New England 37, Buffalo 16 - Another controversial touchdown call helped New England here, as it stopped any and all of Buffalo's momentum. Still, the Pats won by a wide margin, and truth be told, likely would have found a way to win anyway. But a lot of people are smoking made after yet another controversial decision went in favor of the Patriots, who generally need little help from the refs to win big games. New England stays on track to clinch home field advantage. If they win up in New England again next weekend against the Jets, they will obtain that first seed, which would be potentially crucial for another Super Bowl run. My pick: Accurate
New Orleans 23, Atlanta 13 - The Saints were able to win, which was really not surprising. New Orleans was the best team in this division all season long, and you figured that they would win key games like this one. A disappointing loss for Atlanta, but they still control their own destiny in terms of qualifying for the postseason. If they win next weekend, they are in. But a very solid win for a sild New Orleans Saints team, which should make the division title official next weekend. My pick: Accurate
Chicago 20, Cleveland 3 - The Bears played extremely well in dominating the hapless Browns. This was Cleveland's last best chance to produce a win. I mean seriously, does anyone really expect them to win next week? The Browns just seem incapable of getting anything done, and to stop their profuse bleeding. But frankly, a winless season might be the jolt that this franchise needs. Being honest about how bad they are might be the fuel for a fire that burns later for them, because let's face it: it's no fluke that they have won a single game in the last two seasons combined, and lost 30 during that same span. It's time for a dramatic change, which could be good for them. It could hardly got worse for them at this point, right? As for Chicago, they have reason to be excited right now. A good, solid win for them. My pick: Accurate
Washington 27, Washington 11 - The Broncos had been hot going into this, with two straight wins. Perhaps they remembered that they could have a higher pick in the draft by losing, and decided not to recover after all. One way or another, Denver got beaten down in Washington, and so their abysmal season continues, mercifully to be put to an end next week. A solid win for Washington, who stop their own bleeding, and look likely to beat the Giants next weekend. My pick: Inaccurate
L.A. Chargers 14, N.Y. Jets 7 - The Jets had home field advantage on a cold Christmas Eve, but that was the only advantage that they held. The Chargers are fighting for something, fighting for a chance to qualify for the postseason after a horrific 0-4 start. If they do it, they will join the 1992 San Diego Chargers as the only teams in NFL history to have overcome an 0-4 start to reach the playoffs. It was not pretty, but they got the better of Gang Green in a low-scoring, defensive slugfest yesterday. If they beat the Raiders next weekend, and the Titans lose to the Jaguars, then the Chargers will realize their goal. A solid road win for them, and just another loss for the Jets. My pick: Accurate
L.A. Rams 27, Tennessee 23 - The Titans might be in serious trouble here. They still technically control their own destiny, but after dropping their third straight game, it is clear that something is wrong. Yes, they have played some tough teams, but the Titans themselves are supposed to be tough, at least if they want to be a playoff team. I thought that they were the best team in the AFC South just a few weeks ago, but now, I am really starting to doubt that they have it in them to qualify for the playoffs, even if they hold all the cards. They look truly abysmal right now. My pick: Inaccurate
Kansas City 29, Miami 13 - The Chiefs are getting hot at the right time! Just when they basically looked dead in the water, they suddenly pull off three straight wins, precisely when they most needed them. Granted, all of those games were at home, but with the division title, KC can now enjoy a playoff game from the comfortable confines of their home. The Dolphins are pretty bad this season, and obviously have no business being anywhere near the playoffs. The closest that Miami will get to that this season is the fluke win over the Pats, and otherwise getting their asses beat down by better teams heading to the playoffs, like the Chiefs here. My pick: Accurate
Carolina 22, Tampa Bay 19 - The Bucs lost their cool in this one. And Carolina, despite not playing particularly well, nevertheless found a way to win. Not sure why the Panthers looked this bland, but again, it's just about getting the job done, and credit Carolina for doing that much. Tampa Bay is a poor team, and they seem to have given up on the season. So how was it that the Panthers suddenly were struggling in this one? Not sure how good the Panthers actually are, but a win is a win, and it keeps the pressure on the Saints, and allows the Panthers to at least clinch a playoff berth My pick: Accurate
San Francisco 44, Jacksonville 33 - The Jaguars lost a bad game yesterday afternoon at San Fran. Granted, they had managed to clinch their division title before the game ever started, as the Titans lost their game to the Rams, which eliminated them from a chance at the division (but not yet the playoffs). That was the good news. The rest of the game was the bad news, because the Jaguars played terribly, and looked as far removed from being a serious playoff team as they have looked all season. The 49ers might have begun the season 0-9, but they have rebounded in a big way, and this was a huge win for them, seeming to suggest that they are going to be a serious team next season. As for the Jaguars, they captured the division, but you have to wonder if this loss exposed some serious, and perhaps glaring, weaknesses for this team. My pick: Inaccurate
Arizona 23, N.Y. Giants 0 - The last time that the Cardinals shut someone out, I was only a few months removed from having graduated high school! And that one also came against the New York Giants! Of course, as bad as the 1992 Giants were - and they were bad - they were nonetheless way better than this year's Giants. Plus, they were only two years removed from their Super Bowl XXV championship. These Giants sank to 2-13, which is now clearly the worst record that I have ever seen the Giants have to this point. The Cardinals completely dominated on defense in this one, holding the G-Men scoreless, especially in the running game. They might not be heading to the playoffs, but they enjoyed a very dominant performance yesterday. As for New York, just when you think they have hit new lows, they turn around and surprise you with some new lows showing even greater incompetence than before! My pick: Accurate
Seattle 21, Dallas 12 - I knew that I should have picked the Seahawks! They have been driving me nuts with picks all season long, as they sometimes show glimpses of their former greatness, and then show other glimpses of mediocrity. You never know which Seattle team that you are going to get. The 'Hawks absolutely had to win (as did Dallas) to keep their playoff hopes alive. But on the road in Big D, Seattle got the job done, relying on a tough defense, and doing just enough on offense to secure the win.A huge disappointment for the Cowboys, who are eliminated by virtue of this result. But the Seahawks proved that they were tougher, and closer to being serious playoff material, which really is not that shocking, when you think about it. These days, Dallas rarely enjoys back-to-back playoff seasons. My pick: Inaccurate
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