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By Mike Ivcic, UltimateCapper Contributing Writer
So last week, I looked at just the schedule online and picked the teams I decided I thought would win, and went with them regardless of the line. That resulted in a 13-3 record, so weâre going with the same philosophy again this week. Pick the team thatâs going to win the game, and if they are the favorite, assume they will cover the spread. Iâm all-in for this method â Iâm just upset it took until week 15 for me to figure this out!
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Cincinnati Bengals @ Philadelphia Eagles
Thu, 8:20pm, NFLN
Line: Bengals by 4
Nick Foles looked pretty good last week, and Cincinnatiâs going the wrong way for this time of the year. I think the Eagles actually win this one outright.
Pick: Philadelphia 24, Cincinnati 20
Denver Broncos @ Baltimore Ravens
Sun, 1pm, CBS
Line: Broncos by 3
The Ravens are struggling, losing back-to-back games to the Steelers and Redskins. With the Giants and Bengals after this, a five-game losing streak to end the season is not out of the question. I think it at least gets to three with this game.
Pick: Denver 28, Baltimore 22
Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
Sun, 1pm, FOX
Line: Packers by 3
The Bears need this game badly, but they looked atrocious against Seattle and Minnesota the last two weeks. Like the Ravens above them, this is basically a must-win game for Chicago, even more so considering they donât lead their division like Baltimore does.
Pick: Green Bay 27, Chicago 17
Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans
Sun, 1pm, CBS
Line: Texans by 9
This is the first time in NFL history that teams playing twice in the regular season have had their first meeting this late in the year. All Indianapolis has to do is win one of their next three games to get into the playoffs, but it wonât be this one.
Pick: Houston 28, Indianapolis 17
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Miami Dolphins
Sun, 1pm, CBS
Line: Dolphins by 7
The battle of who cares! Miamiâs better, they win.
Pick: Miami 21, Jacksonville 10
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Minnesota Vikings @ St. Louis Rams
Sun, 1pm, FOX
Line: Rams by 3
The frisky Rams are suddenly lurking outside the NFC playoff picture, and could help themselves catch a fellow contender with a home win. But Adrian Peterson is having a monster year and should be enough to keep the Vikings on the winning track.
Pick: Minnesota 24, St. Louis 17
New York Giants @ Atlanta Falcons
Sun, 1pm, FOX
Line: Falcons by 1
It’s a game like this that the Giants usually make a statement, and I would be much more on board with that except for two things. One, the Giants actually made their statement with 52 points against New Orleans last week. Two, Atlanta got knocked off by Carolina last week, meaning this game suddenly took on the look of a recovery game for the Falcons. It’ll be close, but I have Matt Ryan at home in this one.
Pick: Atlanta 31, New York 28
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints
Sun, 1pm, FOX
Line: Saints by 3.5
Tampa’s playoff hopes are basically nil, while New Orleans gets some small off-field victories with the overturning of bounty-gate. I think Drew Brees lights up the Bucs defense in this one.
Pick: New Orleans 34, Tampa Bay 16
Washington Redskins @ Cleveland Browns
Sun, 1pm, FOX
Line: n/a
If RGIII plays, Washington wins. If he doesn’t, Cleveland wins. Without a line for this one yet, I’ll make my pick contingent upon the most electrifying player in the league suiting up, but really just go with the favorite regardless.
Pick: Washington 24, Cleveland 17
Carolina Panthers @ San Diego Chargers
Sun, 4:05pm, FOX
Line: Chargers by 3
San Diego is on their annual “save Norv Turner’s job” campaign, which amazes me. Not that their trying to save his job, but that he’s ACTUALLY STILL THE COACH! Last week was an anomaly for the Chargers, Cam Newton has started catching fire and the Panthers take this game.
Pick: Carolina 23, San Diego 21
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Detroit Lions @ Arizona Cardinals
Sun, 4:05pm, FOX
Line: Lions by 6
A team that’s blown four fourth quarter leads at home against a team that just lost 58-0? We’re sure I can’t pick a push just for amusement’s sake?
Pick: Detroit 37, Arizona 12
Seattle Seahawks @ Buffalo Bills (Toronto, ONT)
Sun, 4:05pm, FOX
Line: Seahawks by 6
It’s Buffalo’s annual, “It’s really cold so let’s go play a home game indoors” game. Regardless of where they play, though, they’re still the Bills.
Pick: Seattle 28, Buffalo 20
Kansas City Chiefs @ Oakland Raiders
Sun, 4:25pm, CBS
Line: Raiders by 3
Once upon a time this used to be the marquee game on a late Sunday afternoon for NFL fans across the country. Now, they’re still the last Sunday afternoon game, but the marquee has dimmed significantly and most of the country will watch Steelers and Cowboys. Meanwhile Darren McFadden will run wild and lead the Raiders to victory. I think.
Pick: Oakland 17, Kansas City 13
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Dallas Cowboys
Sun, 4:25pm, CBS
Line: Steelers by 2
It’s the game of mediocrity! One of these teams will be 7-7 and see their playoff hopes significantly damaged as a result of this game. Because I’m a Jets fan, and would love to see the carnage that would be Jets @ Ravens or Jets @ Broncos in the first round of the AFC playoffs, I’m rooting for Dallas, and therefore will pick them to avoid rooting against my pick. Seems logical to me!
Pick: Dallas 30, Pittsburgh 24
San Francisco 49’ers @ New England Patriots
Sun, 8:20pm, NBC
Line: Patriots by 6
The Patriots always seem to get the really hard games at home. The two toughest non-divisional opponents the Pats faced (Houston and San Fran) both have to go to Foxboro in December in primetime. Right, cause the Pats are going to even come close to losing those games?
Pick: New England 33, San Francisco 20
New York Jets @ Tennessee Titans
Mon, 8:30pm, ESPN
Line: Titans by 1.5
The Jets playoff push continues! A win here moves New York to 7-7 with games against San Diego and Buffalo remaining. Feel the rush! Feel the excitement! Feel the passion of Jets football! Or really, just feel bad for CBS or NBC, whichever network gets stuck with their playoff game.
Pick: New York 16, Tennessee 13
Straight-Up: 137-70-1
Against Spread: 102-100-6
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