All byes are over and every team has either already played, or will play over Sunday and Monday. This is where it gets real. Where playoff runs are secured, homefield advantage locked in and the St. Louis Rams guaranteeing they’ll finish 7-9 or worse. Onward!
As usual, for what it’s worth, I’ll suggest survivor pool picks as we go. If you’re survivor pool is still going at this point, you are playing with a group of masters.
Early Games
Oakland at Tennessee (+1)
The Raiders are still in the playoff hunt, but this team just isn’t in that league yet. Marcus Mariota has a few more wins in him this season for the Titans, just to make the new head coach’s draft choices a little tougher come April. Titans 23, Raiders 17
Buffalo at Kansas City (-6)
This game might as well be a playoff game. Both teams come in 5-5 battling for the final AFC wild card spot and whoever loses this one might just be left out in a month. Six points is a lot for this Chiefs team that looked no better than 4-12 a month ago. Bills 20, Chiefs 19
Tampa Bay at Indianapolis (-3)
It would be easy to jump on the Jameis Winston bandwagon and predict another upset here, but I’m going with Matt Hasselbeck and the Colts. They have a history of first-round playoff losses to protect. Colts 23, Bucs 20
New York Giants at Washington (+2.5)
The Giants finally had the bye they’ve been desperate for since about Week Three. The Redskins probably won’t know what hit them but here’s a hint. It’s wearing jersey No. 13. Giants 44, Redskins 16 (survivor pool pick)
New Orleans at Houston (-3)
If you’re playing Daily Fantasy, you’re probably looking long and hard at Bryan Hoyer in this game. He’s coming back from the concussion protocol, sure, but he’s also playing the Saints’ defense and a lot of money’s been made this season going against them. There’s every chance that the Texans could beat them by 40 but Hoyer not finish the game. The struggle is real. Texans 38, Saints 35
Minnesota at Atlanta (-1.5)
The sports books still like the Falcons for some reason. I get it. Their offense can put up a ton of points and their defense can show up week-to-week. The Vikings are back in control of the NFC North and you’ve got a feeling they’ll find a way to screw that up too. I’m going to regret this. Falcons 27, Vikings 24
St. Louis at Cincinnati (-8.5)
Nick Foles is back at quarterback for the Rams as fate stepped in to fix what Jeff Fisher screwed up in the panic to keep his job. It won’t make a difference against the Bengals. I don’t like that 8.5 points as the Rams play up to competition, especially on the road. But the Bengals aren’t losing three games in a row. Bengals 27, Rams 20 (survivor pool pick)
San Diego at Jacksonville (-4.5)
How many times do you think the Jaguars have been favored by four or more over the last three seasons? I’m not looking it up, but I’ve got to think this is the first time. Jags 20, Chargers 17
Miami at New York Jets (-3.5)
The Jets are in for a fall. Just not this week. Jets 23, Dolphins 17
Late Games
Arizona at San Francisco (+10)
This is the least frightening 10-point spread in professional football history. Cardinals 30, 49ers 10 (survivor pool pick)
Pittsburgh at Seattle (-3.5)
Three and a half points is a lot for this game, especially with Marshawn Lynch out. Of course, the Steelers are missing Le’Veon Bell as well, but they still have Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown and that’s going to be plenty. Steelers 26, Seahawks 23
Sunday Night
New England at Denver (+2.5)
There’s no way the Patriots are going undefeated. I keep saying it and I keep being wrong. I do the same thing with the Panthers and have already taken a loss this week because of it. Fool me once… Patriots 20, Broncos 19
Monday Night
Baltimore at Cleveland (-3)
This might just be the worst Monday Night football game in history. The Ravens are basically fielding a CFL team at this point and Cleveland is Cleveland. Congratulations, Browns. You win the battle of dumpster fires. Browns 17, Ravens 10
This Week
Straight up: 1-2
Against the spread: 1-2
Last Week
Straight up: 8-6
Against the spread: 7-7
Survivor pool picks: 0-1
Overall
Straight up: 88-71
Against the spread: 78-81
Survivor pool picks: 30-15
