It’s nice to know the New Orleans Saints (4-6) have picked a definitive play last week to explain how they missed the playoffs. They liked it so much, they went ahead and nearly did it twice with a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown by the Carolina Panthers (4-6) Thursday night. Sadly for the Saints, the touchdown was called back because of a block in the back. Maybe next week, New Orleans!
Byes: Falcons, Broncos, Jets and Chargers
Sunday Early Games
Pittsburgh at Cleveland (+8.5)
Dear God, Browns (0-10). When the hell is your bye? The Steelers (4-5) have a lot of frustration from the ending of last week’s game with the Cowboys to take out on Cleveland. You could even say the Steelers will be steaming in Cleveland Sunday. Steelers 45, Browns 14
Baltimore at Dallas (-7)
A week after the Cowboys (8-1) ensured the Steelers wouldn’t lead the AFC North they can do the same to the Ravens (5-4). This has been an emotional week in Dallas, but there’s not a hotter team in the NFL right now. Cowboys 34, Ravens 24
Jacksonville at Detroit (-6.5)
This is an odd week. Eight games with a spread of 5.5 or higher. Any time you’ve got a week like that you can always count on the Jaguars (2-7) to be on the wrong side of the -/+ marks. The Lions (5-4) are leading the NFC North this week. They’ll be leading it next week too. Lions 38, Jaguars 16
Tennessee at Indianapolis (-3)
If the Titans (5-5) were coached by anyone other than Mike Mularkey, this spread would be an insult. If the Colts (4-5) were coached by anyone other than Chuck Pagano, I’d feel a hell of a lot more comfortable about this pick. Colts 31, Titans 30
Buffalo at Cincinnati (-2.5)
The Bills (4-5) haven’t won in more than a calendar month. The only team the Bengals (3-5-1) have beaten in that same span is the Browns. You can’t call this one the Toilet Bowl, the Jaguars – Titans game a few weeks ago took that honor. How about the KFC Famous Bowl? Bengals 27, Bills 20
Tampa Bay at Kansas City (-7.5)
The Buccaneers (4-5) can score points, so of all the big spreads this week, this one would make me the most nervous. The Chiefs (7-2) are surging and can bring it on both sides off the ball, but Tampa Bay presents some match up problems that are difficult to keep out of the end zone. Chiefs 31, Bucs 28
Chicago at New York Giants (-7.5)
The Bears (2-7) didn’t so much fall back to Earth Sunday, but just remember that they were the Bears. The only team that’s played better than the Giants (6-3) over the last month is in their same division. Giants 37, Bears 20
Arizona at Minnesota (-2)
The Vikings (5-4) have been on a completely different tragectory than the Giants over the last month. Luckily for them, the Cardinals (4-4-1) have never gotten off the starting blocks. Vikings 21, Cardinals 20
Sunday Late Games
Miami at Los Angeles (+2)
Jared Goff gets his first start for the Rams (4-5). The entire defensive line for the Dolphins (5-4) will be happy to welcome him to the NFL. Dolphins 24, Rams 20
New England at San Francisco (+11.5)
The Patriots (7-2) are coming off a loss. The 49ers (1-8) are the living embodiment of losing. Patriots 45, 49ers 20
Philadelphia at Seattle (-6.5)
The Eagles (5-4) continue to defy expectations and remain alive for a wild card berth. It’s too bad they’re playing the Seahawks (6-2-1), who look like they’re peaking at the right time. Seahawks 27, Eagles 20
Sunday Night
Green Bay at Washington (-3)
Mike McCarthy has to be feeling a little fire under his ass with the Packers (4-5). It really shows what the sportsbooks think of you as a coach when you’re bringing Aaron Rodgers to the fight and are still giving up three points. The Redskins (5-3-1) remain in the wild card hunt. Redskins 37, Packers 30
Monday Night
Houston at Oakland (-5.5)
For the second international game in a row an audience outside the United States gets a decent game. The Raiders (7-2) continue to insult their Oakland fans by being awesome right before they skip town for Las Vegas. At least the Rams had the courtesy to suck in St. Louis. Meanwhile the Texans (6-3) are not only inexplicably still in the playoff hunt, they’re leading the AFC South. Raiders 38, Texans 17
Thursday
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 1-0
Last Week
Straight up: 7-7
Against the spread: 8-6
Season
Straight up: 84-64-2
Against the spread: 75-71
