Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images
Posted by Jack Tumen
After a strong 12-3 record last week, I’m 120-71-1 overall.
Packers (10-3) @ Bills (7-6): This is a potential trap game for the Packers after Buffalo quietly lost to Denver by only a touchdown last week. The Bills can’t afford a loss if they want to stay in the hunt but Green Bay is simply too tall a task for the Bills to overcome, even at home. GB 27, BUF 24
Jaguars (2-11) @ Ravens (8-5): Baltimore is accustomed to taking care of business at this time of year. Jacksonville is an easy team to overlook but don’t expect the Ravens to let their guard down as they remain in the fight for the AFC North crown. BAL 28, JAX 16
Bengals (8-4-1) @ Browns (7-6): This excellent division showcases the battle for Ohio; one that Cleveland took the first time around. This time, the Brownies will have Johnny Football under center as he makes his first career start. I was right about Mike Pettine not making any QB changes for the majority of the season as this was unquestionably Hoyer’s team throughout; but with his dreadful play recently, a switch was in order as Cleveland’s playoff hopes dwindle. The Bengals’ D has a plus-matchup against a first-time starter. CIN 26, CLE 18
Buccaneers (2-11) @ Panthers (4-8-1): The Panthers are still in the running for the NFC South title, which is hard to believe. Derek Anderson starts this week in the wake of Cam Newton’s car accident. Anderson’s only other start this season was in week one – against Tampa Bay. Carolina won that game on the road; expect similar results at home. CAR 28, TB 21
Texans (7-6) @ Colts (9-4): Houston runs into one of the toughest opponents its schedule has to offer this season against their rival Colts. Andrew Luck showed true greatness last week in Cleveland, engineering a comeback win in the final moments. I expect their offense to explode this week as Houston won’t be able to score enough points to keep up. IND 34, HOU 24
Raiders (2-11) @ Chiefs (7-6): Kansas City’s loosening their grip on the Wildcard at the wrong time. After dropping a huge game in Oakland a couple weeks ago, the Raiders come into town for another bout. I expect the Chiefs to take care of business this time; but it might be too little too late. KC 27, OAK 21
Dolphins (7-6) @ Patriots (10-3): Miami beat the Pats way back in week one but the scripts are different now. The Dolphins let Baltimore come into their house last week and push them down the Wildcard standings as Miami’s late-season play has taken a dip. Wrong-place-wrong-time going into New England for the Fins. NE 35, MIA 24
Redskins (3-10) @ Giants (4-9): Washington has reached a new level of dysfunction. Facing one of the least dysfunctional teams in the league this week will put that into even more perspective. NYG 23, WAS 9
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Steelers (8-5) @ Falcons (5-8): Atlanta certainly gave the Packers a fight on Monday night but dreadful defense continued to be the story of the year for the Dirty Birds. Pittsburgh’s attack has been fairly two-faced this season, with spurts of offensive explosion at times while also becoming stagnant at others. The Steelers have amazingly had trouble with the NFC South this season and I think their inconsistencies show once again in the Georgia Dome. ATL 33, PIT 27
Broncos (10-3) @ Chargers (8-5): San Diego is a fighting squad and will need to put last Sunday’s loss to New England behind them. It’s a brutal stretch for the Bolts and I just don’t think they have the overall balance to defeat the rolling Broncos. DEN 29, SD 24
Jets (2-11) @ Titans (2-11): Both teams are vying for a top-five pick and will both be looking to draft Marcus Mariota or James Winston. At this moment, the Jets are the better team, if that’s even saying anything. NYJ 19, TEN 10
Vikings (6-7) @ Lions (9-4): This is a danger-zone for Detroit. The Vikings are a feisty squad and would love nothing more than to knock the Lions from the playoff race. Detroit has been very consistent this year on both sides of the ball and Minnesota will need to make some big plays if the want to pull the road upset. But after barely beating the Jets last week, I don’t have enough confidence in the Purple People Leaders to pick them. DET 26, MIN 23
49ers (7-6) @ Seahawks (9-4): This could be the end of the line for San Fran. The 9ers have looked as bad as they ever have in the Jim Harbaugh era and have a true test of character coming up against the Seahawks. Russell Wilson has turned Seattle’s ship around and this team is playing championship football again. Colin Kaepernick has been miserable the last month and will be heavily exploited this week if he doesn’t return to 2012 form. SEA 29, SF 23
Cowboys (9-4) @ Eagles (9-4): This one’s for all the marbles in the NFC East. Dallas needs to find a way to change their game plan after getting run out of their own building on Thanksgiving. The Eagles had a tough outing against the soaring Seahawks so they get a pass for their performance last week. I just don’t think that this is a good matchup in general for Dallas; they’ve been able to mask their defensive deficiencies all season by playing superb offense but the Eagles exploit that quite well. PHI 27, DAL 23
Saints (5-8) @ Bears (5-8): Two of the NFC’s biggest disappointments face off in this one. The only catch is the Saints are still fighting for the division title. Both defenses have been putrid this year so it should be a relatively high-scoring game. The difference could be home-field in this one. New Orleans’ defense has no confidence after letting Carolina plow them over for 41 points last week. Bears by a smidge. CHI 34, NO 31
Jacked Up Sports 