Whew! Watching the bowl games kept me so busy that I almost forget to write this column! I don't really have the time to research all of the players on the COVID protocol list, so I have no idea how accurate some of my picks are going to be.
Sunday early games
Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills : I do know that the Bills have gotten some of their players back, and haven't seen on the news that other key players have been added to the protocol, so they should have most of their dynamic offense playing. That bodes ill for the Falcons. BILLS, 30-17
Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots : Try as they might, the Jags just can't seem to win too many games. The Patriots have a strong squad, even with some injuries, so they should easily overpower the Jags. PATRIOTS, 31-13
Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals : I've seen that the Chiefs have gotten some of their players back from protocol. That gives them the edge, but that offense can still get careless, and the Bengals defense is good at causing and using turnovers. Watch this game, it could swing to the Bengals. CHIEFS, 31-27
Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore Ravens : Lamar Jackson missed practice on Thursday and Friday, so it doesn't look like he'll be back. That's not good, especially with the stiff defense of the Rams. RAMS, 23-16
Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans : The Titans seem to have righted their ship, and knowing that they can clinch a division title might be enough incentive to keep playing at the level they had been earlier in the season. However, the Dolphins defense might be enough to shake them off their game, so this game should be close. TITANS, 17-16
Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts : It's always tough to know which Raiders team will show up to play. The Colts have things moving, and it looks like Carson Wentz will be back from COVID protocol. Reason enough to favor them. COLTS, 24-16
New York Giants at Chicago Bears : The injury to Justin Fields puts Andy Dalton back under center. He's okay, but not great. However, against the sagging the Giants, even "okay" should be enough for them to win. BEARS, 20-13
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington : The Eagles can clinch a playoff spot, and they want it. Washington is dealing with too much, both on and off the field, to maintain clear focus. EAGLES, 24-16
Tampa Bay Bucs at New York Jets : No contest. BUCS, 27-13
Sunday late games
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys : The Cardinals are in the midst of a terrible late season collapse, and they don't seem to have diagnosed the problems. Given the strength of the Cowboys, they won't have the ease to figure it out in this game. COWBOYS, 24-13
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints : The Saints keep shuffling players on and off COVID protocol that I can't keep up. Not sure who will take the field, but whoever does will likely engineer a win. The Panthers offense is in complete chaos. They were excited to get Cam Newton back, but he has been ineffective. They are starting Sam Darnold, who was so bad that they traded to GET BACK Cam Newton in the first place! SAINTS, 24-13
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers : This could be a close game, especially if it turns into a defensive battle. The Chargers have had a problem with consistency on their offense, and a severe case of the "dropsies". That won't help them win. BRONCOS, 23-20
Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks : Neither of these two teams have stellar offenses, but their defenses aren't sharp, either, so they'll get to do some scoring. Probably the team that controls the clock better will win this game, and that sounds like Pete Carroll. SEAHAWKS, 23-20
Houston Texans at San Francisco 49ers : Jimmy Garrofolo is out for this game, but given the sad state of the Texans offense, the 49ers should still win. 49ERS, 17-13
Sunday night
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers : The Packers have some injuries, but since it is unclear if Kurt Cousins will play, I don't think it'll affect the result. PACKERS, 24-13
Monday Night Football
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers : It has been announced that this will likely be the last game Big Ben plays in Pittsburgh. There's incentive for a win. STEELERS, 23-16
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