Week 15 Review/Week 16 Preview:

For the Week/Season:vs. W/L: (6-10)/148-76
vs. ATS: (7-9)/115-109
vs. Aggregate:  (9-7)/119-105

vs. ATS:
CBS Judge 119-105-0
CBS Brinson 118-106-0
Postcards 115-109-0
ESPN Simmons 110-108-8
CBS Freeman 110-114-0
CBS Richard 107-117-0
Walter Football 107-108-11
CBS Prisco 106-118-0
USAT Saraceno 107-111-6

vs. W/L:
PFT Rosenthal 151-73
USAT Nate Davis 151-73
ESPN Accuscore 150-74
USAT Pete O'Brien 150-74
ESPN Pick 'em 150-74
Postcards 148-76ESPN Wickersham 148-76
USAT Gary Mihoces 148-76
USAT Jarrett Bell 148-76
USAT Tom Pedulla 148-76
USAT Jim Corbett 147-77
ESPN Schlereth 146-78
ESPN Golic 144-80
ESPN Allen 143-79
USAT Jon Saraceno 143-81
ESPN Hoge 141-82
USAT Robert Klemko 142-82
PFT Florio 142-82
ESPN Schefter 140-84
ESPN Mortensen 136-88

The Saturday Games:

Best wishes to one and all for a safe and joyous Christmas and New Year’s. We stunk last week, then again so didn’t a lot of others who forecast the outcomes of football games.  Week 16 kicked off on the wrong foot as Indianapolis won in the final seconds over Houston, who look like they’re sinking like a rock.

At Kansas City

-1.5

Oakland

42

The Chiefs handed Green Bay their first loss of the year last week as Kyle Orton stepped in to lead the offense and the defense stepped up big time to completely shut down Rodgers & Co. The Raiders had a chance to defeat the Lions at home last week but a late touchdown doomed them to a 28-27 defeat. This week, they hit the road at Arrowhead to face their old AFL Western foes. In this rivalry, records mean nothing as it’ll be 60 minutes of pure hate on both sides of the ball. Still, the Chiefs played inspired football in Coach Crennel’s debut and want him to keep the job.

Projected Final Score: Kansas City 24, Oakland 20

Denver

-3.5

At Buffalo

41.5

Last week, the Broncos absolutely ripped through the Patriots’ awful defense on their first three possessions before falling apart and losing 41-23. All week long, Tim Tebow was hyped as if he was a divine-like figure and it was almost if fans expected him to be transfigured. Last week, he was all too mortal. This week, Tebow and the Broncos get a shot at atonement as they travel to balmy Buffalo and a date with the sad-sack Bills. The Bills stormed back from a big deficit last week only to lose by a touchdown to Miami.  Even though they’re at home and playing for pride, it’s hard to see the Bills prevailing against Tebow and his “Model T” option offense. We’ll see whether last week was a speed bump for the Broncos or indicative of a trend.

Projected Final Score: Denver 23, Buffalo 17

At Tennessee

-8.5

Jacksonville

40

Do you think that the Jaguars are rethinking the selection of Blaine Gabbert? Ya think? The rookie has been nothing short of a complete disastuh. Last week, Atlanta took the Jags to the woodshed to the tune of 41-14 and now the Jags have to travel to Nashville, where the Titans promise to be in an especially foul mood after just having been upset. Both of these teams suck, to be charitable. And it would be much the better if this game was not played at all. But the schedule maker has decreed that the show must go on, and the Titans will be motivated to get the better of a divisional foe.

Projected Final Score: Tennessee 28, Jacksonville 17

At Cincinnati

-4.5

Arizona

40.5

How many games have the Cardinals won in overtime this year? Three? Four? Whatever. After a rocky start they’re now 7-7 and would love to wind up the season on a winning note. This week brings them to the Queen City, where the Bengals remain in the hunt for a Wild Card shot after downing the pathetic Rams last week by a touchdown. This is the sort of game in which a quality team easily dispatches a lesser light. Yeah, exactly the type of game that the Bungles have generally lost in bygone years.

Projected Final Score: Cincinnati 20, Arizona 17

At New England

-10.5

Miami

49

The Patriots return home looking to cement the top seed in the AFC. They lost Andre Carter for the season last week after a devastating quad injury. After their usual slow start, the Patriots capitalized on several turnovers by Denver and ended up bowling over the Broncos 41-23. This week, the task is no easier as the Dolphins remain up in the cold weather for the second straight week. Other than that recent blip against Philly (that cost Sparano his job), the Dolphins have hung in there against all of their opponents over the second half of the year. This will be a tough test for New England.

Projected Final Score: New England 31, Miami 23

At Ravens

-13.5

Cleveland

38.5

The Ravens ought to be in rare form after their big loss to the Chargers on Sunday night. Their spot in the playoff hierarchy took a hit with that defeat and they need a game in which they can simply punish an opponent to make things right. Fortunately for them, the Brownies come calling most likely without Colt McCoy. It looks as if Seneca Wallace is destined to take a savage beating this week as the Ravens are looking to gear up for the playoffs with a tuneup against the scrubs.

Projected Final Score: Ravens 24, Cleveland 10

At NY Jets

-3.5

NY Giants

45.5

In this battle of New York, whichever team loses can probably punch their tickets home after next week. This is far more than a rivalry game; it is a fight for survival that makes this year’s Jets-Giants tilt so special. Both teams are coming off flat, depressing losses to teams that they should’ve handled. Whichever team plays the same way this week deserves to be flattened.

Projected Final Score: NY Giants 24, NY Jets 20

At Washington

-6.5

Minnesota

44

What was AP whining about how the Saints were gunning for his injured ankle? Of course they were! Any sort of injury will be targeted by an opponent. Then again, AP and Jared Allen are the only players keeping the Vikings from a winless season. The Redskins are coming off of a crisp 23-10 downing of the G-Men last week and will look to match that level of intensity against an inferior opponent. Are the Redskins a touchdown better than the Vikes?

Projected Final Score:  Washington 23, Minnesota 17

At Carolina

-7.5

Tampa Bay

48

The Bucs were last year’s team on the rise. They took a hard fall this year and checked out several weeks ago, as evidenced by last week’s humiliating home loss to Dallas. The Panthers are this year’s team on the rise as Cam Newton will be the runaway Rookie of the Year winner. Last week, Newton and the offense ran wild over the Texans on the road and are certainly eyeing a big finish to a year of dramatic improvements.

Projected Final Score: Carolina 27, Tampa Bay 17

At Pittsburgh

-14.5

St. Louis

37.5

The Steelers are trying to rebound from a West Coast defeat on Monday night. That’s an awful tight window for which to prepare but luckily it’s the Lambs who are coming to town. Roethlisberger wasn’t exactly too mobile against a tough ‘Niners defense with a high ankle sprain and Coach Tomlin ought to give consideration to letting him get some rest to get ready for the playoffs. For the Rams, this season can’t end any sooner. The whole year has been a debacle from injuries to poor play. It’s really not fair for the Rams to play this game in a depleted state. Too bad this wasn’t English football, because the Rams would’ve been relegated to a lower league where they belong.

Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 20, St. Louis 10

At Detroit

-2.5

San Diego

52

Both teams are “theoretically” in the Wild Card hunt but their odds are closer to “none” than “slim”. The Lions came out of the Black Hole with a thrilling 28-27 last second win while the Chargers had an impressive rout of the Ravens on Sunday night. A win or loss by the Lions will have no bearing on Coach Schwartz’ job standing. The Chargers need to win out and hope that the Broncos falter in order to take the AFC West and protect Coach Turner’s job. Really, with all that explosive talent on San Diego there’s no reason why the Coach should find himself in this predicament.

Projected Final Score: San Diego 27, Detroit 24

San Francisco

-2.5

At Seattle

38

Maybe the Seahawks are better than their given credit for. After last week’s mauling of the Bears in Chicago, people are starting to take notice. They’re only a player or two away from being legit contenders. The ‘Niners travel up the Coast where the rabid 12^th Man will be waiting and make things difficult for Alex Smith & Co. San Francisco had an easy win on Monday night against the Steelers but the travel and a short week ought to make this game a real killer.

Projected Final Score: San Francisco 17, Seattle 16

At Dallas

-2.5

Philadelphia

50.5

Why couldn’t have the Eagles played the same way earlier in the season? They simply demolished the Jets and have played decent football in recent weeks, but it’s probably too little too late. Last week, the Cowboys stomped on the Bucs and are looking to keep their one game lead in the NFC East intact. A win here combined with a Giants’ loss would pretty much seal the deal for Dallas. But Philly’s hotter than a pistol right now and this will be a very tough outing for the Cowboys.

Projected Final Score: Dallas 30, Philadelphia 27

Sunday Night Preview:

At Green Bay

-13.5

Chicago

45

This one could get ugly in a hurry. The Packers are coming off their first loss of the season, to Kansas City no less. While they’ve long since captured top seed in the NFC, there’s something disconcerting about last week’s loss that needs to be rectified quickly. Before Cutler was injured, the Bears held a lock on one of the Wild Card slots but now they’re outside looking in. Caleb Hanie proved to be a dud, so the Bears have turned to the well-traveled Josh McCown to run the offense.

Projected Final Score: Green Bay 31, Chicago 17

Monday Night Preview:

At New Orleans

-6.5

Atlanta

53

On Monday night, the NFC South race can get a lot tighter heading into the final week if Atlanta wins. Currently, the Saints are 11-3 and hold a two-game lead over the Falcons. Atlanta had several additional days to prepare, having demolished Jacksonville last Thursday night. The added days of preparation may produce big dividends as the Saints will only be working on a six-day week. The Saints toyed with Minnesota last week and should be full of confidence as they return home where they’re invincible.

Projected Final Score: New Orleans 31, Atlanta 24