The YGS Fantasy Football league has now ended and we'd like to congratulate B.O.B.'s Mustangs for winning the whole enchilada!  The regular season may be over but we still have got more football to play. I've sent out invites to about 50 of you who I believe would be interested in participating in the Playoff version at NFL.com. There are no divisions in this format so there is no limit to the amount of people that want to play.

If you didn't receive an invite let me know by putting a message below, I'll send you an invite from the league. Keep in mind that the invites are generated via NFL.com and I use the email you signed up to the Gab with so if your email has changed since then please send your new email to yougabsports@live.com to ensure you receive the invite.

Sully

Week 16 NFL

A week shy of Christmas and I got the lump of coal with another 8-8 week. My lock and upset came down fine, but instead of going with my gut and picking the Packers to lose, I went with the sheep and took the Pack and took an L, I just had the feeling that the Titans were going to get upset by the Colts especially after losing at the gun to the Saints in the previous week. But again, I went with the sheep and took another L. With the exception of the Christmas night special in Green Bay and the Monday Night finale in the Big Easy, all the games are Saturday kickoffs and by and large all but the three games being early kickoffs. Trying to do better as usual, the picks are heretofore submitted for your review, perusal and approval. Where applicable, playoff implications of the game are noted as well. Odds are provided by bodg.net and are for entertainment and comparison purposes only. I’ll be too busy eating Christmas ham, watching the Christmas day basketball games and getting noshed on mom’s rum cake to take your calls if you bet the lines and lose. If you don’t know by now, its your own damn fault. Please pardon the late post of the Thursday pick. 

Thursday December 22

Texans (10-4) @ Colts (1-13)

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis 8:20 (NFLN)

Favorite Texans by 7

Last Week Texans lost to Panthers 28-13, Colts beat Titans 27-13

Fast Fact The Texans have never won in Indianapolis

Break up the Colts! They get off winless island with rollicking win over a despised divisional rival but have a short week to turnaround and face a Texans team with a bit of egg on their face, as it showed that they were unused to the postseason splendor that they have attained came up flat against a weak Panthers team and got thumped. I don’t expect the Texans will miss the rare chance to flex on their long time tormentors. Looking at an outside chance to still gain a coveted bye week ahead of the playoffs, the Texans wont spare the Colts any quarter. Even with 3^rd stringer at QB and weak at WR, the Texans are better than Colts in spades.

Pick-Houston

Saturday December 24^th (Merry Christmas!)

Cardinals (7-7) @ Bengals (8-6)

Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Bengals by 4

Last Week Cardinals beat Browns 20-17 in OT, Bengals beat Rams 20-13

Fast Fact Bengals WR AJ Green needs 3 yards receiving to break the Bengals rookie receiving mark.

The Bengals are still very much in the playoff hunt and surprisingly so are the Cards who’s four game win streak has brought them within shouting distance of the NFC playoff race. You are never sure which team will show up on either side. The Cards have yet to name a starter between the oft-injured Kevin Kolb and John Skelton. The Bengals defense has been playing a bit inconsistent and despite setting a team rookie record for passing QB Andy Dalton has been struggling without his favorite target AJ Green on the field consistently. To be sure, the game is a tossup. You can be sure the Cards are thankful that it wont be frigid in Cincy on Saturday, but Im gonna play a hunch and say the Bengals continue to hang around in the playoff race for another week and win a tight one.

Pick-Cincinnati

Vikings (2-12) @ Redskins (5-9)

FedEx Field; Landover, MD 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Redskins by 6½

Last Week Vikings lost to Saints 42-20, Redskins beat Giants 23-10

Fast Fact Vikings RB Adrian Peterson needs 68 yards to pass the 1000 yard rushing mark for the season, which would be the 5^th straight time that he has attained that mark.

Two teams going nowhere, though the Skins seem to always get their dander up to play the Giants, going to Gotham last week and handing them a stunning beatdown. The Vikes death march continues unabated reaching a painful low as Drew Brees shredded their once proud defense for better than 400 yards and five scores. Will Rex the Wreck do much of the same? Im still not sold that he can be consistent but the Vikings defense is a shambles and aside from the the redoubtable Adrian Peterson the offense isn’t equipped to score big. I hate to do this but..

Pick-Washington

Broncos (8-6) @ Bills (5-9)

Ralph Wilson Stadium; Orchard Park, NY 1:00  (CBS)

Favorite Broncos by 3

Last Week Broncos lost to Patriots 41-23, Bills lost to Dolphins 30-23

Playoff Implications Broncos can clinch AFC West with win and Raiders loss

Fast Fact Broncos QB Tim Tebow is the only quarterback that is unbeaten away from home with at least five starts. (5-0)

Back in September, it looked like the Bills would be the ones winging their way to a division title and the Broncos the one that would be scuffling. But invigorated by Tebow-Mania the Broncos have rebounded from a poor start to be on the cusp of a division title, a prospect unthinkable months ago. Meanwhile, the Bills have dropped 8 straight after an initial 5-1 start that had the locals dreaming of a playoff berth. The Bills offense crashed badly after a high flying start, with QB Ryan Fitpatrick shouldering much of the blame. The Bills defense has given up 32 points a game during their losing skid and can be run on with abandon. With the Broncos run heavy offense coming to town, it will be a long cold day.

Pick-Denver

Raiders (7-7) @ Chiefs (6-8)

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Chiefs by 2

Last Week Raiders lost to Lions 28-27, Chiefs beat Packers 19-14

Fast Fact Raiders QB Carson Palmer (still sounds strange to call him that) needs 207 yards passing to pass the 25,000 yard passing mark.

An old school AFL rivalry takes a high drama look, the badly fading Raiders who once controlled their own playoff destiny took a devastating loss last week to the Lions giving a 27-14 4^th quarter lead away and having a desperation (but makeable for him) 65 yard game winning field goal blocked. The Chiefs are feeling quite froggy after being the first team in a year to solve the Packers riddle. Though the Raiders are the better team on both sides of the ball, something tells me that the Chiefs would like nothing more than to send their longtime hated rival home for Christmas with dashed playoff dreams.

Pick-Kansas City (Upset of the Week)

Giants (7-7) @ Jets (8-6)

MetLife Stadium; East Rutherford, NJ 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Jets by 3

Last Week Giants lost to Redskins 23-10, Jets lost to Eagles 45-19

Fast Fact Without leaving their own locker room the Giants have the shortest road trip in the NFL. This is the one of the rare times that the visitors locker room in MetLife Stadium will be empty.

This is the one of the few times in the history of these teams that their quadrennial regular season meeting actually has meaning to it. The grinning, jeering Rex Ryan has amped up his usual mouthy talk to boast that his Jets are the better team in Gotham, but coming off a nasty beating in Philly he has more questions to answer, meanwhile the G-Men took a nasty pratfall against an otherwise pedestrian Redskins squad and now are in danger of giving away the hard-earned divisional edged gained on the Cowboys. The Jets are looking over their shoulders at a posse of teams led by the Bengals trying to take their playoff seed. Both teams in need of the win, I think the Jets wont be able to cash the check their mouthy coach writes and loses a tight game.

Pick-New York Giants

Buccaneers (4-10) @ Panthers (5-9)

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Panthers by 7½

Last Week Buccaneers lost to Cowboys 31-15, Panthers beat Texans 28-13

Fast Fact Panthers QB Cam Newton needs only 17 yards to break the rookie passing yard record set by Peyton Manning in 1998.

A matchup of two teams going in opposite directions, the Bucs sleepwalked through a Saturday beating by the Pokes and are marking time until seasons end. The Panthers on the other hand are rapidly improving and can chalk a win over a division winner on their season’s resume. Cam Newton is playing like a grizzled vet and the Panthers are rapidly improving with the results showing in the win column now instead of moral victories. I think the Panthers will win and rather handily

Pick-Carolina

Dolphins (5-9) @ Patriots (11-3)

Gillette Stadium; Foxboro, MA 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Patriots by 10

Last Week Dolphins beat Bills 30-23, Patriots beat Broncos 41-23

Playoff Implications Patriots can clinch first round bye with win and Texans loss

Fast Fact The Patriots have outscored the Dolphins 117-45 over their last three meetings.

The Dolphins are another team improving rapidly, but they have a much steeper way to go facing the Pats, ruefully remembering the shellacking that Tom Brady dealt them in September look for the Dolphins to try to control the clock and limit the Pats offensive possessions. But the Pats at home in December is just about as money in the bank as you can get. The Pats spotted the Tebows in Denver a nine point lead and then methodically wore the Broncos down and blew them out. The Pats will do pretty much the same to the Dolphins.

Pick-New England

Browns (4-10) @ Ravens (10-4)

M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Ravens by 13

Last Week Browns lost to Cardinals 20-17 in ot, Ravens lost to Chargers 34-14

Playoff Implications Ravens can clinch AFC North with win and Steelers loss

Fast Fact The Ravens have won their last seven meetings with Browns

The Browns found yet another painful way to lose last week, blowing a ten point lead in Arizona. The Ravens took a startling woodshedding from the Chargers and are really looking for someone to take it out on. The Browns just don’t match up anywhere close to the Ravens and with the Ravens needing wins to stay ahead of the Steelers will be in no mood to fool around.

Pick-Baltimore (Lock of the Week)

Rams (2-12) @ Steelers (10-4)

Heinz Field, Pittsburgh 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite No Line (Roethlisberger status in question)

Last Week Rams lost to Bengals 20-13, Steelers lost to 49ers 20-3

Fast Fact The Rams have a 26.9% 3^rd down conversion rate, the worst in the NFC

The Rams played the Bengals tough but were their own worst enemy in not converting 3^rd downs and taking dumb penalties. This will not brook well face a Steeler team that also took an uncharacteristic beatdown on the west coast in front of national audience. I know the whole any given Sunday mantra but the Rams are in serious trouble having to deal with a Steeler team that is looking for someone to slap around, even with the questionable status of Ben Roethlisberger the Steelers should roll to a win.

Pick-Pittsburgh

Jaguars (4-10) @ Titans (7-7)

LP Field, Nashville 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Titans by 7½

Last Week Jaguars lost to Falcons 41-14, Titans lost to Colts 27-13

Fast Fact Titans RB Chris Johnson needs 70 yards to join Earl Campbell and Eddie Georges as the only backs in franchise history with 1000 yards in each of their first four seasons.

The Jags are another team on a death march, just wanting it to be all over. Coming off a solid win against the Bucs, they got steamrolled by the Falcons and have had nine days to wonder where it all went wrong. Meanwhile, the Titans brooding over a show-shocker loss to the Colts are fading fast. Fading or not, the Titans will give their fans a nice Christmas present by taking it out on the Jags.

Pick-Tennessee

Chargers (7-7) @ Lions (9-5)

Ford Field, Detroit 4:05 (CBS)

Favorite Lions by 3

Last Week Chargers beat Ravens 34-14, Lions beat Raiders 28-27

Playoff Implications Lions clinch playoff spot with win

Fast Fact This is the last interconference game of the 2011 season as all the week 17 matchups are interdivisional.

This is the sleeper good game of the week. The Chargers have revived their playoff hopes with a bevy of big point games during a 3 game win streak. The Lions who were looking as if they were fading suddenly bounced back strong with a pair of badly needed wins and are in position to clinch their first playoff appearance since 1999. The Chargers are hitting on all cylinders defensively and will give the Lions a tough game. I just think that the Lions will get a nice boost from their rowdy fans and bring a long awaited playoff berth home.

Pick-Detroit

Eagles (6-8) @ Cowboys (8-6)

Cowboys Stadium; Arlington, TX 4:15 (FOX)

Favorite Cowboys by 3

Last Week Eagles beat Jets 45-19, Cowboys beat Buccaneers 31-15

Playoff Implications Cowboys can clinch NFC East with win and NY Giants Loss

Fast Fact Though the Pokes have struggled in the last three games don’t blame Tony Romo he has thrown for 869 yards, completed nearly 70% of his passes and has a QB rating of 121.8 over those three games.

The Pokes are like that dude at the bar that you can’t stand, he does very little but flash a smile at the females and gets all the play. Or be the brooding bad boy the ladies know is heartbreaker but still leave with him. You know the Pokes are a fraud, but still they manage to get just enough breaks where they could still win the NFC East without having to beat the Giants in Gotham next week. The Eagles who handed the Pokes a nasty primetime beatdown in October have awoken enough to try to put a late dash together to be on the fringes of the NFC East title. Im still not convinced that the Pokes are a playoff caliber team much less a Super Bowl contender. I think that they will gain a measure of revenge on the Eagles and set up a New Years day winner take all showdown with the G-Men

Pick-Dallas

49ers (11-3) @ Seahawks (7-7)

Century Link Field, Seattle 4:15 (FOX)

Favorite 49ers by 2

Last Week 49ers beat Steelers 20-3, Seahawks beat Bears 38-14

Playoff Implications 49ers clinch first round bye with win and Saints loss on Monday

Fast Fact The 49ers have not allowed a rushing touchdown this season, Miami has allowed the next fewest at 6

The Niners got a massive dose of dap and respect in the football world by bullying the Steelers pillar to post last Monday. The Seahawks thrashed the Bears in Chi-town and are still clinging to hope for a playoff berth. The Niners lock down rush defense will practically dare the Seahawks to throw on them. Since the Seahawks passing is mediocre at best and their strength is rushing the ball, that’s asking too much. The Niners will slug and slog their way to another win.

Pick-San Francisco

Sunday December 25 (Merry Christmas!)

Bears (7-7) @ Packers (13-1)

Lambeau Field, Green Bay 8:20 (NBC)

Favorite No Line (Bears QB in question)

Last Week Bears lost to Seahawks 38-14, Packers lost to Chiefs 19-14

Fast Fact The Packers gained a season low 315 yards in taking their first loss of the year last week.

Being the defending World Champs have their drawbacks, starting the season early and having to play on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. But the Pack come home in a less than festive mood after being ambushed at Kansas City. With their offensive line battling injuries and the receiving corps getting a bit thin, the Packers offense might not rip off a 30 point game as they have been but they still have more than enough to beat the Bears who’s offense is more rumor than anything. Turning to Josh McCown (Is HE still in this league?)the Bears are beyond desperate at the signal caller. The Pack’s defense is suspect at times but they should have more than enough to hold the Bears down.

Pick-Green Bay

Monday, December 26

Falcons (9-5) @ Saints (11-3)

Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans 8:30 (ESPN)

Favorite Saints by 7

Last Week Falcons beat Jaguars 41-14, Saints beat Vikings 42-20

Playoff Scenarios Falcons clinch playoff berth with win, Saints Clinch NFC South with win

Fast Fact Saints QB Drew Brees needs 305 passing yards to eclipse Dan Marino’s single season passing mark of 5,084 yards, Brees has thrown for more than 305 yards in 11 of the Saints 14 games

The weeks best game, should be a thriller. The high powered offenses of the Saints and Falcons will give any scoreboard operator a workout. Add the fact that these two regional rivals are getting a real dislike for one another puts more intrigue into it. Add that these teams have played uber tight games against one another lately it makes the matchup even spicer, when you add the fact that playoff positioning are on the line as well and well all you need is a national stage for it all to play out, not a bad setup for the final Monday Nighter of the season. The Saints offense has been humming, and while the Falcons may not have the flash they can put the point up as well. This game is a toss-up, but the Saints are just too tough at home to bet against.

Pick-New Orleans

Last Week: 8-8 (Lock and Upset Correct)

Overall: 137-87 (Thursday result not included)

Locks: 11-4

Upsets: 6-9

From this side of the keyboard in the Hoodwood to yours here’s wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa, Prosperous Yule or whatever it is you celebrate at this time of the year. Make sure it is safe, fun and with the ones that you love.

Until Next Post Fellow Sports Fans!

Week 15 NFL

A solid bounceback from a poor week Season Best 13-3 for the week, had the Niners and Bengals not dropped last second decisions, I would have had 15 wins, I doubt that most people though the Jags would win much less score more last week than they did in the last three weeks combined (no you didn’t don’t even front like you did) The games get even more high stakes as the season draws to its usual exciting conclusion. Again submitted for your approval is this weeks picks with the odds provided courtesy of bodog.net for entertainment and comparison purposes only. Since my money is locked up in Christmas presents, I’m not paying off bookies if you get took on these lines.

(My apologies for neglecting the Thursday Post)

Thursday December 15

Jaguars (4-9) @ Falcons (8-5)

Georgia Dome, Atlanta 8:20 (NFLN)

Favorite Falcons by 13

Last Week Jaguars beat Buccaneers 41-14, Falcons beat Panthers 31-23

Fast Fact Jacksonville’s 41 point outburst was the most in a single game since 2008

Someone tell me how the Jags keep getting these primetime dates? Anyway, The Jags finally put it all together last week, thrashing the Bucs and showing an offense that could score. Someone in the Jags braintrust figured that Maurice Jones-Drew was a decent weapon and used him with abandon, as he rung up a 4 TD game. The sledding might be a bit tougher against the Falcons who may be a bit more wary after spotting the Panther a sizeable lead before rallying for the win. The Falcons need to keep winning to stay in the wild card hunt, as the division chase might pretty much be over now. But the Jags shouldn’t provide much resistance as their lone road win was the gimme versus the Colts.

Pick-Atlanta

Saturday  December 17

Cowboys (7-6) @ Buccaneers (4-9)

Raymond James Stadium, Tampa 8:20 (NFLN)

Favorite Cowboys by 7

Last Week Cowboys lost to Giants 37-34, Buccaneers lost to Jaguars 41-14

Fast Fact Cowboys have lost 3 games this year in which they have blown 4^th quarter leads of 12 points or more. They had only done that 2 times in the past 51 season

The Pokes and Bucs get the Saturday Night Special, looking to rebound from losses. The Bucs sorry season may have reached a nadir after getting housed by the weak Jags while the Pokes just find new and creative ways to lose again this time getting letting Eli Manning carve them up but going to pieces at the final gun with another missed field goal. Tony Romo should get little of the blame for the Boys late struggles he has sparkled, but the lack of a running game with the injury of Demarco Murray and the pedestrian running of Felix Jones will hamper his efforts. They are still better than the Bucs who just look bad, and any semblance of an offense the Pokes put up will be more than enough.

Pick-Dallas

Sunday December 18

Saints (11-5) @ Vikings (2-11)

Mall of America Field @ HHH Metrodome, Minneapolis 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Saints by 7

Last Week Saints beat Titans 22-17, Vikings lost to Lions 34-28

Fast Fact The Saints have lost five in a row at Minnesota

The Saints survived a thriller in Nashville and have little time to trifle with a Vikings team that is ranking as one of the worst in franchise history. Brees will be able to pick on the Vikes soft secondary as long as Jared Allen doesn’t wreak havoc. This may be a first, Im so down on my beloved Vikes, and their play, that I’m doing what some would consider unthinkable…I’ll be more than happy to be wrong, but I don’t think I will be

Pick-New Orleans (Lock of the Week)

Bengals (7-6) @ Rams (2-11)

Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Bengals by 7

Last Week Bengals lost to Texans 20-19, Rams lost to Seahawks 30-13

Fast Fact The Bengals have never won in St. Louis, losing to the Cardinals in 1985 and twice to the Rams.

The Bengals seem to find one game a year to have a dumb loss, leaving a Texans squad who looked like they would rather clinch their division at home chance after chance to rally late and squandering a 16-3 lead at home losing on the very last play. They get a chance to be a bully again, getting a wholly disinterested Rams squad playing out the string. The Bengals will do their usual dawdle then pull away late. If they lose here any semblance of playoff atmosphere will evaporate.

Pick-Cincinnati

Seahawks (6-7) @ Bears (7-6)

Soldier Field, Chicago 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Bears by 3½

Last Week Seahawks beat Rams 30-13, Bears lost to Broncos13-10 in OT

Fast Fact This is the 3^rd time that the Seahawks have come to Chicago in 14 months, The Seahawks won last October, while the Bears won the Divisional Playoff game in January.

The Seahawks, were left for dead a couple weeks ago, have fought their way back to the fringes of the playoff race with a bruising running game and a defense that is playing reckless and solid. The Bears are falling apart fast and losing key components on a frightening pace. I want to say that they Bears will right the ship and stay in the wild card race but I think that any team with an offense will give them trouble.

Pick-Seattle (upset of the week)

Dolphins (4-9) @ Bills (5-8)

Ralph Wilson Stadium; Orchard Park, NY 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite

Last Week Dolphins lost to Eagles 26-10, Bills lost to Chargers 37-10

Fast Fact After starting 5-1, Bills have lost 7 straight and are trying to avoid a second straight season with an 8 eight losing skid

The curtain finally came down on the Tony Sparano in Miami, the Dolphins have went back to being a directionless team. The Bills have went back to their bumbling way after such a promising start. Was that 16 years ago, that my homeboy Guido and I went to Buffalo to see these two teams duel for division title? Oh so long ago that this game actually mattered. The Bills at home against a warm weather team might be one of the few things that we can bank on.

Pick-Buffalo

Packers (13-0) @ Chiefs (5-8)

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Packers by 14½

Last Week Packers beat Raiders 46-16, Chiefs lost to Jets 37-10

Fast Fact Through just 13 games the Packers have scored a franchise record 466 points

These teams are just about polar opposite as you can get. The Pack looking more and more efficient each week, looked chillingly crisp in a frightening dissection of the Raiders. The Chiefs on the other hand couldn’t begin to get out of their own way as they got hammered by the Jets. Do you really think that the Chiefs can improve that much under interim coach Romeo Crennel to pull off the biggest upset of the season? I have a seller of Kansas beachfront property that you might want to speak to.

Pick-Green Bay

Titans (7-6) @ Colts (0-13)

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis1:00 (CBS)

Favorite

Last Week Titans lost to Saints 22-17, Colts lost to Ravens 24-10

Fast Fact The Colts are looking to avoid their first 0-14 start in franchise history

The Titans had a chance to stay on the fringes of the AFC South title race but unlike the Texans couldn’t make magic on the goal line and lost a heartbreaker. The Colts? They want this death march to be all over. The Titans are the better team, the less said about another team beating the Colts like a glue factory nags, the better.

Pick-Tennessee

Redskins (4-9) @ Giants (7-6)

MetLife Stadium; East Rutherford, NJ (FOX)

Favorite Giants by 7

Last Week Redskins lost to Patriots 34-27, Giants beat Cowboys 37-34

Fast Fact Redskins are a league average a league worst 93.8 yards rushing but rookie Roy Helu has 3 straight 100 rushing games.

The Redskins gave the Pats a tough go, until Rex Grossman wrecked them again late. The Giants have seemed to have awoken from their slumber to beat the Cowboys after giving the Pack their toughest game. The Redskins shocked the Giants on opening weekend, but I doubt that could happen again. The Giants are trying to hold of the Cowboys and a possible last ditch resurgence by the Eagles

Pick-New York Giants

Panthers (4-9) @ Texans (10-3)

Reliant Stadium, Houston 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite

Last Week Panthers lost to Falcons 31-23, Texans beat Bengals 20-19

Fast Fact The Texans have held seven consecutive opponents under 20 points, and have won each game.

TJ Yates will hold a celebrated place in Houston football, the man that brought the Texans the win that not only got them their first ever playoff berth, but a division title to boot. The Texans will have to fight off a hangover facing a beatable but nonetheless dangerous Panthers squad. The Texans will continue to rely on Arian Foster on offense and the emerging Connor Barwin anchoring the defense. It may be a bit sloppy but the Texans should have enough to win.

Pick-Houston

Lions (8-5) @ Raiders (7-6)

o.co Coliseum, Oakland 4:05 (FOX)

Favorite Lions by 1 ½

Last Week Lions beat Vikings 34-28, Raiders lost to Packers 46-16

Fast Fact The Raiders have given up 31 points or more 5 times this season and have fallen behind 34-0 in each of the last two games

Try as they might, the Lions couldn’t give the game away against the hapless, hopeless Vikings. Meanwhile the Raiders took another woodshed type beating this time from the Packers and you have to wonder about the collective psyche of Carson Palmer. With both teams so fragile you can expect the first team to make a mistake will come apart at the seams. Im thinking the Lions will get a boost from the return of black sheep DT Ndamukong Suh and the defense will pressure the Raiders into a couple dumb turnovers and the Lions should get a tight win

Pick-Detroit

Patriots (10-3) @ Broncos (8-5)

Sports Authority Field @ Mile High, Denver 4:15 (CBS)

Favorite Patriots by 7

Last Week Patriots beat Redskins 34-27, Broncos beat Bears 13-10

Fast Fact The Broncos are the only team in the NFL with a winning record against the Pats in the Belichick era (6-2)

Now comes the real test for the Tebow-Maniacs. A no-joke Pats team comes calling. Now the Pats aren’t the Pack (who incidentally blasted the Broncos before Tebow was named the starter) but they bring a high octane offense led by the redoubtable Tom Brady and the irrepressible Rob Gronkowski who is a nightmare to plan for. If the Pats jump on the Broncos early they take the rowdy crowd out and force Tebow to throw where he will make enough errors to doom them. The longer that the game is close, the goofier it will get. I think Brady and the Pats score enough to outstrip Tebow.

Pick-New England

Browns (4-9) @ Cardinals (6-7)

University of Phoenix Stadium; Glendale, AZ 4:15 (CBS)

Favorite

Last Week Browns lost to Steelers 14-3, Cardinals beat 49ers 21-19

Fast Fact The Cards are trying to match their longest win streak since 1999 with their fourth win in a row

The Cards have found life and are like their aviary division mates are loitering at the fringes of the playoff hunt. They will need to smack around a Browns team that has been wandering aimlessly for the better part of the season. If the Cards come out swinging the Browns will be of little resistance. I think that will be the case.

Pick-Arizona

Jets (8-5) @ Eagles (5-8)

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia 4:15 (CBS)

Favorite Eagles by 3

Last Week Jets beat Chiefs 37-10, Eagles beat Dolphins 26-10

Fast Fact The Jets are winless against the Eagles in eight meetings

The Grinning, Jeering Rex Ryan has been at his sardonic best as of late, as the Jets looked sharp in an effortless beatdown of the Chiefs. The Eagles have suddenly found their stride winning three of four, but are running out of time. The Jets ground game has come alive at the right time. Shonn Greene and a resurgent LaDainian Tomlinson have taken a lot of heat off of Mark Sanchez and the Jets offense as a whole has been humming along. Though the Eagles are playing better with the return of Michael Vick, I don’t think that they have the chops to pull a win out.

Pick-New York Jets

Ravens (10-3) @ Chargers (6-7)

Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego 8:20 (NBC)

Favorite Ravens by 3

Last Week Ravens beat Colts 24-10, Chargers beat Bills 37-10

Fast Fact Though the Ravens have won 10 or more three of the past four seasons, they haven’t won 5 in a row since 2006. The Ravens are on a four game win streak.

This looked like a dud a couple weeks ago, so much so that NBC was trying to flex out of this game to get the Patriots-Broncos game. CBS protected the game but NBC got lucky as the Chargers have found their offense and have scored 75 points in the last two weeks. The Ravens are trying to hold off the Steelers and have no time for an untimely loss. The Chargers have more of their offensive weapons back from injury, but someone finally clued the Ravens that using Ray Rice as focal point of the offense may be a good thing. The Chargers dreams of a run to the postseason ends here.

Pick-Baltimore

Monday, December 19

Steelers (10-3) @ 49ers (10-3)

Venue, City Time (ESPN)

Favorite

Last Week Steelers beat Browns 14-3, 49ers lost to Cardinals 21-19

Fast Fact The Steelers have allowed a miserly 19 points in the last three games

You know ESPN was thinking “finally!” after better than a month of duds, snoozer and blowouts they finally get a meaty matchup. The Niners have been playing like days of old, while the Steelers are well the Steelers. A youthful offense versus a veteran defense usually favors the defense but missing the presence of James Harrison, the Steelers may lack a crucial component. The Niners also benefit from a hobbled Ben Roethlisberger, but the wily Steelers just seem to have that December mentality and they are one of the few teams that could make a West Coast trip like this and not be fazed.

Pick-Pittsburgh

Last Week 13-3 (Lock & Upset Correct)

Overall: 129-79 (Thursday result not included)

Locks: 10-4

Upsets: 5-9                                                                 

Today while I was sitting in the dentist office I was watching Sportscenter and Herm Edwards, Hannah Storm and Adam Scheffter were talking about, you guessed it, Tim Tebow. Scheffter says that not only is Denver caught up in Tebow-mania but the whole country is on-board. First off, I might not represent the entire country, but those I know in it are not Tim Tebow fans, in fact it’s quite the opposite. My dentist, a Falcon season ticket holder is so sick of hearing about Tebow she joked that it makes her wish Favre would come out of retirement. I don’t know if I’d get that carried away but I feel her pain. I don’t know where ESPiN gets its information but the threads I’ve read have not just doubters about his football abilities they’re ticked off by the lack of separation between church and sport and I can’t blame them, this “Touchdown Jesus” mentality is really nauseating.

How many times have we seen a player hit a home run or score a TD and point to the man upstairs then pound his heart with his fist or during an interview proclaim his love for the Lord and thank him for the win, like God is only a fan of his team? That’s what Tebowmania is, and the media is shoveling it down our throats. This kid may be the holiest of Christians, he may tithe half his salary to his church, but when it comes to football and church the only thing they have in common is both are popular on Sunday. If Tebow were to make the playoffs and his team is down by two points and they’re going for a field goal with only four seconds left in the game and while praying his place kicker misses wide right, does that mean Jesus is a fan of the opposition? Maybe the miss is God saying, “sorry kid I can’t give you this one because sometimes the answer is NO”.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for religion, but what’s driving this media frenzy isn’t his spectacular QB play, it’s because he’s unlike any other player because he wears his religion on his sleeve and that’s the wrong reason. Football is a team sport and your team only wins when a lot of things work together and just because the Broncos have been able to pencil in a few wins doesn’t mean that his mediocre skills are being enhanced because he prays, if that’s the case then we should expect the Bronco’s to win out and there goes Green Bay’s perfect season. Something tells me that Aaron Rodgers might have something to say about that and the only thing I’ve seen him do is celebrate a TD using the Discount Double Check, but no praying.

His fandom is so blinded by a few wins they’re forgetting that four of these wins were by a FG, one was by 4 points, 5 of the 6 never had more than 18 points scored, Denver was romped by the Lions and they only scored more than 20 once in a 38-24 win over that offensive power house Oakland.  His stats in 11 games – 96/198 for a scorching 48% completion rate and 1,944 yds, 11 TD’s, 2 INT, 4 fumbles and an 83.4 passer rating. These are the numbers for this rising star, pretty mediocre eh? Let’s look at another QB for comparison, I think we can all agree Mark Sanchez is pretty average, nothing spectacular is ever expected from this guy…here’s his numbers – in 13 games, 242/426, 56% completion avg, 2,859 yds, 21 TD’s, 11 picks, 4 fumbles. If you’re Sanchez and look at this you’d probably think the only thing missing is a TD Jesus pose, add that to his repertoire and he just might end up winning the Super Bowl.

There’s someone else out there that might be sick of hearing Tebow’s name thrown around and that’s Cam Newton. If we’re only looking at stats, Newton has an argument too. We know that Carolina is still rebuilding but Newton has certainly demonstrated he’s got game – in 13 games Newton is 270-452 for a 59.7% pass comps, 3,573 yds, 15 TD’s, 16 INT’s and only 3 fumbles for a 81.1 Passer rating. Looking at Sanchez and Newton it would appear the only thing missing is religion, my question – If God has anything to do with what’s going on in Denver why do these two QB’s have better stats? And just for the record, I realize that Tebow played 2 less games, but honestly, would he make up the difference if he had those two starts under his belt? I doubt it. Tebow is hardly a superstar and he doesn’t do it alone but if you watch the highlights you’d swear he was the only guy on the field, well him and the Good Lord.   

It is getting to the point now when going to an NFL game is not fun anymore. I don't know about your NFL team, but the Jacksonville Jaguars, for the next two games, are the NFL's experiment for testing security measures using wands. 

Before you enter the stadium, they check your bags, etc. Then you have to stand with your legs apart, arms up to shoulder height and then a person uses a police wand to search you. There is talk that this will be implemented next year at all NFL stadiums for the regular season.

Also, in Jacksonville, you can not go into a different section of the seating area, to talk to friends, unless you have a ticket for that area.

There is never this much security for the President of the United States.