There is a line that is apropo for this time of the football year. Ive always liked the line Chuck D dropped in the obscure Janet Jackson song "New Agenda" Where he stated "Time to step it up. Step it cause its playoff time!" The time for talk is over, the pretenders and fake contender have been sent to the sidelines. After the NFL's 32 teams have played a total of 256 games and now only 12 teams are left. Eight are playing this weekend and four others are sacked out on their respective couches, barcoloungers and recliners feigning detached interest but wondering which of the four winners that they will face. The full weekend of doubleheaders starts Saturday. This is the NFL Playoffs, for the football junkies this is the where the money is made. In an interesting side note all four of the matchups, the foes have faced each other in the playoffs previously. All odds are provided by bodog.net for entertainment & comparision

NFL SCHEDULE – WILD CARD WEEKEND

Saturday, January 5

AFC WILD CARD PLAYOFF

#6 Cincinnati Bengals (10-6, #2 AFC Wild Card) @ #3 Houston Texans (12-4, AFC South Champion)

Reliant Stadium, Houston 4:30 (NBC)

Favorite Texans by 5

Last Week Bengals defeated Ravens 23-16, Texans lost to Colts 28-16

Previous Playoff Meetings Texans defeated Bengals 31-10 in the 2011 AFC Wild Card Round

Fast Facts CIN: Bengals have the longest playoff winless drought, their last playoff win was in the 1990 wild card round against the then Houston Oilers

Hou: Texans are 7-0 when RB Arian Foster rushes for better than 100 yards, he had 153 in the playoff meeting last year.

The Bengals, return the playoffs in their first non-strike consecutive playoff appearances with a quiet confidence and went 7-1 in the back half of their schedule to claim the wild card. The Texans on the other hand, stumbled down the stretch losing 3 of their last 4 after an 11-1 start. Matt Schaub has not played at the fearsome level he was during the Texans torrid start and the defense while still solid under the leadership of JJ Watt has suddenly gotten a bit suspect and have given up 20 or more points in their 3 late losses. The Bengals aren’t offensively fierce past AJ Green being the only credible target of Red Dalton and the serviceable running of BenJarvus Green-Ellis. I know that I picked the Texans to make the Super Bowl but something keeps telling me that they are lacking confidence and if hit in the mouth early may fold. Do the Bengals finally get their first ever road playoff win here??? I cant do it! I would love to be wrong here but something tells me that the Bengals are overdue for a flat performance.

Pick-Houston

NFC WILD CARD PLAYOFF

#6 Minnesota Vikings (10-6, #2 NFC Wild Card) @ #3 Green Bay Packers (11-5, NFC North Champion)

Lambeau Field, Green Bay (8:00 NBC)

Favorite Packers by 6

Last Week Vikings defeated Packers 37-34

Previous Playoff Meeting: Vikings defeated Packers 31-17 in the 2004 NFC Wild Card Round

Fast Facts MIN: Vikings have yet to win a game outdoors this season. Their 3 road wins were at Detroit, St. Louis and Houston (closed roof) GB: In his last five games against the Vikings, QB Aaron Rodgers has completed 74.7% of his passes with 16 TDS & just 1 interception. His QB rating a blistering 132.5

The Vikings have rode the near record running of Adrian Peterson to an improbable playoff berth, winning a thrilling game against their hated rivals, they face this same team with the stakes just as high but now upped ante for both teams. The Packers have played solid pretty much all season but have a tendency to mentally wander at times. Aaron Rodgers has been his usual dependable self and directs an offense that can score in bunches. Both teams sport defenses that can play good and have fiery point men in Jared Allen for the Vikes and Clay Matthews for the Pack. The question is which Vikings QB will show up, if it’s the skittish Christian Ponder that threw 2 damaging interceptions in Lambeau the Pack rolls to an easy win in spite of what running Peterson has. If it’s the serviceable Ponder that kept the turnovers to nil and kept the Packers defense honest with smart throws they have a shot. Im gambling that the Vikes use Peterson to pound the rock and keep the ball away from Rodgers and company and steal a massive upset.

Pick-Minnesota

Sunday, January 6

AFC WILD CARD PLAYOFF

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

Favorite Ravens by 5½

Last Week Ravens lost to Bengals 23-17, Colts defeated Texans 28-16

Playoff History: Colts have won both playoff meetings, most recently 20-3 in the 2009 AFC Divisional Round.

Fast Facts BAL: Making their 5^th consecutive playoff appearance, the longest current streak in the NFL.

IND: Only 2^nd team in NFL history to have made playoffs the season after winning 2 games or fewer

The Ravens sputtered down the stretch and needed a blowout of the fading G-Men to hold off the hard charging Bengals to win their division. The Colts are a team that were the feel good story of the year playing inspired ball under their coach Chuck Pagano who battled leukemia and came back late. Im nowhere near sold on Joe Flacco, he is a decent QB to be sure but I think that the Ravens offense shouldn’t revolve around him as they are under utilizing the redoubtable running of the rugged Ray Rice. Andrew Luck is going to be a big time quarterback and the Colts look to be in good hands under his stewardship, but the Colts are a little over their collective heads add to boot the Baltimore crown will be extra amped watching the final home game of the incompararble Ray Lewis. The Ravens should be able to run at will on the weak Colts run defense, and the Ravens defense will be playing at a fever pitch. The Ravens should be able grind out the win with few problems.

Pick-Baltimore

#5 Seattle Seahawks (11-5, #1 NFC Wild Card) @ #4 Washington Redskins (10-6, NFC East Champion)

FedEx Field; Landover, MD 4:30 (FOX)

Favorite Seahawks by 3

Last Week Seahawks defeated Rams 20-13, Redskins defeated Cowboys 28-18

Playoff History: Seahawks have won both playoff meetings most recently 35-14 in the 2007 Wild Card round

Fast Facts SEA: The Seahawks have lost their last 8 road playoff games, their only road win was their first ever playoff win against Miami in 1983.

WAS: QB Robert Griffin III set a rookie record for QB rating (104.2) and rushing yards (815)

The Redskins thumped their despised rivals in front of a deliriously happy home crowd to win their first divisional crown since late last century (That’s not hyperbole, they last won the NFC East in 1999 when their opponent were still in the AFC) RGII has been the heart and soul of the offense but fellow rookie Alfred Morris is the underrated engine that fuels the leagues top running game. RGIII is a bit hobbled with a slightly bum knee and it has limited his scrambling potential but he is still a wily passer out of the pocket. The Seahawks have their own rookie phenom in Russell Wilson who has been playing solid all season and they have been scoring points at a frenetic pace coming down the stretch. The problem I have is that the Seahawks don’t play well outside of Seattle going 3-5 with their only road wins being at Carolina, at a fading Chicago and in Toronto against the Bills which was pretty much a vanilla neutral site. I want to say the Seahawks are the one team that could give the Niners trouble. But there is something that tells me that the Redskins will be a tough team to beat at home.

Pick-Washington

Last Week: 14-2 (Lock & Upset Correct)

Regular Season Final Total: 167-88-1

Locks: 13-4

Upsets: 7-11

It's the weekend that some contenders yearn for and other wish they hadn't fallen into. Even the grossest mismatches look pretty good owing to slumping favorites, recent victories over faves by underdogs, etc. The match in DC is a total unknown. Should be a great weekend!

CIN @ HOU: What's with the Texans? Were they overrated? Are they just in a slump? Did the rest of the league start taking them seriously in the last month? Is the book out on how to beat them? Whatever it is, they'd better figure it out pretty fast. What would have been considered a Bengal barbeque not long ago suddenly looks more iffy than a hand of Texas hold 'em. This is one of the more interesting games of the weekend. The Bengals are your typical AFCN team. Not pretty, not tricky, but hard-nosed (and sometimes hard to watch), and with kids like Dalton and Green they're even occasionally dynamic. Every nerve tingles 'Bengals', but alas, I gotta admit Houston is the stronger team. They're at home. I'm a prisoner of my better judgement, the quality of which is TBD. One loose added prediction: if Houston loses, Kubiak joins the swollen ranks of the unemployed.

MIN @ GB: Rematch! No secrets here. Last week the Vikings, playing for their lives, beat the Packers, playing for a bye. They won. It was impressive. And close. Two things work against a repeat. First, this time it's in Green Bay. Second, this time the Packers are playing for their lives too. It would be a great story to see the underdogs somehow pull it off, but I just don't see it.

IND @ BAL: It's hard to see how you get a better story than this unlikely matchup unless Irsay trucks the Colts in on Mayflower. The Colts? With a rookie QB and rookies all around him? Playoffs? 11-5? Facing the Ravens? Well... consider how said Ravens have looked over the past 5 weeks or so. Their only win was over the Giants, and they proved to be a fraud. They are rested somewhat, but Indy is young. Young and motivated. Either the grim veterans take them to school or Alice Cooper sings (please, no). It's a lot like Houston and Cinci: about a month ago it was a gimme, now it looks like a game. Let's hope so. Nothing worse than a playoff blowout. The remote can't save you. I want to pick the underdog, but I gotta say Baltimore. I think.

SEA @ WAS: Those who said Luck and Griffin were can't-miss are doing well, but I doubt even they saw both teams in the playoffs. Half of last year's draft twins went 11-5. The other half has a home game at 10-6. Oops, but wait... some kid out of Wisconsin who beat out a big-contract free agent took his team to 11-5 too --- and he's in the house! It's a little hard to tell how the Roadhawks will play away from home. It's not exactly their strong point. But they are the team of the future, at least as much as the Skins. Their defense just might prove too much for the amazing Morris/Griffin combo. And they did win their last two road games, beating the Bears in a big game and hanging 50 on the Bills. Much as I like to watch Morris run and Griffin ball-handle, I think the Hawks win this one too.

Remember when the early story in the NFL was the officials' strike? Remember how bad the replacements were? Remember how much we heard about it? Remember how it was just as bad when the 'real' refs showed up? Remember how much we didn't hear about it? In one of the more poorly officiated seasons in recent memory, what in retrospect cost anyone anything in the end? I can think of an unusual pass completion in a Seattle end zone that cost Green Bay a bye. I can think of an unusual intentional grounding in --- yes --- a Seattle end zone that cost New England top seed. Now that I think of it, I can think of two unusual calls in a Seattle end zone, without which the Hawks wouldn't be in the playoffs. This is fun. Lots of water has gone over the dam, of course, but it's still fun. What can you think of?

IND 28 HOU 16: What a way to keep a streak alive. With top AFCE seed on the line, the Texans played themselves straight into the wildcard round, losing again at Indy where they've never ever won. The Colts had nothing to play for but pride and still won going away. So Houston's reward is a nice home game next weekend with a bunch of worked-up Bengals. The Colts, meanwhile, get an expenses-paid vacation in Baltimore. There's moving (van) irony here somewhere.

NE 28 MIA 0: It wasn't all glory for the Patriots, who worked their way into a bye week despite the awful first half vs. San Francisco that ultimately cost them top seed. Rob Ninkovich left with an apparently painful hip injury, and Daniel Fells injured his hand. But the Pats got what they came for, and the defense looked very good against a tough division rival. Without the starting corners, too. They have two weeks to heal up for Mr. X. They finish 9th in points allowed and first in points scored with an incredible 557 (34.8ppg). Denver is next at 481.

NYG 42 PHI 7: Mike Vick didn't get the community audition he would have liked, but Andy Reid got the worst of this as his defense went on strike before his eyes. The Giants O looked less awesome than the Philly D looked awful. Wonder where Reid will try to coach next season? Vick's whereabouts will provide conversation material also. The Giants, for their effort, got bounced anyway. The third time was the charm. Terry Francona lucked out twice after leading his Sox to 0-3 and 1-3 deficits in the ALCS. The third time he went down 1-3 it proved a poor strategy. Coughlin has had an eerily similar run.

CIN 23 BAL 17: Neither team had much to play for, and a gentleman's agreement of sorts took place as starters had time off. That's it. Nothing to see here. Check next week for real info.

CHI 26 DET 24: Da Bears fought for their playoff lives, but ultimately all it got them was a bye-bye for the Giants. No playoffs. That's what a crummy second half will do for you. These guys were 7-1 once. Imagine that?

MIN 37 GB 34: What a game this was. The Vikings weren't just playing for their playoff lives, they were playing a Packer team that had a shot at a bye. Peterson was his usual self, but Ponder, who showed flashes of brilliance early in his career, showed a few again and the Vikes established themselves as a true playoff contender. What a schedule they had to overcome to get there! This is probably the one team entering the playoffs on a playoff run already. As a reward for losing, the Packers get a rematch next week.

TEN 38 JAC 20: Some guys just don't get a break. With visions of Tebow dancing in his head, Chad Henne couldn't have wanted to toss a pair of pick-sixes. Add two TD punt returns and the Titans scored 28 fast points without putting their offense on the field. That's how things go in the boondocks of the AFCS.

CAR 44 NO 38: Give 'em credit. With zero to play for these two teams put on an entertaining exhibition. In the end, the Panthers vaulted the Saints based on a 2-0 advantage head-to-head for second place. The Saints vaulted the Bucs based on a 2-0 advantage head-to-head. They also vaulted the Bucs based on a 2-0 advantage head-to-head. Got all that?

TB 22 ATL 17: The Falcons didn't need this game, but if it doesn't cast a minor pall on their chances in the playoffs, they're the only ones who know that right now.

BUF 28 NYJ 9: Amazingly, despite stomping the Jets, finishing tied with them at 6-10, and having the superior conference record (head-to-head and divisional record are even), the Bills finished last because the tiebreaker was --- ready? --- 'strength of victory'. Who gets paid to think these things up?

SF 27 ARI 13: Brian Hoyer wasn't bad, considering he got his first start with his new team in San Francisco against a good team with a lot to lose. He wasn't good enough, but the Niners didn't look terribly impressive either in winning the NFCW once and for all, not to mention a bye, courtesy of the Packers. Division game I guess.

SEA 20 STL 13: Another tough division game, closer than expected. It didn't help the Hawks catch the Niners, but it was a good tuneup against a team apparently built well to beat the NFCW (it was the Rams' only division loss). Seattle's reward is a trip to DC. Ought to be quite the game.

SD 24 OAK 21: Do I have to?

DEN 38 KC 3: About what we expected. The Chiefs gave ex-coach Crennel the same sendoff the Eagles gave Reid. Denver gets top seed. That's why Manning picked the AFCW and not, say, Cleveland perhaps. But is Romeo a case of wherefore art thou? Word is now that Pioli will remain. He'd better put his office in a windmill. Villagers with pitchforks are likely.

WAS 28 DAL 18: Not again. At some point you have to feel for Romo. The Skins were expected to get a lot of home calls and they did, but you can't toss three picks. Morris is one smooth RB, a throwback to days when backs were something more than either sprinters or monsters (or both). He's not real fast or real big. He just knows how to time his runs with his blockers, find holes, and cut against the grain. Beautiful to watch. Much as I like RG3, the insipid hype machine is getting to me. The last thing he needs is endless overattention. Ask Tony Romo.

PIT 24 CLE 10: If I had told you several weeks ago that Ben Roethlisberger would throw 3 TDs and the Steelers would beat a Browns team with a practice squad QB in the finale, most of you would probably have believed me. If I had told you that it would mean no more for Pittsburgh than for Cleveland, you probably wouldn't have.

Cue the old Kenny Loggins song… “This Is It” The 2012 regular season draws to a close with this slate of Sunday games. All the AFC playoff spots have been spoken for with the Colts and Bengals claiming the wild card spots, but the matter of the byes and home field advantage are still very much up for grabs. In the NFC one wild card slot is left and the NFC East title is still up for grabs. All this week’s games are on Sunday as the NFL decided a few years ago to stop having the season end with a Monday nighter for fear of a playoff bound team being at a disadvantage prepping for a playoff game on a short week. As correctly predicted the Cowboys-Redskins game will be the Sunday Night finale and the stakes couldn’t be higher. This game could have the potential of a win or go home. Using the flex schedule the Dolphins-Patriots game and the Packers-Vikings matchup were moved to the later slots. Both networks get doubleheaders this week so get ready for wall to wall football.  All odds are provided from bodog.net and are for entertainment and comparison purposes only. If you spend the New Year’s money having to pay back your bookies, that’s on you. Don’t call me if you get took.

NFL SCHEDULE – WEEK 17

Sunday, December 30

Ravens (10-5) @ Bengals (9-6)

Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Bengals by 3

Last Week Ravens defeated Giants 33-14; Bengals defeated Steelers 13-10

Fast Fact Something has to give; the Bengals have allowed an average of 58 yards rushing over their last four games, the Ravens rushed for 224 yards in their last win.

Playoff Implications: Both teams have clinched playoff spots, Ravens can move to #3 spot with win and NE Loss

Both teams are headed for the postseason, so expect a game played close to the vest. Joe Flacco may try to get his passing groove on the way he did back in September. The Bengals will really have to work hard to contain the rugged running of Ray Rice. (Unintentional alliteration). Considering that both teams will try to keep the injuries to a minimum. It’s a tough call to make here, but Ill gamble that the Bengals will play a little bit better at home and squeak a win out.

Pick-Cincinnati

Panthers (6-9) @ Saints (7-8)

Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Saints by 6

Last Week Panthers defeated Raiders 17-6, Saints defeated Cowboys 34-31 in OT

Fast Fact The Saints have given up 6512 yards in total offense, 281 yards shy of the infamous record set by the 1981 Baltimore Colts…Saints interim coach Joe Vitt was a coach on that team as well.

Considering that the Saints were all but left for dead after an 0-4 start the fact that they could have a breakeven season is saying something. The Saints offense is still very much high powered but their defense is still very much a mess. That said, facing a Panthers team that is still full of questions on both sides of the ball, I’m not real sold on the Panthers going into the Big Easy and getting a win.

Pick-New Orleans

Bears (9-6) @ Lions (4-11)

Ford Field, Detroit 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Bears by 3

Last Week Bears defeated Cardinals 28-13, Lions lost to Falcons 31-18

Fast Fact The Lions have given up an average of 31.9 points during their 7 game losing skid.

Playoff Implications Bears clinch #2 wild card with win and MIN loss

The Bears are trying their best to blow a 7-1 start and miss the playoffs, but they need help.  The Lions are still playing hard but are wasting the brilliant efforts of Calvin “Megatron” Johnson and Matthew Stafford. The Bears seem to win in spite of Jay Cutler; it’s the big play ball hawking defense that has been bailing them out of games more often than not. I have some strange feeling that the Bears with more and more injuries including those to Matt Forte, Brian Urlacher and Peanut Tillman, this game would be a lot closer than one would assume.

Pick-Chicago

Browns (5-10) @ Steelers (7-8)

Heinz Field, Pittsburgh 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite No Line

Last Week Browns lost to Broncos 34-12, Steelers lost to Bengals 13-10

Fast Fact The Browns have not won in Pittsburgh since 2003

The Browns got thumped by the Broncos to no one’s surprise, while the Steelers lost a slugfest with the Bengals. Neither team has anything to really play for, but the Steelers might want revenge for a stunning upset that the Browns handed them last month. To tell you the truth, I’m not real sure on the Steelers being all there for the season finale. Though I do think that they may be able to grind out a win against the Browns,

Pick-Pittsburgh

Texans (12-3) @ Colts (10-5)

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Texans by 7

Last Week Texans lost to Vikings 23-6, Colts defeated Chiefs 20-13

Fast Fact The Texans have never won in Indianapolis, even last year’s 2-14 Colts team knocked off the playoff bound Texans in Indy last December.

Playoff Implications Both teams have clinched playoff spots; Texans can clinch #1 seed with win

With both teams headed to the postseason, like in the Bengals-Ravens contest expect both teams to play it pretty conservatively. The Texans are still trying to figure how much they will need or use RB Arian Foster who left the Vikings game with an irregular heartbeat. I’m thinking that the Colts will play the Texans tough just to prime for the playoffs. Though the Texans are still battling for the #1 seed, something tells me that the Texans will play just unfocused enough to slip.

Pick-Indianapolis

Jaguars (2-13) @ Titans (5-10)

LP Field, Nashville 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Titans by 4

Last Week Jaguars lost to Patriots 23-16, Titans lost to Packers 55-7

Fast Fact

It seems the end of the season can’t come fast enough for both these teams. The Jags played the Pats tough in a loss while the Titans took about an awful beating as they could have gotten and the seat got real hot under head coach Mike Munchak. The Titans are bad that’s true but its asking a little too much to ask the Jags to win on the road.

Pick-Tennessee

NY Jets (6-9) @ Bills (5-10)

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

Favorite Bills by 3½

Last Week Jets lost to Chargers 27-17, Bills lost to Dolphins 24-10

Fast Fact The Jets allowed 11 sacks against the Chargers, tying a team record set during a replacement game in 1987.

Both teams are trudging to the end of forgettable seasons, the Jets jeering grinning preening head coach simply refuses to use Tim Tebow even in a lost cause like this season ender.  The shattered Mark Sanchez will get the start and one has to wonder if he’s even mentally ready to QB this team. The Bills just have been playing so inconsistently it’s hard to get a read on them, still I think that their offense will be able to plod through this one and get a win.

Pick-Buffalo

Eagles (4-11) @ NY Giants (8-7)

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

Favorite Giants by 7

Last Week Eagles lost to Redskins 27-20, Giants lost to Ravens 33-14

Fast Fact The Eagles have won in their last five appearances in New York against the Giants

Playoff Implications Giants clinch playoff berth with win and losses by MIN, CHI AND DAL

The Eagles are fading away but are still playing hard down the stretch; Michael Vick is auditioning for another job, no matter what he says to the media. The G-Men were in firm control of their playoff destiny three weeks ago but have taken a pair of hellacious road beatings and now need a truckload of help in addition to winning this game. I think that they get the win; they aren’t bad enough to lose to this woeful squad.

Pick-New York Giants

Buccaneers (6-9) @ Falcons (13-2)

Georgia Dome, Atlanta 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite No line provided

Last Week Buccaneers lost to Rams 28-13, Falcons defeated Lions 31-18

Fast Fact A Falcons win would tie their 1998 Super Bowl team for most wins in a season.

The Falcons toyed with the Lions before pulling away late for the win while the Bucs are coming apart down the stretch in Greg Schiano’s first season. With the #1 seed already in their pocket, one has to wonder how much the Falcons are going to play their starters in an otherwise meaningless game. I think the Falcons, who are tough at home will dawdle just long enough to make it look interesting but have more than enough to beat a Bucs team that just doesn’t measure up.

Pick-Atlanta

Cardinals (5-10) @ 49ers (10-4-1)

Candlestick Park, San Francisco 4:25 (FOX)

Favorite 49ers by 17

Last Week Cardinals lost to Bears 28-13, 49ers lost to Seahawks 42-13

Fast Fact The Cardinals have gone six games without a touchdown pass.

Playoff Implications 49ers clinch NFC West with win and clinch #2 seed with first round bye with win AND GB loss

The Cards just gave a bucketload of turnovers and points to the Bears in another loss while the Niners took a frightful beating on their second straight primetime appearance. The Niners need to shake off the memories of that loss and focus on a sad sack Cards squad that is a shadow of the team rolled to an NFC title as a lovable underdog in 2008. The Niners user their mulligan last week and will spare the Cards no quarter.

Pick-San Francisco (Lock of the Week)

Packers (11-4) @ Vikings (9-6)

Mall of America Field @ HHH Metrodome, Minneapolis 4:25 (FOX)

Favorite Packers by 3                                                                                 

Last Week Packers defeated Titans 55-7; Vikings defeated Texans 23-6

Fast Fact With 102 rushing yards, Vikings Adrian Peterson would become the 8th NFL running back to surpass 2000 rushing yards.

Playoff Implications Packers clinch #2 seed and first round bye with win

The Vikings are caught in between Peterson’s outside chance at breaking the 28 year old rushing record held by Eric Dickerson and getting the offense moving similar to the efficient one that frustrated the Texans. The Packers are coming in after a thorough beatdown of the Titans. The Packers have already clinched a home playoff game; it’s the bye that’s on the line. If the Vikings win, they could likely face the Packers in Lambeau the very next week. In a pick that is more heart than head, I think the Vikes become the 2^nd team this year to go from double digit losses to double digit wins and a playoff berth. Will AP get

2K or 2105? I think the former but not the latter, but the Vikes win will salve that

Pick-Minnesota (Upset of the Week)

Chiefs (2-13) @ Broncos (12-3)

Sports Authority Field @ Mile High, Denver 4:25 (CBS)

Favorite Broncos by 16

Last Week Chiefs lost to Colts 20-13, Broncos defeated Browns 34-12

Fast Fact The Chiefs are trying to avoid tying a franchise worst 2-14 season, while the Broncos are attempting to have their best record since 2005

Playoff Implications Broncos clinch 1^st round bye with win or NE loss.

This has all the makings of a classic mismatch, but the Chiefs play teams tough in spite of their horrid record, but this is another case of asking too much of a bad team on the road versus a much much better team. The Broncos are trying to secure a round 1 bye and should have no real problems with the woeful Chiefs.

Pick-Denver

Dolphins (7-8) @ Patriots (11-4)

Gillette Stadium; Foxboro, MA 4:25 (CBS)

Favorite Patriots by 10

Last Week Dolphins defeated Bills 24-10; Patriots defeated Jaguars 23-16

Fast Fact The Patriots gained a total of 23 first downs last week against Jacksonville, a season low

Playoff Implications Patriots have clinched AFC East can clinch 1^st round bye with win and losses by EITHER DEN or HOU, clinches #1 seed with win and losses by HOU AND DEN

The Pats have to fight off general boredom as they have locked their division down long ago but need a load of help to get a bye. The Pats are just going through the motions ahead of the playoffs. The Dolphins are much improved but not so much that they can go into Foxboro and win.

Pick-New England

Raiders (4-11) @ Chargers (6-9)

Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego 4:25 (CBS)

Favorite No Line provided

Last Week Raiders lost to Panthers 17-6, Chargers defeated Jets 27-17

Fast Fact Chargers QB Philip Rivers has thrown for 3455 yards this season and will likely miss the 4000 yard passing mark for the 1^st time since 2007.

Both teams are headed nowhere but the Raiders are just playing horrible. The Chargers haven’t played like gang busters themselves but they are at least playing at some competent level. The Raiders are considering using Terrelle Pryor at QB. That in itself should tell you how far the Raiders have sunk. The Chargers at home playing their hated instate rivals will relish the chance to lay a real beating down.

Pick-San Diego

Rams (7-7-1) @ Seahawks (10-5)

Century Link Field, Seattle 4:25 (FOX)

Favorite Seahawks by 11

Last Week Rams defeated Buccaneers 28-13; Seahawks defeated Niners 42-13

Fast Fact The Seahawks scored 150 points in their last three games, the most in a three game span since the Los Angeles Rams scored 163 from October 22-November 5 1950.

Playoff Implications Seahawks have clinched playoff spot, can win NFC West with win AND SF loss, get first round bye with win AND losses by BOTH SF & GB

The Seahawks just showed out on Sunday Night and thrashed the Niners in front of a deliriously thrilled home crowd. The Rams are vastly improved and look as if they could put up a real fight here but the Seahawks are the better team on both sides of the ball. Russell Wilson has this team playing on a focused playoff like level.

Pick-Seattle

Cowboys (8-7) @ Redskins (9-6)

FedEx Field; Landover, MD 8:20 (NBC)

Favorite Redskins by 3½

Last Week Cowboys lost to Saints 34-31 in OT, Redskins defeated Eagles 27-20

Fast Fact Since 2000, Dallas is 2-10 in season ending games.

Playoff Implications Winner of this game is NFC East Champion

The media can’t help themselves; they are so in love with the Pokes and the possibility that Tony Romo can finally redeem himself in the playoffs that they ignore the fact that this is a seriously flawed team. RGIII is getting close to folk hero status in the DC area and the Redskins are on the precipice of their first division title since 1999. Though Dez Bryant has seemingly channeled Michael Irvin and been making plays at an incredible clip. There is something that I just do not trust about the Cowboys. When the money is on the line, the Pokes have come up short more often than not as of late. Facing a full house on the road, I just feel that the Cowboys will just not do the deed and Tony Romo will again fall on his face when he needs to step up.

Pick-Washington

Last Week: 10-6 (Lock Correct, Upset Incorrect)

Overall 153-86-1

Locks: 12-4

Upsets 6-10