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The Thursday Night game saw Minnesota choke away a chance to tie the Cardinals on a botched late play with 13 seconds remaining. The play called for a clear out route to the sidelines to try and give kicker, Blair Walsh some more room to try to tie the game and set it up for overtime. But, Bridgewater held the ball far too long and was sacked and fumbled the ball, and Arizona recovered, sealing the win for the Cardinals and making them the 2nd team to clinch an NFC playoff spot.
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With almost every other game having playoff implications, it should be an exciting week. The only 2 games that really won't affect the playoff picture is San Francisco at Cleveland, which sees the return of Johnny Manziel, and Detroit at St. Louis, which sees Jeff Fisher try and keep his job, as the Rams already have 8 losses. So, let's get to some games.
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Buffalo
at Philadelphia -1
Ah, Shady McCoy's return to Philadelphia. Will the Philly fans side with McCoy or Chip Kelly in this feud that's been brewing all week? In any event, these two teams are both fighting for the post season. The Bills currently sit at 6-6 and are a game out of the last AFC playoff spot, while the Eagles are 5-7 and in a three way tie for the NFC East lead. Rex Ryan is going to give the ball to McCoy no less than 25 times in this game. He may even send McCoy out by himself as the sole captain for the coin toss, as a big middle finger to the Eagles and Chip Kelly, but the Bills are going to have to find other ways to score if they hope to get a win today. The Eagles are coming off a huge win against the Patriots and I think they'll throw everything they have at the Bills, because they pretty much have to win at least 2 of the next 4 games, and with a schedule that has Arizona, Washington, and the Giants left, they'll need every win they can get. Philly gets it done at home, but just barely 23-20.
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San Francisco
at Cleveland -1.5
It is in fact a Blaine Gabbert vs. Jonathan Football Manziel showdown in the Dawg Pound. After coming off a 2 game suspension by the Browns, Manziel will get the start today, due largely to see if he's going to be with the team next year or they'll cut/trade him to another team in the off season. You really have to feel for the fans in Cleveland and their QB situation. As for San Francisco, they are coming off an overtime win against the Bears where Blaine Gabbert threw a game winning walk off touchdown to Torrey Smith. So, who wins this game? I think San Francisco has the better roster, and Cleveland is a mess, but with all the hype surrounding Manziel, I think he finds a way to get it done, and gives the media something to talk about all week. It's too perfect not to happen. Browns 24 49ers 17.
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Detroit -3.5
at St. Louis
Both the Rams and the Lions sit at 4-8, but the Lions have looked good the last few weeks, and should be 5-7 if it wasn't for a Hail Mary last Thursday night, whereas the Rams have looked terrible. Nick Foles should get the start again for the Rams this week, which is why I'm going with the Lions. In his last 2 starts Foles has thrown 4 INTs and zero, count that, ZERO Touchdowns. If you stop Todd Gurley, the Rams can't move the ball. Lions 17 Rams 13.
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New Orleans
at Tampa Bay -4.5
The Saints had their Super Bowl last week against Carolina. They threw everything they had at the Panthers, and put up a hell of a fight, but couldn't close it out. The Bucs still think they've got a shot at the playoffs, and while they're likely going to fall short, they have far more to play for this week. The Saints defense didn't get much better since Rob Ryan left, and I think Tampa Bay fires the cannon early and often today. New Orleans won't roll over, but at this point, they need to look at rebuilding. Bucs 31 Saints 24.
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Tennessee
at NY Jets -7
The Jets currently hold the last wild card playoff spot at 7-5, and they are lucky they get the 3-9 Titans at home this week. The Jets have the Cowboys, Patriots, and Bills remaining on their schedule, and they'll need to likely win at least 2 of the next 4 to get to the playoffs, and hope for some help. Barring a complete collapse or Mariota running all over them, the Jets should get it done this week at home. Fitzpatrick will play well enough to put the Jets in position to get to 8-5 and hold their lead in the playoffs. Jets 27 Titans 13.
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Pittsburgh
at Cincinnati -2.5
This is arguably the most intriguing game of the week. The Steelers need to keep pace with the rest of the AFC, and they need a win in Cincy to do so. Right now the Bengals have the No. 1 overall seed, but a loss and wins by New England and Denver mean they'd drop to No. 3 and lose a first round bye. Being that this is a huge game for the Steelers and Andy Dalton hasn't exactly shined in big spots, I'm going with Pittsburgh to get a victory on the road in an extremely hard fought game. I still think Cincy wins the AFC North, but every game going forward for Pittsburgh is a must win. Steelers 31 Bengals 28.
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Indianapolis
at Jacksonville -1.5
Hasselbeck should play again for the Colts today despite suffering a rib separation and a neck injury last week. The Jags have lost a lot of close games this year and Allen Robinson is emerging as a top NFL receiver. If the Jags put pressure on Hasselbeck and force him out of the pocket, they should be in good shape today. That's a big if, and Indy usually beats Jacksonville fairly easily, but I don't think that happens today. I think the Jags get a win at home today and the Colts drop to 6-7 as Hasselbeck is under pressure all day. Jags 22 Indy 17.
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San Diego
at Kansas City -11
11 points is a lot to give in a divisional game, but these two franchises are headed in opposite directions. The Chiefs have been unstoppable lately, winning their last 6 games in a row, while the Chargers have lost 7 of their last 8 games. The Chiefs are sitting at 7-5 and are currently 5th in the AFC playoff standings with games left against San Diego, Baltimore, Cleveland, and Oakland, so they're going to the playoffs. With Philip Rivers fighting the flu, give me the Chiefs to win big at home. Chiefs 34 Chargers 14.
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Washington
at Chicago -3.5
The Redskins had every opportunity to take a lead in the NFC East, but a Monday Night loss to Dallas puts the NFC East lead in a 3 way tie at 5-7, with Dallas only a game back at 4-8. The Bears meanwhile lost a thrilling overtime game to the 49ers thanks to a missed Robbie Gould field goal. This is probably the hardest game of the week to pick, because both of these teams are unpredictable. Kirk Cousins and Jay Cutler have run hot and cold all year. Being that this game is in Chicago, I'm going with the Bears, but I don't feel good about it. Bears 24 Redskins 21.
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Atlanta
at Carolina -8
Though this is a divisional game, this is clearly a tale of two different teams from when both were 5-0. Carolina sits at 12-0 and Atlanta is 6-6, but they've lost 5 of their last 6, and they haven't looked good in any of those games. Carolina got a scare last week, but I think that was the wake up call they needed, and Cam Newton has 10 touchdowns in the last two games. They've done a great job at finding ways to win games this year, even if it means winning ugly. I'd be surprised if this game was a blowout, but Matty Ice has been a turnover machine this fall, and the Carolina defense isn't going to make it easier on him. It'll be interesting to see how often he throws to Julio Jones with Josh Norman sitting across from him. Panthers 31 Falcons 20.
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Seattle -11
at Baltimore
So, Seattle heads to Baltimore and will face Jimmy Clausen for a 2nd time this year, after he was waived by Chicago and picked up by Baltimore. What did Jimmy Clausen do to deserve the kind of beating he's going to get today? The Seahawks have been red hot of late and they don't look to be slowing down. Baltimore hopefully won't get embarrassed, but they have almost zero chance of winning this game. Seahawks 28 Ravens 10.
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Oakland
at Denver -6.5
Oakland has done some nice things this year, but it's going to be a tough day against that Broncos defense for Derek Carr and the Raiders. Brock Osweiler looks to be the future in Denver, but he only threw for 166 yards last week. Still he's 3-0 as a starter this year, and the Broncos should rely on their running game and defense to keep them in the hunt for a playoff bye. They've got some injury concerns, and Oakland is a decent football team, so it won't be an easy game today. Time for Michael Crabtree to earn that new contract he got this week. Give me the Broncos to get the win at home, but I like Oakland to cover. Broncos 23 Oakland 17.
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Dallas
at Green Bay -6.5
Green Bay finds themselves in a good position at 8-4, after an amazing Hail Mary win against Detroit, and a Vikings loss to Arizona. I think it's pretty clear both Carolina and Arizona are likely getting a bye in the NFC, but the Packers still can make some ground in the division, by taking a 1 game lead over the Vikings with a win against a bad Dallas team. I don't think there's a snowball's chance Dallas gets a win in Lambeau today. Green Bay 30 Dallas 16.
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New England -3.5
at Houston
New England vs. New New England. The Pats head down to Houston today to try and get back on track after dropping 2 straight. With Gronk back, you have to give the edge to the Patriots. Houston knows New England well, as many of their players and coaches were once employed by the Patriots. I don't see Tom Terrific and the Pats losing 3 in a row, even against a Houston team that plays great defense. I'm curious to see if Watt is hindered by his broken hand. Patriots 24 Houston 20.
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NY Giants -2
at Miami
Has any team found more ways to lose games this year than the Giants? They'll need to get a win in South Beach today if they want to keep pace in the NFC East. The Giants have Miami, Carolina, Minnesota, and Philly to close out the year. They'll likely need to get at least 2 wins to get to the postseason, and this is one that they're favored to win. Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham, Jr. should put on a show today with their ability to make circus-like catches. I'm hoping for a high scoring game, and I think the Giants make enough plays to get a win, and hopefully won't go for it on 4th down, when they should clearly kick a field goal. Giants 35 Dolphins 31.
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The League had it's Series Finale this week, and I for one will be sad to see it go. The show was brilliantly written, and though it had its ups (Ghost Monkey) and downs (Rafi and Dirty Randy's episode), it was legitimately hilarious throughout every season. From Mr. McGibblets to Kegel the Elf and of course Andre as the Expert Witness, the characters were spot on. You will be missed. Cheers to Football Sunday and the Christmas/Hanukkah Holiday Season.
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