Tough to make alot of these, becuase the "to rest or not to rest" becomes a real problem in the final weeks.
Indianapolis @ Buffalo (-8.5)
Vegas likes them to sit their players. I do to, with Manning playing two series, and then out. I think that Manning puts up at least 10 points, and the Painter Company puts up another 7. What people forget is that Buffalo is starting the immortal Brian Brohm, a guy who lost a job to Matt Flynn in Green Bay. That is the epitome of CFL-ready talent. I'm sorry, but I can't take a team starting Brohm as serious. This line is a joke.
Colts 17 Bills 13 (IND)
New Orleans @ Carolina (-7.5)
The Saints are starting Mark Brunell. In the words of GOB Bluth, "Come On!!". They will be the first one-seed EVER to enter the playoffs of a three game losing streak. That is an ignomanious label that the team that openly talked about playing their starters to go for 16-0 when they were 12-0 just needs. I would have thought that they would have wanted to play all-out, try to regain some of that momentum, some of the form that they showed against New England. The Cardinals did it last year, playing all-out locked into the 4 seed just to get some good vibes entering the playoffs, they came 7 yards away from winning the Super Bowl.
Saints 14 Panthers 27 (CAR)
Jacksonville @ Cleveland (-1)
Ok, is Cleveland really going to have a four-game winning streak. Jacksonville plays good in these meaningless games. Cleveland allowed Jamaal Charles to rush for 120. MoJo Drew is a Ferrari compared to Charles' Toyota Sequoia (I am 99.4% sure that that is spelled wrong). They would want to go out on a high-note.
Jaguars 24 Browns 17 (JAX)
Philadelphia @ Dallas (-3)
Call me a cynic. Call me a anti-Dallas basher. Call me a "I'm Jealous of Romo becuase He Bangs Hot Women" but I don't think Dallas is better than Philly. Dallas impressed me with their great performance against the Saints. Their o-line was great, their d-line, even better. Jay Ratliff, Marcus Spears and Igor Olshansky work wonders, sucking up blockers and still getting pressure. However, having said all that, their secondary can be beat. DeSean can beat it. There will be great symmetry in the Eagles winning this game, a win-and-your-division-champs game a year after thrashing the Boys in a win-and-you-are-a-wild-card game last year in Week 17. Why this was not flexed in is beyond me? The Eagles have just enough explosiveness to slow down that pass-rush, make the Cowboys try to play coverages which they are not too good at.
Eagles 31 Cowboys 24 (PHI)
Chicago (-3) @ Detroit
Uggh. What a game. Why did you give the sullen people of Detroit such a game to finish the year? Anyway, I spoke to two friends that are Bear fans, and both of them are quick to blame the o-line. Fine, the o-line sucks. But last year, in Denver, Cutler was still wild, throwing 18 interceptions. Then, my Broncos fan friend blamed the Defense for making Cutler force balls to play catch up. I'm gonna say it's mainly Cutler's fault. Cutler is like Favre (yeah, I know, the balls on me to say that). Give him a good defense, good line and good weapons, and the guy will be great, better than most in that situation. However, if one of those things go awry, he will turn into the "Screw it, I'm just throwing this ball up for grabs" Favre that roamed the land from 2004-2006.
Bears 24 Lions 13 (CHI)
New England @ Houston (-8)
I want New England to win. I would rather have them as the three-seed, which makes it impossible for the Colts to have to beat San Diego AND New England to win the Super Bowl. I think they will win, as well. I don't really believe the Belichick will rest people. For historical perspective, in 2006, the Pats were 11-4 and in a fight with the Colts for the 3 seed. Having to win to stay alive for the 3 seed, they played their guys full and won. That situation is similar, and in this case they don't even need the other team to lose. Win and they have the 3 seed. They play all out, and squeak it out. Andre Johnson will probably shred that team, but not enough.
Patriots 31 Texans 27 (NE)
Pittsburgh (-3) @ Miami
Just like when Patriots fans complained after going 11-5 with the easiest schedule ever created and missing the playoffs, Steeler fans are killing me right now. How do they complain when they lost to the Chiefs, Raiders and Browns. You lost your chance at the playoffs yourself. Patriots fans complained that 8-8 Chargers got in while they sat. Well, guess what, you lost to the Chagers 30-10. You had your chance, and you blew it. The Steelers, you had your chance, and you blew it.
Steelers 30 Dolphins 16 (PIT)
New York (n) @ Minnesota (-9)
The Vikings need this game, to have a hope at the two. In fact, a loss probably puts them at the four seed, which could lead to a first round game against the Packers. Now, as much as I want to see that matchup another time, I have a feeling that we will not see it. The Vikings are just better, and the Giants are missing both Jacobs and Bradshaw and are in full autopilot. It is over for them in the 2009 season. That's one prediction I would like to have back.
Giants 17 Vikings 23 (NYG)
San Francisco (-7.5) @ St. Louis
Steve Spagnuolo is foaming for the opportunity to get Ndamukong Suh. That is too much to pass up. Also, the 49ers are looking for their first non-losing season since 2002. That is a dual-incentive that makes this game pretty obvious to pick. Rams fans, don't worry, while you wait for Ndamukong Suh Draft Day, just pop in some "Greatest Show on Turf" tapes. Or, alternatively, just put the Cardinals playoff games in black-and-white and pretend Warner is still playing for the Rams. It could work.
49ers 21 Rams 10 (SF)
Atlanta (-2.5) @ Tampa Bay
Atlanta is looking for their first back-to-back winning season ever. The Buccaneers are trying to win three straight to end the year. These are interesting incentives. In this case, although I have semi-hated at Matt Ryan all year, he is easily better than any Josh that the Bucs can throw out there.
Falcons 27 Buccaneers 14 (ATL)
Green Bay @ Arizona (-2.5)
Tough game to predict. The Packers have really nothing to play for other than Wild-Card seeding. The Cardinals have, I guess, a two-seed to play for, however they will know if they are alive for that two seed, barring the Minnesota game. I think the Packers rest full-out, as they have nothing to play for, and may well play the Cardinals. Since I think the Vikings win, the Cardinals have no shot, so they probably rest up. Neither of these teams will want to play hard since they will likely play each other next week, so I will go with the team with what I think is a better backup (Leinart vs Matt Flynn).
Packers 14 Cardinals 20 (ARZ)
Kansas City @ Denver (-11.5)
Denver needs this game, but really, their track-record in winning must-win games is not good at all. They have done nothing to show that they win games they need to, blowing must-win games in 2006, 2008 and now in 2009. Kansas City is just awful, so the Broncos luck out there. If it were any other team (discounting the Rams), I would pick them, but either way, especially without the Broncos having Marshall, the Chiefs cover.
Chiefs 16 Broncos 24 (KC)
Baltimore (-10.5) @ Oakland
Oakland has been a real black hole for teams this year, as they have knocked off the Bengals and Eagles in Oakland. Both of those teams are a combined 21-9, so they can easily knock the Ravens off. However, the Ravens are a team that doesn't lose these games. They win the games they are supposed to win. They are supposed to win, and they need to win. They win.
Ravens 24 Raiders 10 (BAL)
Washington @ San Diego (-3.5)
The Chargers have nothing to play for, clinching that 2 seed. The Redskins have nothing to play for, because they never have anything to play for. I can't see Rivers playing too long, however Turner may want to keep the momentum of a 10 game winning streak entering the playoffs. This is one of the tougher games to pick, as even if Rivers sits, Volek and Naanee might be able to beat them anyway. I'll go with the Chargers, but I am not too happy about it.
Redskins 14 Chargers 20 (SD)
Tennessee (-4.5) @ Seattle
Seattle has packed it in, and Chris Johnson has records to play for. Enough said.
Titans 28 Seahawks 13 (TEN)
Cincinnati @ New York (a) (-10)
Vegas thinks the Jets will sit everyone as well. So, since I say the Pats win earlier, the Bengals have nothing to play for. They lay down, as they have alot of people nicked up, anticipating a rematch in one week. So, with all that said, the Jets get to luck in, but are they really good enough to cover this one, no. I say its a push.
Bengals 14 Jets 24 (push)
Enjoy the Games!
