MIAMI (4-9) -1½ OVER BUFFALO (5-8)(41) – Head Coach Tony Sparano was fired by the Dolphins owner Stephen Ross this week and it will be interesting to see how the team plays for Interim Head Coach Todd Bowles, a former defensive back of the Washington Redskins. A month ago the Dolphins crushed the Bills 35-8. They should be able to handle them again even though they’re on the road, but anything is possible. After going 5-2 their first 7 games of the season, the Bills have lost 6 games in a row. Last week in Sparano’s last game, the Dolphins lost 26-10 to the struggling Philadelphia Eagles at home. The Bills have been outscored by 117 points during their six game losing streak. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who early in the season signed a big contract extension, had a horrible game last week against a San Diego defense that isn’t very good. I’M GOING TO PASS ON THIS GAME WITH TWO TEAMS THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE MUCH TO PLAY FOR. I was a Sparano fan, even though I understand why he was let go.

CHICAGO (7-6) – 3½ OVER SEATTLE (6-7)(35.5) – Two teams going in opposite directions here with both teams having a playoff chance still. Chicago has lost their starting quarterback and their best running back pretty much for the season. The Bears last week blew a 10-0 lead in Denver to lose to another Tim Tebow comeback. Backup QB Caleb Hanie has been horrible in relief of Cutler. He has been sacked 15 times in his 3 starts. In relief of Matt Forte, Marion Barber rushed for over 100 yards but made a horrible mistake of going out of bounds inside the 2 minute warning AND fumbled the ball earlier to give the Broncos a big turnover. The Seahawks have won 4 of their last 5 games and have shown an ability to score when they need to. Tavaris Jackson is getting better each week and has looked good in the hurry up no huddle offense. Both teams here need to win the game and it’s pretty much a toss up. I’M GOING TO PASS ON THE GAME.

HOUSTON (10-3) -6 OVER CAROLINA (4-9)(46) – Last week Houston clinched their division with a come from behind 20-19 win in Cincinnati. Their starting quarterback was T.J. Yates, who has played like a veteran with an 82.3 QB rating throwing 3 TD’s and only 1 interception. The Texans are rated as a GOOD TEAM. The Panthers are rated as an OK- team. Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips is out for a few weeks because he’s having surgery. The Texans defense, even though they’ll miss Phillips, shouldn’t miss a beat. The Panthers can run the football but the Texans have the only two running backs in the NFL who have over 800 yards rushing each. Houston has the number 2 defense in the league. Cam Newton will put some pressure on the Texans defense, but they should be able to handle it. I LIKE THE OVER 46 POINTS HERE EASILY. I DOUBT CAM NEWTON WILL GO DOWN QUIETLY.

TENNESSEE (7-6) -6 ½ OVER INDY (0-13)(46.5) – Matt Hasselbeck might not get the start Sunday because of a calf injury so rookie Jake Locker who came in last week may get the start. The Titans are rated an OK team. The Colts obviously SUCK. Losing their 13th game of the season last week against the Ravens, the Colts tied the record for their worst start in franchise history. QB Dan Orlovsky struggled last week against the Ravens, but has looked decent recently. The Titans almost beat the Saints last week in a close game. THIS IS A MUST GAME FOR THE TITANS TO KEEP ANY HOPES ALIVE FOR THE PLAYOFFS. No matter who is throwing the ball for the Titans, they should have no problem with the Indy defense. Starting center Jeff Saturday came back last week and will have another week of work under his belt. The last game they played at home, Indy had the ball on the Carolina 2 yard line with a chance to score and tie the game inside the two minute warning. IF THEY ARE EVER GOING TO WIN A GAME THIS WEEK, THIS MAY BE THE CHANCE. I’M GOING TO PASS ON THIS GAME

GREEN BAY (13-0) -13 ½ OVER KANSAS CITY (5-8)(46) – This game looks like a no-brainer but I’m sure new interim coach Romeo Crennel is looking for a way to keep the Packers score down so his Chiefs will have a chance to outscore the undefeated Packers. Todd Haley was fired on Monday almost immediately after losing 37-10 to the New York Jets. This was a week following their 10-3 upset of the Bears in Chicago. I’ll miss him. He was fun to watch on the sidelines. He and Scott Paoli have been feuding pretty much all year long and it was just a matter of time. Look for a heavy dose from the Chiefs of nickel defense because rushing Aaron Rodgers will not work. RB James Starks is still hurt so Ryan Grant will get the start for the Packers. Leading receiver Greg Jennings is out for a couple of weeks for the Packers with a knee injury but that shouldn’t hurt them with their deep receiving corps. If there ever was a game that the Packers might take too lightly, it would be this one, but I don’t see that happening. Kyle Orton, injured two weeks ago in his first and only play during a game as a Chief is going to start. I doubt that will help at all. However, I’M GOING TO PASS ON THE GAME ANYWAY. TOO MANY POINTS THE WAY THE PACKERS DEFENSE PLAYS ON THE ROAD.

NEW ORLEANS (10-3) -7 ½ OVER MINNESOTA (2-11)(53) – Adrian Petersen says he’s going to play. Last week in Detroit, the Vikings almost came back and won the game, but fumbled on the Detroit one yard line with 9 seconds left in the game to seal the Detroit victory and keep the Lions playoff chances alive. This week they host the New Orleans in their own dome to try to knockout the playoff bound Saints and Drew Brees. To say the Vikings secondary is weak would be a gross understatement. Their defense is giving up an AVERAGE 107.1 QB rating. Brees HAS a 105.9 rating. I would expect the Saints to get almost 500 yards of offense this week. I would look for the Saints to come out throwing early trying to get to an early lead. The last two weeks the Vikings have scored a total of 60 points. New Orleans’ defense is OK, but nothing to write home about. I would think that this game will come down to who can outscore who and that means the Vikings have no chance. If Petersen can make a difference running the ball for the Vikings, it should open up their passing game a bit, but New Orleans needs the game too badly. The Saints last 4 wins have come against Atlanta, the Giants, Detroit, and Tennessee. Minnesota’s Christian Ponder has a banged up hip, but will start for the Vikings. I’M GOING TO PASS ON THE REGULAR PLAY AND PLAY THE OVER 53 POINTS FOR 4 STARS.

GIANTS (7-6) -6 ½ OVER SKINS (4-9) (45.5) – I’VE LOVED THE OVER HERE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. Ever since Rex Grossman came back and Young Shanny started giving the ball to Roy Helu, the Skins have been scoring some points. The Giants MUST win this game on Sunday because if they do, they’re still in the driver’s seat to win the NFC East. If they lose and the Cowboys win, then the Cowboys are back in. I don’t think the Skins will beat the Giants, but as you all know, I like the Giants ON THE ROAD against the spread, not at home. Eli Manning is proving that he IS an elite NFL quarterback this year. I couldn’t imagine Peyton having a better year than Eli has had this season so far. Bradshaw is pretty healthy and Brandon Jacobs has looked great since he was asked to come in and shoulder the load when Bradshaw went out a couple of weeks ago. The Skins played the Pats close last week in Washington while the Giants broke their 4 game losing streak in Dallas to beat the Cowboys 37-34. The Giants defense is struggling but their offense is not. I’d say right now the Redskins offense is on its best roll of the season. THIS IS A PAYBACK GAME FOR THE GIANTS, having lost to the Skins opening day in Washington 28-14. Don’t expect them to lose on Sunday. I’m going to take the OVER 45.5 POINTS FOR 5 STARS HERE. LOVE IT.

CINCINNATI (7-6) -7 OVER ST. LOUIS (2-11)(39.5) – The Bengals need help to get into the playoffs but they need to start by winning this game to make that possible. Their front 7 are as good as any in the league but with their starting 2 corners injured or traded, their back end has been having trouble finishing what the front 7 get started. The Rams are playing for pride only right now. The Rams still have Steven Jackson who will crack the 1,000 yard mark again this season even though he’s missed some games. However, with the Bengals needing the win badly, I look for them to have little trouble with the Rams who have no idea who will be starting at QB right now. I think the Bengals will win the game, but by how many remains to be seen. The Rams are 15-62 since the start of the 2007 season. This is a franchise screaming for changes. I’M GOING TO PASS ON THE GAME, even though the Bengals should win easily.

DETROIT (8-5) -1 OVER OAKLAND (7-6)(47.5) – These two teams are the most penalized in the entire league. I’m not sure that means all that much except in my opinion, the Suh suspension is over and he’ll be back this week. The Raiders are barely hanging on to any chance of winning the AFC West. Detroit is hanging on the same way for a wild card. If the Lions lose this game, then they’re pretty much out of it because they will NOT beat the Packers the last game of the season. It’s going to take at least 10 wins to make the playoffs. The Raiders have Kansas City and San Diego after this game. To win 10 games they need to win out. Carson Palmer has played well at times but as of late has been struggling. Raiders RB Michael Bush has been anything but stellar in his last couple of games. The Raiders are definitely missing Darren McFadden. Detroit may get back Kevin Smith this week. That should help because the Raiders defense is giving up an average of 5.12 yards per carry. Teams have been taking Calvin Johnson out of the offense by double coverage for the past four games. Lions QB Matt Stafford has used his other receivers well. Look for him to do the same if Oakland doubles Johnson. I’M GOING TO TAKE THE LIONS MINUS THE POINTS FOR 4 STARS. I LIKE THE OVER FOR 3 STARS ALSO.

ARIZONA (6-7)- 6 ½ over CLEVELAND (4-9)(34.5) – John Skelton gets the start for the Cards and that’s a good thing because Skelton again last week brought the Cards a win against the tough 49ers. Kolb has a concussion. Beanie Wells should have a good game between the tackles running against a Cleveland defense that’s given up just short of 2,000 yards this season. Colt McCoy is staying in Cleveland because for some reason his team put him back in last week after he had no idea where he was. Seneca Wallace will get the start for the Browns in the desert. The Cards have won 3 in a row and 5 of their last 6 games. They are playing like they’re headed for the playoffs which, even if they win out, they probably won’t make. It will take 10 wins to be a wild card in the NFC. Still, they are making a run and that makes the coaching staff of Ken Whisenhunt look good. Hopefully, they’ll keep their run going on Sunday. The Browns have lost 3 in a row and 6 out of their last 7 games. Except for losing to the Rams, the other losses were to playoff teams so the losses are understandable, but the Browns are not getting better. Coach Pat Shurmur’s job may be up for grabs soon. I’M GOING TO TAKE THE CARDS MINUS THE POINTS FOR 3 STARS.

NEW ENGLAND (10-3) -7 ½ OVER DENVER (8-5)(47) – This easily will be highest rated game for TV on Sunday with TIM TEBOW and the Denver Broncos DEFENSE taking on TOM BRADY and the Pats OFFENSE. There’s no comparing the defenses. The Broncos have a much more efficient defense with much better players on it. All New England can do is try to confuse Tebow and keep him in the pocket and make him throw from there. If he runs, the Pats need to force him to run to his right, not his left. Denver RB Willis McGahee needs to have a big game for the Broncos. Belichick and the Pats defense will send blitz packages and usually have 7 or 8 men on the line of scrimmage to force Tebow to change the play. Most people think that Brady will try to go no huddle and score early and often in an effort to outscore the Denver offense. I agree, and that is probably true, but this still will be a great game to watch, because I doubt that the Pats will have an answer for Tebow when he runs the football. The Pats have scored 31 or more points 5 games in a row. Their defense and injury list looks like a MASH unit. I’m looking for a lot of points to be scored in this game and even if Tebow can’t keep up with Brady, I see him staying close enough to cover the pointspread. Over 80% of the betting public is on the Pats and Brady. Yee of little faith. I’M TAKING TIM TEBOW AND THE BRONCOS TO COVER THE SPREAD AND I’M TAKING THE OVER FOR 4 STARS.

JETS (8-5) +3 OVER PHILLY (5-8)(44) – Jets playing for their playoff lives. Philly playing to save some face and maybe Andy Reid’s job. How Mike Vick finishes the season will have a lot to say about who the Eagles go after in the draft. Is Vick the answer for another 4 or 5 years? Maybe not. Maybe his body won’t take the beating it seems to attract week in and week out. Talent wise, this matchup is just about EVEN. I have the Jets rated as an OK+ team and the Eagles are jus OK but they can RUN THE FOOTBALL. Why they don’t have more success, I have no idea. Maybe it’s all the turnovers they make. Maybe it’s the attitude of some of their “stars”. But one thing is for sure. This is no ‘DREAM TEAM”! TE Brent Celek is the Eagles leading receiver with just 2 TD’s. Desean Jackson has been a problem. He has 47 receptions for a 16.1 average, which is OK but they expect much more from him. The Eagles haven’t won two games in a row all year long. Last week they looked good beating Miami in south Florida. If they win this week at home against Rex Ryan and the Jets, it will be the first time all season long they have won 2 in a row. I like the Jets chances here. They’re playing for the playoffs. One problem. The Jets have NEVER beaten the Eagles in 8 tries. The Jets have won 3 in a row and really hasn’t looked all that great in doing so. The Skins had them beat only to give up late scores and lose. I’M GOING TO PASS ON THIS GAME. IF I HAD MY WAY, BOTH TEAMS WOULD LOSE. IF YOU HAVE TO PLAY THIS GAME, TAKE THE JETS AND THE POINTS.

BALTIMORE (10-3) -2 ½ OVER SAN DIEGO (6-7)(44.5) – The Baltimore Ravens all year long have NOT been the team on the road that they are at home. All three of their losess this season are on the road against AVERAGE teams like the Chargers. They need to win in San Diego to keep up in the AFC North division with the Steelers. The Chargers for 2 YEARS have not been the team their fans have expected on the field. They’ve had the talent supposedly, but no playoffs. Again this season, it looks as if they’ll miss the playoffs. There’s no question that Norv Turner is playing for his job and maybe it’s too late already. The Chargers have won two in a row after losing 6 in a row. Hey, I don’t hate Norv Turner. It just seems that way. But one thing that I do is dislike the way he coaches from a head coaching standpoint. His teams almost never seem to get good games from all three facets of the game. He was that way for 7 YEARS HERE IN WASHINGTON! There’s no doubt the Chargers will get outcoached here on Sunday. The question is, can the Ravens defense, with Ray Lewis playing for the first time in a month, step up and shut down the Chargers offense. The Ravens are 3-0 without Ray Lewis and I have said he may be a better COACH than he is Chargers QB Phillip Rivers hasn’t thrown an interception in 3 games. RB Ryan Matthews has rushed for over 100 yards in 3 consecutive games. However, the only team that the Chargers have beaten with a winning record was the Denver Broncos in the first game Tim Tebow came into in relief which started his current streak. There’s no doubt the Ravens are the better team, but because of the performance of the Ravens on the road this season, I may pass on this game. I’ll make my decision on the show. PASS….FOR NOW.