Thanksgiving has come and gone....and in the NFL world, that means that the seperation between "playoff-bound" and "also ran" has officially taken place. Oh, there's always one team that jumps ahead [Colts] and one that falls behind [Texans]....but now starts the time when the rest realize what they really are and what they can be.
This is an extraordinary weekend. There are FOUR games that matchup two teams who are in first place in their division. There are also several "must win" games for both teams involved.
So....on with my picks!!!
FALCONS 27-LIONS 7. Here is one of those games where a team with a future smacked down a team who's playing out the string. Atlanta found it's running game back, which is key for them...since Vick still isn't a great passing QB. And that defense looked like it should. (Sportz 1-0)
BRONCOS 24-COWBOYS 21. Big win for Denver, who is trying to (a) stay with the Colts for a smowball's chance at the homefield advantage...(b) trying to get a first round bye....and (c) trying to distance themselves from the rest of the AFC West pack. They did so by running all over Dallas even without Tatum Bell. In fact, Bell's replacement [Ron Dayne] scored a TD and made the game's biggest play: a 55 yard run in overtime to put Denver in FG range. The Boys' loss re-opens the door for the Giants to take the division lead. (Sportz 2-0)
CHARGERS AT REDSKINS. Here is one of those "must games" by both teams. Both teams will want to establish the run. Both team's will be looking for big defensive games. Both teams will need their QB to step up. The Bolts need this game to keep pace with Denver, who won on Thanksgiving. This game is HUGE for Washington...as Dallas just lost and the Giants are underdogs in their game. So a win puts the Skins just a game back of first...with meetings against both teams, in Washington, remaining. My feeling is that the Skins offense will not be able to move the ball that well [just like against Oakland]. Portis will get his...but they won't be able to punch the ball in. As for the Chargers...Tomlinson will break open a few runs and Keenan McCardell could end up with a big game. Chargers 24-14
PANTHERS AT BILLS. Trap game. In 1998, the Bills-Panthers game in Charlotte was the very first NFL game I ever attended [the game was on Sunday Night Football]. Carolina is still one of the NFC's top teams but all their weakness were exposed in Chicago last week. They are struggling to run the ball, they turn the ball over, and their offensive line is struggling. Not good things going into a freezing Buffalo. But, this is a Bills team that layed down against SD last week and is basically wrapping up their season. Panthers play a solid enough game to skate out with a much needed win. Panthers 16-9
BEARS AT BUCCANEERS. One of those matchups of first place teams fighting for playoff positioning. Believe this...but a Bears win could put them, right now, as the #2 seed in the NFC. As could a Buccaneers win. My insticts tell me to take Chicago. Chris Simms is prone to mistakes and Da Bears are prone to forcing them. Also, that Tampa defense has been missing the last two weeks, albeit wins. But, Mike Alstott has suddenly re-emerged in Tampa [where that Caddy at??] and Simms has beaten the Skins and Falcons in back to back weeks. Add a third straight win. Buccs 17-13
BROWNS AT VIKINGS. I caught a lot of flak a few weeks back for picking the Vikings to win the NFC North. Well, they may not get there...but they are hot right now. It's just that the Bears won two games that I didn't think they'd win. Anyways, the Vikings now take on a Browns team that smacked around Miami last week. I give the Browns credit: they've won 2 more games than I thought they would. But Minny takes this. Vikings 27-17
PATRIOTS AT CHIEFS. Wow. This should be a nice game! I think this will be another one of those "Tom Brady airs it out" roadies for New England. He'll have to...as Corey Dillon will be out. Arrowhead is a tough place to win...and KC really needs this win. Hard to believe that the Pats will be 6-5. Chiefs 24-21
NINERS AT TITANS. On the surface....both teams suck so it should be a bad game. No. This game will be entertaining and exciting...if you throw out the records. The Niners defense is waaay better than the Titans....and the Titans O is waaaay better than the Niners. I think McNair may get his final win here in Cashville. Titans 31-23
RAVENS AT BENGALS. Oh, Cincinnati can beat the bad teams. It's those winning teams that they have a problem with. Bengals 30-13
RAMS AT TEXANS. This could be a real stinker. Houston sucks...and St. Louis is missing their QB. This might be a good shot for Carr to get going as that Rams defense stinks. And he may be the only person in Houston that doesn't want to win the Matt Leinart sweepstakes. He's on the "Bush in '06" campaign trail. Rams 24-23
DOLPHINS AT RAIDERS. Here is a perfect example of "holding on". Both the Phins and Raidahs went into road games last week with a 3-6 record. Oak-town went on to upset the Skins while Miami stunk up Cleveland Browns Stadium. All the sudden...the Raidersare dubbed a "team no one wants to deal with" and the Dolphins are dead. Raiders 33-14
JAGUARS AT CARDINALS. Psst. Don't look now but Jacksonville is 7-3 and lead the AFC Wildcard standings. Pass it on! Jags 20-16
GIANTS AT SEAHAWKS. This is, arguably, a matchup of the NFC's two best teams. Certainly looks as if they are the NFC's two best offenses. This game could go a long way to deciding who gets home field advantage in the NFC title game. Seattle has their division all but wrapped up. The Giants, with a win, take over sole possession of the NFC East. A Seattle win here would almost eliminate the G-men from the homefield advantage. Seahawks 27-24
PACKERS AT EAGLES. Philly is the laughingstock of the NFL right now. And they should be. They were nearly everyone's choice [including mine] to sweep thru the NFC and go back to the Super Bowl. Now, there is no Owens and no McNabb. The locker room is split in two and they are in last place. Still, this just goes to show you have even worse it is in Green Bay. Despite everything...Philly is favored to win...and I agree. Eagles 17-13
SAINTS AT JETS. The Saints will feel weird going into Giants Stadium as the "road team". I mean, geez, these guys are usually the home team in this stadium, eh?? Anyways, now you know why the NFL will be tinkering with the schedule next year so crap like this doesn't happen. My favorite thing is that ESPN doesn't even bother promoting this game. Saints 3-0
STEELERS AT COLTS. This game is meaningful in so many ways. A Colts win means they've popped the Steelers, Bengals, Jaguars and Patriots.....and have done in Denver in the playoffs the last couple of years. Basically, they know they can beat anyone and everyone. The Steelers are dealing with so many issues right now. Who knows who will run the ball....throw the ball...or catch the ball? We do know who can for Indy. Colts 34-20
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