Week 15 Picks

Well 11-5 in my first week publically picking. Not bad but looking for an improvement this week:

Indy (-3) over Jacksonville: As much as I dont want to see the Colts continue the undefeated season, I just dont think the Jags have what it takes to compete head to head with the Colts. I dont think Manning will play any less than the full game because they have no backup with Sorgi out. Jones Drew will get a big game, but Indy still chugs along.

New Orleans (-7) over Dallas: Romo and the 'Boys Decemeber blues continue as the Saints match the Colts in the race for a 19-0 mark. Too much for Dallas here to over come in New Orleans and against a phenomenal Saints offense. The Saints outstanding secondary will negate the Dallas passing game, and Wade Phillips is probably on his last limb.

Green Bay (-2) over Pittsburgh: Now that the Steelers have pulled a Tiger and fallen from the top or even playoff contention with unfathomable losses to the Chiefs and Raiders, they wont be able to overcome a strong Packers team. Since the Minnesota/ Favre in purple pummeling at Lambeau in November, the Packers have gotten stronger every game. The Steelers will keep it close , but too much Green Bay in the end.

Tennessee (-3) over Miami: This one is maybe the toughest to call this week. Huge AFC playoff ramifications are spread all over week 15 including this one. I just cant see a Ronnie Brown-less Dolphins team being able to consistantly to make the playoffs. But can Vince Young will this team to a 10-6 or maybe 9-7 and some luck mark to make the playoffs? Dont be surprised.

New England (-7) over Buffalo: Games in Buffalo in December can be a little weird so look for the Pats not to cover, but to squeak out an ugly win. The Pats had a very dismal showing against Carolina but should rebound to stay one game up in the AFC East.

Arizona (-12.5) over Detroit: What draft pick will Detroit have this year? More importantly, the Cardinals need this badly after a horrible 7 turnover effort on Monday. Warner and the offense need to regain some swagger and will against the typically lowly Lions.

Philly (-8.5) over San Francisco: The Niners caught some really lucky breaks to score all their points off 7 Cardinals turnovers on Monday. Philly has a ton of momentum after a huge win over the Giants and is in the drivers seat in the NFC East knowing that an inevitable Dallas collapse is coming and the Giants have to make up too much ground to get the division. Philly cant slip up and open the door for either division rival which is why they take care of business.

Atlanta(+5) over the Jets: My upset special of the week. Did anyone see how competitive the Falcons were without Ryan and Turner last week against the Saints? And you're telling me either a recently banged up Sanchez or Kellen Clemens is going to play better than Drew Brees?

Baltimore(-11) over Chicago: Man, even by Chicago standards this one hurt. Cutler, the boy wonder???, cant stop throwing multiple interceptions and is even more inconsistant than he was in Denver when he went through 10 running backs last season. Baltimore tends to never lose at home , especially late in the season. Cutler is going to look like an antelope after the lions (not detroit) got to it with Ed Reed and Ray Lewis.

Cleveland(+2) over Kansas City: How pissed are Browns fans? The Pittsburgh win made it at least worth the season but now they're just playing themselves lower in the draft. Good luck to their next GM. And will KC ever be competitive again? Give Pioli a few more seasons but not until at least 2011.

Houston (-10.5) over St.Louis: The Rams are bascially the consensus number one pick and the Steve Spagnolo and Giants breakup has gone pretty awful for both parties. Houston continues their trend of winning meaningless games in a push for an 8-8 season.

San Diego (-6.5) over Cincinatti: What can you say after the Chris Henry death? The team's emotions will be too raw to properly focus on this away game. They will still win the AFC North but just not on this day after how unbelievably tragic their sudden loss is.

Denver (-14) over Oakland: You dont need to know much more than the Raiders are going to Denver and playing their third string QB over their former first round pick who is making roughly $80 million. That and Vegas is giving 14 points on this. Is it possible to mercy rule in the NFL?

Seattle (-6.5) over Tampa Bay: The NFL should create a promotion for this game. Film you and your buddies watching this game , no beer or other booze is allowed. If everyone is still awake after the third quarter, send the tape to the NFL office in New York for a chance to win Super Bowl tickets because thats really the only way anyone would even watch a drive of this one.

Minnesota (-9) over Carolina: The Vikings need to keep pace for the 2 seed in the NFC and wont let up versus Carolina. Although, watchout for the Panthers in Week 17 vs the Saints if they are still undefeated.

NY Giants (-3) over Washington: This is a must win for the Giants. They put up over 500 yards of offense last week against Philly , so look for more of the same against Washington. Although, this game will be closer than people think. Fed Ex Field was a death trap for the Broncos and nearly was for the Saints. Something weird is going on there.

Good luck to the Bengals, not only for the Broncos sake, but for their collective hearts and minds.