I went a lousy 8-8 last week. That puts me at 106-70 for the season, for a winning percentage of just over 60%.
This week offers football fans some superb matchups. Of the ten early games, three are between division rivals battling for playoff spots. One of the late games features division rivals with winning records as well.
Now, on to the picks:
Sunday, Dec. 4
Atlanta 7-4 at Carolina 8-3 1:00 p.m.
Atlanta had lost two in a row before thumping the Lions on Thanksgiving. Carolina narrowly beat Buffalo last Sunday. The Falcons have had a few extra days to rest, but Carolina has the home-field advantage. This is a tough pick. But I'll go with Atlanta because Vick has always played well against Carolina, and Atlanta has a superior overall running game. (Memo to Atlanta's secondary: Be sure to double-cover Steve Smith!) FALCONS BY 1
Buffalo 4-7 at Miami 4-7 1:00 p.m.
Blah. I'll pick Miami, but only because they are playing at home and the Bills are winless on the road this season. DOLPHINS BY 6
Cincinnati 8-3 at Pittsburgh 7-4 1:00 p.m.
The Steelers need to win this game. If they lose, they fall two games behind Cincinnati in the battle to win the AFC North. But if they win, they are in control of their own playoff destiny, because they would hold the head-to-head tie-breaker over the Bengals. I think Pittsburgh will win this one because they know they have to, and they are playing at home. STEELERS BY 4
Dallas 7-4 at N.Y. Giants 7-4 1:00 p.m.
Both teams are coming off tough overtime losses. If the Giants lose, not only do they fall a game behind Dallas in the NFC East, but Dallas would hold the head-to-head tie-breaker as well. The Giants are an impressive 5-1 at home this season. I believe this will be a close one; maybe even another overtime game! GIANTS BY 3
Green Bay 2-9 at Chicago 8-3 1:00 p.m.
Chicago has won seven in a row, and are 5-1 at home this season. They also have an incredibly-potent defense that has given up just 22 points in the last three games combined. Green Bay will be lucky to get into the Red Zone, much less the end zone. BEARS BY 13
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Bennett
You'll have a better week, RJ. Not as good as when I posted my picks early (was that your last really good week?), but still...
The Magic 8-Ball sez:
Carolina
Miami
Cincinatti
NY Giants
Chicago
Baltimore
Cleveland
Minnesota
Tampa Bay
Indy
Arizona
St. Louis
Denver
New England
San Diego
Seattle
Hey man, again my thanks for keeping up on this post each week. It's something I look forward to, and it makes Sunday a lot more fun.
Good luck!
2 - Emerson
Ok I went 11-5 last week... it seems like I always lose 5 games every week.
In my picks this week I am not just featuring 1 upset special, but two upset specials.
Carolina by 6
Miami by 10
Pittsburgh by 4
N.Y. Giants by 7
Green Bay by 3 (upset special) I don't care what you people say, they are making history this year, they are going to have the worst record in NFL but still outscore their opponents. And the Bears only putting up 13 points in each of their last two games shows a lack of offense. They will be sloppy in this game thinking that it is a "gimme" or easy win.
Baltimore by 7
Jacksonville by 3
Minnesota by 100 *typo i meant 10 ;)
Tampa Bay by 14
Tennessee by 4 (Upset Special) This is my theory... They came off a nice win last week, even though it was only the 49ers that they beat. I believe that this Titans team is going to come out very fired up. 1- They have nothing to lose. 2- They want to catch everyone offguard. 3- Watch out for Pacman and the refreshed Mcnair!!(Titan's KR) And if they don't beat Indy they will put up one hell of a fight because they are the visiting team and have NOTHING TO LOSE BUT SOMETHING TO PROVE. Enough said.
San Fran by 7
St. Louis by 17
Kansas City by 7
New England by 10
San Diego by 9
Seattle by 13
3 - RJ
Thanks for the kind words, Bennett! Good luck to you as well. :-)
4 - The Theory
Atlanta 7-4 at Carolina... Atlanta is not the team people want to think they are and they are in Panther country. Carolina will win a close one.
Buffalo 4-7 at Miami 4-7... Miami. RAWK!
Cincinnati 8-3 at Pittsburgh... I think that Pitts will win. Though, the way I picked last week I would advise people to jump off that bandwagon.
Dallas 7-4 at N.Y. Giants... Giants. I just love rooting Giants and I'm not sure why.
Green Bay 2-9 at Chicago 8-3... I was listening to sports radio a bit today on my way home from work (fkn FOX Sports Radio... which replaced our local Sporting News Radio and made me really mad because I love my SNR. sigh) and the bastard hosts were trying to convince us that Chicago doesn't have a shot in hell of winning this game because history has proven GB to be better in this matchup. Well, last time I checked the season only counts in 2005... whatever happened in the past sure isn't going through the heads of the Bears OR Green Bay. The Bears will score enough points to win... though like all of GB's losses it will be close.
Houston 1-10 at Baltimore 3-8... Baltimore can't win a game... but they have a better team than the poor Texans. This is the "even the fans of the teams involved can't get excited about this matchup" game of the week. Baltimore. Because that'll be the city serving beer at the stadium.
Jacksonville 8-3 at Cleveland 4-7... Jacksonville. Cleveland only wins when they accidently fart themselves into the endzone.
Minnesota 6-5 at Detroit 4-7... Minnesota has been unstoppable without Culpepper, and that is why I like them in this matchup.
Tampa Bay 7-4 at New Orleans 3-8... Look kiddies! No team has home field advantage, which automatically gives the advantage to the better team. TB.
Tennessee 3-8 at Indianapolis 11-0 ... No one in the know seems to think that Indy can go undefeated. However, I will be the one in the know because they will go undefeated. Through this week anyway (and beyond, I hope)... Indy.
Arizona 3-8 at San Francisco 2-9... Arizona. Hey... it could happen! Maybe this game will go into overtime tied at zero and result in a tie! One can hope... but I like Arizona's field-goal kicker.
Washington 5-6 at St. Louis 5-6... I hate Washington and I'm always glad when I have a semi-valid reason to pick them to lose. Go ST LOUIS!
Denver 9-2 at Kansas City 7-4... I haven't seen either of these teams play much at all this year so I rather feel like I'm flying blind in this pick... but I'll go with the whole record thing and chose Denver.
N.Y. Jets 2-9 at New England 6-5... Patriots. I have a gut feeling.
Oakland 4-7 at San Diego 7-4.... I'd love to upset San Diego. But I can't pick Oakland over them. That would just be... wrong. Very very wrong.
Seattle 9-2 at Philadelphia 5-6 ... If I pick Seattle it'll be a win-win situation for me. I mean, Philadelphia is my professional sports heartbeat... so I'm glad for any win until they are definitely eliminated. But I know that it'd be pretty ri-damn-diculously hard for them to beat the still-mediocre Seattle team. So I pick Seattle... BUT GO EAGLES!
5 - Bennett
Great stuff Theory. You articulated exactly what I was thinking when I made my picks The ones we have in common I mean, but the other's? I don't know WHERE your head is at!
Picks.
Temple? Matthew? Who else? David Mozzotta?
The odd drive-by prognosticator?
6 - david mazzotta
RJ - This co-dependent relationship you have with the Lions is unhealthy. You need to accept that THE LIONS ARE EVIL.
Although, I am looking forward to being asked "Do you want fries with that?" by Steve Mariucci.
7 - RJ
Suss! Temple! We need your picks, ASAP! (Voluntarily, of course...) ;-)
8 - Matthew T. Sussman
I should go out on top, but against my better judgment:
Panthers
Dolphins
Bengals
Giants
Bears
Texans
Jags
Lions
Bucs
Colts
49ers
Rams
Broncos
Patriots
Chargers
Seahawks
9 - rj
Temple!!!
:-/
10 - Temple Stark
Let me start with this - home advantage - you all put way too much weight toward what usually means nothing. Occasionally, at certain games at certain stadiums, yes, but basing picks around home has become folly.
With that:
Denver @Chiefs
::: DENVER. I almost got sucked into picking the Chiefs, because Denver seems ripe for an upset. But as someone said up there - looks - The Theory - said 2005 is what counts.
Seattle @ Philly
SEATTLE ::: Damn. I listened to all the shows and people are DOWN on Seattle, like they're the 49ers. Holy shit. Lots of talk about poor defense, poor offense. Poor. Poor. Poor. First - they have had some EXCITING games so eff that. Patriots? Boring games this year.
At least this week I heard nothing about Alexander, and more importantly (well, maybe not MORE...) is Matt Hasselback. This is his coming of age year. Er .... saying that, the Hawks are damn lucky to have won last week's game and an element of luck slipped into the week before (that 49ers game was too close). And all Seattle fans, even though they have much more reason to be blindly believing, all Seattle fans are crossing fingers and toes and arm hairs just hoping their team don't screw it up and actually win a playoff game for the first time since, I think 1986. OH AND SEATTLE SUCKS ON MNF (except for #37)
Bengals @ Steelers
::: BENGALS. It's a gut feeling. Cinncy has most of its elements firing strong and the Steelers are starting to rust, with parts that need tuning up (QB Ben R.). I'm a big proponent of anger and/or humiliation fueling the next week's effort. And after the Steelers got spanked by the Colts, you'd think that would happen. But they won't be able to put enough together.
Oakland @ San Diego
::: OAKLAND ... San Diego - as has been said by many - is probably the best team that won't make the playoffs. The damage starts today. This is a rivalry game.
Titans @ Colts
::: COLTS. I'm a big one for upsets but my brain doesn't go there against the Titans. Prediction extra. As of this writing, the Colts will lose Dec. 18 and Dec. 24 against San Diego and Seattle.
NY Jets @ New England
::: JETS. New England has sucked the wind out of themselves. I guess they may squeak in the back door of the playoffs. But they don't deserve it. I still like them, don't get me wrong and Tom Brady is "dreamy" LOL, but they aren't very good this year.
NY Giants @ Dallas
::: GIANTS. I've been big on Dallas all year, but here's where that anger fuels effort comes in for the next game. The Giants are PISSED after last week's loss which they should have won. Of course, if it comes down to field goals - all bets are off.
Minnesota @ Detroit
::: Sorry RJ, but Detroit has a long way up. They started out strong but they got lost along the way. VIKINGS
Tampa Bay @ NO Saints
::: TAMPA BAY. I want to pick an upset,; it's ripe for an upset, but it's not going to happen like that.
Packers @ Bears
::: BEARS Ifiny'all look back I've been an early supporter of the Bears. Sure my confidence stumbled as they stumbled mid-season. But the Bears defense against the most sacked man in football? (well, right up there). The crowd will be UP for this game because they need to keep warm for a start.
OOPS, running out of time. Got a wee bit distracted offline. ...
Jacksonville @ Cleveland
::: CLEVELAND
Atlanta @ Carolina
::: ATLANTS
Houston @ Baltimore
::: TEXANS
Redskins @ Rams
::: RAMS oooh. Both teams have had flashes of brilliance this season, inc. Rams inspired win last week.
Buffalo @ Miami
::: BILLS. Every time Miami wins they don't for a while afterwards. How's Ricky?
Oh and
Cardinals @ 49ers
::: CARDINALS
11 - Temple Stark
Ya called?
SORRY
12 - Temple Stark
LOL.
It's been fun over here. A wee football party. Whew.
13 - RJ
Final Score:
Indy 35, Titans 3 - RJ 1-0
14 - RJ
Final Score:
Jacksonville 20, Browns 14 - RJ 1-1
15 - RJ
Final Score:
Tampa Bay 10, New Orleans 3 - RJ 2-1
16 - RJ
Final Score:
Carolina 24, Atlanta 6 - RJ 2-2
17 - RJ
Final Score:
Vikings 21, Lions 16 - RJ 2-3
18 - RJ
Final Score:
Chicago 19, Packers 7 - RJ 3-3
19 - RJ
Final Score:
Giants 17, Dallas 10 - RJ 4-3
20 - RJ
Final Score:
Bengals 38, Steelers 31 - RJ 4-4
21 - RJ
Final Score:
Baltimore 16, Houston 15 - RJ 5-4
22 - RJ
Final Score:
Miami 24, Bills 23 - RJ 6-4
23 - RJ
Here is where the six BC.org pickers stand so far:
RJ - 6-4
Temple - 6-4
Suss - 8-2
Theory - 9-1
Emerson - 7-3
Bennett - 9-1
24 - RJ
Here is where ESPN's "experts" stand thus far:
Theismann 7-3
Salisbury 8-2
Hoge 9-1
Jaworski 9-1
Schlereth 9-1
Allen 9-1
Mortensen 9-1
Golic 7-3
25 - RJ
Final Score:
Redskins 24, Rams 9 - RJ 6-5