Why am I going with a Katy Perry song in a NFL picks post? Well you see this song has a trap beat behind it and holy shit, no team is safe this weekend. You think last week was crazy? I think this could be just as nuts. Let's get into it where I have confidence in two picks out of sixteen so that's encouraging.
Washington (3-10) at Atlanta (3-10) (-7) 12:00 pm FOX - This might be the most exciting matchup between two teams with a combined record of 6-20. If you somehow have lived underneath of a rock this week, Kirk Cousins is starting in place of Robert Griffin III and if Cousins gets hurt, Rex MFin Grossman is the quarterback (This is the dream, folks). Atlanta is reeling off a close defeat to Green Bay, and a team who was the one seed in the NFC has a worst record than Jacksonville. I pray for chaos meaning I would like Washington to win in blowout fashion sending everyone into a tizzy. But I will go with Atlanta at home.
ATL 31-23
Chicago (7-6) at Cleveland (4-9) (-1) 12:00 pm FOX - Jay Cutler returns to Chicago's quarterback position, and he will be under the biggest microscope of his career. If he struggles and loses, the national and Chicago media will be on DEFCON 1. I do think there needs to be a heavy dose of Matt Forte early to get Cutler comfortable out there again. Joe Haden versus Alshon Jeffery or Brandon Marshall will be a delight. As for Cleveland, Josh Gordon figures to be on his 'Who Gon Stop Me' game again versus a marginal Bears secondary. I do think this one is a nail-biter, but I really cannot choose Cleveland plus the revenge of Jason Campbell to pull this one out. CHI 20-16
Houston (2-11) at Indianapolis (8-5) (-6) 12:00 pm CBS - Am I crazy like a fox for thinking Houston could win this game? They have not lost by more than 10 points in their last seven games even if they have lost eleven straight. Further with a coach being fired, the team usually acts like a person having sex for the first time in awhile. All sorts of excited and passion, I will never forget Kansas City in 2011. Not to mention, Houston gave them a game for at least the first half. Indianapolis is riding the struggle bus of late. They have been blown out and really have not looked the same since Reggie Wayne's injury. As much as I do think Houston has a legitimate shot at winning this game, I still will take the Colts in this one. IND 31-28
New England (10-3) (-1.5) at Miami (7-6) 12:00 pm CBS - Patriots had a weird season of breaks. Some things have went their way while others like injuries and missed calls have not. New England now holds control of the AFC as they head into a dangerous road game against their rival Dolphins without Rob Gronkowski. People are acting like this is the end of days for New England forgetting they did fine without Gronk earlier this season albeit some struggles. Miami needs this game badly to keep them striving towards the playoffs. Ryan Tannehill, I felt, had his best overall win as a quarterback going on the road beating Pittsburgh in the snow. They had New England right where they wanted them last time these two played only to have the second half Patriots come to life. Everyone will probably take Miami thinking the Patriots cannot win without Gronk which is far from the truth, give me the Pats.
NE 24-21
Philadelphia (8-5) (-6) at Minnesota (3-9-1) 12:00 pm FOX - I hate myself for loving Philadelphia in this one. It screams trap game for the Eagles with Adrian Peterson likely out, Toby Gerhart banged up plus Minnesota has been playing better as of late. Although I cannot look past Philadelphia's offense against a weak Minnesota defense. Chip Kelly has to be feeling like he is king of the mountain looking at his squad against the Vikings defense. I feel like both LeSean McCoy and Nick Foles could have massive days, and yes I am aware of Foles is on the Sports Illustrated cover meaning the jinx is alive and well with this squad. I just cannot look past that part of it. I expect the game to be close for the first half only have Philadelphia pull away late in the game. PHI 38-28
Seattle (11-2) (-7) at New York Giants (5-8) 12:00 pm FOX - This will be deemed as the 'warm-up' for the Seahawks as they play in Met Life Stadium before the Super Bowl. New York's season is over as they were eliminated from the playoffs last week after their blowout defeat to San Diego. How does New York react? I feel like we could see a mailed in effort of epic proportions leading to people question about Tom Coughlin's job security or New York doing New York things winning an improbable game in December. Seattle needs not to have a letdown heading to the East Coast in what figures to be a snowy game as they are projected a 100 percent chance of snow. This seems like a perfect game to ride Marshawn Lynch for the whole game. The snow affects how I feel about the game, and I do not think New York mails it in, Seahawks win but they do not cover. SEA 23-21
San Francisco (9-4) (-6) at Tampa Bay (4-9) 12:00 pm FOX - This is another game I have a weird feeling about honestly. San Francisco has to travel across coast for an early start against a Tampa Bay team that has a decent defense. Niners had their highest quality win last week against Seattle at home, but people are still looking for more from San Francisco. I will say their offense looks revived with Michael Crabtree back out there, and developing relationship between Colin Kaepnerick-Vernon Davis helps things as well. Tampa Bay had a nice win at home last week against Buffalo with a dominating performance on defense and a decent offensive output. Mike Glennon struggled against good defenses this year, and I think that's vaults San Fran to a double-digit win. SF 21-13
Buffalo (4-9) (-2) at Jacksonville (4-9) 12:00 pm CBS - Must be nice for Buffalo as the last two games have been played in Florida avoiding upstate New York. This game will be a shootout. Buffalo's defense is not very good. Same for Jacksonville. The Jaguars are trying to win their fourth straight football game, and they get the extra time with the Thursday game. I think Jacksonville is going in the right direction. Every year we see one team who starts off like shit and ends up finishing around 6-10, 7-9 where people are talking about promise for this team next year. Arizona was the 2012 version and Jacksonville is the 2013. Give me the Jags in a close one. JAX 33-28
Kansas City (10-3) (-5) at Oakland (4-9) 3:05 pm CBS - Kansas City is doing their Kansas City things where they beat up on inferior teams then lose to the big boys. They walloped Washington last week, and now head into the Black Hole against a beat up Raiders team whose allowing everyone to score on them including Geno Smith. Although, Oakland is 5-2 against Kansas City since 2010 and this is a rivalry game so as the cliche says throw all sorts of records out the door. But I cannot look pass how bad the Raiders have been in the last couple weeks with their defense. Kansas City rolls again in a big win with another strong offensive and defensive effort. KC 34-14
New York Jets (6-7) at Carolina (9-4) (-11) 3:05 pm CBS - My buddy Eric and I have this thing going with Geno Smith about how good he will be in the coming years. I am not the biggest Smith fan, but I like to defend him just to troll Eric. But I do think Geno will be a good player down the road which Eric does not at all. I am not looking forward to the tweet about Geno's struggles against Carolina because that's going to happen without question. We know it is coming on Monday. Further, Cam Newton against a Jets secondary that might be missing Antonio Cromartie whose a game-time decision with a concussion. Carolina wins big in this one to keep their fifth spot in the playoff position. CAR 35-10
Green Bay (6-6-1) at Dallas (7-6) 3:25 pm FOX - I am awaiting word on Rodgers to have my write-up for this game. If we do not hear by 2:30 pm, I will start writing it out meaning it will be in your hands later today.
Arizona (8-5) (-3) at Tennessee (5-8) 3:25 pm FOX - I saw this game a couple weeks ago, and I think this is a lock for the Titans. Arizona heads to a likely chilly Nashville where Titans play pretty well. Cardinals have not been the greatest road team this year, and this could be no different with Tennessee this Sunday. I think their lack of defense against Denver is just a mirage. Although trusting Ryan Fitzgerald to make smart decision against a tough defense is scary to think about honestly. TEN 21-17
New Orleans (10-3) (-7) at St. Louis (5-8) 3:25 pm FOX - Another game where I just feel nervous about it. St. Louis is a bizarre team. They were beat to a pulp the last two weeks and now they could come out looking like Pro-Bowlers as they have surprised teams like Indianapolis and Chicago. But can you really bet against Drew Brees in a dome setting? No you cannot. Saints will take care of business against an inferior opponent as we see yet another big game from Marques Colston whom until Sportandfashion-news writer Bryan pointed out to me, is so much better when he plays in the dome. NO 28-17
Cincinnati (9-4) (-3) at Pittsburgh (5-8) 7:30 pm NBC - I assume NBC would have liked if Pittsburgh would have won last week or Cincinnati would have dropped a couple games to make it closer in terms of record. This is where I worry about Cincinnati. They are on fire with both their offense and defense. Everything says take the Bengals as they are one of the hottest teams in football. But this is right when Cincinnati lets you down like when you are flirting with a girl at the bar only to meet her boyfriend (Happened way too many times). If Pittsburgh catches a couple breaks in their last two weeks, they are 7-6 and we are talking about one of the hottest teams in football. I think they do not lay down in primetime at home. I will take Pittsburgh. PITT 23-17
Baltimore (7-6) at Detroit (7-6) (-6) 7:30 pm ESPN - Another great, meaningful Monday Night Football game. This one, almost more so than New Orleans-Seattle, can move so many dominoes. If Baltimore loses, it means the Wild Card race takes a nuttier turn than it has been granted teams behind the Ravens win. If Detroit loses, I think the national media goes DEFCON 1 as they would with Cutler as Detroit squandered a two game lead in December. Although weirdly enough, Detroit could still be in the running for the NFC North even if they lose and the others in division fall as well. I liked Baltimore a lot more before Matt Elam decided to be a dumbass and run his mouth about Calvin Johnson being an 'old man.' That type of thing worries me to the highest end. The question who steps up in the pressure moment? I think it is Joe Flacco. Ravens seem to be pulling the same things they were doing last season. BALT 30-21
Charlie.
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