Okay, so I did not get these out in plenty of time. It is now Sunday, shortly before the first slate of games are set to kick off, so I have to do this preview really quickly.
Here goes:
San Francisco at Tampa Bay - Tampa Bay is overdue for a win, but the 49ers look tough again. San Fran has a decent defense, and the Bucs have a great offense when they want to be. Home field advantage might figure large in this one. My pick: Tampa Bay
N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia - The Giants are on a roll, while the defending champs are slumping. But the Eagles are not out of it yet, and they do not want to be serious contenders for last place in the NFC East. Home field advantage should help carry the Eagles over the G-Men. My pick: Philadelphia
New England at N. Y. Jets - Home field advantage or not, the Pats are simply better. Gang Green has looked good at times this season, but New England is a more consistent winner, and they should be extremely well rested and well prepared for this one. My pick: New England
Jacksonville at Buffalo - These are some of the weakest teams in the league this year. Hard to believe that they met in the playoffs earlier this year. But the Bills have shown some spunk, and home field advantage, mixed with that cold weather in northwestern New York, should help pull the Bills through in this one. My pick: Buffalo
Seattle at Carolina - The Panthers have been slipping, while the Seahawks are always tough. This is a tough game to call. If it were in Seattle, I would definitely go with the Seahawks. But in Carolina, that makes it far more difficult. My pick is that the Panthers win, narrowly. My pick: Carolina
Oakland at Baltimore - This game means everything to the Ravens, who have very little margin for error for the duration of this season. Oakland has been out of it for some time now, but they would love to play spoiler here. But Baltimore's defense should be able to keep that Raider offense in check. My pick: Baltimore
Cleveland at Cincinnati - A divisional rivalry that could offer some surprises. The Browns still look like they want to win some games this season, and the Bengals look like they are vulnerable to losing. Still, it would not be overly wise to predict an upset in this one, so I have to go with the home team. My pick: Cincinnati
Arizona at L.A. Chargers - The Chargers will try to bounce back from a disappointing and unexpected home loss to Denver last weekend. With the Cardinals coming to town, that really should not be too hard. Arizona looks like one of the worst teams in the league, and the Chargers should not have too many difficulties in winning this game. My pick; L.A. Chargers
Pittsburgh at Denver - This would not be too difficult to pick if it were in Pittsburgh. But the Broncos are still fighting for their playoff lives right now, very close to being eliminated. They could pull off a major upset for a second week in a row here. However, it would not be overly wise to actually predict that to happen. My pick: Pittsburgh
Miami at Indianapolis - The Dolphins started off the season hot, and then stagnated. They travel to Indianapolis, to take on one of the suddenly hottest teams in the league, a team that started off 1-5, but has come roaring back to look like a legitimate playoff contender. Hard to see how Miami finds a way to win here, although if they are going to make a playoff push, this probably needs to be the game where they do it. My pick: Indianapolis
Sunday Night Football
Green Bay at Minnesota - The Packers are good, but not great. And they have been especially vulnerable on the road. The Vikings should be better than they are, as well, but they have been better so far this season the the Pack. With so much riding in this huge divisional showdown for both teams, I like the home team to pull this one off. My prediction: Minnesota
Monday Night Football
Tennessee at Houston - The Titans are very unpredictable. One week they look hot, the next they look closer to being one of the worst teams in the league. But the Texans have shown consistency, and have been pulling away in this division. They have a chance to really take the division by the throat, potentially, and I believe they are going to capitalize. My prediction: Houston
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