NFL Picks: Full slate games for Christmas weekends
Published 4:23 pm Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Here are the picks:
Houston at Indianapolis
The Colts finally picked up their token win, so they don’t have to worry about tying the winless Lions as the worst team in NFL history.
TEXANS 23, COLTS 16
Denver at Buffalo
The Bills are in a free-fall and the Broncos are fighting for a division title.
BRONCOS 17, BILLS 13
Arizona at Cincinnati
The Cards are somehow 7-7 and if not for the 49ers breakout season, they’d probably be winning the NFC West.
CARDINALS 20, BENGALS 16
Jacksonville at Tennessee
After getting destroyed by the Falcons 41-14, I don’t think there’s much fight left in the Jags.
TITANS 24, JAGUARS 10
Oakland at Kansas City
I think the Chiefs just won their equivalent of the Super Bowl when they beat the unbeaten Packers. Just like any actual Super Bowl winners do, they probably spent the last week living it up and starting their offseason.
RAIDERS 27, CHIEFS 10
Miami at New England
Matt Moore vs. Tom Brady — do I need to say anything else?
PATRIOTS 42, DOLPHINS 19
N.Y. Giants at N.Y. Jets
Each team is coming off a terrible loss, but the Giants still have a shot to win their division if they win out. Of course they were in a similar situation last year right before they smoked in an elimination game at Green Bay.
JETS 17, GIANTS 14
St. Louis at Pittsburgh
Is there any way the Rams can forfeit this one to save the hotel and flight bills?
STEELERS 23, RAMS 3
Minnesota at Washington
If the Vikings’ goal was to land a top-five pick, they’re wrapping up an awesome season.
REDSKINS 29, VIKINGS 19
Tampa Bay at Carolina
If the Panthers put some good receivers around Cam Newton, they could be a team to watch next season. The Bucs looked like they were done for the entire first half against the Cowboys.
PANTHERS 28, BUCS 17
Cleveland at Baltimore
The Ravens still have something to play for.
RAVENS 26, BROWNS 3
San Diego at Detroit
The Lions are fresh off two dramatic victories, while the Chargers are hitting the stride. However, San Diego is a day late and a dollar short as the postseason looks to be out of reach.
LIONS 28, CHARGERS 26
Philadelphia at Dallas
The winner of this game may take the NFC East title. Philly, which I wrote off weeks ago, needs a Giants loss this week and a Cowboys loss next week to force a three-way tie.
The way the Eagles have been playing, which is quite good, I’m not betting against them.
EAGLES 27, COWBOYS 21
San Francisco at Seattle
The 49ers don’t have a lot to play for and the Seahawks have been as good as anyone in the last few weeks.
SEAHAWKS 13, 49ERS 10
Chicago at Green Bay
The Packers tasted a loss for the first time in a year, but I doubt they’ll fall to the Bears, who have lost four in a row without Jay Cutler and Matt Forte.
The biggest concern for this game is keeping Aaron Rodgers healthy against the pass rush of Julius Peppers.
Atlanta at New Orleans
As long as the Saints are on their home turf, they will probably score at least 30 points. I don’t see the Falcons matching it.
SAINTS 34, FALCONS 27
Last week: 8-8; overall: 138-84