Tampa Bay (+3) @ Atlanta:
Preview: One of the most important games of the week, at least as far as playoff implications go. Tampa probably needs this win a bit less than Atlanta does, with the Bucs already having smacked the Falcons once this year, and having a game better record overall. That said, things are starting to fall Atlanta's way this weekend. First, home teams in the NFC South are a silly 22-2 this year, best in the league by far. Second, and arguably more importantly, Jeff Garcia's questionable with a calf injury. Don't question yourselves, that brilliant blinding light from yonder is in fact Luke McCown.
Scott's Pick: Falcons Jordan's Pick: Falcons
Tennessee (-3) @ Houston:
Preview: Having wrapped up the AFC South last week, all that's left on the to-do list for the Titans before the playoffs is clinching home field advantage. They're 12-1 for the first time in team history, and will remain motivated in this game to secure playing in Nashville for the playoff run. Tennessee is 6-1 at home this season, and 2-1 in its last three home playoff games, as compared to 1-3 in its last four post-season games on the road. So while they do have a little cushion in the home field race, the pressure comes off if they win this game. And they will, even though Matt Schaub's Texans are coming off a road win in Green Bay where he threw for 414 yards.
Scott's Pick: Houston Jordan's Pick: Tennessee
Washington (-7) @ Cincinnati
Preview: There can't be any better living proof that all the schooling in the world won't guarantee success. Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Harvard grad with a degree in economics, has surely heard the wisecracks time and time again. Yet, we all know that somewhere deep down, the rest of us (the non-Ivy League grunts that make up the planet) love to see the pretty boy Harvard grad fall flat on his face. Turmoil between rookie head coach Jim Zorn and Clinton Portis now water under the bridge, this one should be a rout. The Bengals haven't won a game since John McCain had a shot at being the next president. Don't expect that to change this week.
Scott's Pick: Washington Jordan's Pick: Washington
Seattle (-2.5) @ St. Louis
Preview: Hide the women, children and farm animals. This one has a potential, better yet a near certainty to be absolutely unwatchable. Not only have these two teams underachieved in seasons marred by injuries (and horrific rosters), but there is absolutely nothing to play for here. Sure, draft picks. But with three weeks left, if you're watching this game for that reason, you need to reevaluate your priorities. Of course, there is the always thrilling (albeit disappointing) appeal of watching Torry Holt age like he's Robin Williams in Jack, right in front of your eyes. Pay the money, rent the movie.
Scott's Pick: Seattle Jordan's Pick: St. Louis
Green Bay (-2) @ Jacksonville
Preview: Before the season you probably would have figured that this Week 15 match up would pit two teams on their way to the playoffs, or at least in the hunt, or heck, minimally provide some intrigue. Well, unfortunately, there is none of the above come Sunday afternoon. This is the game for the battle of which over-hyped team in August is actually more disappointing now. Jacksonville hasn't won since a 38-14 win over the hapless 0-13 Lions November 9th, which clearly is no grand accomplishment. The Pack has dropped three straight since crushing the Bears 37-3 November 16th, but would trade places with their arch rivals right now. Though the Jags are playing completely unmotivated right now, they do have one thing to look forward to in this one: they run the ball fairly well, and Green Bay's defense ranks 27th against it.
Scott's Pick: Green Bay Jordan's Pick: Jacksonville
San Francisco (+6) @ Miami
Preview: Amazing what a difference coaching makes, huh? Move out Cam Cameron, move in Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano, and the 1-15 Dolphins from a year ago are in a three way tie for first in the AFC East at 8-5. Never mind the fact that Tom Brady is hurt and the Jets have choked the last two weeks. But Miami is legit. Chad Pennington is making some Jet fans regretting their trade for Broadway Brett. And with this game being a must win for the Dolphins, and the 49ers being tough to figure out week after week, I like the Dolphins in this one. And hey, maybe if we're lucky Samurai Mike will be so angry at his team at some point tomorrow he'll top his de-pantsing incident from last month.
Scott's Pick: San Francisco Jordan's Pick: Miami
Detroit (+16.5) @ Indianapolis
Preview: For quite a while now, I've been hoping a team could be so bad that they go 0-16. The Lions might do just that. The last team to go all-defeated in an NFL season was Scott's 0-14 Tampa Bay Bucs, in their inaugural season in the league. This year's Lions might eclipse that to create a new level of awful never seen before in football. Last week the Lions came as close as ever against the Vikings, dropping the contest late 20-16. And even though as a Bears fan it would have helped their playoff push if the Lions had won, I still rooted for the Vikings because I'd rather see 0-16 than anything else. If the Lions can hold on and lose three more, I'm getting a 2008 0-16 Lions t-shirt printed if there isn't one made in Detroit. Oh yeah, and the Colts have won 6 straight, and need this one to keep pace for the Wild Card.
Scott's Pick: Detroit Jordan's Pick: Indianapolis
San Diego (-6) @ Kansas City
Preview: Kansas City is pitiful this year, but that was to be expected. The fact that San Diego is 5-8 and is not leading the AFC West show's that Norv Turner really is a terrible coach. Forget the fact that LaDainian Tomlinson is having a down year, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry and is still 115 yards from the 1,000 yard plateau. Phillip Rivers has a QB rating of 102, and while calculating that is harder than trying to figure out the BCS we know that 102 is a good enough rating for this team not to be where it's at. There's too much talent on the Chargers for them to be 5-8, and even the most devout fan of the NFL couldn't be enthused about watching this one.
Scott's Pick: San Diego Jordan's Pick: Kansas City
Buffalo (+7.5) @ New York Jets
Preview: Has there ever been such a swifter fall from regular season grace? It seems that just a blink or two ago, the Bills were NFL darlings, starting out 5-1. Proof everlasting of the idea that parity truly does exist in the NFL. Then, reality set in. A home loss to these same Jets in Week 9 was one of what would turn into a run of six losses in seven games. Throw in one J.P. Losman sighting too many, and all of a sudden, Dick Jauron's job doesn't seem so secure. The Bretts, in a 3-way tie for first, just need this one way more. At home, shouldn't be a contest.
Scott's Pick: New York Jordan's Pick: Buffalo
Minnesota (+3.5) @ Arizona
Preview: Coming off a clinching of just their second playoff berth since 1988, the Cardinals need this game only to cement their playoff spot in a few weeks, as they're now the NFC West Champs. But with the Bears lurking just behind the Vikings in the NFC North, this is a must-win for Minnesota. If the Vikes lose two of their next three, and the Bears win out (against Green Bay next Monday and in Houston the final week), Chicago would leapfrog Brad Childress's club and win the NFC North. Gus Frerotte likely won't be in the lineup tomorrow, leaving Tavaris Jackson the starter for the Vikings. That's bad. The good news for Minny is the diuretic Williams twins will play despite the league's best attempts at suspending them. Still though, Arizona is good at home (5-1 in Glendale) and if the Vikings end up in a shootout, with Jackson at the helm, it'll be a rough day for the Purple and Gold. (For more on the Bears and Vikings, check out the BERNing on Sports Podcast.)
Scott's Pick: Minnesota Jordan's Pick: Arizona
Denver (+7.5) @ Carolina
Preview: Both teams come in, flying high off beatdowns, winners each of two in a row. Both teams also are maddeningly inconsistent. One week, you think Carolina's going to the Super Bowl, the next, they look like the Cubs in the first round of the playoffs (overmatched? Sorry, cheap shot). The idea that the Panthers need this game more than the Broncos doesn't mean much. Carolina hasn't won more than two weeks in a row all season (the four game stretch was broken up by a bye week). Denver and Jay Cutler come in all guns ablaze, and possibly Champ Bailey back in action. Maybe I'm just crazy, but I don't trust Carolina at all. Denver couldn't stop my high school team, but Cutler's a monster.
Scott's Pick: Denver Jordan's Pick: Denver
New England (-6.5) @ Oakland
Preview: Oakland has really become the laughingstock of the NFL. Bad players, bad apples, a lunatic of an owner, and a coaching carousel, or should I say Cable, that seems constantly unplugged an this Raiders team continues to be a disgrace week after week. After looking bad and not covering for me last week, the Patriots figure to rebound in their second straight gimme game on the west coast. The one wrinkle to this is the mental state of Pats QB Matt Cassel, whose father died earlier this week. If Cassel can't go, it could be either Kevin O'Connell or Matt Gutierrez to start behind the center. And if there's anyone who could win with those options at QB, it's Bill Belichick.
Scott's Pick: New England Jordan's Pick: New England
Pittsburgh (+3) @ Baltimore
Preview: Hide the women, children and farm animals again for this one. This time though, because there's a high probability that someone gets murdered in this game. There's already one "murderer" ("allegedly") on one team, but Troy Polamalu seems to like inflicting pain as well. Lest we forget James Harrison (15 sacks, 7 forced fumbles) just another Pittsburgh defenseman that no one would min winning Defensive Player of the Year, and you've got yourself the making of a game that makes purists smile and the NFL's fans under 70 years of age cringe. Pittsburgh had better hope Matt Capps over his arm troubles, because they're likely going to need him to come in and close the door on this one, a baseball game in the making. If you like drag-em down, beat-em up, just smash-mouth football, then this one's for you. Expect a lot of running, a lot of hard hitting, and not more than 20 total points.
Scott's Pick: Pittsburgh Jordan's Pick: Pittsburgh
New York Giants (+3) @ Dallas
Preview: These two arch-rivals are always trying to top each other. Whether it's Terrell Owens comments about Tony Romo and Jason Witten allegedly scripting plays for them to run exclusively in the offense, or it's Plaxico Burress accidentally putting a bullet in his leg, both teams have made plenty of headlines recently. The question now is which team will make the headlines on the field. After a stunning loss to Pittsburgh last week, the Cowboys will come out angry and with something to prove. But unfortunately for them, the Giants are coming in with something to prove as well. Some doubters have started to creep in after last week's drubbing to the Eagles, so Eli's boys will need to win to keep pace for home field advantage, and to keep the Giants fans from starting to worry about Burress loss impacting the offense. But, not to worry, Tony Romo doesn't usually come up big when the Cowboys need him most. (For more on Terrell Owens and Tony Romo, be sure to check out the BERNing on Sports Podcast.)
Scott's Pick: Dallas Jordan's Pick: New York
Cleveland (+14) @ Philadelphia
Preview: Coming off a convincing win over the Super Bowl champs last week, the Eagles enter Monday night's contest heavy favorites. And they should be, shouldn't they? The Browns are 4-9, Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson are out for the year, they've lost three in a row, and Ken Dorsey is starting. Yes, that Ken Dorsey. So after Donovan McNabb put behind him the benching, and all the flack he took for admitting he didn't know NFL games can end in a tie, the 7-5-1 Eagles have won two straight thanks to strong performances by McNabb, and find themselves in a battle for a Wild Card Spot. It's a must win game for the Eagles, and they'll get it.
Scott's Pick: Philadelphia Jordan's Pick: Philadelphia
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