After an 11-5 week, we’ve finally opened up a gap between winners and losers. Sure took long enough. Of course, the same could be said for Winnipeg’s wonderful mayor, Sam Katz. Katz who calls to discuss NFL picks on a regular basis, dismissed two of my picks (he took Houston to beat Tennessee and Seattle to beat St. Louis) and went 13-3 last week to tie Blue Bombers defensive tackle Doug Brown at the top of their pool. Congrats to the Mayor.
Meanwhile, this is another huge week, just two weeks from the end of the 2008 regular season. So far, the Giants, 8-6 Arizona, Tennessee and Pittsburgh have wrapped up playoff berths. That leaves eight spots open. This weekend, Carolina can clinch the NFC South title with a win over the Giants, Minnesota will clinch the NFC North title with a win over Atlanta, Tampa, Dallas and Atlanta can also clinch playoff berths under the right circumstances. In the AFC, Denver wins the AFC West with a win on Sunday and Indianapolis will clinch a playoff spot with a win tonight over Jacksonville.
In the meantime, just to keep our 92-CITI-FM listeners in the loop, we’ll be off to Minnesota for the Vikings-Giants season-ending war at the Dome on Dec. 28 and then the 92-CITI Sports Machine will be reporting live from the 2009 Super Bowl game in Tampa on Feb. 1.
In the meantime, let’s take a close look at Week 16…
THURSDAY NIGHT
Indianapolis Colts (10-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (5-9)
Indy has won seven straight and this will make it eight. The Colts lock up a playoff berth and perhaps make the statement that they are indeed the best team in the AFC.
Take Indianapolis
SATURDAY NIGHT
Baltimore Ravens (9-5) at Dallas Cowboys (9-5)
The media believes the Cowboys are coming apart at the seams. Of course, those donkeys believed that last week before the ‘Boys whipped the Giants 20-9 on Sunday night.
Take Dallas
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Cincinnati Bengals (2-11-1) at Cleveland Browns (4-10)
Both teams are horrible, but the Browns are at home.
Take Cleveland
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) at Tennessee Titans (12-2)
Could be one of the great battles of the season. That is if these two playoff-bound teams actually play any starters.
Take Tennessee
San Francisco 49ers (5-9) at St. Louis Rams (2-12)
Mike Singletary gets a bad 49ers outfit its sixth win of the season.
Take San Francisco
San Diego Chargers (6-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5)
This is a must-win for both teams, but the Bucs have Jon Gruden while the Bolts have Norv Turner. No contest.
Take Tampa Bay
New Orleans Saints (7-7) at Detroit Lions (0-14)
Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha….
Take New Orleans
Miami Dolphins (9-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-12)
There is just something about the Dolphins outfit that finds ways to win — even on the road.
Take Miami
Arizona Cardinals (8-6) at New England Patriots (9-5)
It’s interesting that people are still talking about Kurt Warner as an MVP. Granted, he did win the wonky NFC West. Sadly, the Children of the Poor might have pulled that off against San Francisco, Seattle and St. Louis.
Take New England
Buffalo Bills (6-8) at Denver Broncos (8-6)
The Broncos wrap up a playoff berth with a win. They’ll win.
Take Denver
New York Jets (9-5) at Seattle Seahawks (3-11)
This is an interesting game. Pro Bowler (again) Brett Favre, can put an exclamation point on the Jets turnaround. New York was 4-12 last year and can go to 10-5 this week with a victory in Seattle. Why don’t we hear about the brilliance of Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy, the Green Bay brain trust that let Favre leave for New York.
Take the Jets
Houston Texans (7-7) at Oakland Raiders (3-11)
May the best team win. That team would be Houston.
Take Houston
Atlanta Falcons (9-5) at Minnesota Vikings (9-5)
If the Vikings can shut down Matt Ryan and Michael Turner, they’ll win by four touchdowns. Of course, that assignment isn’t necessarily easy.
Take Minnesota
Philadelphia Eagles (8-5-1) at Washington Redskins (8-6)
Philly still has a life, even if Dallas wins.
Take Philadelphia
SUNDAY NIGHT
Carolina Panthers (11-3) at New York Giants (11-3)
Carolina has to win to clinch the NFC South. The Giants, without Plaxico Burress and Brandon Jacobs have been mailing it in for the last two weeks.
Take Carolina
MONDAY NIGHT
Green Bay Packers (5-9) at Chicago Bears (8-6)
Why doesn’t anyone talk about the brilliant Ted Thompson and the genius Mike McCarthy and their wonderful decision to run Brett Favre out of town this past summer? Five weeks ago, they’d made the right decision and, heck, Aaron Rodgers was obviously the second coming of Johnny freakin’ Unitas. Not so much anymore. Still, the big-time U.S. media has let the tall foreheads in Green Bay off the hook. Those big shooters will rip the players, but they sure don’t like to rip the brass.
Take Chicago
Last week: 11-5
Season: 134-89-1
Related posts: