Week 16 Picks

We're getting down to the nitty gritty. Week 16 is here and we're separated by one single pick. Which Miller will prevail?

Current Standings
Joe: 8-7 last week (90-71 overall)
Mike: 10-5 last week (91-70 overall)

(*) Mike made these picks in his money league.

Thursday Night
Indianapolis (-6) at Jacksonville
Mike: IND*

Saturday Night
Baltimore (+4) at Dallas
Mike: BALT*

Sunday Early
Cincinnati (+3) at Cleveland
Joe: CLE. Lets go ahead and pick Cleveland again. I was going to offer Christmas presents to each game but these teams have been naughty and get nothing.
Mike: CIN. I am no wise man but even I know Ken Dorsey is incapable of winning an NFL football game.

New Orleans (-7) at Detroit
Joe: DET. Merry Christmas Detroit, you get a win....well, probably not but you might beat the spread.
Mike: NO. It's a lump of coal for Detroit. I don't think the Lions will even cover the spread. Did you see Tennessee tear them up on Thanksgiving? However, Tennessee and the Saints play entirely differently. That's their only chance.

Pittsburgh (-2) at Tennessee
Joe: PIT. Hopefully Tennessee leaves a steaming bag by the front door of the Steelers home. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh will blow out the Titans.
Mike: PIT. Oh, I don't think it will be a blowout. The Titans will keep this a close, low scoring game to be decided on who has the ball last.

Miami (-4) at Kansas City
Joe: KC. Miami got its Christmas gifts in the form of 9 wins this year and no cold weather games until this week.
Mike: MIA. Good point. But Miami has the spirit of Christmas in them (i.e. Playoff Hopes) unlike the hapless Chiefs.

San Fran (-5.5) at St Louis
Joe: SF. Mike Singletary was quite a present to find for San Fran. Look for a decent season for them next year.
Mike: SF. I agree. I bet Singletary is more Bad Santa than Saint Mike.

Arizona (+7.5) at New England
Joe: NE. Arizona already had its present, playing in the NFC West. The Browns could have been competitive in that division. New England will win out and nearly get to the Super Bowl.
Mike: NE. Oh, nearly? Wouldn't it be something if Matt Cassel wins a Super Bowl MVP? Would that hurt Tom Brady's longterm reputation? Do you think Santa brings toys to Kurt Warner's house or is Santa against his religion?

San Diego (+3.5) at Tampa Bay
Joe: TB. This is a present to myself, San Diego officially out of the playoffs. Hopefully Jeff Garcia is wearing his sexy Santa outfit.
Mike: TB. You are totally obsessed with Jeff Garcia. Would you buy his cologne?

Sunday Late
Buffalo (+7) at Denver
Joe: DEN. Buffalo wasted an early season scheduling present and has sucked since. Denver is not very good but also plays in a weak division.
Mike: DEN. I hate picking Denver to win at anything. I wasn't even happy knowing they were hosting the Democratic National Convention. Now I wish I could change my pick.

Houston (-7) at Oakland
Joe: HOU. Houston sets itself up again for high hopes next year with a strong finish to this season. Watch Cleveland tapes and don't believe the hype.
Mike: HOU. When will Oakland turn it around? That's one team that I hope returns to dominate that AFC West. The NFL is better when the Raiders are strong.

NYJets (-4.5) at Seattle
Joe: NYJ. Everyone wants to pick upset here but I don't see it. I want 2 more months of Favre stories.
Mike: NYJ. I agree. If he wants to play it out like Testaverde did, returning whenever he got a phone call, then let him do it. He's fun to watch even when he's standing on the sidelines.

Atlanta (+3.5) at Minnesota
Joe: MIN. The Vikings need this one and they will win big. Merry Christmas Atlanta, Vick is still in prison.
Mike: MIN. Wow! That was incredibly harsh! With the redawning of the new formations, imagine the value Michael Vick will bring to a team. I would welcome with open arms his arrival to the Browns. Can you imagine Quinn, Vick, Cribbs and ... Beanie Wells in our backfield? (Wow, time for a refill.)

Philadelphia (-5) at Washington
Joe: PHI. Washington has given up. Their coach was a genius earlier and now only is in the mind of Clinton Portis.
Mike: PHI. Yeah, that's what the local sports guys talk about around here. And you know, Cleveland sports talk radio is lightyears better than Redskins Radio. There is one weekly roundtable Redskins show that is good: George Michael, Sonny Jurgenson, John Riggins and Michael Wilbon talking Redskins. That's a good show.

Sunday Night
Carolina (+3) at NY Giants
Joe: CAR. Eli doesn't have a security blanket now. Maybe his daddy can get him to another city like they way they did on draft night.
Mike: NYG. Wow! You can hold a grudge! You know, John Elway did the same thing to Peyton Manning's team. Maybe the Irsays orchestrated Eli's draft dodging.

Monday Night
Green Bay (+4) at Chicago
Joe: CHI. Merry Christmas America, a game that means nothing on Monday night.
Mike: CHI. At least it's not the Browns.