FOOTBALL FRIDAY: Week 16 - Thoughts, Picks, and Other Stuff

Hey everybody!  Football comes early this week, as the majority of the games are being played on Saturday - I really feel for all the folks that will be caught up in shopping malls....this week's action should be pretty damn compelling.  While most of the playoff qualifiers have been determined, there is still plenty of positioning to sort out.  Not to mention, the Winners of the NFC East and AFC West still haven't emerged going into this week's action.  How's that for drama?  Anyhow, let's do this..... 







Last week: 2-2
Against the Spread: 2-2

For the Season:
Straight Up: 23-12
Against the Spread: 14-18-2

Minnesota Vikings (2-12) vs. (-7) Washington Redskins (5-9)

Although both of these proud franchises are having tough years, they are playing at opposite ends of the hot/cold spectrum.  While Minnesota has suffered through breaking in a rookie quarterback, Washington has suffered through a season of turning the ball over.  That notwithstanding, The Redskins are playing some darn good ball.  Certainly good enough to take care of the Vikings at home.  Washington covers.

Cleveland Browns (4-10) vs. (-13) Baltimore Ravens (10-4)

On paper, this game shouldn't even be close.  The Browns are suffering through a down year, while all the Ravens need to do to Win the AFC North is run the table.  There's too much on the table for Baltimore to give this one away, but my feeling is that Cleveland puts up more of a fight than anyone expects.  Ravens still Win, but I do like Cleveland to beat the spread.

Oakland Raiders (7-7) vs. (-3) Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)

I remember this game for being the best rivalry in the AFC (nowadays that distinction belongs to the AFC North's Baltimore-Pittsburgh rivalry ).  Although they've been inconsistent as hell, the Raiders have had a pretty good year.  But lately, they just can't seem to really get it together, which makes Winning in KC monumentally difficult.  After Sunday's huge Win, it's hard to go against the Chiefs in Arrowhead.  Therefore, I won't do it.  I truly wanna take the Raiders in this one, but I won't.  Kansas City is just too strong at home.  But the Raiders do beat the spread.

Chicago Bears (7-7) vs. (-12) Green Bay Packers (13-1)

This should be memorable.  The Bears really need the game.  They REALLY need the game.  They really need the game!  The question is, do they get it?  I really believe that Chicago is going to go into Lambeau Field and bring the fight straight to the Packers, but will that be enough?  Since the Bears have been playing without their quarterback, they have put themselves in a position where they're on the outside looking in, concerning the playoff picture.  Green Bay, on the other hand,  has famously been on a season long tear through the league.  Although that streak ended in Week 15, the Packers are no less formidable.  Chicago beats the spread; Green Bay Wins the game.

There you have it, folks.  Holiday football at it's best!  Enjoy the games, and stay away from those malls!!