Sunday, Dec. 11
Chicago at Pittsburgh (-5 1/2, 31) 1:00 p.m. - The Steelers are reeling after three straight losses, while the Bears are sky-high, having won 8 straight, currently the longest win streak in the NFC along with Seattle. The Bears' offense continues to struggle, which usually spells doom in the NFL, though Chicago's top-ranked defense is winning most of the battles this season.
Pittsburgh looked more comfortable offensively than at any time recently against the Bengals last week and that should translate into some productive series this time around, and it may be just enough to win.
PREDICTION: Steelers 17 Bears 16
Cleveland at Cincinnati (-12 1/2, 43) 1:00 p.m. - The Browns have been, as usual, one of the league's greatest disappointments, while the Bengals have equaled or surpassed preseason expectations. Cincy still needs to shore up a sometimes-shaky defense, and should get positive momentum at home against the Browns, who are offensively inept, ranking 30th in the league in points per game at 15.3.
This one looks like a mismatch, smells like a mismatch and likely is a mismatch. The Bengals need to only win two more games to clinch the division outright and this being a divisional game, takes on added importance. Cincy should avoid the bounce after their big win over Pittsburgh last week.
PREDICTION: Bengals 35 Browns 13
Houston at Tennessee (-7, 44) 1:00 p.m. - If Houston knows what's good for them, they bag this season and get USC's Reggie Bush in the spring draft. Winning a game here or there could upset that scenario, as there are three other teams with only 2 wins, compared to Houston's 1. Since most (maybe all) NFL coaches decline to toss games, expect Houston to be competitive here and maybe even get the win. Their closest games have been on the road, including last week's one-point loss to the Ravens.
The Titans are in the throes of their worst season in many years at 3-9, but two of their wins have come at home and they've already topped the Texans this season, 34-20, on October 9. It's doubtful that they're a TD better, though.
PREDICTION: Titans 24 Texans 21
Indianapolis (-7 1/2, 42 1/2) at Jacksonville 1:00 p.m. - 12-0 Colts are unmistakably the best team in the league though their history against the Jags over the past few years has been less-than-perfect. In the past two seasons, these teams have split their games and Indy won by 7 earlier this season. Jacksonville is playing their best football of the season, with five straight wins, and if anyone is going to upset the Colts' bid for a perfect season, the Jaguars certainly won't be short on motivation.
PREDICTION: Colts 28 Jaguars 24
New England (-3, 37) at Buffalo 1:00 p.m. - After the fallout from the Bills' devastating loss in Miami - in which wideout Eric Moulds was purposely kept off the field in the latter part of the game - Buffalo is on the verge of implosion, so this is not the best time to meet the current champs.
New England won a walkover against the Jets last week and will have a stranglehold on the AFC East title with a win here. The Patriots have gotten a good deal healthier in the last few weeks and look poised to head into the playoffs with plenty of steam. Buffalo is going to be beaten badly here by a team they already lost once to this season, 20-16, on October 30, in yet another game in which they could not hold a late lead.
More woe for the Bills.
PREDICTION: Patriots 24 Bills 10
Oakland (-3, 37) at N.Y. Jets 1:00 p.m. - Like it or not, the Jets have the makings of a pretty decent offense with Brooks Bollinger behind center, while the Kerry Collins-led Oakland offense continues to sputter week in and week out. Call me crazy, but I think the Jets have the upper hand here at home before the Raider crazies who will be relentless in their criticism of both the Oakland players and game management.
PREDICTION: Jets 19 Raiders 13
St. Louis at Minnesota (-7, 45) 1:00 p.m. - What happened to the Rams defense? They are ranked last in the NFL, having allowed 351 points. The only thing working for the Rams is on offense, which is scoring at a 24.5 ppg clip. This is a bad matchup for the Vikings, currently on a 4-game win streak and with playoff aspirations after a sloppy start.
With the game indoors, it plays into the Rams hands, who, at 5-7, can still play spoiler down the stretch while keeping slim playoff hopes in view. Upset city.
PREDICTION: Rams 38 Vikings 28
Tampa Bay at Carolina (-5 1/2 , 37) 1:00 p.m. - With both teams vying for the NFC South title, this game looms large. Back on November 6, the Panthers stuffed the Bucs to the tune of a 34-14 win and have won three of their last four since, allowing only one TD in those four games, the only loss coming at the hands of the Bears, in Chicago, 13-3.
One cannot fault the Bucs, at 8-4, they trail Carolina by only a game and have regained some of their defensive swagger recently. They do have problems on offense, most notably the youth of QB Simms, and he will be tested against the rugged Panthers' defense.
Look for the Panthers to come through with another gutty win. Last week they took out the Falcons, and a win this week will go a long way toward securing the division.
PREDICTION: Panthers 24 Buccaneers 12
Late Sunday and Monday night games - PAGE 2
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