Last week was a complete disaster this late in the NFL season. A sub .500 week when I was on the cusp of possibly my best picks season ever hurts. It’s still there in front of me. I control my own destiny, but can only take one more loss, period, to match my 170-95-1 record of three seasons ago. It doesn’t look good.
Granted, a lot of us in the NFL media took a hit last week, but I also made some bold picks. Most of which blew up in my face. Will that chance my strategy this time? What’s this “strategy” you speak of?
First, let’s get fired up. I know just what we need.
Sunday Early Games
Baltimore at Cincinnati (+1)
The Ravens (8-7) are just playing out the NFL season, one that they simply let get away. The Bengals (5-9-1) got some “good news” this week. Marvin Lewis isn’t retiring and expects to be back next year. Congratulations? Ravens 31, Bengals 30
Houston at Tennessee (-3.5)
Are the Texans (9-6) really a team that can afford to rest people this Sunday and come into the playoffs off a loss? This would be Tom Savage’s SECOND NFL start, for God’s sake. The Titans (8-7) are rolling with Matt Cassel at QB and are still bringing along head coach Mike Mularkey. That’s a loss. Texans 20, Titans 17
Carolina at Tampa Bay (-4)
The Buccaneers (8-7) will take scoreboard watching into a whole new level with all the insane events, including a tie and two AFC teams winning, that it would take for them to make the playoffs. How much pride do the Panthers have left? I’m rolling with them one last time. Panthers 27, Bucs 24
Jacksonville at Indianapolis (-4.5)
Doug Marrone led the Jaguars (3-12) to a win that really should have put him in the head coach race last week, but it won’t. The Colts (7-8) don’t appear on the verge of a coaching change either, which makes Chuck Pagano a real threat to take this year’s Jeff Fisher 7-and-9 Bullshit Award for Coaching Ineptitude. Colts 34, Jaguars 24
New England at Miami (+9.5)
Last year the Dolphins (10-5) spoiled home field advantage for the Patriots (13-2) in the final game of the NFL season. Can they do it again? No. No they can’t. Patriots 27, Dolphins 23
Chicago at Minnesota (-6)
What squad on the Vikings (7-8) will turn against Mike Zimmer this week against the Bears (3-12). I say the kickers. Vikings 23, Bears 20
Buffalo at New York Jets (+3.5)
Anthony Lynn makes his interim head coaching debut for the Bills (7-8). Todd Bowles could be making his head coaching curtain call for the Jets (4-11). Bills 14, Jets 13
Dallas at Philadelphia (-5)
How long with Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott play for the Cowboys (13-2) against the Eagles (6-9)? How quick is each guy’s 40 time? Eagles 24, Cowboys 16
Cleveland at Pittsburgh (-5.5)
The Steelers (10-5) only have one thing to play for Sunday, to not lose to the Browns (1-14). Steelers 19, Browns 17
Sunday Late Games
New Orleans at Atlanta (-7)
The Falcons (10-5) could still blow a first round bye. The Saints (7-8) could be saying goodbye to their head coach (fingers crossed). Falcons 30, Saints 27
New York Giants at Washington (-7.5)
I love this line. The sportsbooks seem to know something the Giants (10-5) themselves don’t know and never do. They think they’ll rest guys against the Redskins (8-6-1). You keep thinking that. Especially after New York shit the bed last week. Giants 24, Redskins 20
Arizona at Los Angeles (+6.5)
Unfortunately for Bruce Arians and the Cardinals (6-8-1) Jeff Fisher is gone and he can’t rub this win in his face. But, hey, Gregg Williams is still with the Rams (4-11), Bruce, so knock yourself out. Cardinals 41, Rams 23
Oakland at Denver (-1.5)
Does Matt McGloin have what it takes to keep the Raiders (12-3) as the No. 2 seed against the Broncos (8-7). If it’s the Denver team that played KC last week, absolutely. Raiders 17, Broncos 16
Kansas City at San Diego (+5)
The Chiefs won’t know until after this game if they’ll be the No. 2 or No. 5 seed in the AFC. The Chargers won’t know until after this game who their coach will be in 2017. Chiefs 30, Chargers 17
Seattle at San Francisco (+9.5)
The Seahawks (9-5-1) are still playing for a first round bye. The 49ers (2-13) are playing to show they can beat a team other than the Rams this year. They can’t. Seahawks 24, 49ers 13
Sunday Night
Green Bay at Detroit (+3.5)
It’s a playoff game to get into the playoffs for the Packers (9-6) and the Lions (9-6). Anybody want to be on Jim Caldwell over Aaron Rodgers? Anybody? Packers 27, Lions 24
Last Week
Straight up: 7-9
Against the Spread: 5-11
Season
Straight up: 146-92-2
Against the spread: 115-121
