By Patrick Stanton
JetNation Senior Columnist
NY GIANTS (10-4) @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS (8-6)
Would the real Washington Redskins please stand up? After starting out the season red hot, the ‘Skins went ice cold and looked to be on their death bed just a few weeks ago. But after ripping off 3 straight wins, they’re back in the thick of the NFC wild card race. Not to be outdone, the Giants have a three game winning streak of their own and can seal the NFC East with a win. While Brunell’s play has been admirable, I don’t see him getting it done against a stout Giants Defense. Giants win.
DALLAS COWBOYS (8-6) @ CAROLINA PANTHERS (10-4)
After being dismantled by Washington last week, Tuna and the Cowboys are on playoff life support right now. With three other 8-6 teams and a 9-5 Bucs squad, anything but a win against Carolina is a death sentence. With Tuna’s recent history of winning or leaving, one has to wonder if a season like this will spell his departure “to never coach football again�. I like the Panthers in this one.
ATLANTA FALCONS (8-6) @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (9-5)
Does anyone else find it amazing that the man who proclaimed himself with the ability to be a pocket QB is running all over the place the past few weeks? The most overrated QB in all of football takes on a rock solid Bucs D who are looking to close the door on Atlanta’s playoff hopes. Jim Mora Jr. is taking after his father with a late season meltdown in Hotlanta. The Bucs sail away with the win.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-12) @ ST. LOUIS RAMS (5-9)
Would the last fan to leave the Edwards Jones Dome please turn out the lights? Thank You. Rams help the Niners get one step closer to Reggie Bush.
TENNESSEE TITANS (4-10) @ MIAMI DOLPHINS (7-7)
Fresh off their annual Super Bowl win against the Jets, the Dolphins find themselves fighting to insure a .500 season. Meanwhile in the Titans camp, Titans fans and players find themselves what probably amounts to the second to last game played by Steve McNair in a Titans uniform. Miami gets their 8th win and gives us all reason to forget the Titans.
DETROIT LIONS (4-10) @ SAN ANTONIO SAINTS (3-11)
1 to 3. 3 to 2. 2 to 1. No that’s not a complex math problem, that’s this week QB lineup in the soap opera called Days of our Lions. It’s Harrington’s turn once again to move this pathetic offense as Garcia not only gets benched, but moves to 3rd string behind the rookie Olvorsky. In typical Lions fashion, Harrington will come in, have a strong game, lead them to a win and make everyone think for at least another week he’s a good QB. Lions win.
BUFFALO BILLS (4-10) @ CINCINNATI BENGALS (11-3)
The only highlight here is Chad Johnson’s anticipated end zone TD celebration rumored to have a holiday theme to it. Aside from that, it’s going to be a long day for the Bills as the Bengals try to get themselves a 1st round playoff bye by keeping pace with Denver. Bengals thrash the Bills at the jungle.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (10-4) @ HOUSTON TEXANS (2-12) **UPSET SPECIAL**
The Jaguars came dangerously close to blowing a key game against the 49ers last week while the Texans beat up on Arizona, taking Warner out of the game early. I find it funny that Dan Reeves is brought in to ‘evaluate’ the team and low and behold the Texans start playing some football. I think the Jags are begging to blow a game and this week is the week to do it. Texans surprise the Jags and send them home with a loss.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (9-5) @ CLEVELAND BROWNS (5-9)
I’m not exactly a fan of either team but from what I heard while tailgating in Cleveland last year, this match up is like putting the Israelis and Palestinians in a small room and closing the door. I like what Crennel is starting to make happen with the Browns. Their D is improving, Droughns is having a great year and Frye looks like their future at QB. If they could get some of their recent draft choices off the IR they’d really be an improvement. Still for now, they won’t be able to match up against Cowher’s Steelers who continue to fight for a wild card spot. Steelers win.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (9-5) @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (8-6)
Why do I keep hearing the 9-5 Chargers being described in the media as one of the best teams in the league? They’re good, but given the fact they’re fighting for a playoff spot with 5 losses, I’d east up on proclaiming them the best team in the league for now. This should be a shootout in KC with Brees vs. Green and most importantly, Tomlinson vs. Johnson. The last one to score here wins. I like the Chargers chances in this one and take them for the win.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (6-8) @ ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-10)
If you had told Eagles and Cardinal fans before the season that their QBs in week 15 would be Mike McMahon and John Navarre they would have laughed in your face. Warner is out and as of now it appears that McCown will start for the Cards as they welcome the still mildly dangerous Eagles to town. If I’m the Eagles I run a dime defense all day and dare the Cards to run on them. Note to Coach Green – at some point in the next five years you need to establish a running game. Mike McMahon has Rutgers alumni smiling this week as the Eagles beat the Cardinals.
INIANAPOLIS COLTS (13-1) @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (12-2)
In light of the recent tragedy with Coach Tony Dungy’s son, I would like to use this column to relay my heartfelt condolences to Coach Tony Dungy & family and the Colts organization as a whole. This game means nothing now and rightfully so as we are once again reminded that in the end, football is just a game. In light of these events I will not pick a winner of this game. On behalf of JetNation.com, our sympathies go out to those affected.
OAKLAND RAIDERS (4-10) @ DENVER BRONCOS (11-3)
Word on the street is Al Davis is trying to get Kerry Collins back on the sauce. The Raiders are terrible and to make matters worse, LaMont Jordan is out with his first welcome to the starting RB world of injuries. Broncos win out, they get a 1st round bye alongside Indianapolis and who wants to do the mile high city in January for the playoffs? The Broncos will cause RaiderNation to riot (literally) as they send Oakland packing with a bruising loss.
CHICAGO BEARS (10-4) @ GREEN BAY PACKERS (3-11)
Brett Favre – please retire. We beg you. For the sake of yourself, your family, your teammates and your fans, you’ve done it all. It’s time to move on, retire and be with your family. As ugly as this game will be for Green Bay, it will be interesting to see what Rex Grossman’s return does to the offense. Bears win easily.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (8-6) @ BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-9)
Could anyone else not help but laugh as Kyle Boller was made to look like a decent NFL QB by a pathetic Green Bay defense last week? It was probably just enough to cause the Ravens to stick with him for one more year. Meanwhile the Vikings were knocked back to reality last week after facing their first real test during what was a six game winning streak. As ugly as this season has been, I think Tice managed to save himself for one more year with the turnaround and a win at Baltimore will make that even more likely. I’ll take the Vikings to win.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (9-5) @ NEW YORK JETS (3-11)
A blind man can see that the Patriots are starting to hit their stride as of late and taking that lightly as their opponent is a death sentence. Brady has the offense running effectively and most importantly, the defense has begun to come around with the return of numerous starters from injuries. Coming off a career day, Brooks Bollinger and the Jets are looking to build upon last week’s offensive success and apply it towards beating New England. Unfortunately for Bollinger, I think Belichick has a few things in mind for him and his turnstile offensive line which will make Monday a long night for the North Dakota native. On defense, the Jets are hoping that (cough, cough) AFC Pro Bowl CD Ty Law decides to make a guest appearance for the game after having anything but a stellar outing a few weeks back. As much as I’d like to see the Jets win this, it just isn’t happening. Patriots win this one easily.
Last week 11-5
Year To Date: 58-34