the last seven games. The next thing he loses could be his job.
Straight Up: Chicago
Against the Spread: Chicago