The Week 16 Picks

I’m going off the board here with a couple of Allen Iverson thoughts. One question I heard a lot this week was, “do you think the Sixers got a good deal?” Hard to say, seeing as there’s no way to know right now what will become of the two first round picks they got. It’s kind of up to Billy King at this point. But having three first round picks in the upcoming draft should go a long way towards rebuilding.

One thing I do know is that Allen will be missed, and not just Allen the basketball player. Too often he’s gotten a bad rap, and some of it deservedly so. But I wanted to take a chance to relay a touching story about A.I. About three years ago, my friend Tim was killed in an automobile accident. He was a manager at a car wash where many of the Sixers had their vehicles detailed. A.I. stopped in shortly after the accident and when he heard what had happened, on the spot he cut a $25,000 check to Tim’s daughter. That’s the A.I. I’ll remember. Good luck in Denver, Allen, and I hope you get the championship you deserve and covet.

I’m on the road tomorrow, so here’s the short short version of the Week 16 Picks.

Thursday, December 21st, 2006

The Match-up: Minnesota (+3.0) @ Green Bay
The Skinny: Rookie Tavaris Jackson gets the start at quarterback for the Vikings. They’re only playing for the future anyway.
Straight Up: Green Bay
Against the Spread: Green Bay

Saturday, December 23rd, 2006

The Match-up: Kansas City (-6.5) @ Oakland
The Skinny: If the Chiefs didn’t go from 7-4 to 7-7 over the last three weeks, do you think Larry Johnson would be complaining about the offense? Probably.
Straight Up: Kansas City
Against the Spread: Kansas City

Sunday, December 24th, 2006

The Match-up: Chicago (-4.5) @ Detroit
The Skinny: There’s a chance, now that the Bears have clinched home field in the NFC, that they take this game lightly. I don’t know if that’s enough help for the Lions.
Straight Up: Chicago
Against the Spread: Chicago

The Match-up: Washington (+2.0) @ Seattle
The Skinny: The Redskins looked pretty good last week in New Orleans.
Straight Up: Washington
Against the Spread: Washington

The Match-up: New Orleans (+3.0) @ New York Giants
The Skinny: Really? The Saints are getting three? I’ll take that.
Straight Up: New Orleans
Against the Spread: New Orleans

The Match-up: Baltimore (+3.0) @ Pittsburgh
The Skinny: Really? The Ravens are getting three? I don’t like that.
Straight Up: Pittsburgh
Against the Spread: Pittsburgh

The Match-up: Carolina (Off) @ Atlanta
The Skinny: One team has something to play for. The other is the Carolina Panthers.
Straight Up: Atlanta
Against the Spread: Atlanta

The Match-up: New England (+3.0) @ Jacksonville
The Skinny: Tom Brady should play with a chip on his shoulder after his Pro Bowl snub. One problem? Jacksonville’s defense at home is pretty good.
Straight Up: Jacksonville
Against the Spread: Jacksonville

The Match-up: Tennessee (+4.5) @ Buffalo
The Skinny: This is basically an elimination game, as both teams are in the AFC logjam at 7-7.
Straight Up: Buffalo
Against the Spread: Tennessee

The Match-up: Indianapolis (-9.0) @ Houston
The Skinny: If Monday night is any indication, the Colts are still very much a factor.
Straight Up: Indianapolis
Against the Spread: Indianapolis

The Match-up: Tampa Bay (+3.0) @ Cleveland
The Skinny: Tim Rattay threw for 268 yards and 3 touchdowns in basically a half against the Bears. He should make Cleveland’s defense look like a Pop Warner team.
Straight Up: Tampa Bay
Against the Spread: Tampa Bay

The Match-up: Arizona (+4.0) @ San Francisco
The Skinny: I’m going to go way out on a limb here – Frank Gore will be a top five fantasy back next year.
Straight Up: San Francisco
Against the Spread: San Francisco

The Match-up: Cincinnati (+3.0) @ Denver
The Skinny: Cincy’s playoff chances are on life support after the loss Monday in Indy. Jay Cutler could pull the plug this week.
Straight Up: Denver
Against the Spread: Denver

The Match-up: San Diego (-4.5) @ Seattle
The Skinny: Due to the fact that the Colts and Ravens keep winning, the Chargers need to keep pace to clinch home field in the AFC.
Straight Up: San Diego
Against the Spread: San Diego

Monday, December 11th, 2006

The Match-up: Philadelphia (+7.0) @ Dallas
The Skinny: My Christmas wish? The Eagles beat the Cowboys to take the lead in the NFC East, and Jeff Garcia spits on TOFU’s face on his way off the field. TOFU is such a piece of crap. He and the Cowboys are made for each other.
Straight Up: Philadelphia
Against the Spread: Philadelphia

The Match-up: New York Jets (+2.5) @ Miami
The Skinny: This line is puzzling. Here are the Jets, with a legitimate shot at the post season, and they’re a dog in Miami? That should raise a red flag, but it doesn’t.
Straight Up: New York Jets
Against the Spread: New York Jets