Washington 29, NY Giants 21 - Both of these teams entered this one with massive losing streaks. So one team would finally see their losing streak end, while the other would get one of the most demeaning losses yet, by virtue of allowing the other one to snap their losing streak. Leave it to the G-Men to get dominated at home and look indeed like the worst team. They tried to make it close, but Washington's defense was formidable. The Commanders improve to 4-10, while the Giants lose their eighth straight tied with the Raiders for the longest active losing streak in the league. The G-Men fell to 2-12, which I believe is the worst record this far into a season that I have seen them have, dating back to my first season as a fan, back in 1981. Pathetic. My pick: Inaccurate
Jacksonville 48, NY Jets 20 - To their credit, the Jaguars took care of business. This is one of those dangerous games for a playoff contending team like Jacksonville. They are expected to win, so will not get all that much credit when they do win. But Gang Green were trying to play the role of spoilers, and had been playing fairly well in recent weeks. However, Jax took care of business right from the start, taking control of the game early and running out to a big lead, and the points just kept on coming. The Jags earn a solid and convincing win. They improve to 10-4 to stay ahead of the Texans and Colts in the AFC North. Meanwhile, the Jets fall to 3-11 with this loss.. My pick: Accurate
Buffalo 35, New England 31 - The Pats looked like they were cruising when they jumped ahead, 21-0, in this one. I figured that my pick in favor of the Bills to win was done. But to their credit, the Bills kept fighting. Josh Allen threw a touchdown pass in the second quarter, although New England kicked a field goal for a 24-7 halftime lead. But Buffalo kept battling, scoring two TD's in the second quarter to make it a close game. Then two more in the fourth quarter, both times while Buffalo was trailing, to earn a huge comeback win that served as a solid revenge for the earlier defeat to the Pats up in Buffalo. With the win, the Pats make the AFC East race tight, as they improve to 10-4, one behind New England, who now move to 11-3. This was the kind of win that the Bills needed to get some momentum and excitement for their postseason prospects back. My pick: Accurate
LA Chargers 16, Kansas City 13 - Okay, so I can admit that I was wrong. I kept expecting the Chiefs to get back to the level of play that we have grown so used to them playing at. Remember, this team participated in a record five of six Super Bowls recently and had become the pillar of stability in the NFL, each season. So all that said, I simply was not expecting a fall quite like they had this season. Yet, fall they have. This loss completed a season sweep by the Chargers and officially eliminated KC from playoff contention, something which I frankly had doubted would actually happen until the last couple of weekends, once it became obvious that something was really, really wrong in KC. Plus, Mahomes was injured and will be out for the duration of this season. So it really seems to be the end of an era for the Chiefs Kingdom, as they fall to 6-8 with their third straight loss. As for the Chargers, a solid win under tough road conditions in frigid Kansas City allows them to improve to 10-4, and closer to reaching the playoffs than ever now. My pick: Inaccurate
Houston 40, Arizona 20 - The Texans scored more points than I assumed they would in this one. But they won it, and quite easily at that. Their defense gave up more points than expected, but they still won comfortably, earning yet another win. The Cardinals are a welcome opponent for most teams, but the Texans dispatched with them early and easily. With the win, Houston improves to 9-5 and remains a game behind the Jaguars. Meanwhile, the Cardinals fall to 3-11 on the year with yet another loss. My pick: Accurate
Chicago 31, Cleveland 3 - The Bears won this one as their fans were hoping. They dominated, leaving no doubts. The Browns were shut down and barely scored anything, while Da Bears put up a decent amount of points. Ultimately, it was Chicago pounding the hapless Browns to improve to 10-4 and move back into first place in the NFC North, since the Packers lost. A very good weekend for Chicago. As for the Browns, they fall to 3-11. My pick: Accurate
Baltimore 24, Cincinnati 0 - Cincy had seemed to be getting hot since the return of Joe Burrow. But he threw some costly picks late against Buffalo, allowing the Bills to steal the win. Then he follows that up with what might have been his worst game as a pro in this one. It was the first time that the Bengals were shut out with Burrow as the quarterback. The Ravens defense played intense, and they did enough on offense to make that lead stand. With the win, the Ravens improve to 7-7 on the year, still trying to stay on the heels of the first place Steelers in the AFC North. As for Cincy, they fall to 4-10, and there are concerns now with Burrow hinting that he might not be happy playing for a team like Cincy. My pick: Inaccurate
Philadelphia 31, Las Vegas 0 - The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles were starting to look like they were in serious trouble. After getting off to an 8-2 start that had many people thinking bout them repeating, they suddenly dropped three straight games. Meanwhile, the Cowboys suddenly were getting hot and making a race of it in the NFC East. But Philly had one major thing going for them: they were set to host the lowly Raiders. True, Las Vegas could have played spoilers. But the Eagles took control of this game early and earn a convincing win. There may be no better team to face to right recent wrongs and end a losing streak than the Raiders in this league, and Philly proved to be the beneficiaries this time around. The defense played great, shutting out the Silver and Black, while the offense looked solid and in tune. This win improves the Eagles' record to 9-5 and, coupled with the loss by Dallas, seems to give the Eagles a huge lead in the NFC East, with little time remaining in the season. As for the Raiders, they fall to 2-12 on the season, with their eighth straight defeat. My pick: Accurate
New Orleans 20, Carolina 17 - The Saints suddenly are hot. It maty be too little, too late, but it is impressive. Consecutive wins against the Bucs and Panthers assures that they will have beaten the division winners, no matter who it winds up being. As for the Panthers, it seemed like they are similar to the Bucs in that neither team seems to really want to win this division outright. What a huge missed opportunity.. My pick: Inaccurate
San Francisco 37, Tennessee 24 - Another game which came as no real surprise for the vast majority of people out there. The 49ers are a solid team and heading to the playoffs once again as a force. The Titans are playing a bit better late in the season, but they have one of the worst records in the league for a reason. So San Fran took care of business in this one, improving to 10-4, while the Titans drop to 2-12.. My pick: Accurate
Denver 34, Green Bay 26 - A big showdown, and a possible Super Bowl preview, winds up with the home team finding a way to get past the Pack. It was not easy, and Green Bay looked good early. But Denver came back strong and took control of the game. They did not dominate, but continue to do just enough to keep winning and retain the best overall record in the NFL at 12-2. Green Bay, meanwhile, falls to 9-4-1 on the year.. My pick: Inaccurate
LA Rams 41, Detroit 34 - No surprises here in this one, either. The Rams put up a lot of points against another team that often can score. It was a shootout, and it was the Rams who wound up on top, improving to 11-3 and tied with the Seahawks for the best overall record in the NFC. Now those teams meet in Seattle, after the Rams won the first meeting in LA. As for the Lions, they are really struggling at this point at 8-6. My pick: Accurate
Seattle 18, Indianapolis 16 - The Colts proved surprisingly tough in this one. They needed a win badly, and kept this one surprisingly close throughout. In fact, Indy led by 10 at one point. Veteran quarterback Philip Rivers played very well. And the Colts defense was very tough, preventing the Seahawks from scoring a single touchdown all day. Still, Seattle had just enough to get past Indy with six field goals to improve to 11-3 and keep pace with the Rams for first in the NFC West. As for the Colts, the slide now reaches four as they drop to 8-6 on the year. They could be in danger of missing the playoffs. My pick: Seattle
Sunday Night Football: Minnesota 34, Dallas 26 - The Vikings win again! The Cowboys might not be officially eliminated from playoff contention, or even from the NFC East title. However, this loss puts them on the cusp of that impending reality. The Vikings played the role of spoiler to perfection, going on the road and beating Dallas on the same weekend when the Eagles got a solid and much-needed win. Now, the Cowboys still have some postseasonhopes, but they are on life support and need a lot of help. More help, it feels, than feels realistic. My pick: Inaccurate
Monday Night Football: Pittsburgh 28, Miami 15 - Some warm weather teams often get some glamor, but winding up showing liabilities at this time of the year, when they have to go play road games under cold weather conditions. While Pittsburgh is traditionally a tough place for road teams to play, that is especially true for when the weather gets brutally cold. This was one of those nights, and the Fins played like a team incapable of winning in cold weather. The offense looked inept for most of the game, and the Steelers were able to steadily build an insurmountable lead, leading to a convincing win. They stay ahead of the 7-7 Ravens in the AFC North, improving to 8-6 with this win. Meanwhile, Miami's hot streak comes to an abrupt end in the cold, as they fall to 6-8 and are now officially eliminated from playoff contention. . My pick: Accurate
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