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Ravens (7-6) @ Steelers (13-1)- Steel City rests easier after Patriot loss, since one win clinches home field edge through AFC playoffs, but Ravens in death struggle for playoff spot, so this is not going to be easy for Cowher. Baltimore only team to beat Steelers this year, doing trick in Week 2, week before Big Ben took over the reins; the Ravens won 30-13, outrushing Pitt 172-93, with plus-3 turnover ratio. Under is 6-1 in Baltimore road games, 6-1 in last seven Steeler contests.
Bears (5-9) @ Lions (5-9)- Lions won first road game in three years with Opening Day 20-16 win, when blocked FG for TD turned tide for Mariucci's side. Neither side is playing well now, as Lions lost seven of last eight games, Bears four of last five. Harrington played well for Lions last week, leading pair of late TD drives, but bad snap on PAT cost them OT chance. Chicago is 3-4 on road, but were outscored 43-10 in losing last two road games. Lions are minus-10 in turnovers their last four games.
Giants (5-9) @ Bengals (6-8)- This might be good time to note that AFC is 39-19 vs NFC heading into this week and also that rookie Manning just faced top five defenses in NFL, so things should get easier from here on in. Cincy defense allowed 35.5 ppg in last four games, and they're 2-2 in those games, as all four went over total. Giants are allowing 33.7 ppg over last three games, with only four takeaways in last six games, after they had nineteen in the first half of season. Kitna capable backup if Palmer can't go, butkey here is whether Eli can light up scoreboard.
Chargers (11-3) @ Colts (11-3)- Two 11-3 teams, but neither club looks to be getting first round bye, unless the Patriots stumble vs Jets. Chargers were snubbed by Eli Manning, now they get his older brother, whose Colts are on 7-game win streak, scoring 36.6 ppg. Bolts won their last eight games, and are 10-0-2 vs spread in last dozen games, 6-1-1 as an underdog all year. Last San Diego L was only game they've played on turf, 21-20 at Atlanta, when they only scored 10 points on three drives that started in Atlanta territory.
Texans (6-8) @ Jaguars (8-6)-- Jax continues to impress with mental toughness, forcing seven turnovers in winning last two games, just when season looked lost. Texans got 20-6 win in first meeting, holding Jags to 39 yards rushing but they're 2-5 since that game. Under is 4-1 in last five Jax games and 6-1 in their home games; in their last seven games, they've allowed only nine TD's on 72 drives, with plus-5 turnover ratio. Four of last five Houston losses are by nine or more points; they're little disappointing.
Panthers (6-8) @ Buccaneers (5-9)-- Panthers covered their last six games, but win streak came to end in OT at Atlanta last week; they beat Bucs at home four weeks ago, as plus-2 turnover ratio trumped being outgained by 98 yards. Bucs lost three of last four games to fall out of contention; five of their last six games stayed under total, while six of last eight Panther games went over. Panthers scored 100 points in last three road games. Tampa had three empty red zone trips in first meeting, a 21-14 loss.
Falcons (11-3) @ Saints (6-8)- Banged-up Vick to sit here, and Saints playing better ball, although they've been better on road than at home, losing five of seven in dome built on ancient Cajun burial grounds. Atlanta won six of last seven games, but football is game of emotion, and no matter what Atlanta does in last two weeks, they're #2 seed in NFC playoffs, so you have to give Saints edge, as they can still make the playoffs, so you ignore the hideous history of Saints and go against young Schaub, rookie QB from Virginia, who is making first NFL start.
Patriots (12-2) @ Jets (10-4)- New England now needs to win to stay ahead of Chargers in race for the critical #2 seed in AFC, which comes with a bye, unless Colts beat San Diego, then they still have cushion. Jets won four of last five games but were outrushed 133-66 in Week 7, as Patriots won 13-7 on rainy day in Foxboro. Pats scored 35.3 ppg in last three weeks, so hard to fault Weis/Notre Dame distractions for Monday's loss, but maybe critical error by Brady is from lessened prep time with offensive guru Weis during week.
Bills (8-6) @ 49ers (2-12)- Smoking-hot Bills are 7-1 in last eight games, winning, covering last five, with four of five wins by 16 or more points. 49ers are 0-12 vs teams other than Arizona, and 1-5 vs spread in last six home games. Bills won their first three NFC West games this year by combined score of 113-40; they're plus-11 in turnovers last three games. Over is 6-2 in last eight Niner games7-1 in last eight Buffalo games. Bills are 8-1 when game goes over, 0-5 when it doesn't.
Redskins (6-8) @ Cowboys (5-9)- Dallas defense was stellar last week, but Vinny just cannot play; would it kill Parcells to let Romo play, just to let fans see a QB with at least some arm strength play? Redskins covered last four games, winning two of last three; they've allowed just 14 ppg in last four games (four TD's/last 33 drives) and are 1-1 on carpet this year. Cowboys lost four of last six at home; in first meeting, 21-18 Dallas win in Week 3, there were no turnovers, 144 combined rushing yards, but the Cowboys had two TD drives of 80+ yards. No more.....
Cardinals (5-9) @ Seahawks (7-7)- Seattle somehow is in first place, despite defense that allowed 35.3 ppg in last four games (171.8 rushing yds/game and 17 TD's on last 44 drives). Arizona might be in first place if McCown had started all 14 games; hes 5-6 as starter. Cardinals beat the Seahawks 25-17 in desert in Week 7, picking off four passes. Cardinals are 1-6 on road, with last three losses on road by 24-25-14 points. Seattle is 2-4 last six games if they lose this game, Holmgren will pack his suitcases.
Browns (3-11) @ Dolphins (3-11)- Short week for Fish after their big upset Monday night; they're 4-1 vs spread in last five games, going 2-2 SU in last four; they're 0-2 as favorite this year. Cleveland quit long ago; they're 0-8 in last eight games and have been outscored 48-8 in second half of their last three games. Browns allowed 39.5 ppg in last four games; they've scored three TD's on 35 drives, since they scored 48 and still lost at Cincinnati. Word out of Miami is that Nick Saban will be Miami's coach in '05.
Eagles (13-1) @ Rams (6-8)- Hosts are in free fall, get Bulger back here, but have same awful offensive line, and coaching staff not exactly inspiring spunky efforts from this group (seven L's by 17+ points). Philly lost Owens last week, they have other injury issues on DL, and are locked into #1 seed in NFC, so no guarantee frontliners go sixty minutes here. Still, very difficult to imagine Rams bucking up and beating Eagles here, since Philly has not lost since Nov 7 in Pittsburgh. Eagles defense has allowed five TD's on last 59 drives. How are they an underdog to a spineless team like the Rams?
Bears (5-9) @ Lions (5-9)- Lions won first road game in three years with Opening Day 20-16 win, when blocked FG for TD turned tide for Mariucci's side. Neither side is playing well now, as Lions lost seven of last eight games, Bears four of last five. Harrington played well for Lions last week, leading pair of late TD drives, but bad snap on PAT cost them OT chance. Chicago is 3-4 on road, but were outscored 43-10 in losing last two road games. Lions are minus-10 in turnovers their last four games.
Giants (5-9) @ Bengals (6-8)- This might be good time to note that AFC is 39-19 vs NFC heading into this week and also that rookie Manning just faced top five defenses in NFL, so things should get easier from here on in. Cincy defense allowed 35.5 ppg in last four games, and they're 2-2 in those games, as all four went over total. Giants are allowing 33.7 ppg over last three games, with only four takeaways in last six games, after they had nineteen in the first half of season. Kitna capable backup if Palmer can't go, butkey here is whether Eli can light up scoreboard.
Chargers (11-3) @ Colts (11-3)- Two 11-3 teams, but neither club looks to be getting first round bye, unless the Patriots stumble vs Jets. Chargers were snubbed by Eli Manning, now they get his older brother, whose Colts are on 7-game win streak, scoring 36.6 ppg. Bolts won their last eight games, and are 10-0-2 vs spread in last dozen games, 6-1-1 as an underdog all year. Last San Diego L was only game they've played on turf, 21-20 at Atlanta, when they only scored 10 points on three drives that started in Atlanta territory.
Texans (6-8) @ Jaguars (8-6)-- Jax continues to impress with mental toughness, forcing seven turnovers in winning last two games, just when season looked lost. Texans got 20-6 win in first meeting, holding Jags to 39 yards rushing but they're 2-5 since that game. Under is 4-1 in last five Jax games and 6-1 in their home games; in their last seven games, they've allowed only nine TD's on 72 drives, with plus-5 turnover ratio. Four of last five Houston losses are by nine or more points; they're little disappointing.
Panthers (6-8) @ Buccaneers (5-9)-- Panthers covered their last six games, but win streak came to end in OT at Atlanta last week; they beat Bucs at home four weeks ago, as plus-2 turnover ratio trumped being outgained by 98 yards. Bucs lost three of last four games to fall out of contention; five of their last six games stayed under total, while six of last eight Panther games went over. Panthers scored 100 points in last three road games. Tampa had three empty red zone trips in first meeting, a 21-14 loss.
Falcons (11-3) @ Saints (6-8)- Banged-up Vick to sit here, and Saints playing better ball, although they've been better on road than at home, losing five of seven in dome built on ancient Cajun burial grounds. Atlanta won six of last seven games, but football is game of emotion, and no matter what Atlanta does in last two weeks, they're #2 seed in NFC playoffs, so you have to give Saints edge, as they can still make the playoffs, so you ignore the hideous history of Saints and go against young Schaub, rookie QB from Virginia, who is making first NFL start.
Patriots (12-2) @ Jets (10-4)- New England now needs to win to stay ahead of Chargers in race for the critical #2 seed in AFC, which comes with a bye, unless Colts beat San Diego, then they still have cushion. Jets won four of last five games but were outrushed 133-66 in Week 7, as Patriots won 13-7 on rainy day in Foxboro. Pats scored 35.3 ppg in last three weeks, so hard to fault Weis/Notre Dame distractions for Monday's loss, but maybe critical error by Brady is from lessened prep time with offensive guru Weis during week.
Bills (8-6) @ 49ers (2-12)- Smoking-hot Bills are 7-1 in last eight games, winning, covering last five, with four of five wins by 16 or more points. 49ers are 0-12 vs teams other than Arizona, and 1-5 vs spread in last six home games. Bills won their first three NFC West games this year by combined score of 113-40; they're plus-11 in turnovers last three games. Over is 6-2 in last eight Niner games7-1 in last eight Buffalo games. Bills are 8-1 when game goes over, 0-5 when it doesn't.
Redskins (6-8) @ Cowboys (5-9)- Dallas defense was stellar last week, but Vinny just cannot play; would it kill Parcells to let Romo play, just to let fans see a QB with at least some arm strength play? Redskins covered last four games, winning two of last three; they've allowed just 14 ppg in last four games (four TD's/last 33 drives) and are 1-1 on carpet this year. Cowboys lost four of last six at home; in first meeting, 21-18 Dallas win in Week 3, there were no turnovers, 144 combined rushing yards, but the Cowboys had two TD drives of 80+ yards. No more.....
Cardinals (5-9) @ Seahawks (7-7)- Seattle somehow is in first place, despite defense that allowed 35.3 ppg in last four games (171.8 rushing yds/game and 17 TD's on last 44 drives). Arizona might be in first place if McCown had started all 14 games; hes 5-6 as starter. Cardinals beat the Seahawks 25-17 in desert in Week 7, picking off four passes. Cardinals are 1-6 on road, with last three losses on road by 24-25-14 points. Seattle is 2-4 last six games if they lose this game, Holmgren will pack his suitcases.
Browns (3-11) @ Dolphins (3-11)- Short week for Fish after their big upset Monday night; they're 4-1 vs spread in last five games, going 2-2 SU in last four; they're 0-2 as favorite this year. Cleveland quit long ago; they're 0-8 in last eight games and have been outscored 48-8 in second half of their last three games. Browns allowed 39.5 ppg in last four games; they've scored three TD's on 35 drives, since they scored 48 and still lost at Cincinnati. Word out of Miami is that Nick Saban will be Miami's coach in '05.
Eagles (13-1) @ Rams (6-8)- Hosts are in free fall, get Bulger back here, but have same awful offensive line, and coaching staff not exactly inspiring spunky efforts from this group (seven L's by 17+ points). Philly lost Owens last week, they have other injury issues on DL, and are locked into #1 seed in NFC, so no guarantee frontliners go sixty minutes here. Still, very difficult to imagine Rams bucking up and beating Eagles here, since Philly has not lost since Nov 7 in Pittsburgh. Eagles defense has allowed five TD's on last 59 drives. How are they an underdog to a spineless team like the Rams?
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