I bounced back last week going 9-4-3 bringing my yearly total to 113-99-8 which isn’t too bad considering I have had some horrendous weeks.  The playoff picture is just about complete save for a few last minute spoilers the likes of Philly and the Cowboys who could shake things up in the final 2 weeks.  Below you will find all of the NFL week 16 matchups with spreads, totals, and picks.  I will be updating them throughout the week so keep checking back.

Thursday, December 18th

Indianapolis Colts  -6.5  45
Jacksonville Jaguars
My Pick:  The Jags stunned the Packers last week in a much needed win, not for the playoffs because that ship has sailed, but more for their own pride that has been demolished this year due to injuries and bad decisions.  The Jags didn’t even play that well against the Pack, it was more of the Pack playing very bad and the Jags taking advantage of it.  The Colts nearly got a rude awakening from the Lion cubs last week and almost gave them their first win of the season.  You can bet the defense tightens up this week and makes a statement and sets a tone for a playoff run.  With injuries at RB for the Colts they will need the O line to step up and make sure Manning has the time he needs to find an open man and make the smart throw, that should be easy considering that the Jags D line is kind of a joke this year.  At less than a touchdown the safe bet is taking the Colts and giving the points, but do it before the line moves to -7. 

Saturday, December 20th

Baltimore Ravens
Dallas Cowboys  -5  39
My Pick:  Dallas did not look good last week against the Gigantes, it wa their defense that ultimately won the game for them.  TO is still complaining and Marion the Barbarian still looks less than 100%, but nowadays it is a must win every week for the Cowboys and they will not have alot of time to get ready for the Ravens who are reeling from a close loss to the Steelers last week thus knocking them out of the division lead for good and hoping to secure a wildcard birth.  If the Cowboys cannot find a rythem on offense then its going to be a loooong day for them as the top rated Ravens D will not give them any unearned yards.  In particular it will be the turnovers that could have the most impact as both teams are playing great D at the moment and only subpar offense.  While the Cowboys are on a run at the moment I don’t think they have what it takes even at home to thwart off an angry Baltimore team who was very underrated this year all the way up to around week 10.  I think Flacco is alot better than people think and if he can keep control of the clock via the 3 pronged approach of Rice, McGahee, and McClaine then they have a real shot at the W.  I say take the points.

Sunday, December 21st

New Orleans Saints  -6.5  50
Detriot Lions
My Pick:   Detroit is not going to go winless this year, the Saints are gonna get pounded.  Take the points.

Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns  -3  32.5
My Pick:  Derrick Anderson should be looking for a new home in the offseason so he needs to finish the season strong.  The Bengals have been a wreck and the Brownies should be able to put them away.  Give the points.

Miami Dolphins  -4  41
Kansas City Chiefs
My Pick:  Miami will steam ahead and make the playoffs, but the Chiefs won’t make it easy.  Take the points.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Tennessee Titans -1  34
My Pick:  It’ll be all running and defense, Titans at home -1 is the same as a Pickem.  Take the home team.

Philadelphia Eagles  -5  39
Washington Redskins
My Pick:  What happened to my Zorn supremacy in Washington??? A healthy Westbrook spells trouble for any team and he is looking to make up for lost time every chance he gets a touch.  The Skin’s D is out of synch right now.  Give the points.

Carolina Panthers
NY Giants  -3  39.5
My Pick:  The Giants have slacked off and it shows on the field.  Carolina is still playing solid behind the likes of DeAngelo Williams of all people.  They have a stingy defense and potent pass.  I say take the Panthers, take the points.

San Fancisco 49′ers  -5.5  44
St. Louis Rams
My Pick:  Singletary will finish off on a good foot this year as they look to rebuild for 09′.  The Lambs still suck. Give the points.

Arizona Cardinals
New England Patriots  -8  45.5
My Pick:  AZ should be taking it easy as they already have clinched, but they will still put up some big numbers against an aging New England defense, take the points.

Atlanta Falcons
Minnesota Vikings  -3  44.5
My Pick:  Matt Ryan can take his team to the playoffs in his rookie year with the support of Michael Turner and Roddy White.  I don’t think the Viks can stop the pass.  Take the points.

Houston Texans  -7  44
Oakland Raiders
My Pick:  Neither team has anything to lose, but their pride.  Houston has been very effective lately at getting Andre Johnson the ball and into the endzone.  Oakland is still experimenting with Run DMC so it could get interesting.  I like the Raiders at home.  Take the points.

NY Jets  -4.5  44
Seattle Seahawks
My Pick:  Thankfully this will be Mike Holmgrens last game in Seattle and the beginning of the Jim Mora JR era can begin.  It is very fitting that Holmgren will face off against his prodigy Brett ol boy Favre in his last appearance in the Seattle. Seneca Wallace will get the start again, but not sure who he is going to throw it to.  The Seahawks D has been very shaky and they will have to close up the middle and slow down Thomas Jones it they want to have a chance at the W.   I think the Jets beat them up good.  Give the points.

Buffalo Bills
Denver Broncos  -7  44.5
My Pick:  The Bills pretty much suck and the Broncos are atop the AFC West, but they haven’t clinched yet so this is the W that will get them over the top, they will be playing alot harder than the Bills.  Give the points.

San Diego Chargers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers  -3  42.5
My Pick:  Tampa is still in the hunt and at home they are almost unstoppable.  The Norv Turner train wreck that is the Chargers needs to do some careful consideration when dealing with LT or he could be gone.  Point is that the Bucs are not going to get stopped at home and its low at -3.  Give the points. 

Monday Night Football, December 22nd

Green Bay Packers
Chicago Bears  -5  42
My Pick:  Da Bears didn’t play all that great last week, but they did make the most of their opportunities and got into the endzone when it counted.  If you look at the box score you can see thta the Saints D held them up quite well, but perhaps the cold had something to do with it as well.  The Packers got whipped on in Jacksonville last week and they only have themselves to blame.  They started out with such promise and a new young stud in Rodgers who would lead them into the post Favre era only to get beat down in the last half of the season and make people start second guessing the new guy.  Ryan Grant hasn’t helped the situation at all this year only having about 2 or 3 games where you could say he was productive.  Even the defense has floundered lately forcing Rodgers to air it out to come from behind.  All in all the Packers are not looking very good at the moment and I don’t expect them to turn it around in the last 2 weeks of the season, so its back to the drawing board.  The Bears while not playing their best will surely enjoy the homefield advantage, but the as far as the cold weather goes they will not get a leg up in that department at all so it will come down to talent.  If and when the Bears D comes to play and put the pressure on Rodgers I expect a couple turnovers in the fridgid weather, but they have to beware of the long bomb to Jennings and Driver or they could get caught on their heels.  Matt Forte will also need to shine and keep the pressure off of Orton who earlier in the year was playing excellent only to end as average.  The way the Pack keeps disappointing I have to say that the trend holds tight and Da Bears pull it off at home.  Give the points.

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