Andy Iskoe
PRO FOOTBALL – SUNDAY
Green Bay (NL) at Chicago: The status of again-injured Chicago QB Jay Cutler keeps this game off the boards early. Expect Green Bay to be the slightest of road favorites. This is Chicago’s final home game and thus we should get the Bears’ best effort. Green Bay is expected to have some key defensive players back and Chicago injuries to personnel on both sides of the football appear to be too much to overcome. GREEN BAY.
Giants +1 at Falcons (51): Atlanta played its worst game of season in losing at Carolina last week. The Giants controlled the second half of their game against New Orleans, getting major contributions from rookie RB and kick returner David Wilson. The Falcons are a dominant team and home and basically just have to win this game to cover the number – and get their revenge while getting back on track. FALCONS.
Bucs +3 at Saints (54): The Saints are playing out the string while Tampa Bay’s loss last week all but ends their Wild Card hopes. Both teams have porous defenses but the Saints have a solid edge on offense, especially at home on the fast track. The Tampa defense should be the tonic that cures the ills of Saints QB Drew Brees who has been an interception machine the past three weeks. SAINTS.
Vikings +3 at Rams (38): This is only the second time this season the Rams are favored. With the playoff chances of the loser likely extinguished, these pair of mediocre teams likely will use low risk, conservative game plans, especially with each team having an outstanding RB in the Ram‘s Stephen Jackson and the Vikes‘ Adrian Peterson. UNDER.
Redskins (NL) at Browns: The late injury to RG III in the ‘Skins’ OT win at Baltimore keeps this game off the boards early. Washington should be a slight favorite even if backup rookie QB Kirk Cousins, who looked sharp in the preseason, gets the start. The Redskins have edges up front with a stronger rushing offense and the better rushing defense. Cleveland has also run the football better over the past month and neither coach may want their QB to take too many chances. UNDER .
Jaguars +7 at Dolphins (37): Both teams are playing out the string as the Jaguars have lost 9 of 10 and the Dolphins have lost five of six. It’s hard to make a case for either team but it might be a bit easier to support a play on the Jags getting generous points. Added motivation for the visitors as QB Chad Henne was not invited back by Miami after last season with the Dolphins instead choosing to go with a rookie QB, Ryan Tannehill. JAGUARS.
Broncos -2½ at Ravens (48½): Denver has won eight in a row as QB Peyton Manning is making a strong case for league MVP. Baltimore has a strong home field and will be eager to make amends for blowing a home game to Pittsburgh two weeks ago that ended a 16 game home win streak. It’s tough to resist taking such a strong host as underdogs, even against a hot foe. RAVENS.
Colts +8½ at Texans (48): The Colts continue to win close games with only one win by more than a TD and six of their nine wins by 4 points or less. Getting more than a TD with a team playing to make the Playoffs against a team off of what was an emotional game with short rest is appealing. COLTS.
Panthers +3 at Chargers (45½): Both teams are playing out the string. We may see both offenses open things up and take chances they normally would not take if this game had significance other than attaining player incentives. OVER.
Seahawks -4 vs. Bills (42): Game at Toronto. It’s hard to find a more impressive win than Seattle’s 58-0 blowout of Arizona last week, a win that puts Seattle in excellent shape to make the playoffs with their final two games at home where they are unbeaten. Buffalo led much of the way against St. Louis last week but lost in the final minute. The motivation and energy will clearly be on the Seattle sideline. But such a dominating win often leads to a decline in performance the following week. BILLS.
Lions -6 at Cards (43½): Wow! After a 4-0 start Arizona has lost nine in a row, punctuated by that ugly 58-0 loss in Seattle last week. Pride should kick in and we should get an inspired effort from the home team and they are facing a team quite accustomed to snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. CARDS.
Steelers pk at Cowboys (44½): Dallas has won four of five while the Steelers have dropped three of four. The result may well doom the playoff hopes of the loser. Pittsburgh has the league’s best overall defense, ranking third against the run and first against the pass. Expect QB Ben Roethlisberger to be sharper with a game under his belt following his ribs injury. STEELERS.
Chiefs +2½ at Raiders (42½): This is Oakland’s final home game of the season and they do have a decided edge at QB with Carson Palmer. Perhaps that is enough for the Raiders to give their fans an early Christmas present. RAIDERS.
49ers +3½ at Patriots (48): Both teams rank in the top 10 in both rushing offense and rushing defense. New England’s fifth ranked passing offense will be challenged by San Francisco’s second ranked passing defense. In what might appear to be a high scoring game, don’t be surprised if the defenses make the key stops and we see more field goals than touchdowns. UNDER.