The Crystal Ball

 

Last week was adequate at 13 – 3 straight up; taking the record there to 137 for 208.  In an unusual move that was also the record against the spread where the same numbers are good; bringing the record against the spread to a respectable 103 –95 – 10 for the season.  The spread is taken as it was as of Tuesday morning when I put these picks together, your mileage may vary.

 

The standard disclaimers follow; I participate in a pick’em league and this represents my preliminary choices for that and is for amusement purposes only.  Changes are often made later in the week as more information comes in, particularly regarding injuries.  Because of the deadline for this column, those changes do not get reflected in the weekly or the running totals.  This represents my opinion only, not the actual informed football judgment of anyone else here.

 

Week 15

 

Denver at Houston – Houston is still mathematically in the playoff race at this point and will be looking to do their part with or without Schaub.  Denver has improved their play offensively and defensively last week, too little too late, Broncos win 21 – 20.

 

Cincinnati at San Francisco – San Francisco has had great difficulty in putting points up most of the season.  Cincinnati has had some difficulty in stopping opponents from putting up points, and have limited themselves with turnovers, still Bengals win 28 – 17.

 

Atlanta at Tampa Bay – Atlanta has been solid on defense all season creating a turnover advantage that the offense has not been able to cash in on.  Tampa Bay is playing at home and expecting to have Garcia back, Buccaneers win 24 – 14.

 

Tennessee at Kansas City – Kansas City has had a difficult season even within the friendly confines of Arrowhead stadium where they are usually hard to beat in December.  Tennessee has been ugly both losing and winning, based on their defense, Titans win 24 – 21.

 

Seattle at Carolina – Carolina, like many other teams this season, has been injury riddled in critical positions.  Seattle has been playing well, focusing their offense on the passing game and playing opportunistic defense, Seahawks win 31 – 14.

 

Green Bay at St Louis – St Louis may be without Bulger again, which would hurt their offense but their defense is too limited.  Of late, Green Bay has established an effective running game with Grant and their offensive line play, Packers win 28 – 17.

 

Baltimore at Miami – Miami is beginning to look very much like a team that is ready for the off-season.  Last week Baltimore looked like they had not recovered from their effort against New England the week before, Ravens win 21 – 14.

 

New York Jets at New England – New York is struggling with a variety of offensive injuries and general defensive problems.  New England after a couple of close games looked offensively dominating again against the best defense in the NFL, Patriots win 45 – 20.

 

Arizona at New Orleans – Both teams are mathematically in the playoff hunt for the moment.  Arizona is hurting with more injuries to their receiving corps (Pope) and has to travel.  New Orleans without Bush does not appear to be that much worse offensively, Saints win 28 – 24.

 

Jacksonville at Pittsburgh – This game has potential playoff implications, or perhaps not, as both teams are chasing Indianapolis though with different goals.  Pittsburgh played a difficult game last week and may have something of a hangover, Jaguars 24 – 21.

 

Buffalo at Cleveland – Buffalo continues to add players to injured reserve yet are still in playoff contention at least mathematically.  Cleveland is very much in control of their own playoff destiny, seems odd to say that this late in the season, Browns win 28 – 20.

 

Indianapolis at Oakland – Oakland schedule to close out the season will challenge their new coach to keep them focused as the franchise has been quitting early the past few years.  Indianapolis seems to be hitting their stride right now, Colts win 28 – 14.

 

Detroit at San Diego – Detroit played a surprising game last week in that featured the running game and generally good defense only to lose in the last minute.  San Diego had a come back to win in overtime on the road, Chargers win 28 – 21.

 

Philadelphia at Dallas – Philadelphia has been something of an enigma, average or above in most statistical categories yet mired at the bottom of their division.  Dallas dodged a bullet and were perhaps looking past last week’s opponent, Cowboys win 24 – 13.

 

Washington at New York Giants – Washington has had some extra time off and they certainly need it both physically and emotionally.  The Giants have won their last two games despite a relatively ineffective offense overall, Giants win 21 – 20.

 

Chicago at Minnesota – Chicago is playing out the string at this point missing their starting quarterback and running back and behind an aging and ineffective offensive line.  Minnesota has established themselves as solid on both sides of the ball, Vikings win 31 – 14.

 

Dale “at” footballforecasters.com