I pick the Pats in The GOW and the 49’ers to win my Hunch of the Week.
With three rounds of regular-season games to go, it appears a nefarious villain slipped something into my egg nog. I slipped to a 6-10 week. It didn’t help that at least six division leaders or co-leaders lost in Week 14. So with my year-to-date record falling to 126-82 (.606), I really need a big week or two to get back on track.
NOTE: All games will be played on Sunday afternoon unless otherwise noted.
Indianapolis 17, Denver 9 (Thursday night): The season’s final Thursday-night game features two teams that seem to have mentally checked out on the season. While it’s hard to give the Colts’ Jacoby Brissett the edge in any quarterback matchup, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
Chicago 23, Detroit 20 (Saturday afternoon): Even though the Lions have faded from the stacked NFC playoff race, they are a hard a team to gauge. They are at home to face a familiar NFC North foe, who looked impressive at Cincinnati last week. I’ll go with the Bears.
Los Angeles Chargers 27, Kansas City 20 (Saturday night): The Chargers are still very much alive for the AFC West Division crown and a wild-card berth. The Chiefs got well against the Raiders, but I don’t think it was enough to save their free-falling season. The Chargers should get a big road win.
Baltimore 30, Cleveland 17: While the Ravens’ narrow loss in Pittsburgh certainly stung, bright days appear ahead. That’s because the last three teams on Baltimore’s schedule have a combined record of 8-31. This Sunday Baltimore’s newly found offensive firepower should carry the day–even against a foe that’s playing hard (to avoid a winless season). But the Browns simply aren’t good enough–or, for that matter, lucky enough–to win this game.
Minnesota 40, Cincinnati 6: Just as the Bengals completely caved in against the allegedly-hapless Bears, they will likely do the same against one of the best teams in the league–a team that could make history. How so? The Vikings stand a good chance of being the first team ever to play a Super Bowl at home.
Miami 24, Buffalo 19: This is a tough game to pick. Last week gut-checking victories kept the season alive for both teams. Miami was the more impressive of the two, though, as they knocked off the pace-setting Patriots. Even though this contest will be played in the frozen north–sorry, Miami–I’ll take the Dolphins in a close game.
Jacksonville 27, Houston 10: These are two teams going in opposite directions. For the Texans, the end of an injury-riddled, luckless campaign can’t come soon enough. The Jaguars, on the other hand, have seized control of the AFC South. The Jags will win this one, but a win won’t overshadow what Jacksonville’s players and fans did last week against Seattle: they engaged in reprehensible behavior.
Carolina 31, Green Bay 24: It will be great to see Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers again–not just for Packers fans, but for all those who appreciate football. Unfortunately, the loaded NFC playoff race has taken form and Green Bay isn’t in it this year. Carolina, on the other hand, has a lot to play for. After getting the better of Minnesota last week, the Packers will be on the Panthers’ Sunday menu.
New Orleans 26, New York Jets 17: The Jets’ plucky Cinderella story came to an end with an unexpected shutout loss in Denver. Now, NY gets to travel to New Orleans to face a Saints team that has been slowed a bit by defensive injuries. No matter, though… The Saints will get back on track.
Philadelphia 23, New York Giants 13: Observers might be tempted to write off the Eagles because quarterback Carson Wentz is out for the year. But, if they do that, they’ll be forgetting how good Nick Foles was a few years ago. He can produce big plays at any time–just as Dallas’ Dak Prescott did against Big Blue last week.
Arizona 30, Washington 6: The Cardinals showed some gumption in winning an ugly game against a Tennessee squad that fancies itself as an AFC contender. The Redskins, on the other hand, is a below-par team that appears to have quit. Washington could be the first NFL team to fire its head coach and GM.
Los Angeles Rams 24, Seattle 17: The Seahawks fell out of playoff spots last week and it’s time to make a stand. They’ll try doing that at home in noisy CenturyLink Field. But Seattle’s aura is is trending downward … fast. The Rams? They smell a NFC West Division title.
New England 31, Pittsburgh 27: This is my Game of the Week because it features the AFC’s two best teams. The Patriots will be on the road for a second straight week–coming off a sloppy Monday-night performance in Miami. But New England always seems to respond when stakes are highest. To make that happen, the Pats will need to exploit the middle of the Steelers’ defense.
San Francisco 17, Tennessee 13: This is my Hunch Play of the Week. The Titans have been walking a tightrope all year–winning games that looked out of reach–until finally falling at Arizona in Week 14. I didn’t think 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garappolo could get two straight road wins, but he did. Now his team has a big boost of confidence.
Dallas 31, Oakland 20 (Sunday night): The Raiders’ playoff hopes essentially ended with a road loss in Kansas City. The Cowboys, for their part, are doing better. The key to the turnaround has been getting tackle Tyron Smith back on the field. The Dallas secondary is playing very well, too. It might be too late to save Dallas’ playoff hopes, but there’s no question that this team is finally playing with urgency.
Atlanta 27, Tampa Bay 13 (Monday night): The Buccaneers’ home loss to Detroit last week has touched off rumors about the future of head coach Dirk Koetter. And even though this week’s game will be at home, I don’t think Tampa Bay is in a position to spoil Atlanta’s quest to defend its NFC title.
