Baltimore (+5.5) @ Dallas
Preview: It's the final game at Texas Stadium, barring a miraculous turn of events leading to home field for the Boys. Tony Romo took a nice step forward last week, both in his career and in the season (a good game in December?!). Marion Barber isn't fully health yet (questionable as of Saturday afternoon), but, Tashard Choice has ripped it up in his stead, so no need to worry there. Baltimore's been playing good ball lately, no doubt about that, but I like Dallas, in their final home game (they've won 5 in a row there), in a game they have to win, in December. Finally.
Scott's Pick: Dallas Jordan's Pick: Baltimore
New Orleans (-7) @ Detroit
Preview: Entering tomorrow's action the Lions are just two games away from being the first ever 0-16 NFL team. As we mentioned last week, the '76 Buccaneers are the last team in league history to fail to win a game in a season. That team went 0-14, the record the Lions currently bring into this week's contest with the 7-7 Saints. It has been another disappointing year for Sean Payton's squad, and to make matters worse, he has lost his running back for the season and his offensive coordinator permanently. Reggie Bush injured his knee against the Bears last Thursday night, and offensive mastermind Doug Marrone left to become the next head football coach at Syracuse. It's going to be a tough game for the black and gold, but all that said, they'll still keep the Lions out of the win column. But, Detroit will make this interesting, and cover.
Scott's Pick: New Orleans Jordan's Pick: Detroit
Pittsburgh (-2) @ Tennessee
Preview: Here's how good Pittsburgh really is: they're playing a team with two losses, on the road, and they're favored. Now granted, Pittsburgh only has three losses, but, it does seem like they've had to work significantly harder to be 11-3 than anyone else, no? Three of their last five wins they've pulled out in the final two minutes or less. Still, this team is just redefining the concept of dominant defense, weekly. Under 240 yards a game, under two TD's allowed per game...the numbers are just staggering. The Titans, on the other hand, are coming off one of their worst performances of the season, with only 91 rushing yards between Chris Johnson and LenDale White. Pittsburgh's made it clear, they're not running away with anything down the stretch. But, they'll get this one, no matter how long it takes.
Scott's Pick: Pittsburgh Jordan's Pick: Pittsburgh
San Francisco (-5.5) @ St. Louis
Preview: This game figures to be another brutal NFL match-up with literally no intrigue whatsoever. With just seven combined wins for these two teams neither is going anywhere this season and both are playing out the string. The only thing even mildly interesting about this affair is the recent play of 49ers field general Shaun Hill, who has posted a quarterback rating above 90 in five of his last six starts. After all the brutal QB play recently in the Bay Area, the 9ers may have finally found their solution. This should be an easy one for Hill, too, considering the Rams rank 31st in the NFL in total defense.
Scott's Pick: St. Louis Jordan's Pick: San Francisco
Cincinnati (+2.5)@ Cleveland
Preview: Two numbers to care about in this one: 6 and 70. That first number, that's the amount of wins these two "teams" have, combined this year. The latter is the percentage chance for precipitation (read: snow). What do they add up to? 76, if you want to be literal. But, if you're reading along with the line of sarcasm here, the sum of all parts is, avoid this game at all costs. Don't watch, don't follow, don't go. There's nothing on the line, no players to watch and maybe grin at next year's prospects over (Brady Quinn's injury took care of that). All that said, I doubted Ryan Fitzpatrick last week, and that came back to bite me. I doubt he'll let me down again.
Scott's Pick: Cleveland Jordan's Pick: Cleveland
Preview: Last week I played up how well Miami was playing and they let me down by not covering the spread. So this week I'm making up for my mistake and taking Kansas City. That said, I think Miami could very well win this one but this promises to be a tough game. Despite the fact that the Chiefs are just 2-11 this year, they gave San Diego a run for their money last week. If Connor Barth hadn't missed wide left, K.C. would actually be entering this game coming off a win. The Dolphins absolutely need this game, still stuck in a three way tie with the Patriots and the Jets atop the AFC East. And, with a win, they could enter next week's bout with the Jets with a little leeway. We'll see if Chad Pennington can lead the 'Fins to a win in a tough environment.
Scott's Pick: Kansas City Jordan's Pick: Kansas City
Arizona (+8) @ New England
Preview: Last week told me everything I need to know about the Arizona Cardinals. Their 35-14 embarrassment at home against Minnesota told me two things: a) The Cardinals don't know how to handle prosperity yet, since they were coming off winning their first division title in 33 years, and b) this defense is not good enough for the Cardinals to be legitimate contenders in the post season. Four touchdown passes for Tavaris Jackson? Is that some kind of joke? The Patriots absolutely need this one for the same reasons as the Jets and Dolphins, and they are one of the toughest teams to beat in New England. Plus, the Cardinals are 3-4 away from Glendale this year. New England will not only cover, but win big in this one.
Scott's Pick: New England Jordan's Pick: New England
San Diego (+3.5) @ Tampa Bay
Preview: The trend in the NFC South seems to be fairly obvious. Make sure you're the home team, and you're nearly assured of a victory (26-2 this year). San Diego has decidedly been playing better than the left-for-dead team just two short weeks ago. Still, they're only 6-8, and Tampa has Jeff Garcia coming back. Garcia's scrambling ability alone, likely would've given Tampa a win last week at Atlanta. With him back in the lineup, expect the Bucs to right the ship.
Scott's Pick: Tampa Bay Jordan's Pick: Tampa Bay
Houston (-7.5) @ Oakland
Preview: Oakland stinks so bad, they're dogs by more than a touchdown, at home. Oakland stinks so bad, they'd given up three TDs to New England before they'd even gotten one first down last week. Oakland stinks so bad...well, they're just awful. Now, I doubt Andre Johnson will be able to run all over Oakland's secondary like he did Tennesse's (Top 10 in passing yards allowed, surprisingly. Though, that's likely because most teams are so far ahead so often and so early that common decency prohibits them from passing) . Still, Steve Slaton, Kevin Walter, and co. should provide Matt Schaub enough weapons to get over having AJ matched with shutdown corner Nnamdi Asomugha.
Scott's Pick: Houston Jordan's Pick: Houston
New York Jets (-3.5) @ SeattlePreview: The Jets should thank Dick Jauron for last week's win over the Bills. The Buffalo coaches decided it would be a good idea to pass with less than two minutes left instead of run out the clock. Abram Elam then sacked Bills J.P. Losman, he lost the ball, and Shaun Ellis scooped it up and took it to the house. Jets win, stay tied with the Patriots and Dolphins atop the AFC East. If it hadn't been for that, the Jets probably are out of the post season. This week is going to be very tough for the Jets, even though they obviously must win. It's Mike Holmgren's last hurrah as Seahawks head coach, the man who steered Brett Favre to his only Super Bowl triumph in Super Bowl XXXI. I think the coach get's the win over his former QB. Seahawks win this in a close one.
Scott's Pick: New York Jordan's Pick: Seattle
Atlanta (+3.5) @ Minnesota
Buffalo (+6)@ Denver
Preview: I can't see any reason why Denver will lose this game. Buffalo, besides playing awful football seven out of the past eight weeks, is inventing ways to lose games. Last week, up 27-24 with under two minutes left, the Jets sacked J.P. Losman, he predictably fumbled, and, even more predictably given the Bills season, the Jets ran it back for a go-ahead score. Yet, I can never feel comfortable picking Denver. This is the same Denver squad I'd have bet my life savings and my first and second born's lives that would've beat Oakland at home just a few weeks ago. What happened then? They came out flat, and got smacked by three touchdowns. So, what's learned here? Buffalo can't get a break. Denver can't get their (profanity) together.
Scott's Pick: Denver Jordan's Pick: Buffalo
Preview: If there's anything we've learned about the Falcons this year, it's that they have a quarterback that they can win with in the future. Matt Ryan has already eclipsed the 3,000 yard passing mark as a rookie, and has a QB rating of 90 in his first year. He keeps the Falcons in every game, and he'll need to play well against a good Minnesota defense this weekend. The Vikings are coming off an outstanding 35-14 win over the Cardinals in Arizona last week, and they did it with their back up quarterback at the helm. A win clinches the NFC North for the Vikes, and even though it eliminates my Bears, they'll get that win at the Hump Dome this weekend.
Scott's Pick: Atlanta Jordan's Pick: Minnesota
Philadelphia (-4.5)@ Washington
Preview: Who would've thought Philly would even have something to play for, this late into the season, after a tie and 5-5-1 record three weeks ago. At that point, the Skins were 7-4. My, my, how things have flipped for these divisional foes. Its hard to pick against the team thats rolling along. The Eagles have returned to what they do best: pass, pass, and pass again. Last 3 weeks? At least 30 attempts each for Donovan McNabb, and the former Syracuse star QB has 7 TDs to only 1 INT in that time frame. Look for Philly to keep it going in the nation's capital.
Scott's Pick: Philadelphia Jordan's Pick: Philadelphia
Carolina (+3) @ New York Giants
Preview: Best game of the week, saved for last in the day. The Giants have lost two in a row, and, for the first time in nearly a season and a half, the injury bug has hit them. Plaxico Burress' troubles are obviously well-documented, so much so he doesn't have a player page on the Giants Yahoo roster any more. Add to that Brandon Jacobs' knee injury, though he said he expects to play Sunday night. The Panthers have ripped through a supposedly "tough" spot in their schedule, destroying Tampa and Denver in consecutive weeks. Still, the Giants have reason to play (uh, homefield advantage throughout?), and no one really expects them to lose their third in a row, especially at home.
Scott's Pick: New York Jordan's Pick: New York
Preview: This game may not mean a thing if the Vikings beat Atlanta. But at the moment the Bears are entering this game still fighting for a remote shot at winning the NFC North and making the playoffs. Their only way to do that is if Minnesota loses its last two and the Bears beat the Packers and Texans in week 17. After a 37-3 walloping in Green Bay just a month ago, the Bears enter this week's game with extra motivation to win. Couple that with the fact that they haven't played since last Thursday, and have had a ton of time to prepare, they should be able to change their luck against the Pack. And, usually the Bears beat the Packers with Lovie Smith as coach-- Chicago has yet to be swept by their arch-rivals since Smith took over as Bears coach four years ago.
Scott's Pick: Chicago Jordan's Pick: Chicago
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