Chicago 33, Cincinnati 7 - This was one of those mild surprises from yesterday. Here, I expected the Bengals to show some pride and strength, being at home, and having some (albeit not much) hope for some miracle scenario that they might qualify for the playoffs. But first and foremost, they needed to win, and not only did they fail to win, they got blown out and humiliated at home. Chicago's offense looked like it had not in a long, long time, and the Bears defense was all over Cincy, containing them to a pedestrian single touchdown. Mitchell Trubisky once again played well enough to give fans in Chicago reason to be optimistic about the future. The Bengals? Not so much. My pick: Inaccurate
Detroit 24, Tampa Bay 21 - The Lions absolutely needed to win this one, and even though it was not pretty, they did manage to do that much, and kept their playoff hopes alive in the process. They seemed to have the edge for most of this game, seemingly dominating as they built up a 21-7 lead. But Tampa Bay rallied in the fourth quarter with two touchdowns to pull even, although Detroit was able to keep composed enough not to blow it. In fact, they were able to get a late field goal to clinch the win, as they more escape with a win than anything else. But again, they got done what they needed to get done in this one. My pick: Accurate
Green Bay 27, Cleveland 21 (F/OT)- The Browns are really hungry for a win, obviously. They have performed well in recent weeks, fighting tough opponents and coming close to finally winning. Yet, wins just barely elude them, time and time again. The Browns looked like they would finally produce a solid win, taking a sizable lead against Green Bay in this one. However, the Pack battled back, with two unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Then, a horrible pass by DeShone Kizer in overtime resulted in an interception in Cleveland's territory, which obviously presented a golden opportunity for the Pack. They capitalized, with Brett Hundley throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams, who scored the touchdown and kept running right into the lockers, like Flipper Anderson did against the Giants in the playoffs, or like Forrest Gump did in that wonderful movie. Victory to Green Bay, and the Browns look increasingly desperate to avoid the ignominous fate of a winless season. Time is running out for them, and this might have been their best shot out of the remaining games to produce that long elusive win. My pick: Accurate
Buffalo 13, Indianapolis 7 (F/OT) - Buffalo was very snowy, and that added to the dramatic effect in this one, big time! The Bills and Colts both struggled, as the weather conditions were obviously brutal for this game. Visibility was as bad as I remember seeing it for an NFL game, reminiscent of the Fog Bowl many years ago up in Chicago. Obviously, that did not make for a high scoring contest. But the Bills and Colts went into overtime, and the Bills found a way to win, to stay very relevant in the AFC playoff picture. My pick: Accurate
Carolina 31, Minnesota 24 - Sooner or later, it seems, the big winning streaks end. And so it was, with the Vikings suddenly looking potentially like the NFC powerhouse, and the Panthers fighting with everything that they have for their playoff lives, Carolina pulled off a big upset win and, in the process, humbled the Vikings. True, Minnesota will will the NFC North anyway, they just have to wait another week or two to make it official. But they lost their privileged position for home field advantage, at least for now, with this loss, coupled with Philly's big win at the Rams. As for Carolina, they manage to get back into a first place tie with the Saints, which means that they control their own destiny at least to qualify for the playoffs, and still have a decent chance to win the division, unless New Orleans goes undefeated the rest of the way. A huge win for Carolina, and a bad loss for Minnesota. My pick: Accurate
Kansas City 26, Oakland 15 - With their backs very much against the wall, Kansas City finally came out swinging, and showed a little bit of the talent and resolve that saw them get off to such a hot start earlier this season. The Chiefs jumped all over the Raiders in the first half, grabbing a commanding 19-0 lead, and held on to win for a convincing, and very timely, win. Just when the Raiders seemed to have recovered enough to pose a serious threat to KC, the Chiefs delivered what is likely a knockout blow to their chances of a division title, or even to reach the playoffs. A critical win for the Chiefs, and a crushing loss for the Raiders. My pick: Inaccurate
San Francisco 26, Houston 16 - The 49ers won two big road games in a row now. They handled the Texans, earning a road win, and only the second win for them this season. No, they are not as good as playoff teams, but they do play hard, and are tougher than that 0-9 start to the season suggested. Now, they are showing it. As for the Texans, it seems that they have long ago given up on this season, knowing full well that everything is out of reach for them. This was just another in a long list of disappointments for a Texans team that should have been better than they are, frankly. My pick: Inaccurate
Dallas 30, N.Y. Giants 10 - The Cowboys appeared dead just a few weeks ago. but after two straight division wins, they once again look very much alive. Not that circumstances favor them, because they are on the outside of the playoff picture, looking in, and needing some help. If they win out, they likely will win it, but not definitely. After all, they are two games behind New Orleans and Carolina, and a game behind the Falcons, who hold the tiebreaker over Big D. So do the Packers. So do the Rams, if they should lose the division race to Seattle (which I personally still feel is likely). Dallas is not likely to make the playoffs, but at least they are fighting to stay alive, and that is something. And they had absolutely no problem lassoing my Giants, who are among the weakest teams in the league. Frankly, I am glad the Giants are not playing Cleveland, because the Browns probably would not longer be winless after that one, the way these Giants are playing! My pick: Accurate
Denver 23, N.Y. Jets 0 - The Broncos played so poorly for so long, that you kind of got used to them continually losing. I figured that they had given up on the season, but they not only won yesterday, but pitched a shut out against a playoff hopeful team. Sure, the chances that Gang Green would make the playoffs were slim, and now, those chances are basically completely gone. But it was not just the the Jets lost, but the way that they lost, failing to produce any points, and not being a factor for most of the game, that hurt the most. At precisely the time when a win seemed certain, and when the playoffs (at least continuing to compete for them into late December) seemed not just within reach, but almost a sure bet. Instead, they get pounded by a team that had not won a single game in over two months. Go figure! My pick: Wildly inaccurate!
L.A. Chargers 30, Washington 13 - The Chargers are heading to the playoffs. I am almost sure of it. This is a red hot team, despite what appears, on the surface, to be a modest regular season record. Remember, this team started off 0-4, and seemed dead in the water, continually losing games in heartbreaking fashion, one near miss after another. Well, right now, they seem to have found more solid footing, and they look like a team with a serious killer instinct. They were all over an overwhelmed Washington team yesterday, and they looked very much like a playoff bound team and even, dare I say, a division winner, with the way that they played yesterday. I think the Chiefs might be in trouble, despite winning against Oakland yesterday, and even with home field advantage when the Chargers and Chiefs meet next weekend. My pick: Accurate
Philadelphia 43, L.A. Rams 35 - Just one week after suffering their first tough loss in roughly two months, the Eagles bounced back in a big way with a huge win against the Rams. It was their second consecutive game on the West Coast, but they fared much better this time, holding their own in a tight, back and forth contest against the Rams, and eventually, finding a way to pull this one out. This, coupled with the Vikings loss, puts the Eagles right back on top of the NFC playoff picture, and home field advantage once again looks very much within reach. There was good news, also, as this win finally officially secures the NFC East for Philly, and a playoff bye is virtually assured, as well. The bad news? Carson Wentz left the game with an injury, and it remains uncertain how serious it is, or how long it will impact the team. Otherwise, only good news for the Eagles with this win. My pick: Inaccurate
Jacksonville 30, Seattle 24 - Okay, I have to admit that I underestimated the Jaguars in this one. My expectations were what they have been for several years, that the Seahawks surely could not have fallen so quickly back into the pack, since so many of the tools that got them to elite status a few years ago are still in place. Yet, they seem to have lost a step or two, as they keep losing big games like this one. It went back and forth, and the Jaguars more survived this than dominated it, or anything. Yet, the win allows them to take sole possession of first place in the AFC South once again, and they assured their first winning season for the franchise since 2007. A solid and huge win for Jax, another disappointing loss for the 'Hawks. My pick: Inaccurate
Sunday Night Football - Pittsburgh 39, Baltimore 38 - Another incredibly boring result involving the Steelers. It was a back and forth game, and just when it seemed that Baltimore surely would win, Pittsburgh predictably pulled through in the end. Thrilling, huh? Sorry, but I cannot get excited for the Steelers, when they have a criminal behind center serving as their star quarterback. he should be in prison, rather than making his millions on the football field. Hopefully, they lose somewhere along the line before ever making it to the Super Bowl. I seriously have lost a lot of respect for this franchise ever since they opted to not only hang onto Roethlisberger, but to outright protect him for his inexcusable actions. My pick: Inaccurate
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