Baltimore has lost seven straight after a 4-2 start. They are just 1-5 on the road, and their offense is near the bottom of the league in most categories. This game is Miami's best remaining shot at avoiding an 0-16 season, but it isn't their last shot. After this week, the Dolphins play at New England (LOL), but then close out the season at home against the Bengals, which is at least arguably a winnable game for them. Still, they'd love to get it done this week instead of waiting until the last week of the season. I suspect they'll throw everything they've got into this game, knowing that an almost ritualistic slaughter awaits them next Sunday at the hands of Belichick's boys.
RJ's Pick - Miami by 4
Buffalo (7-6) at Cleveland (8-5) - 1:00 pm (Sheridan's line: Cleveland by 5.5) [MUST SEE]
The Bills have won two in a row, have a winning record, and are in the hunt for a Wild Card spot despite having allowed 76 more points than they have scored this season. The Browns have won three of their last four, have a winning record, and could possibly even win their division despite having allowed the most points and yards per game in the NFL. Cleveland is 5-1 at home, and has a vastly superior offense.
RJ's Pick - Cleveland by 9
Green Bay (11-2) at Saint Louis (3-10) - 1:00 pm (Sheridan's line: Green Bay by 9.5) [Worth Missing]
The Packers stomped Oakland last week, 38-7. The Rams lost to the Bengals last week with rookie Brock Berlin starting under center. The only question in this one is what the margin of victory will be.
RJ's Pick - Green Bay by 13
RJ'S GAME OF THE WEEK: Jacksonville (9-4) at Pittsburgh (9-4) - 1:00 pm (Sheridan's line: Pittsburgh by 4) [MUST SEE]
Jacksonville needs a win to make sure they stay a game ahead of Cleveland for the fifth seed Wild Card spot. Pittsburgh needs a win to make sure they stay a game ahead of Cleveland in the AFC North. (Both teams will be rooting for Buffalo this week.) Anyway, it should be a good, close, low-scoring game. I give the advantage to the Steelers only because they are 7-0 at home.
RJ's Pick - Pittsburgh by 1
New York Jets (3-10) at New England (13-0) - 1:00 pm (Sheridan's line: New England by 24.5) [MUST SEE]
Two words: Revenge Game. Bill Belichick has had this date circled on his calendar (probably in elven blood) ever since Jets head coach Eric Mangina Mangini blew the whistle on "Tapegate" after the first week of the season. There will be no debate about whether or not the Patriots are "running up the score" this week; Belichick will put triple digits up on the scoreboard if he can. This ain't gonna be pretty. I don't care what the spread is, the Patriots are going to cover.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - alessandro
Houston.
Gee, things sure are quiet 'round here without Suss. He's a big shot writing about fugo or tofo or sofa or something. We're nothing to him now. NOTHING.
2 - zingzing
but which sex toy do you prefer?
(that's for picking chicago.)
*go vikes*
3 - RJ Elliott
Does anybody think I should continue writing these columns during the playoffs? I mean, instead of 13 or 14 or 16 games per week to write about, there would only be four games during the first two rounds, then just two games, and then of course the Super Bowl. Feedback appreciated.
4 - Christopher Rose
sure, just go into a bit more detail.
5 - Bennett
Okay, here goes... Based on my own formula taking into account win/loss, gut feeling, coin toss, and uncertain brain chemistry
Cincinnati
New England
Baltimore
Cleveland
Tennessee
Tampa Bay
Green Bay
Jacksonville
Seattle
Indianapolis
San Diego
Dallas
New York
Minnesota
I say keep up the column right through the SB.
6 - Chris McVetta
I think you should keep on, keepin' on, RJ! Heck, if Matt Millen keeps going ...why can't you??? (That was NOT a jab at you, RJ ...honest and true ...but, seriously, what kind of blackmail material does this guy HAVE to keep his job, year after year...?)
7 - Brian
Couldn't hurt to keep picking. I'm sure there are some crazy pick-um pools that start just for playoffs or continue that far.
I have a question or ya R.J. about your picks though.
When you have a spread like:
Washington (6-7) at New York Giants (9-4) - 8:15 pm (Sheridan's line: New York Giants by 4)
And you Pick:
RJ's Pick - New York Giants by 2
Are you saying the NYG's will actually win by 2 and therefore not cover?
Or that they will win by 2 over the spread... in this case 6 points?
8 - RJ Elliott
Bennett:
Thanks for your picks, but you missed a couple of games (Denver-Houston and Arizona-New Orleans).
Chris:
I think William Clay Ford, Sr. simply hates the hometown fans. That's the only thing I can think of.
Brian:
I pick the winner and the margin of victory for every game. So, for example, I believe the Giants will win this week by 2 points (say, a final score of 22-20). If you are counting straight-up pick 'em, then I'm picking the Giants to win the game. If you are counting spread picks, then I don't think the Giants will cover the 4 point spread. I keep track of both my straight-up picks and my spread picks over the course of the season.
REMF:
Wishing you a delightful holiday season.
9 - eastcoastlb
He means they will win by 2 and not cover.
RJ you HAVE to keep on writing! I look forward to this every Thursday night. It's part of my system when I make picks for my pool.
Open to anyone - if you had to pick 1 game(team) this week to beat the spread who would you pick?
10 - Bennett
Ack! That's the brain chemistry I mentioned...
Houston (over the hated Broncos)
Arizona (in honor of Temple Stark)
Have a great weekend!
11 - alessandro
Definitely. Go for it. The playoffs are cool.
12 - RJ Elliott
Texans 31, Denver 13 - RJ 1-0
13 - alessandro
RJ, you think the coming snow storm will effect NE's chances? Weather may stand in the way of their perfect season. We're expecting 40 to 60cm in Montreal. I'm going to be fucken buried in snow.
Cincinnati, TB, Baltimore (I want to take Miami soooo bad), Cleveland (going with home field here), GB, NE, Seattle, Tennessee, Indy, SD, Dallas (fricken Cowgirls), NYG, Minnesota, Pittsburgh (for no better reason that home field. Jacksonville as good as they are have not topped the so-called big teams enough to merit a pick here) and NO (again playing it safe with the home side. Anything can happen in these games.)
That Romo clip is priceless! Whoever chose Ti Amo for this is hilarious. Growing up in these parts that song was big for the slow dances. Huge hit in Italy.
14 - RJ Elliott
Alessandro:
Yes, the weather could be a factor. In fact, I would like to amend my pick.
New England by 41
;-P
15 - DOM @ HSU
vikings
chargers
cardinals.. (red bird of some sort)
49ers
Baltimore.. does not want to be the team to lose against the fins.
everything else the same...
16 - Alexandria
CIN, SEA, CLE, TN, MIA (they gotta win one), NE, NO, PIT, GB, TB, IND, DAL, SD, NYG, MN
RJ, keep writing if you can. I mostly like your anecdotal comments.
17 - RJ Elliott
Final Score:
SF 20, Bengals 13 - RJ 1-1
18 - DOM @ HSU
niners.. haha i money lined that spitt..
19 - YuTang
RJ, What effect and what cities is this storm going to hit, cheers.
20 - Bennett
I don't like the weather factor in today's NE/NYJ game. It brings the random element more into play. I'd rather this match up was in less severe weather...
If the Pats go into this game overconfident, they could end up on the short end.
What's with Cincinnati?
Bennett 1-1
21 - alessandro
Five minutes to kick off. Maybe it's the wine kicking in but I'm amending my pick to Miami. Sue me.
22 - Bennett
I should have shared that bottle alessandro... Good pick!
I'm 7-4 at this point
23 - RJ Elliott
Final Scores:
NO 31, Arizona 24 - RJ 2-1
TB 37, Atlanta 3 - RJ 3-1
Miami 22, Baltimore 16 (in OT) - RJ 4-1
24 - RJ Elliott
Final Scores:
Cleveland 8, Bills 0 (!) - RJ 5-1
Gren Bay 33, Rams 14 - RJ 6-1
Jacksonville 29, Pittsburgh 22 - RJ 6-2
25 - RJ Elliott
Final Scores:
New England 20, Jets 10 - RJ 7-2
Carolina 13, Seattle 10 - RJ 7-3
Tennessee 26, KC 17 - RJ 8-3