Wow! Even MORE road teams won last week than I expected. It was quite a week for the road teams, and this week looks to be quite a week for the home teams. Playoff seeds are still up for grabs in the NFC (and a few in the AFC), so the likelihood of teams resting up this week in preparation for the playoffs is small. I'll mention the few possibilities as I pick the games.
Sunday early games:
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals: Cincy already has the sixth seed, but they won't rest. A victory over their divisional rival would be a great way to enter the playoffs, as would the three-game winning streak that would result. The Ravens are more likely to relax, as they cannot make a first round bye, so they might spend this week resting players who need it. That makes it even more likely that the Bengals will win. BENGALS, 26-20
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints: Neither team is going to the playoffs, so they are playing for ending the season on a positive note. Both have winning records coming into this game, but the Saints want to win more, as they can even their record at 8-8 with a win. Carolina will score, as the Saints defense is porous, but I don't think the Panthers defense can slow a determined Drew Brees. SAINTS, 31-24
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions: The Lions would love to spoil the Bears' playoff chances, as they are out of contention if they lose. However, I don't think they'll beat the Bears. Calvin Johnson is most of the Lions offense; he catches more than 50% of the passes and they don't have a reliable running game to fall back upon. All the Bears defense has to do is double-team Johnson and they spoil the Lions offense. So long as the Bears offense doesn't turn the ball over in great field position, this game should be a win for the Bears, who will then turn into Packers fans, rooting for the Vikings loss that clinches the sixth NFC seed. BEARS, 27-17
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers: Pittsburgh would love to prevent a losing record. They need to win here to reach 8-8. The Browns are dangerous, and they will keep this game close, but I like the Steelers' chances to salvage their season. STEELERS, 23-20
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts: This could be the most exciting game of the day! The Texans need a win to gain home field advantage in the playoffs, and a loss could drop them to the third seed and cost them a bye week. The Colts are already the fifth seed, but they won't slow down. They want this game, and they may get it. Their head coach will be on the sidelines coaching for the first time since he was diagnosed with leukemia in Sept. His cancer is in remission and the Colts want to win for their beloved coach. Given the sporadic play of the Texans recently, I don't see how the Texans will overcome the emotional drive of the Colts. COLTS, 24-20
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans: The Jags travel to Tennessee without their running back, which means the offense is firmly in the hands of Chad Henne. It would seem to be foolish to pick the Jags, except the Titans have been unable to accomplish anything against divisional opponents this season. After a great start, Henne has been poor, but he knows this is his last hurrah. The Jags are in line to acquire Tim Tebow, and he will assume backup duties to Blaine Gabbert. Henne needs a good game to attract attention of another team. He'll play above himself and push the Jags to a surprising victory. JAGUARS, 23-20
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills: Neither team is playoff bound, so this game is only for morale. The Jets' is at an all-time low, as both Sanchez and Tebow know they will be shown the door when the season is over. The Jets offense isn't accomplishing anything, and the defense hasn't been stepping up. Ryan Fitzpatrick can move the Bills, and he will do that. The Bills defense is atrocious, so the Jets offense might show some life this game, but it won't be enough. BILLS, 24-20
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants: Michael Vick returns to the Eagles for this game. Will that spur a win? It might, but I think the Giants will win this game. The Giants have been a much better team at home than on the road, and the extremely slim playoff hopes of the Giants depend upon a victory. Vick will make that hard, though, as I think he will engineer a fourth quarter comeback that will nearly snatch victory from the Giants' grasp. GIANTS, 26-24
Tampa Bay Bucs at Atlanta Falcons: If any team might relax, it would be the Falcons. They have clinched the top NFC seed, so why bother? Because the Falcons need to erase the image that they fold in playoff and late season games. If the Falcons get a ten-point or better lead in the fourth quarter, I expect them to rest key players, but those players will start the game. FALCONS, 27-21
Sunday late games:
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers: Perhaps the only team with a worse situation at quarterback than the Jets is the Arizona Cardinals, who will start Brian Hoyer. This is the first start for Hoyer in his four seasons, where he previously saw action for the Pats before stepping in for a struggling Ryan Lindley last week. The 49ers need a win to capture the NFC West title, and they should have little trouble getting it. 49ERS, 27-17
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings: This game has more playoff drama than any other game this week. Both teams need the win; for the Vikings, they may need it to clinch a wildcard spot (a Lions upset would reduce that pressure), while the Pack can clinch a playoff bye with a win. The Packers have plenty of injured players, and would love that bye week to get healthy. They will key off Adrian Peterson, who needs more than 200 rushing yards to beat Eric Dickerson's single season record. With Peterson a target, that means Christian Ponder must have another fabulous game like he had last week. I'm not sure he has two consecutive games like that in him. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers will be airing it out, and he has enough targets (even with an injury-crippled receiving corps) to stretch the Vikings defense. PACKERS, 28-23
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos: The Broncos will know whether they have a shot at home field advantage, as the result of the Texans-Colts game will be pretty well known by the start of the game. If Houston loses, will the Broncos slack off, as they will already have a bye week? No, because they know if the Pats win and the Broncos lose, New England captures home field advantage, and Peyton Manning does not want to face Tom Brady in Foxboro. The Broncos could probably win this game even if they coast, but they will demolish KC to capture a sure bye week, and possibly home field advantage. BRONCOS, 31-13
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots: If Houston loses, the Pats could get a bye week with a win. Even if Houston wins, a Broncos loss would give them a bye week. The Pats are likely to battle hard unless a bye week if gone, which would mean a Texans win and a large Broncos lead at halftime. By that time, the Pats may have established too large a lead for Miami to overcome. PATRIOTS, 31-20
Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers: The Chargers have been poor at home, but the Raiders have been even more pathetic on the road. Like Arizona, the Raiders are also facing some bleak quarterback choices. With Carson Palmer out, they have to choose between washout Matt Leinhart or inexperienced Terrelle Pryor. I don't think either will propel them past San Diego, but Pryor ability to scramble would add a new dimension to their offense. CHARGERS, 27-17
St Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks already have clinched the playoffs, but they want the division title. They need Arizona to shock San Fran, but Russell Wilson and company will be driving. I think Wilson will also be annoyed by the Pro Bowl snub, and generate lots of yards to show the voters why he should have been considered. SEAHAWKS, 31-16
Sunday night: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins: This game will decide the last divisional title, and I believe both teams know it is "win or go home". While many national analysts are picking Dallas, I just don't see it. RGIII and Coach Shanahan have the Redskins on a six-game winning streak, and they have the strength and talent to make that seven. REDSKINS, 28-23
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