As the regular season nears an end, our playoff picture is just about complete. It’s these weeks that make picking a winner a little more difficult. Will certain teams bench their starters for the playoffs? Will the eliminated play the part of spoiler? Do the teams walking the line cement their post season slot or fall from it? And then there are the games that have no meaning one way or another, a game of pride or bragging rights between teams as they begin to look toward next season.
Had there been a pick analysis playoff, I think I would have been eliminated this season. Another sub par week finds me at 8-8. This gives me a season total of 134-90 (.598) and drops me below .600. Only two weeks left to correct that, let’s get to it.
NOTE: ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN
Thursday December 20th 2007 8:15PM
After two losses in a row and finding themselves in danger of losing control of the AFC North, the Steelers enter into a need to win situation as they travel to
Steelers play as they should and win in their race to hold onto the AFC North
SAturday December 22th 2007 8:15PM
Panthers have struggled gaining the wins that they have this season while Dallas has been on top of NFC all season. After falling to Philadelphia last week the Cowboys will be looking for a bounce back game. Sorry Tony Romo, that means leaving your girlfriend Jessica Simpson at home. Whether his girlfriends are a curse on his game or not, why risk it?
Dallas dominates on the road
Sunday December 23th 2007 1:00pm games
The Browns managed to claim the win last week, even if they couldn’t tell where they were on the field. This week they travel to Cincinnati where, weather permitting, we could see a shoot out through the air between quarterbacks Derek Anderson and Carson Palmer. Cleveland already won the first match up, and Anderson has thrown more touchdowns and less interception than Palmer for their season totals.
Browns outscore Cincy
The Packers have suddenly found themselves in position one game out of home field throughout the playoffs. By winning the remainder of their games and hoping for a Dallas lose they can pave the road to the Super Bowl through Lambeau. Brett Favre would like nothing better and the Bears offense couldn’t possibly keep up with him.
Packers keep their hopes alive for home field
Peyton Manning and the Colts have a way of making you wonder just how good they are. In a match up where they should dominate, they just hold on to win. However, how much does it matter how you win, as long as it’s a win and the Colts have twelve of them. Sage Rosenfels and Mario Williams ended Denver’s playoff hopes last week only to have there own ended. It won’t be possible for Houston to take anything away for Indy in this match up, but they’ll be looking for the win regardless. Unfortunately for them, I don’t think the Colts will sit their starters right away this week.
Colts win by a field goal as Manning doesn’t play the whole game
Tough pick!!! The Lions, who started the season strong have since lost six games in a row, but the Chiefs have them beat, having lost seven in a row. Good news? One of these teams is about to break their losing streak!!! Who gets to celebrate at the end of this match up? I’m going to have to give this one to the home team.
Lions break their losing streak
Buffalo has been eliminated from the playoffs, after week 17 they will go home and start to think about next year. However, they find themselves in a position to have an impact on those that will make the playoffs in the NFC. With the energy of their home crowd, the error prone Eli Manning, and the Giants loss of Jeremy Shockey…
Bills give the Giants a reason to sweat
The Raiders attempted to make a run at Indy last week but failed at the sound of the final whistle. Now they will try their hand against to also dominate Jaguars in sunny Florida. Given the losing record of the Raiders, and the Jet lag of traveling from one coast to the other, I’m going to give a dominate win to Jacksonville.
Jaguars fend off the Raiders
The Eagles played a fantastic game against Dallas last week to open up home field hopes for Green Bay. Unfortunately, that win was unable to keep them alive in the playoff race and they have been eliminated. Will they play the spoiler for the Saints? New Orleans desperately needs this win if they want to hold any hopes of a post season. Here’s a rumor of interest, with post season elimination the Eagles could bench Donovan McNabb for rookie Kevin Kolb. Hmmm, interesting.
Saints cling to their playoff hopes
Sunday December 23th 4:00 games
As if the Falcons haven’t had enough headaches this season, Bob Petrino couldn’t even have the dignity to finish the season with his team. At least they have a better record than Miami. This week they will take their woes to Arizona, where at least they can mope in the sun. Neither team has anything to gain or lose in this match up as neither team will see the post season from anywhere other than their couch at home.
Cardinals win as they attempt to get one game away from a .500 season
Having wrapped up their division, the Buccaneers will travel to San Francisco this week to go head to head with the 49ers. The Niners would like nothing better than to take a win for the sake of pride, but I don’t think Tampa is ready to gear down this week.
Buccaneers win on the road
The Ravens have lost several heartbreakers this season losing by 3 to Arizona, 2 to the Niners, called out of the locker room to lose to Cleveland by 3, 3 points from upsetting New England, and then find defeat to a winless Miami team while losing Ray Lewis to a broken left hand. Somehow I don’t see good things this week for the Ravens as they increase their losing streak to nine.
Seahawks thankful Lewis is out, add another win
To sit or to play, that is the question? Tom Brady and the Patriots already have a chest full of Super Bowl rings, so which is more enticing this season, another Super Bowl ring or the perfect season that will rewrite the record books? I have to believe that both Bill Bilichick and Tom Brady both want the perfect season. No one sits this week and the Dolphins don’t end the Patriots win streak.
Patriots in the race for perfection
Tennessee is the only team remaining in the AFC on the outside looking in that hasn’t been mathematically eliminated. So they will be taking this game seriously as the Jets will no doubt be looking to play the spoiler. Although Tennessee may very well find themselves eliminated by kickoff, they will come to play
Titans win at home
Sunday December 23th 2007 Sunday Night Football
Washington Redskins(7-7) at Minnesota Vikings(8-6) 8:15PM
Vikings push forward into the playoffs
Monday December 24th 2007 Monday Night Football
All I want for Christmas is a Broncos Win!!!
There’ll be rooting and there’ll be cheering as my Broncos take the field, but filled with holes and defensive woes our seasons end is near. No playoff hopes as Dre Bly chokes and Bailey’s beat down field, can’t stop the run as fans ho hum, and fight away a tear. But all’s not sad, Cutlers not bad, there’s hope for future cheers, we’ll root on through these last two games and claim a rebuilding year.
Chargers maintain their roll to win this second match up
--Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!
And the picks are in and I can only hope for improvement this week. As I’ve found a bit of struggle in these last few weeks, I can only choose to quote Terry Bradshaw this week as he commented, “I may be dumb, but I’m not stupid.” Gonna have to see some improvement this week. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
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