Dallas and Eagles fans unite…
Well, here we are, it’s almost Christmas, but more importantly, it’s almost the playoffs! Would my picks be heading for playoff town, or the first pick in the draft? Let’s find out with a quick look at last week.
Porter vs The World – 99-80 (8-4 last week, 3 correct margins)
Some missed margins last week, largely down to not trusting the Rams or my own side, the 49ers, enough, but a pretty good week for the picks overall. The major misses were Pittsburgh, Houston (who I normally trust) and Kansas City, whereas Jacksonville had a strange MNF game and handed me the 4th loss. Also, the Chargers-Pats may just be the worst NFL game of all time.
Right, onto this week.
New England 21, Pittsburgh 18
Oof. That seat in Pittsburgh suddenly got hotter than the inner core of a steel smelter following two baffling losses in a row. Yep, famously-loyal Pittsburgh are apparently considering dispensing with Mike Tomlin at the end of the season. Is that fair? I’ll examine this in more detail in a bonus article this week hopefully, but to boil it down to the nuts and bolts of the argument – I think the criticism is fair, and I’m often a huge critic of Tomlin weekly in this column, but I’m not sure if this year is the year I want to be finding a new head coach. As for New England…I dunno. Bailey Zappe gave you a happy moment. Enjoy. I have no idea what happens next there.
Tampa Bay (5-7) at Atlanta (6-6)
Ugh. This is a hard game to call, and not in the ‘both these teams are good’ category. Tampa tried to choke away a victory over Carolina of all teams last week, whereas Atlanta are probably still the worst coached team in the league. As they come head to head, I’m taking the worse team on paper here, as I think they’ve played at a high level more consistently all season.
Tampa, one score.
Detroit (9-3) at Chicago (4-8)
Detroit, never knowingly dull, made a routine week last week look difficult, and are likely to do the same here against a Bears team which has, surprisingly, played above it’s record quite consistently. Once again, a must-have for Detroit, who largely play up to their potential when they have to. As long as they don’t look ‘poopy-faced’ on the sideline.
Detroit, one score.
Indianapolis (7-5) at Cincinnati (6-6)
Indy took care of business – eventually – last week, and are one of many potential teams on the bubble, along with their division-mates Jacksonville, who lost to this Cincinnati team last week. A clash of two mediocre teams, but with possible playoff implications. Interesting. It basically comes down to which offense fires, and both have had their moments this year, but I’ll take a third straight(!) road win in these predictions and go with a surprisingly resilient Indy side.
Indy, one score.
Jacksonville (8-4) at Cleveland (7-5)
Jacksonville suffered a bizarre reverse to Cincinnati, although at Cranky press time, Trevor Lawrence is expected to play, which should help. Cleveland seem to be falling to earth a little, which is understandable as they don’t really have a quarterback currently. If only they’d kept, uh…*checks notes* Josh…Dobbs?
Anyway, I’m taking Jacksonville to bounce back, but it’s a close one that could go either way.
Jacksonville, one score.
Carolina (1-11) at New Orleans (5-7)
Carr starting, coming off a concussion, against the worst (by record, if not vibes) team in the league? My upset senses are tingling, and once again, I’m going to listen to them. If Carolina can just remember to play the full game, they might just get a result here.
Carolina, one score.
Houston (7-5) at NY Jets (4-8)
I didn’t trust Houston last week, and it cost me. It’s hard not to take them here in a situation where they’re playing a team who’s starting QB doesn’t even want to play for them. Regardless, it’s the kind of game Houston has to win to be taken seriously, they’re on the bubble, but genuine good teams win these games. The Jets will probably let their defense keep them in the game, but it’s all about getting the job done at this stage of the year. Over to you, CJ.
Houston, one score.
LA Rams (6-6) at Baltimore (9-3)
My hunch on the Rams last week was correct, and they’re quite dangerously playing themselves into some form, with a very real chance of a wildcard in the NFC (due largely to the amount of teams at or around their record). Unfortunately, this week, they face the class of the NFL, and off a week’s rest no less. They’re not going to help themselves here, but shouldn’t get too dispirited – not many teams can hang with Baltimore if they’re at their best.
Baltimore, two scores plus.
Minnesota (6-6) at Las Vegas (5-7)
That’s the first home team I’ve picked this week, and I’m going to follow it with a second here. I don’t think there’s much between these teams, but I think Vegas are playing better(!) at the moment. I’ll back them to edge it here, and keep Antonio Pierce’s name swirling in contention to become ringmaster of that particular circus.
Vegas, one score.
Seattle (6-6) at San Francisco (9-3)
This feels like a classic San Francisco letdown game – off a huge win, home rivalry game (whatever state both teams are in, the Seattle games are usually close), with a few injuries (Armstead and a few others ruled out). Thankfully, we may have to face Drew Lock, so it’s not all bad. I hate picking games like this, especially when I feel an upset looming, but I’ll back my boys, largely because last week’s win was our best performance in my 18 years of supporting them. Close game, though.
San Francisco, one score.
Buffalo (6-6) at Kansas City (8-4)
Hot Sauce versus Barbecue, Allen versus Mahomes, and mediocrity versus…other mediocrity? It seems harsh to call KC mediocre, but they keep losing games they should be winning, and even some of the wins have been closer than they ought to have been. It is worth remembering they pretty much did the exact same thing last year, and got hot in time to….erm…win the Super Bowl.
Anyway, I think they win here. Buffalo have flattered to deceive all season, and Sean McDermott is probably more focussed on finding another terrorist attack to motivate his team. Joking aside, I largely think that Kansas City is a better team, and, backs against the wall, I think they’ll prove it.
Kansas City, one score.
Denver (6-6) at LA Chargers (5-7)
The Chargers won the worst game in NFL history last week, but let’s not lose our sense of perspective – they’re a terribly coached team, lacking severely in direction. Denver, meanwhile, lost after a good run to a good Houston team. If they’re serious about being a playoff bubble team, they need a win here, and I feel they’ll get it.
Denver, one score.
Philadelphia (10-2) at Dallas (9-3)
Ah, a clash of the two ‘the Niners blew us out but but but excuse excuse that’s the real quiz’ titans. Who wins? It’s a difficult call – Philly’s fatigue and general vulnerabilities showed last week, finally, whereas Dallas have largely roared back from disappointments to have a pretty good year. The winner will take divisional bragging rights and better playoff positioning, while a Dallas win helps the 49ers too.
It’s a tough, tough, pick, but I’ll take a smarting Eagles team. I’m just not entirely convinced by Dallas in games against similar level teams.
Philadelphia, one score.
Tennessee (4-8) at Miami (9-3)
The one-liner pick of the week, as unless Miami decide not to show up, this is about as easy as it gets.
Miami, two scores plus.
Green Bay (6-6) at NY Giants (4-8)
The Giants, for some reason, are in primetime, again, against a Green Bay team that seems to be getting better all the time. I still think it’s a little early for this roster, but Jordan Love showing progression and talent, along with his extremely inexperienced receiver core, makes them a potentially painful and difficult out for the rest of the year. They ought to easily handle a terrible Giants team.
Green Bay, two scores plus.
As ever, agree or disagree, you can comment, tweet or email me. Enjoy the weekend’s games, there’s not many left!