With two weeks left to go in the regular season, many of this week’s games have playoff implications. I’ve listed those below and placed this week’s selections against the spread in boldface.
The Titans are hard to pick against after all the ways they’ve found to win in the last five games. For my pregame analysis of the Bills and Titans, please read my article on the game here.
Buffalo -4½ vs Tennessee
Titans 20
Bills 17
An elimination game. Winner stays alive, loser waits until next year.
Green Bay -3 vs Minnesota
Vikings 24
Packers 21
The Pack isn’t playing at home as well as they do on the road. Both teams are still mathematically alive. Another outright upset selection.
Kansas City -6½ at Oakland
Chiefs 17
Raiders 14
KC is still in the wild card picture at 7-7. Chiefs have lost three in a row and barely beat the Raiders a month ago. Oakland has lost seven in a row but the defense remains good and has been keeping them in games.
Chicago -4½ at Detroit
Bears 28
Lions 17
Da Bears are on a roll again, have clinched home-field advantage, and can rest some people. The Lions are still trying to get the #1 draft pick.
St Louis -2 vs Washington
Rams 21
Redskins 20
I’ll take two points in a game that should be close if it means anything to the ‘Skins. The Rams still have faint playoff hopes.
New York Giants -3 vs New Orleans
Saints 28
Giants 17
G-men have lost 5 of last 6, Saints defense playing great. Saints in contention for first-round bye, Giants are contending for a wild-card invite.
Pittsburgh -3 vs Baltimore
Steelers 20
Ravens 14
Both teams are on a roll, but the Ravens won 27-0 three weeks ago. Ravens still contending for first-round bye, Steelers still alive for wild card. I don’t like the Ratbirds.
Atlanta (0) vs Carolina
Falcons 23
Panthers 17
Falcons are in the hunt in the playoffs, Carolina is in a free fall.
Jacksonville -3 vs New England
Jaguars 21
Patriots 20
Pats can clinch division, Jags need to win to stay alive for wild card berth. Give me three points in a close one.
Indianapolis -9 at Houston
Colts 27
Texans 17
Colts need to win in race for first-round bye. Texans are going nowhere again.
Cleveland -3 vs Tampa Bay
Browns 21
Buccaneers 17
I don’t have a clue how the Bucs scored 21 in the fourth quarter last week. An aberration.
San Francisco -4 vs Arizona
Cardinals 27
49ers 24
Two more teams with faint playoff hopes at 6-8. Arizona is plaing better with Leinart at the helm.
Denver -3 vs Cincinatti
Broncos 24
Bengals 20
Both among four AFC teams with 8-6 records and inside track for a wild card. The loser will still be alive in the playoff picture but will need help. Can’t go with the Bungles after their offense didn’t show up last week. It’s been a long time since the Bengals have won at Denver.
San Diego -4½ at Seattle
Chargers 28
Seahawks 21
Seahawks can clinch division, both teams looking for first-round bye.
Dallas -7 vs Philadelphia
Cowboys 28
Eagles 27
Winner takes first place in NFC East. Dallas has already clinched a playoff berth.
Miami -2½ vs New York Jets
Jets 21
Dolphins 17
The 8-6 Jets have a good shot at a wild card.
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