The Crystal Ball

 

Last week was adequate at 10 – 6 straight up; taking the record to 147 for 224.  The record against the spread took a beating though going 5 -11 bring those numbers back to 108 – 106 – 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 16

 

Pittsburgh at St Louis – St Louis is looking about as healthy as they have all year offensively which is not saying all that much.  Pittsburgh has lost two in a row and has yet to secure their own division, they should be feeling some pressure, Steelers win 28 – 17.

 

Dallas at Carolina – Carolina had a surprising win over a division winner last week.  Dallas finds themselves with something to play for suddenly as they need to win out to guarantee home field advantage throughout the playoffs, Cowboys win 28 – 10.

 

Cleveland at Cincinnati – Cincinnati has been playing well below the level of the talent they have; in their defense, injuries to the offensive line have contributed.  Cleveland has become the best offensive show in Ohio, who expected that, Browns win 28 – 24.

 

Green Bay at Chicago – Chicago has been unable to generate any consistent offense which has left an injury depleted defense on th =e field too long.  Green Bay is still playing for the possibility of winning home field advantage throughout, Packers win 28 – 17.

 

Kansas City at Detroit – Kansas City is struggling and have been playing for next season for the past couple of weeks.  Detroit is going to fail to deliver Kitna’s guarantee of ten wins and are looking very vulnerable, Lions win 24 – 17.

 

Oakland at Jacksonville – Oakland played well last week defending the run, they will find this match up much more difficult.  Jacksonville has effectively secured their playoff position at this point they will be a wild card though which one is still in debate Jaguars win 24 – 10.

 

Houston at Indianapolis – The season is officially over for Indianapolis at this point, they won the division and a first round bye last weekend.  They have a well-established history of resting players at this point of the season but will not shut down entirely, Colts wins 21 – 20.

 

Washington at Minnesota – Washington is one of many teams playing with a backup quarterback; last week’s win was a defensive gem, this week will be more difficult.  Minnesota can run thee ball on most anyone, Vikings win 28 – 20.

 

Miami at New England – Miami is on a winning streak, one in a row, they are about to start another losing streak.  Last week the New England demonstrated that they are able to dial up a running game when needed, Patriots win 24 – 7.

 

Philadelphia at New Orleans – Philadelphia is coming off a big upset and they are a talented albeit inconsistent group, which team shows up this week, is anyone’s guess.  New Orleans is in the chase for a playoff spot and has been playing well offensively of late, Saints win 24 – 20.

 

New York Giants at Buffalo – The Giants have been battling offensive injuries and losing for the most part.  Buffalo ha been playing competitively all season and have lost a number of defensive players, weather may be a factor here also, Bills win 20 – 17.

 

Atlanta at Arizona – The soap opera that is Atlanta continues, after last week this looks very much like a team that is ready for the off-season.  Arizona has had a somewhat disappointing season based on their expectations, Cardinals win 28 – 10.

 

Baltimore at Seattle – Both teams lost last week to teams that they should have been able to dominate.  Baltimore is having issues defensively giving up plays over the top coupled with mediocre offense.  Seattle’s most recent road loss joins the list at home Seahawks win 24 – 10.

 

Tampa Bay at San Francisco – San Francisco has struggled but is still playing hard, usually a sign of a well-coached team.  Tampa Bay has won their division and has been riding a steadily improving defense, that should work here, Buccaneers win 20 – 14.

 

Denver at San Diego – Denver has had a couple of extra days to prepare this week but they have had weak play on both the offensive and the defensive lines.  San Diego has won the division and while their seeding is still up in the air they may be resting players early, Chargers win 21 – 17.

 

Dale “at” footballforecasters.com