A Quick Finale

Excuse my brevity…I’ve only got a few minutes to make these because I am off to Florida until New Year’s. Expect an in-depth post on the postseason sometime next week…

Last Week: 9-7
(SAFE PICKS: 2-2)

Season: 137-103
(SAFE PICKS: 56-34)

SATURDAY:

New York Giants (7-8, 4-3 away)
at
Washington (5-10, 3-4 home)

The Giants have completely fallen apart. Coughlin has already started packing his bags…

My Pick: Redskins send the G-men packing
SAFE PICK

SUNDAY:

Green Bay (7-8, 4-3 away)
at
Chicago (13-2, 6-1 home)

Has anyone else noticed that the Bears can’t stop anyone anymore? They are headed for serious trouble in their first postseason game. Their defense has really been hurt by injuries and their quarterback situation became even more of a distraction after Griese came in and replaced Grossman late against Detroit. This is the worst “best” team in the NFC in recent memory. There is no way that this team can beat New Orleans in the playoffs. And I doubt that they will beat Brett Favre in possibly his last game when they have nothing to play for.

My Pick: Packers make their case for a wildcard spot

Detroit (2-13, 0-7 away)
at
Dallas (9-5, 4-2 home)

Dallas will have one of their Dr. Jekyll games and beat up on the Lions.

My Pick: Cowboys end the regular season on a high note
SAFE PICK

Miami (6-9, 2-5 away)
at
Indianapolis (11-4, 7-0 home)

The Colts are still vying for a first-round bye and they need to get back on track after that embarrassing loss to Houston.

My Pick: Colts win at home

St. Louis (7-8, 3-4 away)
at
Minnesota (6-9, 3-4 home)

The Rams look like the best of the mess in the scramble for the last NFC wildcard spot. Their offense is always impressive and their spotty defense should be able to do enough to hold down the abysmal Vikings’ offense.

My Pick: Rams win and grab the last playoff spot in the NFC
SAFE PICK

Oakland (2-13, 0-7 away)
at
New York Jets (9-6, 3-4 home)

The Jets didn’t come this far to be stopped by Oakland at home.

My Pick: Jets win and take the last wildcard spot in the AFC
SAFE PICK

Seattle (8-7, 3-4 away)
at
Tampa Bay (4-11, 3-4 home)

The Seahawks need to get their offense going if they are going to have any shot of advancing past the first round of the playoffs. Alexander and Hasselbeck will play for the majority of the game and help the team pick up the win.

My Pick: Seahawks end the season with a win on the road

Cleveland (4-11, 2-5 away)
at
Houston (5-10, 3-4 home)

I’ll take the Texans, who have made great strides this year on offense.

My Pick: Texans pick up their 4th home win

Arizona (5-10, 2-5 away)
at
San Diego (13-2, 7-0 home)

Leinart is out and the Chargers need to win to secure the top seed in the AFC.

My Pick: Chargers beat the Leinart-less Cardinals

Pittsburgh (7-8, 2-5 away)
at
Cincinnati (8-7, 4-3 home)

The Bengals are the better team and their explosive passing game will decimate the Steelers’ shaky secondary. Unfortunately, it won’t be enough for Cincy to make the playoffs.

My Pick: Bengals win but still miss the postseason

New England (11-4, 6-1 away)
at
Tennessee (8-7, 4-3 home)

The Patriots are playing well and can’t be helped or hurt by this game. Thus, the starters won’t be playing much. The Titans will win but their bid for a playoff spot will come up just short.

My Pick: Titans win again but miss the playoffs

Jacksonville (8-7, 2-5 away)
at
Kansas City (8-7, 5-2 home)

The Chiefs are tough to beat at home, and I think that the Jags will be demoralized by their loss to New England last week. Regardless of the outcome, neither of these teams is playoff bound.

My Pick: Chiefs win at home but miss the playoffs

Carolina (7-8, 3-4 away)
at
New Orleans (10-5, 4-3 home)

Since Dallas lost to Philly, the Saints, who clinched the #2 seed, have nothing to play for here. I don’t expect to see much of the first string for the Saints.

My Pick: Panthers win but miss the playoffs on the tiebreaker

Atlanta (7-8, 4-3 away)
at
Philadelphia (8-6, 4-3 home)

The red hot Eagles will be too much for the inconsistent Falcons.

My Pick: Eagles win the NFC East and eliminate the Falcons

Buffalo (7-8, 3-4 away)
at
Baltimore (12-3, 6-1 home)

The Ravens need to win to secure the #2 seed in the AFC. The Bills have played well in the second half of the season but they will come up short in Baltimore.

My Pick: Ravens win and get a first round bye

San Francisco (6-9, 2-5 away)
at
Denver (9-6, 4-3 home)

Jay Cutler is playing well and the ‘9ers pass defense is anything but solid. The Broncos will win and grab a wildcard spot.

My Pick: Broncos win and make the playoffs
SAFE PICK

Stay tuned for my Playoff Preview Post next week…Happy New Year everyone!