WEEKLY PICKS
WEEK 12

Christopher Kay’s Weekly Picks

Thursday
Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions
Michael Vick seems to be getting more and more criticism as of late, and since this is a nationally televised game on Thanksgiving, he’ll play like he has something to prove.  He wants to show people he can pass in addition to run, and we all know this isn’t possible.  Luckily, Mora will return to what has got him wins in the past; running the ball with Warrick Dunn and T.J. Ducket.  This will work wonders against the Lions. 
Falcons over Lions 26-13

Denver Broncos at Dallas Cowboys
Many consider the Cowboys to be one of the elite teams in the NFC.  This isn’t true as they’ve played erratically; getting a gift win one week and giving a gift win the next.  The Broncos are one of the elite teams in the AFC.  The AFC is a much tougher conference once again this year than the NFC.  This all spells trouble for the Cowboys.
Broncos over Cowboys 28-23

Sunday
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals still have problems on defense, which bodes well for the Ravens.  Sadly, Jamal Lewis has lost a step.  Make that all his steps.  He is nothing like the runner he was just a few years ago.  The Ravens defense is also not like it once was.  As the Ravens have been getting worse, the Bengals have improved tremendously.  Carson Palmer will have yet another big day, solidifying his pro bowl berth. 
Bengals over Ravens 38-23 

Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills
The Bills are at home.  And that’s about the only thing they have going for them in this game.  Julius Peppers should have a huge game chasing down Losman and collecting a few sacks.  Nate Clements will have his hands full with Steve Smith, who seems unstoppable so far this season.  The Bills are better at home than they are on the road, but the Panthers will be looking to get back in the race for the top spot in the NFC. 
Panthers over Bills 28-7

Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bears defense is poised for a let down game after their huge win over the Panthers.  Their defense will be able to handle Chris Simms and wreak havoc in the backfield and confuse the young QB.  The Bucs will do the same against rookie QB Kyle Orton.  This one will come down to turnovers, and the Bucs at home will win the battle. 
Buccaneers over Bears 10-6

Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings now realize that they have a legitimate shot at the division title and this should get them motivated.  The Browns have started surprising some teams as of late.  The more time removed from the sex boat scandal, the better the Vikings seem to get.  Look for this to continue. 
Vikings over Browns 30-17

New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs
The Patriots are riding high on their first 2 game winning streak of the season.  They won’t be able to extend it to 3.  The Chiefs’ running game with Larry Johnson is way to strong for the Pats.  The Pats’ DBs are hurting, but this shouldn’t tempt Vermeil to go to the air since it will be so easy for him on the ground.  This one will be filed under ‘embarrassing’ for the Patriots, prompting all media to exclaim how tough these poor Patriots have had it this season once again. 
Chiefs over Patriots 41-21

San Diego Chargers at Washington Redskins
The Redskins defense may be able to hold Ladanian Tomlinson at the beginning, but then Drew Brees will start making plays instead.  The Redskins will give a valiant effort trying to come back after the Chargers get up on them early, but they’ll fall short.  This Chargers team is just too strong and every game is almost a must win for them if they want to catch the Broncos. 
Chargers over Redskins 28-24

San Francisco 49ers at Tennessee Titans
The 49ers have been coming close to upsetting much better teams in recent games, most notably against the Seahawks last week.  The Titans are the youngest team in football, and it shows.  Sooner or later, the 49ers will upset someone.  Seeing as how the Titans aren’t a good team to begin with, it’ll be sooner rather than later. 
49ers over Titans 31-28

St. Louis Rams at Houston Texans
The Rams now find themselves 4 games behind the Seahawks for the division title, and virtually out of the playoffs as a result.  This will make it difficult for them to show up in the remainder of their games this season.  The Texans on the other hand have already had a tough season and will now be playing for their jobs, or so owner Bob McNair made it sound like recently.  The Texans are also due for another win right about now, and the Rams seem ripe for the picking, again. 
Texans over Rams 38-28

Jacksonville Jaguars at Arizona Cardinals
This is yet another in a long line of easy teams remaining for the Jaguars.  The Jags are starting to win games with their offense, which is a surprise to many people.  The Cardinals have no defense to begin with, but their offense has turned it on with their potent WR duo in Boldin and Fitzgerald.  This one will end up coming down to whose defense can hold out longest and the Jags had a good defense in the past, the Cardinals never did. 
Jaguars over Cardinals 28-27

Miami Dolphins at Oakland Raiders
The Dolphins embarrassed themselves by losing to the lowly Browns last week.  It’ll take a while for Saban to get the Dolphins back into contention.   For now, they’ll remain a team that can lose badly any week to any team.  Gus Ferrotte is not the answer at QB.  The Raiders are getting better and starting to win games as they showed by beating the Redskins last week.  Randy Moss will most likely have a big day out jumping Dolphin DBs. 
Raiders over Dolphins 27-16

Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles
Although it seems that the Eagles may lose all their remaining games now that both TO and Donovan McNabb are gone for the season, we must remember that the Packers remain one of the worst teams in the NFL.  The Eagles will rely on Westbrook all day, and he’ll produce big numbers.  If the Eagles defense can shut down the likes of Ladanian Tomlinson, they should have no problem with anyone the Packers have.  Favre will be chucking it all day and throw a few costly picks, which will ultimately result in victory for the Eagles. 
Eagles over Packers 24-17

New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks almost got caught last week looking forward to this game.  This is another test to see if the Seahawks are indeed the best the NFC has to offer this season.  The Giants defense won’t be able to hold Shaun Alexander out of the end zone, no one has.  The Seahawks will get a lead early, forcing Eli Manning to play catch up mode thus limiting Tiki Barber’s touches on the ground.  This will force the younger Manning into mistakes, the result of which will be interceptions.  
Seahawks over Giants 31-28

New Orleans Saints at New York Jets
Both of these teams probably can’t wait for this disastrous season to be over.  The Jets have no solution at QB, whereas the Saints just find ways to lose.  Aaron Brooks can still air it out in random games, and this looks like it will be one of them.  The Saints offense will get their share of opportunities against the Jets, whose offense will stall often, even against the Saints defense.  
Saints over Jets 17-7

Monday
Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts
Everything seems to be running smoothly for the Colts’ offensive machine.  The Steelers are missing Big Ben badly.  His return should add a spark to the Steelers offense, but it’s their defense that will have the real test.  The Steelers will pound the ball like they always do, keeping Peyton Manning on the sidelines as long as possible.  But, inevitably when he steps on the field along with Harrison, Wayne and Edge, he’ll score.  The Steelers should make a game of it, but it won’t be enough.  This game is a complete contrast to last week’s Monday Nighter in that this one is between two teams that still matter. 
Colts over Steelers 34-28