Remember, use my picks to wager $$$ at your own risk. If you lose, I had nothing to do with it. If you win beaucoup $$$, a 10% tip would be cool. But, I’m realistic. This is just for your entertainment…or not, and for me to keep my sports “mojo” going until “I’m back in the saddle”. Remember the league’s unofficial motto…“ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, MONDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY OR SATURDAY……….
Last Week: 11-5 Season: 123-85
THURSDAY
SAN FRANCISCO (5-8) +9 @ SAN DIEGO (7-6) O/U 44 pts
-Both teams a game out of first in their respective Western Divisions. Both teams with convincing wins over the leaders in their respective divisions this past Sunday. 49ers QB Alex Smith completed 17 of 27 for 255 yards and three TD passes in Frisco’s 40-21 win over Seattle, a career-best for the former top overall draft pick. He’ll have to go up against the league’s top-ranked defense. The Charger “D” sacked Chief QB’s four times in their 31-0 win allowing just 67 total yards, 19 through the air. Bolts QB Phillip Rivers with 26 TD’s against 11 INT’s this season piloting the league’s second best offense. If the Chargers’ special teams, prone to mistakes all season long, can stay clear of miscues, San Diego will win its sixth out of its last seven games. CHARGERS (34-7, CHARGERS)
SUNDAY
CLEVELAND (5-8) +1.5 @ CINCINNATI (2-11) 39.5 pts
-At some point the disappointing Bengals, with all that talent, will end their 10 game losing which began against the Browns on October 3rd. The Browns have a good, young team that’s learning each week. Close one. The streak ends. BENGALS
WASHINGTON (5-8) +6 @ DALLAS (4-9) 45.5 pts
-Dallas’ final home game of the season comes against its arch rival. Redskins won the season-opener 13-7. Down hill for both teams since then. Cowboy RB’s Felix Jones and Marion Barber figure to get plenty of carries against a bad defense. Redskins QB Donovan McNabb benched for this one. COWBOYS
HOUSTON (5-8) +1.5 @ TENNESSEE (5-8) 47 pts
-Both these teams are out of the playoff picture with a loss or a Jacksonville win. Houston’s dropped six of seven and Tennessee’s lost six straight. These teams met in Houston three weeks ago with the Texans winning 20-0. In that game, Titans CB Cortland Finnegan and Texans WR Andre Johnson brawled, were ejected and fined $25,000. Neither was suspended. That should be fun to watch. TEXANS
JACKSONVILLE (8-5) +5 @ INDIANAPOLIS (7-6) 48.5 pts
-This is a playoff game. It’s for the AFC South Title. The Jags have won five of six games and have done it boasting a running game that’s averaged a league-best 193 yards per game in that span. If Maurice Jones-Drew breaks free for the century mark, the Jags usually are on the winning side. Colts have the fourth worst rush defense allowing 141 yards a game. Uh-Oh. Colts QB Peyton Manning finally got back on the winning track last week after tossing eleven picks during a three-game losing skid. Some key weapons are on the mend and able to play for the Colts. Jags won previous meeting. Hard to pick against Peyton in a “must-game.” MJD will have a big game. So will Peyton. COLTS
KANSAS CITY (8-5) EVEN @ ST. LOUIS (6-7) 0.0 pts
-Division leaders tangle in the Battle for Missouri. If Chiefs QB Matt Cassel plays, it makes a world of difference. He’s thrown 19 TD’s and only one pick in his last eight starts. Cassel had an emergency appendectomy on December 8th and missed last week’s 31-0 loss at San Diego. KC relies on RB’s Jammal Charles and Thomas Jones. Rams rookie QB Sam Bradford needs to avoid picks in the red zone for the Rams to win. He’ll rely on RB Steven Jackson. Rams are 4-2 at home this season. Chiefs have lost five of six on the road. Close one whether Cassel plays or not. RAMS
BUFFALO (3-10) +5 @ MIAMI (7-6) 40 pts
-The Bills have been competitive in most of their games. The Dolphins are solid having won two straight on the road in Oakland and at the Meadowlands against the Jets. DOLPHINS
PHILADELPHIA (9-4) +3 @ NY GIANTS of NEW JERSEY (9-4) 46 pts
-Winner likely takes the NFC East Title. Giants have lost five straight to the Eagles including a month ago in Philly, 27-17. Since then, the Giants have won three straight. Speed kills. That’s exactly what the Eagles have done with QB Michael Vick at the helm. The Vick-DeSean Jackson Duo is lethal. Both teams can run the ball. Both with solid defenses. Close one. Gotta go with speed. EAGLES
DETROIT (3-10) +6 @ TAMPA BAY (8-5) 43 pts
-How are the Lions 3-10 after beating down the Packers and knocking out Aaron Rodgers last week, 7-3? Tough young team. So are the Buccaneers. The youngest team in the league is still in the playoff hunt with QB Josh Freeman at the helm. BUCCANEERS
ARIZONA (4-9) +2.5 @ CAROLINA (1-12) 37.5 pts
-Cardinals won with Fordham rookie QB John Skelton last week beating Denver 43-13. Panthers haven’t won with Notre Dame rookie QB Jimmy Clausen this season. Arizona defense played well in the win. Panthers need to run the ball to get another win. Expect Jonathan Stewart to run wild………well. PANTHERS
NEW ORLEANS (10-3) +1.5 @ BALTIMORE (9-4) 43.5 pts
-What’s wrong with that vaunted Ravens defense? Sure, Baltimore beat Houston in overtime, 34-28 Monday night. But, the Ravens D gave up two 90+ yard drives allowing the Texans to get back in the game. Meanwhile, the Saints are getting everyone back and healthy and they’re peaking at the right time on both sides of the ball. SAINTS
ATLANTA (11-2) -6 @ SEATTLE (6-7) 45 pts
-Sure, both teams are in first place in their divisions. But the Falcons are the “legit” one. Atlanta QB Matt Ryan and the defense have the Falcons headed towards home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The Seahawks are, actually, tied for first in the NFC West with the Rams. Seattle could, possibly, make the playoffs with a 7-9 record. FALCONS
DENVER (3-10) +6.5 @ OAKLAND (6-7) 43 pts
-Broncos playing out the schedule with an interim coach. Denver gave up 43 points t0 Arizona last week. They gave up 59 to the Raiders in their first meeting at Mile High. Oakland’s 5-0 in the AFC West and ran the football at will in Denver. RAIDERS
NY JETS of NEW JERSEY (9-4) +5.5 @ PITTSBURGH (10-3) 35.5 pts
-Jets are nose-diving. They haven’t scored a touchdown in two games. Steelers have struggled on offense as well. But, the “Steel Curtain” is making it tough for opponents to have a chance allowing just nine points a game during a five-game winning streak. Jets have NEVER won in Pittsburgh. Close one because the Jets have to win to keep their playoff hopes alive. PITTSBURGH
GREEN BAY (8-5) + EVEN @ NEW ENGLAND 0.0 pts
-this one off the board because of the uncertain status of Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. He was knocked out of last week’s 7-3 loss in Detroit with a concussion. Patriots are rolling behind QB Tom Brady. Won’t matter if Rodgers plays or not because the Pats are undefeated at The Razor. PATRIOTS
MONDAY
CHICAGO (9-4) EVEN @ MINNESOTA (5-8) 0.0 pts
-This one’s off the board because the game will be played outdoors at TCF Bank Stadium, the University of Minnesota’s home field because the MetroDome is still damgaged after the roof collapsed last week from heavy snowfall.
Also, will Vikings QB Brett Favre be back after ending his 297 consecutive games played streak last week. He’s still suffering from a shoulder injury. Vikings lost a “home game” in Detroit to the NY Giants of New Jersey last week, 21-3. The Bears got pummeled by the Patriots in a heavy snowfall at Soldier Field last week, 36-7. Bears better while the Vikings are a mess. BEARS
BYE WEEK:
L
*Los Angeles (15 years, 15 weeks)
*AEG is moving forward on designs for a DownTown Stadium and hope to have the NFL’s approval, a design and a TEAM within 90 days.
Check out the possibilities for Los Angeles and the NFL.
On Any Given Sports Day 
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