I only picked 7 out of 15 games correctly last week (Week 16), so it was not my best week as there were quite a few surprises. Below are my picks for the final week of the 2008 regular season.
I will try to post my playoff picks as well in the weeks to come.
Kansas City at Cincinnati
Kansas City have lost a lot of close games this year and come in with a record of 2-13, they have lost their last 3 games while Cincinnati are 3-11-1 overall and have won their last 2 games. KC have the 30th ranked run defense so I think Cincy will play conservatively on offense and run the ball a ton, I wouldn’t be surprised if Cedric Benson gets another 30 touches and the Bengals win by a field goal.
My Pick: Cincinnati
N.Y. Giants at Minnesota
The Giants come in at 12-3 overall and are coming off a big 34-28 overtime win over Carolina last week. Minnesota are 9-6 overall and have won 4 out of their last 5 games although they lost to Atlanta 24-17 last week. I predict another big day for both Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward even though Minnesota are ranked #1 against the run. The Giants win a close one and knock the Vikings out of the playoff picture.
My Pick: N.Y. Giants
Detroit at Green Bay
This is the final chance for Detroit to win a game this year, they have 1 more shot to avoid being the first team in NFL history to go 0-16. Green Bay are 5-10 overall and have lost their last 5 games, but they do not want to be the only team that loses to the Lions this season…my prediction is they won’t be. I expect Aaron Rodgers to throw for 300+ yards and a couple touchdowns.
My Pick: Green Bay
Cleveland at Pittsburgh
Cleveland come in with a 4-11 overall record and have lost their last 5 games while Pittsburgh are 11-4 and have won 4 out of their last 5. The Steelers will do what it takes to win, and probably crush, the Browns in this game as they want to head into the playoffs with some momentum after losing to Tennessee last week.
My Pick: Pittsburgh
New England at Buffalo
New England come to Buffalo with a 10-5 record and have won their last 3 games, the Bills are 7-8 overall and trying to finish at .500. I do not see Buffalo stopping New England’s passing game and the Patriots need to win to make the playoffs. I predict 300+ yards from Matt Cassel and a Pats win.
My Pick: New England
Tennessee at Indianapolis
The 13-2 Titans come to Indy to play the 11-4 Colts. The Colts have won 8 straight games but their last loss was to the Titans. I think Tennessee will be able to run the ball well against Indy’s defense in this game and keep the ball out of Peyton Manning’s hands enough to give them a close win.
My Pick: Tennessee
Oakland at Tampa Bay
Oakland come in at 4-11 overall and defeated Houston last week 27-16 while Tampa are 9-6 overall but have lost their last 3 games. I expect Tampa to win this game at home as they need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive. I do not think Jon Gruden will lose to his former team.
My Pick: Tampa Bay
Chicago at Houston
Chicago comes in at 9-6 overall and need to win in order to have a shot at making the playoffs while Houston are 7-8 and trying to finish their season with a .500 record. I think it will be a tough game for the Bears to win as Houston have so many weapons. Chicago must get a good game from Matt Forte on the ground to have a shot in my opinion. I think Houston’s offense will do enough to pull out a close win, I hope I’m wrong though.
My Pick: Houston
St. Louis at Atlanta
St. Louis are 2-13 overall and have lost their last 9 games, Atlanta have clinched a Wild Card spot and are 10-5 overall. Atlanta will not lose this game at home, Michael Turner will run all over them in the first half and I think Atlanta will start giving their starters a rest in the 2nd half as they will have a comfortable lead.
My Pick: Atlanta
Carolina at New Orleans
Carolina come in with a record of 11-4 and they need to win to clinch the AFC South division title. New Orleans are 8-7 overall and are coming off of last weeks 42-7 win over Detroit. Drew Brees needs 402 yards to break Dan Marino’s NFL record for passing yards in a season, I think Carolina will prevent this from happening. I like Carolina in this game by a touchdown.
My Pick: Carolina
Jacksonville at Baltimore
Jacksonville come in with a 5-10 record and have lost 4 out of their last 5 games including last weeks 31-24 loss to Indianapolis. Baltimore are 10-5 overall and have won 4 out of their last 5 games including last weeks 33-24 win over Dallas. I like Baltimore to win this game with relative ease, Baltimore’s stingy D will shut the Jags down all day and win 24-10 or something similar to that.
My Pick: Baltimore
Miami at N.Y. Jets
This is a HUGE game for both teams. Miami come in with a 10-5 record overall and have been playing extremely well winning their last 4 games while the Jets are 9-6 overall but have been struggling of late. Could this be Brett Favre’s last game? I think Miami looks like the stronger team at this point, but I am going to pick the Jets to win the game as #4 will do what it takes to win in the end.
My Pick: N.Y. Jets
Seattle at Arizona
The 4-11 Seahawks go to Arizona to play the 8-7 Cardinals. This is most likely Mike Holmgren’s last game as head coach of the Seahawks. I think Seattle will attempt to run the ball as much as possible behind Maurice Morris and win a close game, Arizona will win the AFC West with a record of 8-8 and little momentum heading into the playoffs.
My Pick: Seattle
Washington at San Francisco
Washington head into their final game of the season with a record of 8-7 against the 6-9 San Francisco 49ers. I love what I hear and see from new SF interim head coach Mike Singletary, I think he gets his team up to play in this game and they win by a field goal in the 4th quarter. I think people will be excited in the off season about the 49ers as they name Mike Singletary head coach and give him a multi-year deal.
My Pick: San Francisco
Dallas at Philadelphia
Playoffs are on the line for both teams in this game. Dallas come in at 9-6 overall and were beaten by Baltimore last week 33-24 while Philadelphia are 8-6-1 overall and lost to Washington last week 10-3. I think Dallas wins as Tony Romo has a solid game and tosses a few TDs, final score will be 31-24 or 28-17 Dallas.
My Pick: Dallas
Denver at San Diego
The winner of this game wins the AFC West, so this is a monster of a game for both teams. Denver currently have the division lead with a record of 8-7 while San Diego are 7-8 overall but have won their last 3 games behind great play from quarterback Philip Rivers. Denver do not have a defense that is good enough to get them far in the playoffs and I think it will be their defense that hurt them in this game. I think the Chargers get another big game from Rivers and Tomlinson gets in the end zone at least once in this one as well.
My Pick: San Diego
Week 1 – 8 correct and 7 incorrect. (15 games)
Week 2 – 9 correct and 6 incorrect. (15 games)
Week 3 – 9 correct and 7 incorrect. (16 games)
Week 4 – 5 correct and 8 incorrect. (13 games)
Week 5 – 9 correct and 5 incorrect. (14 games)
Week 6 – 8 correct and 6 incorrect. (14 games)
Week 7 – 10 correct and 4 incorrect. (14 games)
Week 8 – Did not make picks.
Week 9 – Did not make picks.
Week 10 – 13 correct and 1 incorrect. (14 games)
Week 11 – 11 correct and 4 incorrect. (15 games)
Week 12 – 10 correct and 5 incorrect. (15 games)
Week 13 – 7 correct and 6 incorrect. (13 games)
Week 14 – Did not make picks.
Week 15 – 10 correct and 5 incorrect (15 games)
Week 16 – 7 correct and 8 incorrect (15 games)
My overall record after 16 weeks: 116-72
