GAME OF THE WEEK – Seattle Seahawks (8-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (9-3), PHI by 1.5 – Huge matchup here in terms of what seeding could look like within a few months. It’s hard for me to know what to expect out of this one, as it’s strength vs. strength – that Eagles offense vs. that Seattle defense. I think the Seahawks have the personnel advantage. Playing on the road it’s going to be tough sledding against this Eagles team, but the Seahawks have looked really good in the last couple weeks and I think they’re peaking for December and January football now. UPSET! – Seahawks 20, Eagles 16
THURSDAY – Dallas Cowboys (8-4) at Chicago Bears (5-7), DAL by 3.5 – This is going to be a tough game for both teams. Dallas has the ability to control the clock with the run, but the Bears playing at home could easily turn this into an aerial contest. That being said, I like the Cowboys’ defense better than I like the Bears’. Cowboys 27, Bears 19
Baltimore Ravens (7-5) at Miami Dolphins (7-5), MIA by 3 - This game is going to have a playoff atmosphere. You have to figure that whichever one of these two teams loses is going to be a longshot for the playoffs. Baltimore is coming off a devastating loss to San Diego, while Miami has a short week to prepare after an emotional victory over the Jets. The Dolphins are a team that’s built for December football with the kind of pass rush and overall defense they have. Playing at home, I’ll take them to sneak by in an exciting contest with a win. Dolphins 24, Ravens 20
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (8-3-1), CIN by 3.5 – Another tough call for me. The Steelers always play to the level of their competition, but the Bengals aren’t playing this game in prime time, which means they might actually look good. I’m not sold on the Bengals though, especially after recent games. Steelers move into position to strike in the AFC North. UPSET! - Steelers 27, Bengals 20
Indianapolis Colts (8-4) at Cleveland Browns (7-5), IND by 3.5 – It’s starting to come apart for the Browns. Johnny Manziel is likely to start this week, and it’s tough for me to pick any rookie to win in his first start against a playoff team, even if that game is at home. The Colts will take this one. Colts 34, Browns 17
Houston Texans (6-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10), HOU by 4.5 – Fun fact: JJ Watt is PFF’s 25th-ranked TIGHT END. Crazy. The Texans will take this one and live to keep fighting for the longshot that is a wild card berth. Texans 24, Jaguars 13
New York Giants (3-9) at Tennessee Titans (2-10), PUSH – I pity the people who are forced to watch this game. Giants 24, Titans 10
Carolina Panthers (3-8-1) at New Orleans Saints (5-7), NO by 9.5 – The Saints continue their march to a postseason berth by spanking the Panthers in the Superdome. Saints 35, Panthers 9
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-10) at Detroit Lions (8-4), DET by 9.5- The Lions are fortunate to have a relatively easy path to a wild card berth in the NFC North. Three wins in the last four weeks will basically guarantee them a spot, and even 2 will give them a pretty good chance. I don’t see this as being a game in which they’ll stumble. Lions 33, Bucs 13
St. Louis Rams (5-7) at Washington Redskins (3-9), STL by 2.5 – Wouldn’t it be hilarious if RGIII winds up playing for the Rams next year after that epic trade they pulled off in the 2012 draft? Anyway, the Rams are clearly the better team, which means I’m taking them even on the road. Rams 27, Redskins 17
New York Jets (2-10) at Minnesota Vikings (5-7), MIN by 5.5 – The Vikings have played some good football in the last couple weeks. I think they should be able to handle the Jets at home. Vikings 28, Jets 12
Buffalo Bills (7-5) at Denver Broncos (9-3), DEN by 10 – The Bills are in the logjam of 7-5 teams in the AFC right now, but they won’t be for long – the Broncos will extinguish whatever hope the Bills had left of a playoff berth with a convincing win in this one. Broncos 34, Bills 14
Kansas City Chiefs (7-5) at Arizona Cardinals (9-3), ARZ by 1 – Two teams that are slowly starting to fall apart. I still believe in the Chiefs more than the Cardinals, though, especially with Drew Stanton at QB. UPSET! – Chiefs 24, Cardinals 20
San Francisco 49ers (7-5) at Oakland Raiders (1-11), SF by 8 – At this point for the Niners, they’re basically hoping that everyone else totally fucks up. They’re back a ways in the playoff chase and will likely need to win out to have a good chance. Niners 23, Raiders 6
New England Patriots (9-3) at San Diego Chargers (8-4), NE by 3.5 – On the one hand, the Patriots have an angry Tom Brady after a loss. On the other hand, the Chargers are going into PHILCEMBER. But I trust the power of angry Brady more than Phil in December. Patriots 30, Chargers 24
Atlanta Falcons (5-7) at Green Bay Packers (9-3), GB by 11.5 – The Falcons did well in taking down the Cardinals at home last week, but playing against a Packers team that has hit its stride and is unbeatable at Lambeau this season probably doesn’t bode well for them. Packers 37, Falcons 16
