Sunday games and Monday Night Football game are subject to change. I’ll revise my picks based on available information during the week (injury report).
Philadelphia Eagles @ Seattle Seahawks, Thursday 8:20 PM (ET). QB Vince Young will start again in place of injured Michael Vick, playing away from home on a short week also doesn’t help. But Seahawks have their own problems with injuries. I expect a close game with Eagles coming out victorious.
Pick: Eagles, 24-23
Against The Spread: Seahawks (+2.5)
Atlanta Falcons @ Houston Texans, Sunday 1:00 PM (ET). With injured QB Matt Schaub, Houston has become one-dimensional team. Against Jaguars, Houston managed to overcome that, but it will be much more difficult to do it again against Atlanta. Falcons are fighting for playoffs and their much more balanced offense will be the difference in this game.
Pick: Falcons: 20-17
Against The Spread: Falcons (-2.5)
Tennessee Titans @ Buffalo Bills, Sunday 1:00 PM (ET). Titans finally got what they’ve paid for. RB Chris Johnson had a great game against the Bucs last week. He might just pick off where he left off facing poor Bills’ rush defense. Titans will stay in playoff race with a win against Buffalo.
Pick: Titans, 17-14
Against The Spread: Titans (+1.5)
Kansas City Chiefs @ Chicago Bears, Sunday 1:00 PM (ET). Both teams are without starting QB, and both teams play solid on defense. Chicago has the edge on offense with versatile RB Matt Forte. Chicago Bears are just the better team overall plus they will be playing in front of home crowd, that’s why I take the Bears.
Pick: Bears, 23-19
Against The Spread: Chiefs (+8.5)
Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday 1:00 PM (ET). Last time this two teams met, WR A.J. Green injured his knee on a big play. Bengals will have their rookie WR back which will help stretch Steelers’ defense. I expect another good hard-fought game between those two division rivals. When in doubt I take the home team.
Pick: Steelers, 21-17
Against The Spread: Bengals (+7.5)
Denver Broncos @ Minnesota Vikings, Sunday 1:00 PM (ET). What time is it? It’s Tebow time, this time QB/RB Tim Tebow and the Broncos defense take on the Vikings. Minnesota is expected to be without RB Adrian Peterson which spells trouble for the Vikings. Rookie QB Ponder will be under a lot of pressure. Low scoring game in Metrodome with Denver taking important win.
Pick: Broncos, 16-13
Against The Spread: Broncos (+1.5)
Indianapolis Colts @ New England Patriots, Sunday 1:00 PM (ET). It would take a miracle for Colts to win this one. New England will be in control from the get go, Colts defense won’t have the answer for Patriots offense, but they will get to score late in the game. Patriots might score 30+ points but I don’t think they’ll cover the spread.
Pick: Patriots, 35-17
Against The Spread: Colts (+20.5)
Oakland Raiders @ Miami Dolphins, Sunday 1:00 PM (ET). Miami’s defense played great lately and the Dolphins will continue to do good job on defensive side of the ball, but I think Miami can’t keep pace with Oakland on offense. Oakland has more offensive weapons and it shows here against Dolphins.
Pick: Raiders, 24-20
Against The Spread: Raiders (+2.5)
New York Jets @ Washington Redskins, Sunday 1:00 PM (ET). This could be another low-scoring game. Both teams so far had problems on offense, but they played good on defense. Jets need this game to stay alive for the playoffs and they will find a way to win.
Pick: Jets, 24-21
Against The Spread: Redskins (+3.5)
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday 4:05 PM (ET). Buccaneers’ QB Josh Freeman hasn’t played up to his potential so far and if Tampa is forced to throw the ball in this game then Carolina has a chance. Bucs will probably try to give the Panthers a heavy-dose of RB LeGarrette Blount. Tampa will break 5-game losing streak with a win at home.
Pick: Buccaneers, 27-23
Against The Spread: Buccaneers (-1.5)
Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns, Sunday 4:05 PM (ET). So far the Ravens had problems with below average teams after a big win. After beating 49ers on Thanksgiving Night, they get to play the Browns. Cleveland will give them hard time but in the end Ravens defense will be too much for inefficient Browns’ offense.
Pick: Ravens, 27-18
Against The Spread: Ravens (-6.5)
Dallas Cowboys @ Arizona Cardinals, Sunday 4:15 PM (ET). Arizona Cardinals get their starting QB Kolb back which will help a bit, but besides Fitzgerald and Wells Cardinals don’t have much on offense. On the other side, Cowboys will use their power RB DeMarco Murray a lot and they will run away with another late season win.
Pick: Cowboys, 30-21
Against The Spread: Cowboys (-6.5)
Green Bay Packers @ New York Giants, Sunday 4:15 PM (ET). The Giants need this game badly. They can’t afford another loss, but the way they are playing on defense I can’t see them beat the Pack. Packers roll on and take their 12th win this season.
Pick: Packers, 28-24
Against The Spread: Giants (+6.5)
St. Louis Rams @ San Francisco 49ers, Sunday 4:15 PM (ET). 49ers are the best team in the NFC West division, no doubt. They can clinch division title with a win against Rams or Seattle and Arizona loss. Either way, Jim Harbaugh will have his team ready to take on the Rams who were preseason favorites to take the division crown.
Pick: 49ers, 27-17
Against The Spread: Rams (+13.5)
Detroit Lions @ New Orleans Saints, Sunday 8:20 PM (ET). Lions are in tough spot, battling for wild-card playoff spot they have to play the Saints who seem to be on fire. Lions had few extra days to prepare for this game but I think it won’t be enough to beat the Saints who haven’t lost a game at home this season.
Pick: Saints, 31-27
Against The Spread: Lions (+6.5)
San Diego Chargers @ Jacksonville Jaguars, Monday 8:30 PM (ET). Jaguars are the first team this season to fire their head coach. That really wasn’t a surprise move, what’s surprising to me is that the head coach of San Diego Chargers – Norv Turner, still has the job. He might hold on to his job a bit longer after his team snap their losing streak.
Pick: Chargers, 23-17
Against The Spread: Chargers (-2.5)
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