PHILADELPHIA (7-8) -8 ½ OVER SKINS (5-10)(46) – This game last week turned into a game that means absolutely nothing to both teams, but is that true? That will be the questions bettors ask themselves when they try to handicap this game. Philly has been hot as of late, winning their last three games in a row against two good opponents. Last week they still played hard against Dallas in Jerry’s Spaceship even though they knew they were done, so why would they change? The Redskins lost at home to the cellar dwelling Minnesota Vikings and their defense didn’t look good doing it. The Skins defensive front 7 are not pressuring the QB like they did the first half of the season. Rex Grossman continues to throw interceptions (It’s in his DNA) and the Shanahan’s just continue to spin the results. Add to that the rumor that John Beck might actually see playing time on Sunday and I’ ready to throw in the towel. Personally, I think Dan Snyder should sell the team if he truly “loves” the Redskins. I mean like it’s said, “If you love it, let it go..” Well Dan, let it the fu$* GO!! What’s strange this week in the early betting trends in Vegas is that even though the line climbed 2 ½ points early in the week to 8½ , it seems that the entire country is betting on the Skins to cover. Personally, I don’t see it. I’m sure that LeSean McCoy’s ankle has something to do with that. He was limited in practice on Thursday and may not play, but he does have a chance for a rushing title owned by one of my favorite RB’s of all time Wilbert Montgomery. That will be an interesting call. If I know he’s gonna play, I’m gonna play the Eagles. If I’m not sure, I’m gonna pass on this big number. If the Skins lose, that means that Shanahan has DIGRESSED in his two years in Washington, something I’m sure he would like to avoid. I’m sure Mike Vick will be his usual tough self (as long as he’s not injured) and this should be a even up .500 win for the Eagles.

SAN FRANCISCO (12-3) -10 ½ OVER ST. LOUIS (2-13)(35.5) – I was one of the people early in the season who thought that the Rams actually had a chance to win this division. That just goes to show you what can happen to a team early in the season with injuries and stupid play calling. Now the Rams have a chance to pick first in the draft and make some positive moves for the organization. Unfortunately, that mean firing HC Steve Spagnuolo. I doubt they’ll do anything with Sam Bradford. He’s a keeper, just like Stafford, but he doesn’t have the support of a good team around him like Stafford does. Look for that to change as quickly as possible. Spagnuolo is gone for sure. They’ll hire someone soon and I would project that time to be the Monday after this game. San Francisco is still playing for number 2 seed here so I don’t see them resting anyone. If they get the bye, then they get the rest they need for Gore and others. I see the 49ers coming out smoking here and the Rams cruising seeing the writing on the wall. If the team likes Spagnuolo, they’ll play hard, but how hard does a team playing hard who has lost their last 6 games play anyway. Even though Steven Jackson will continue to grind it out on the ground behind a beat up line, it won’t make any difference. Take the 49ers minus the points for 3 stars. The Rams are hornless. The 49ers have the horns! SAN FRANCISCO FOR 3 STARS.

CAROLINA (6-9) +8 OVER NEW ORLEANS (12-3)(54.5) – This would normally be a great game to watch but with the Saints having the number 3 seed in the league most likely, they will not get a bye going into the playoffs. Because of that, I see them resting Drew Brees here on Sunday and giving the suddenly HOT Carolina Panthers a shot at a close game and possibly a win. Earlier this season, the Saints barely beat the Panthers in Carolina 30-27. The Panthers have won 4 of their last 5 games. However, they have also beaten Indy once and Tampa Bay twice in those 4 games. I’m going to take the Panthers plus the points in this game simply because I don’t see the Saints taking a chance for an injury to a key player or players in this game. Carolina would LOVE to end the season with a 7-9 record and that is a very good possibility here. Even though Drew Brees broke Dan Marino’s ancient record the other night, I think he might start, play a couple of series and possibly come out with the lead. I see some of their key defensive players (Jonathan Vilma for one) probably coming out also. Why take a chance when you can rest them? Rookie QB Cam Newton SHATTERED Peyton Manning’s rookie record last week and will continue to run that number up on Sunday. This is going to be the Cam Newton Show in the Big Easy!! TAKE THE PANTHERS PLUS THE 8 POINTS FOR 4 STARS HERE. LOVE THE PLAY. WOULDN’T BE SURPRISED TO SEE THEM WIN HERE.

DETROIT (10-5) -3½ OVER GREEN BAY (14-1)(45.5) – The Lions last win in Lambeau Field was in 1991. That was before my daughter in college was born. It’s about time that streak was broken, wouldn’t you think? If Aaron Rodgers plays more than the first quarter, I’ll be surprised. The Packers have already claimed home field advantage through the playoffs. Right now Green Bay is game planning to play anyone except Detroit and they already know what to do against Detroit to beat them. The Lions were one of the few teams to hold the Packers to less than 30 points this season, losing at home 27-15 earlier in the Ndamakung Suh “lose your mind for a play” game. Now they get a Packers team who will play this game more like a presesason game resting many of their starters and trying to get healthy. The Packers get a week of rest with the bye but I’m not convinced that they are even remotely interested in winning this game with the Lions. I just don’t see the point. This is truly an exhibition game for the Packers in my opinion. I hope their fans understand. One thing that does scare me here is that they are expecting snow in Green Bay. They don’t usually lose in snow. TAKE THE LIONS MINUS THE POINTS HERE FOR 3 STARS. THAT’S RIGHT..MINUS THE FREAKING POINTS.

TENNESSEE (8-7) -3 AT HOUSTON (10-5)(40) – This game is a very strange game to even fathom. Texas has been one of the best teams all season, at least until recently after they wrapped up the AFC South. They do get DC Wade Phillips back after a pair of surgeries. That should pick up the defensive side of the ball. However, since the injury to Matt Schaub, rookie T.J. Yates has taken over the offense and played well at times, but their offense has dropped off considerably the last two games in losses to Carolina and Indy. We were on both games. Some in Houston are calling for Jake Delhomme to step in, which is probably not a good idea. The Texans have NOTHING to play for here except to get a win for their fans basically. All Pro WR Andrew Johnson is healthy this week but I’m not sure how much playing time he will get anyway because they don’t need him to limp out of the game with a playoff game the following week. Titans RB Chris Johnson, fresh off a HUGE contract extension this year, will probably finally go over 1,000 yards in this game. The Titans actually have a slight chance of still making the playoffs and because they’re playing in an early game, they’ll be playing their asses off trying to pick up a win. They’ve had some success on the road this year winning three games but two weeks ago they lost by two touchdowns to the Colts. They’re tough to figure out too. HC Mike Munchak has done a great job this year with the Titans players. For them to even have a chance to finish 9-7 is incredible. I’M GOING TO PASS ON THIS GAME JUST BECAUSE OF THE UNKNOWN OF HOW HARD THE TEXANS ARE GOING TO GO AFTER A WIN.

INDIANAPOLIS (2-13) +3.5 AT JAGUARS (4-11)(37.5) – Great…two SUCK teams playing each other on the final game of the season. Let me guess…CBS’s Spero Dedes and Steve Beurlein calling the game..let me check…YEP!! Well, I said two weeks ago when I picked the Colts that weekend and the next that they would win 3 games in a row at the end of the season and completely foul up their Draft Status for first pick. I still have a chance to be right, and one thing you should know about me is that I HATE IT WHEN I’M RIGHT ALL THE TIME!! The Jaguars are not good. The Colts are playing better each week and even though they’re on the road, I’M TAKING THE COLTS TO WIN THEIR THIRD GAME IN A ROW AND COVER THIS POINT SPREAD HERE. The Jags defensive backfield is in tatters. Besides Maurice Jones-Drew, who needs a good game rushing to hold on to his rushing lead, they have basically NOTHING on offense starting with their rookie QB Blaine Gabbert. I see Dan Orlovsky and the Colts outscoring the Jags in a Jones-Drew vs. Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon matchup. It is probably Reggie Wayne’s last game as a Colt player. I also like the OVER here in this game. I’M TAKING THE COLTS PLUS THE POINTS FOR 4 STARS AND OVER FOR 5 STARS.

JETS (8-7) +2½ AT MIAMI (5-10)(41) – Reggie Bush was just hitting his stride with 4 100 yard games in a row but he is OUT for this game with an injured knee. These are two OK teams here. Their records are decidedly different but nonetheless, they are both almost equal teams. Miami could easily have won 4 or 5 more games and be in the playoff hunt and saved the head of the Sparano family his job. The Jets have been up and down all season long and the only consistency at all has been the BS coming out of Rex Ryan’s mouth. Earth to Rex…Sanchez is not a good quarterback, period. His numbers are OK but his consistency and his arm strength are lacking. Their offense sucks and their defense really isn’t all that good either. The entire media in the Big Apple want Brian Schottenheimer’s head on a plate. Hey, he might be bad, but he’s not that bad. He’s not Kyle Shanahan for crying out loud. If he was that bad, then I’d say get rid of him. He’s not
LaDanian Tomlinson is DONE. Shonn Greene needs just 1 yard to hit 1,000 yards on the season. The last two weeks the Jets have lost to Philly and the Giants by a combined score of 74-33! Yikes…it’s over, but believe it or not, the Jets actually HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS! They need Tennessee, Cincinnati, and either Denver or Oakland to LOSE for them to make the playoffs as the wild card team with a win against the Dolphins this weekend. Hey, it happened last year, didn’t it? Earlier this season the Dolphins lost to the Jets by a 24-6 score in New Jersey. How motivated the Dolphins are to win this game has EVERYTHING to say about whether the Jets have a chance here or not. Miami BARELY lost last week to the Patriots after going out to a 17-0 lead in the first half. I’M GOING TO PASS ON THIS GAME AND WATCH THE JETS CLOSELY IN CASE THEY MAKE THE PLAYOFFS. THEY’VE LUCKED OUT BEFORE.

CHICAGO (7-8) +1 AT MINNESOTA (3-12)(41) – If there was ever a game where neither team really cared anything about the outcome of the game you’d think it would be this one. However, last week I witnessed the Vikings coming into Fed Ex Field and beating the Redskins in a pretty convincing way down the stretch. Unfortunately, they lost Adrian Petersen to an ACL/MCL injury that will lose him for about a year or more. RB Toby Gerhart had over 100 yards rushing but about 70 of that came on one play from scrimmage. If the Bears defense comes to play, you’d think they’d be able to beat the Vikings, but the Bears have lost 5 games in a row and I’m not sure where Lovie’s Love is right now. Their season is over. What’s the motivation to play. Simply professional pride? Maybe, but I’m passing on this game because I’m not really sure how hard the Vikings are going to try to win. You’d think they’d try REAL HARD because they did last week, but I’m not so sure. I’m a conspiracy theorist anyway. The Vikings’ Jared Allen leads the league with 18.5 sacks. He’s had a GREAT year. PASS. THIS GAME SUCKS. I WOULDN’T EVEN WATCH THIS GAME UNLESS MY SON WAS CHRISTIAN PONDER. PASS. DOUBLE PASS.

BUFFALO (6-9) +10.5 AT NEW ENGLAND (12-3)(50) – In the third game of the season this year, Buffalo beat New England for the first time in FOREVER 34-31. Since that game the Bills have gone 3-9 and lost several key pieces of their offense and defense. Last week they took advantage of 4 Tim Tebow picks to destroy the Broncos 40-14. Are they back? Probably not, but they’re definitely looking better than the team that lost 7 games in a row. Tom Brady hurt his non-throwing shoulder last week. How bad, nobody knows because….it’s a secret. BUT, the Pats have clinched a first round bye in the playoffs. If they beat Buffalo, they get a number 1 seed in the playoffs. If they lose, a championship game could very well go somewhere else, either in Baltimore or Pittsburgh. They lost in Pittsburgh earlier this year 25-17. Because the defense of the Pats is so bad and no matter who runs the offense for the Patriots, they will probably score over 28 points against Buffalo at home, I’M TAKING THE OVER 50 POINTS HERE FOR 5 STARS. I really don’t care or like the point spread particularly here. CHECK THE WEATHER!

PITTSBURGH (11-4) -6½ OVER CLEVELAND (4-11)(36.5) – This seems pretty easy. Steelers I have rated at OK++. The Browns as a SUCK team. No matter where they play this game, the teams are the same. After starting the season 2-1, the Browns have gone 2-10 the rest of the way. Their starting QB is out with a concussion for the third week in a row. Backup QB Seneca Wallace has has had some success but even with a healthy Peyton Hillis in the backfield, the Browns have a hard time scoring. The lost in Pittsburgh 14-3 four weeks ago. Last week the Steelers fresh off getting beat in San Francisco, beat up on a defenseless and offenseless Rams team 27-0. Starting for Big Ben, Charlie Batch did a good job and was 15 for22 for 208 yards last week. Pittsburgh has to win the game to have any chance to win the AFC North crown. If the Ravens lose in Cincy and the Steelers win, they get that done and secure the number 2 spot in the playoffs and a bye week. Personally, I don’t see the Browns scoring much if at all. The Steelers have all the desire here and the momentum. They also have James Harrison back in the lineup. Harrison put the hit on Cleveland QB Colt MCcoy that knocked him out of action and got a two week suspension for the helmet to helmet hit. Not sure if that matters much, but it could provide some incentive for the Browns to go after him and the Steelers a little harder. I’M GOING TO WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS AT THE QB POSITION FOR PITTSBURGH HERE BEFORE I MAKE UP MY MIND. BIG BEN STARTS, I TAKE THE STEELERS. IF NOT, PASS.

BALTIMORE (11-4) -2 OVER CINCINNATI (9-6)(38.5) – Now this should be one hell of a game here. The Ravens have been not so good on the road with a 3-4 record. San Diego, won won’t be going to the playoffs, beat them by 20 two weeks ago. They’ve also lost in Seattle, Jacksonville, and Tennessee. Cincinnati. However, the Bengals aren’t much better at home. They’ve lost at home to Houston, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco, all playoff teams, but then so are the Ravens. Cincinnati HC Marvin Lewis used to be the DC of the Ravens when they won their Super Bowl. He has beaten them more times than they’d like to admit and if anyone has the know how to do it, it’s Coach Lewis. Baltimore number 1 receiver Anquan Boldin is out for this game after knee surgery last week. RB Ray Rice had 147 yards the first meeting against the Bengals and look for Rice to touch the ball at least 25 times this game. The less that Flacco has to throw the ball, the better for the Ravens. Last time the Bengals played the Ravens, the lost 31-24 in Baltimore but they didn’t have outstanding rookie WR A.J. Green. He’ll be available this game. I just like the Bengals chances here. If they win, they’re in. If not, they’re done. The Ravens have already secured a playoff berth and they’re just playing for the AFC North Championship now. I think Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton is as good if not better than Flacco right now and he should be able to make the plays necessary to beat the Ravens defense on Sunday. I’M TAKING THE BENGALS PLUS THE POINTS FOR 3 STARS. Marvin Lewis has won 5 of the last 6 games versus the Ravens at home. Why not?

ARIZONA (7-8) -3 OVER SEATTLE (7-8)(41) – This game means nothing in the standings but both teams are finishing the season strong, saying big things about their coaches ability to teach and motivate. Marshawn Lynch has looked very impressive and last week broke the 49ers streak of not giving up a rushing touchdown all year. He has rushed for 1,118 yards and has 12 TD’s. Arizona’s Beanie Wells has almost identical stats and has been the workhorse of the Cardinals offense all year long. Both teams are relatively healthy and this could end up coming down to a field goal. I’m going to pass on this game simply because the number is so good and both teams are motivated and almost identical in ability. Since losing to Pittsburgh early in the season, the Cardinals have won 4 games in a row at home. Backup QB John Skelton should get the start and even though his accuracy isn’t what Kevin Kolb’s is, he’s gaining experience and may be a starter somewhere else. I’M GOING TO PASS ON THE GAME AND ROOT FOR THE CARDS. I’M A BIG GRIMM AND WHISENHUNT FAN.

DENVER (8-7) -3 OVER KANSAS CITY (6-9)(37) – This is a playoff game for Denver and Tim Tebow. Either they win and host game 1 in the playoffs next week, or they lose and go home. Kyle Orton, on the other hand, may have some payback in mind. Let go by the Broncos earlier in the year and picked up immediately by the Chiefs, Orton knows the Denver team. He CAN throw the ball and move the offense. He’s helped the Kansas City defense and Romeo Crennel in learning the Denver offense. However, I doubt seriously if THIS Denver offense is much like the one he left when he operated it. I don’t see a lot of points being scored here on Sunday. Starting RB Jackie Battle is out for the Chiefs. That means McCluster will get more carries. There’s a good chance that Denver S Brian Dawkins is out too. I LIKE THE UNDER 37 HERE. I’M GOING TO PASS ON THE GAME STRAIGHT UP. TOO MUCH BAD BLOOD HERE TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY.

GIANTS (8-7) -3 OVER DALLAS (8-7)(47) – Well, what we have here is a play in game for the playoffs. The winner hosts round 1 of the playoffs next week. The loser plays golf or goes to Vegas. Whatever happens, they’ll both leave it all on the field at 1 pm on Sunday. It’s only fitting that Roy and I are in New York at the WFAS studio handicapping Week 17 before this game. Since the first week of the season and seeing the glimpses of what the Giants COULD be, I thought the G-Men might be very similar to the team that won the Super Bowl four years ago. I like the Giants here, even though as everyone knows, I HATE TO PLAY THER ROAD WARRIORS AT HOME. But with the Cowboys not really knowing what they have with Tony Romo and his hand injury, AND Felix Jones being maybe the only running back they have for the game, I like New York’s chances here even minus the points. Playing on New Years at home must help the Giants. I only hope their fans have some energy left after celebrating New Year’s all night long. The Cowboys will have to stop the Giants running game for starters. Ahmad “Bulldog” Bradshaw didn’t start against the Boys last game because he missed curfew the night before in the hotel. He’ll make sure that doesn’t happen this time. Brandon Jacobs came out smoking last game and rushed for 101 yards and scored 2 TD’s. Eli Manning has been very capable all year long and even though last week he struggled going 9 for 27 in last week’s victory over the Jets, he’ll be ready. He’ll be without one of his favorite targets again, TD Jake Ballard who’s out again next week. Giant WR Hakeem Nicks isn’t 100% with a bad hamstring, but he’ll be ready to go. Mario Manningham is banged up but is probable. Free Agent signee WR Victor Cruz who has caught 76 passes for 1,358 yards so far this season, broke the single season record for the Giants last week. The New Jersey native that played at U-Mass has been unbelievable this year and is ready to go this week. I’M GOING TO TAKE THE GIANTS MINUS THE 3 POINTS FOR 3 STARS. I’M TAKING THE OVER FOR 5 STARS. JUST TOO MUCH TALENT ON THE BLUE SIDE OF THE BALL HERE.

INDY (1-13) +6 OVER HOUSTON (10-4)(46) – You know, maybe I’m just crazy and have been around way too long, but I see a chance for Indy here to win at home in front of a big Thursday night crowd after winning their first game of the season last Sunday against Tennessee. I think they might win 3 in a row to end off the season. Let’s look at Texans first. They have averaged just a little over 16 points a game with rookie QB T.J. Yates in the lineup. Went down early 21-0 to CAROLINA at home last week before the rout was on. Problem when you wrap up early is intensity level of players during practice AND the games. Texas is good, but maybe it’s a little different being out there without DC Wade Phillips who’s in the hospital following surgery. Also, this may be the last game at Lucas Oil Stadium for several Colts veterans. How will they want to go out? Dan Orlovsky has settled in and is doing a good job not only working with the first unit but also in the 2 minute offense. Indy RB Donald Brown had his career day running the football last weekend in big home win against Tennessee. Peyton Manning officially put on IR this week after throwing the ball a bit last week with shoulder pads and a helmet on. The Texans roster is pretty banged up. CALL ME CRAZY BUT I’M TAKING THE COLT PLUS THE POINTS AS A HOME DOG AGAINST THE TEXANS! 3 STARS….

BALTIMORE (10-4) -12½ OVER CLEVELAND (4-10)(38) – Baltimore has beaten the Browns 7 straight times. There I no love lost between these two team for obvious reasons, but even though Peyton Hillis is back and starting at RB for the Browns, they are going nowhere fast. Colt McCoy is still suffering from his concussion and re-entry into the game a couple of weeks ago. Seneca Wallace will get the start again for Cleveland. If there’s a way to lose, Cleveland will figure out how to make it happen. Anquan Boldin had knee surgery this week and is out for Baltimore. Hopefully they’ll get him back for the playoffs. Ray Rice is having an MVP type year and will be ready for this one. Last week as away favorites in San Diego, the Ravens got crushed by a rejuvenated Norv Turner San Diego Charger team. That was their fourth loss on the season, all on the road. Now they’re back home where they’re undefeated. A win this week keeps the Ravens in the number 2 seed in the AFC for the playoffs. Cleveland has given up over 2,000 yards on the ground for the season already. Ray Rice and the Ravens offense should be able to do whatever they want against the soft front 7 of the Browns. I’M GOING TO TAKE THE RAVENS MINUS THE POINTS FOR 3 STARS.

DENVER (8-6) -3 OVER BUFFALO (5-9)(43) – This will be the 12th year in a row that the Bills have missed the playoffs. Buffalo can’t stop the run and Denver can run, and run, and run. Tim Tebow and the Broncos lost a tough one last week after coming out smoking against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Three big turnovers cost them the lead and eventually the game. After starting the season 5-2, the Buffalo Bills have lost 7 in a row to take themselves completely out of the hunt. With Tebow, McGahee, and Ball the Broncos have rushed for almost 2,300 yards already this season. The Bills will have no choice but to put 8 in the box and force Tebow to throw the ball. The Bills don’t have much help in their secondary with two of their top three DB’s out for the season. The Broncos have 39 sacks compared to only 20 for the Bills. Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has struggled the past several games and the Broncos pressure should be more than his offensive line can handle. Last weekend they lost for the second time to the Miami Dolphins. In both their games against Miami, hardly a world beater, the Bills went 0 for 23 on third down. That is not good. RB C.J. Spiller filled in nicely and had 167 total yards from scrimmage. Denver needs this game too bad to lose in Buffalo but I’M GOING TO PASS ON THE GAME EVEN THOUGH I’M ROOTING FOR DENVER AND TEBOW.

CAROLINA (5-9) -7 OVER TAMPA BAY (4-10)(45.5) – Early this season, this game would have been a toss up. Now I think that the Panthers should handle the Bucs at home easily. Last week the Panthers traveled to Houston and beat the Division Champion Houston Texans 28-13. It wasn’t even a close game. Coach Ron Rivera and OC Rob Chudinski have opened up the playbook the last couple of weeks and like what they see. They even ran a fumblerooski play for a TD last week. Newton’s favorite target, WR Steve Smith has caught 72 passes for 1300 yards and 6 TD’s this season. He has 6 receivers with at least 30 receptions this season. Three weeks ago in Tampa, the Panthers handled the Bucs 38-19. I don’t see much changing. The Bucs have lost 8 games in a row and 9 of their last 10. I really haven’t see anything on the Bucs side of the ball worth reporting in a positive light. Personally, I think a change is in order because to many it looks like Raheem Morris is losing the team. If they’ve quit on him, they need a new coach. Their season is definitely over. I look for Cam Newton and the Panthers to come out smoking on offense and get a lead and build on it early. Cam breaks Peyton Manning’s rookie yardage record for passing with just 18 yards. Congrats Cam. Welcome to the NFL> I’M TAKING CAROLINA MINUS THE POINTS FOR 3 STARS.

CINCINNATI (7-7) -4.5 OVER ARIZONA (7-7)(41) – Bengals QB Andy Dalton needs 2 TD’s to become the first rookie QB to have 20 TD’s since Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, and Charlie Connerly. The Bengals still have a fighting chance but they need help to make the playoffs. No matter what kind of help they get, they need to win out starting with the HOT Arizona Cardinals this week at home. After a 1-6 start to the season, Arizona has won 4 in a row and 6 of their last 7. To say they are hot would be an understatement. They’ve beaten San Francisco, Dallas, and Philadelphia. They are believing. John Skelton is 4-1 as a starter for the Cards. Beanie Wells has rushed for just under 1,000 yards and gives them a big back that can deliver punishment and get yards. All pro and future HOF receiver Larry Fitzgerald has caught 65 passes for 1,157 yards. The Bengals have started 8-6 with rookie QB Andy Dalton leading them. Cedrick Benson also has just under 1,000 yards and rookie A.J. Green has had an all pro rookie season catching 61 passes for just over 1,000 yards also. The Cards have played great as of late and even though they are the hot team here, I see their streak coming to an end in Cincinnati this weekend. If the Bengals win this week and next week at home against the Ravens, they have a good chance of making the playoffs. I’M GOING TO TAKE THE BENGALS MINUS THE POINTS FOR 3 STARS HERE.

KANSAS CITY (6-8) -2.5 OVER OAKLAND (7-7)(43) – Todd Haley was fired at the beginning of last week as head coach of the Chiefs and Romeo Crennel was made the head coach. All the Chiefs did was take on the undefeated Green Bay Packers, the best team in the NFL and returning Super Bowl Champs, and BEAT them at their place 19-14. The Packers didn’t play particularly well, but Crennel’s defense was unreal and created many problems for the Packers offense. The Raiders after losing on the road two weeks in a row to Miami and Green Bay, came home nad had a commanding 13 point lead late in the 4th quarter, only to blow it by letting Matt Stafford and Detroit go 98 yards in less than two minutes to win the game. Now if they lose in Kansas City to a fired up Chiefs team who ALSO have a chance to win the division with an 8-8 record, they’re done for the season. Not only were the Chiefs on fire last week, but for one of the few times this season, so were their fans. It’s always been a tough place to play at Arrowhead Stadium, but this game this weekend will be particularly tough. I’M GOING TO TAKE THE CHIEFS TO WIN THE GAME AND COVER THE SPREAD HERE KEEPING THEIR PLAYOFF HOPES ALIVE AND TRYING TO SAVE A HEAD COACHING JOB FOR CRENNEL. 4 STAR PLAY HERE!!

NEW ENGLAND (11-3) -9.5 OVER MIAMI (5-9)(50) – In the season opener when these two teams played against each other, both teams combined for an NFL single game record 906 yards passing. Last week the Patriots visited Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos and bat them 41-23. Even though they won, that had to take something out of them. However, the Dolphins who a couple of weeks ago fired Tony Sparano and beat the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo for interim coach Todd Bowles the same week and they should be ready to play. This matchup is almost ALWAYS a good game. Dolphin RB Reggie Bush had a career year running the football last week and Matt Moore continued to do a good job at QB for the Dolphins. The Dolphin defense didn’t allow a third down conversion against the Bills for their second game in a row. In my opinion, this is going to be a semi-shootout with both teams moving the football mostly in the air. New England’s defense is suspect at best. They’ll have to outscore Miami to win. With DE Andre Carter out for the season with a leg injury, there will be less of a pass rush coming from the Pats. Carter led the Pats with 10 sacks. This game could come down to whoever has the ball last, so I’M GOING TO TAKE OVER 50 POINTS FOR 5 STARS IN THIS GAME. I’M LOOKING FOR A 38-35 TYPE BALL GAME HERE.

JETS (8-6) -3 OVER GIANTS (7-7)(46.5) – To say this game could go either way be the understatement of the year. Both teams have put off sewing up their playoff berths till the last two weeks of the season. I don’t think they planned it that way, but that’s the way it is. Giants WR’s Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz are the first Giants pair of receivers to both accumulate 1,000 yards receiving in a season. The Jets are not the same team that went to the AFC playoff finals the past two years, but Rex Ryan has them still in it. The Giants just lost to the Redskins last week for the second time this year, the first time that has happened since 1999. The Jets three weeks ago came back in Washington and BEAT the Skins 34-19. If you use that as a comparison game to handicap the game, the Jets are your pick for sure. Both teams are playing at their home stadium, but the majority of the fans will be Jets fans. The Giants have lost 5 of their last 6 games and their defense has been anything but good. The Jets got CRUSHED last week by Andy Reid’s rejuvenated and healthy Eagles team that everyone had written off earlier this season. I’VE GOT TO PASS ON THIS GAME OR I SHOULD JUST SAY THAT I’M CRAZY. IF YOU HEALD A GUN UP TO MY HEAD, I’D TAKE THE JETS.

PITTSBURGH (10-4) -13 OVER ST. LOUIS (2-12)(34.5) – I’d hate to be the Rams coming into Heinz Field this week. Ben Roethlisberger isn’t going to play this week..THANK GOD. Why they had him in the game in the fourth quarter this past week against the 49ers is beyond me, unless they just wanted to lose him for the entire season. We were on the right side of that play. James Harrison is serving his second game of his suspension so that isn’t going to help the Steelers. The good news for the Steelers is they are playing maybe the worst team in the league, the St. Louis Rams. DL Chris Long has a badly sprained ankle but should play. The Rams will ride the legs and power of Steven Jackson as far as it will take them, but the Steelers should be able to stop them. The Rams have the 32nd ranked run defense in the league. Third string and just signed QB Kellen Clemmons played well last week against the Bengals for the Rams. Sam Bradford should be back this week. This is a must win at home for the Steelers and even though Big Ben won’t be playing, veteran Charlie Batch should have no trouble guiding Pittsburgh to an easy win. At age 37, Batch won’t be moving too much in the pocket and if he gets injured, Dennis Dixon will come in for the Steelers. C Maurice Pouncey is out again along with RB Mewelde Moore. Lamarr Woodley is questionable but should play. I’M GOING TO PASS ON THE GAME BUT PITTSBURGH WILL WIN.

TENNESSEE (7-7) – 7.5 OVER JACKSONVILLE (4-10)(40) – Tennessee has played themselves pretty much out of the playoff chase the past two weeks. Last week they lost to Indy by a score of 27-13. Three big turnovers provided all that the Colts needed to win their first game of the year. Matt Hasselbeck should be OK to start for the Titans. Chris Johnson has a sore ankle but will play. For the Titans, Maurice Jones-Drew has a sore ankle but he’ll start. QB Blaine Gabbert has struggled most of the season throwing the football to his limited receiving corps. I’d be surprised if the Titans beat the Titans, especially with the Titans needing the game. I’M GOING TO PASS ON THIS GAME.

SKINS (5-9) -7 OVER MINNESOTA (2-12)(47) – Neither of these teams are very good, but the Skins at least, are headed in the right direction even though they lost two of their best offensive players for the rest of the season because of a drug suspension. The Skins have played 5 decent games in a row. The lost a game they should have won against the Cowboys, they went to Seattle to beat a decent Seahawk team, then had the Jets beat before they gave up three late scores to lose, they played Brady and the Pats tough in a close loss, then beat up the Giants in New York last week. Roy Helu will get the ball almost 20 times tomorrow and if Rex Grossman can keep the ball in his receivers hands instead of the opposing teams, the Skins have a good chance of winning and covering against a struggling Viking team who right now pick first in the draft this coming year. Adrian Peterson will get the start at RB for the Vikings coming off a badly sprained ankle a couple of weeks ago. I’m sure they’ll utilize him and Percy Harvin in their offense. Two Minnesota DB’s are out with injuries. Starting G Steve Hutchinson is out for the game. I would imagine the Skins will get a heavy dose of A.P. on Saturday. Washington should get OT Jamaal Brown back from an injury this week. I’M GOING TO TAKE THE SKINS MINUS THE POINTS FOR 3 STARS.

SAN DIEGO (7-7) +2 OVER DETROIT (9-5)(52.5) – Phillip Rivers is 23-2 in December. Maybe it’s him and not Norv! The Chargers have finally turned the corner and seem to be headed towards a possible AFC West title, BUT maybe not. They run into a Lions team this weekend that badly needs a win to stay in the race for a playoff spot. Last week the Lions became the first team in NFL HISTORY to come back and win 4 games in a season when trailing by at least 13 points. They drove 98 yards for a score to win the game last week with less than 2 minutes to go. WR Calvin Johnson (Megatron) has caught 81 passes for 1,331 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. QB Matt Stafford has thrown for 33 TD’s and only 14 picks this season. This is a game that the Lions desperately need because they travel to Green Bay next week for the last game of the season. Unfortunately for the Lions, they don’t have much of a running game. The Chargers after losing 6 games in a row, have won 3 games in a row scoring 109 points and only giving up 38 points. They seem to have everyone healthy and RB Ryan Matthews has hit his stride running the football and catching the ball out of the backfield. QB Phillip Rivers hasn’t thrown a pick in the last three games. Last week the Chargers scored 34 points against a good Baltimore Ravens defense, the most points scored against the Ravens all season. THIS COULD BE THE BEST GAME OF THE DAY. THE WINNER WILL BE SMILING THE LOSER….NOT SO MUCH. I’M GOING TO PASS ON THE GAME and PLAY THE OVER FOR 3 STARS.

DALLAS (8-6) -1.5 OVER PHILLY (6-8)(50.5) – The winner of this game will probably win the NFC East. At least that’s my opinion. Dallas can lose, then beat the Giants next week and still come out with the East crown. If they win this week, it’s over, especially if the Jets beat the Giants this weekend. Philly is the hottest team in the East right now and look like what they thought they might be when the season started. However, it will be up to Mike Vick, his running and passing game, and the defense of the Eagles to decide if that indeed happens. LeSean McCoy is an awesome RB for the Eagles. He has averaged 4.9 yards per carry for the season and has a total of 1,579 yards from scrimmage. Mike Vick has a 80.6 QB rating and is coming off a couple of injuries this season. Cowboy QB Tony Romo has a very impressive 102.6 QB rating with 29 TD’s and only 9 interceptions. Mark Witten is his leading receiver with 68 receptions and 5 TD’s. Lauren Robinson and Dez Bryant have combined for 100 receptions and both have 9 TD’s each. Number 4 receiver Miles Austin even has 6 TD receptions. All of the Cowboys running backs are injured including Felix Jones so Sammy Morris, signed last week and who had 53 yards rushing last week will probably get the start. Chauncey Washington was signed off the practice squad. Either way, it’s a step down and if Jones starts at less than 100%, you have to give the Cowboys a minus in the rushing and pass protection game. Andy Reid’s teams have had great success against the Ryan Brothers so far in the NFL seasons. If Mike Vick can stay healthy and get time to throw on Saturday, it could be a very long game for the Cowboys and their stress will extend one more week. I’M TAKING PHILLY IN THIS GAME BECAUSE IT IS A MUST GAME FOR THEM. THEY DID WIN TWO IN A ROW LAST WEEK FOR THE FIRST TIME ALL SEASON. I’M LOOKING FOR THEM TO MAKE IT TO THREE IN A ROW THIS WEEK. 4 STARS.

SAN FRANCISCO (11-3) -1 OVER SEATTLE (7-7)(39) – I love what Jim Harbaugh has done in San Francisco this year with the 49ers. Who says a coaching change doesn’t help? I also love what Pete Carroll has done with the Seattle Seahawks this season. He has made believers out of his players and they are playing at a high level in both execution and intensity. However, this week their offense, led by QB Tavaris Jackson and RB Marshawn Lynch, face the best defense in the NFC in the 49ers. 49er LB Patrick Willis may come off the injury list to start today also. On the 49ers side of the ball, QB Alex Smith has quietly and efficiently had an excellent season. He has thrown 16 TD’s and only 5 picks all season long. His 5 picks are the fewest of any starter in the league. Frank Gore is banged up but should play at RB. He has rushed for 7 TD’s and over 1100 yards. Quietly, Michael Crabtree is the 49ers leading receiver this year with 59 receptions. TE Vernon Davis has been his guy in the red zone with 6 TD’s. Defensively, the 49ers have yet to give up a rushing touchdown all season long. If this continues it will shatter the NFL record of 4 rushing TD’s given up several years ago. The only thing that bothers me here as far as being able to side with the Seahawks in the game is me remembering what the Redskins did to them at their place four weeks ago. They came from behind to beat the Seahawks 23-17. I’M GOING TO TAKE THE GREAT VALUE HERE WITH THE 49ERS MINUS JUST ONE POINT FOR 3 STARS. IT IS TOO GOOD TO LEAVE ALONE.

GREEN BAY (13-1) -11.5 OVER CHICAGO (7-7)(42.5) – The Packers have BOTH of their starting tackles out for the season probably. Last week the Chiefs beat the Pack at home after firing their head coach on Monday. Not a good sign if you’re a Packers fan. However, this is still a very good team, maybe the best team in the league still and should rebound at home this week against a Bears team that is all but decimated with injuries themselves. Backup Chicago QB Josh McCown gets the start after mopping up last week in the Bears’ 38-14 loss at home to the Seahawks. Personally, I think the Bears have mailed it in. They lost four straight games to Oakland, Kansas City, Denver, and Seattle. That sucks. The Packers are a step up in class and the Bears should be clobbered. WR Johnny Knox is out for the season after surgery this week. WR/KR star Devin Hester is questionable and may not play. With the Packers still seething after their loss in Kansas City, I’m looking for them to come back strong against a banged up Bears team who have lost 4 in a row and destroy them as well as they can on Saturday. With Forte and now Marion Barber injured, Khalil Bell will get the start at RB and rookie Armando Allen from Notre Dame will be the backup. Great stuff if you’re Bell and Allen, not so great probably for the Bears. Having Hester and Knox out also creates a problem on special teams receiving teams for the Bears. TAKE THE PACK MINUS ALL THE POINTS FOR 3 STARS. THE ENTIRE COUNTRY SEEMS TO BE BETTING ON THE BEARS HERE FOR SOME REASON. I DON’T SEE IT PERSONALLY.

MONDAY NIGHT

NEW ORLEANS (11-3) -7 OVER ATLANTA (9-5)(52.5) – Definitely the best game of the entire week and a game well deserving of Monday night status. I LOVE THE SAINTS HERE. Sure, Atlanta has played better as of late but the only team they have beaten this year with a WINNING record is the Detroit Lions before their bye week. You could argue right now that the Saints are a better “team” than the Packers who were undefeated till last week’s loss in Kansas City. What Head Coach Sean Payton has done with their offense is not only exceptional but bordering on genius. They have three running backs that have 474, 479, and 496 yards rushing for the season. RB Darren Sproles has 659 yards receiving also. TE Jimmy Graham has caught 87 passes for 1171 yards and 9 TD’s. This may very well be the game that Drew Brees breaks Dan Marino’s NFL season record for passing yards. His passer rating is 109.1. Atlanta RB Michael Turner is banged up with a bad leg and that isn’t a good thing for the Falcons. DE John Abraham is back. Last week he had 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in their 41-14 drubbing of the Jaguars. I’M TAKING THE OVER HERE FOR 4 STARS EACH. CAN’T HELP MYSELF. GREAT TEASER HERE WITH THE SAINTS IF YOU WISH, ALL THEY’D HAVE TO DO IS WIN.

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.