Adam and I saw the greatest example of groupthink in quite a while last week, and we split the four games we did disagree on. With that split, I hold on to my one game lead with sixteen left to play. However, overall Grabbing the Bull Horns blogger Geoffrey Clark maintains his lead despite a 3-13 week.
The way the Pick 'Em works is that Adam and I each do our picks separately once they go live at 2pm every Tuesday, but he sends his to me to put into the system. With this kind of "home field" advantage, if I really wanted to I could just replicate all of Adam's picks and coast to victory, but what kind of victory would that be? I'm doing this the honorable way and making my picks as I normally would. And if I fall... I fall.
Adam does have a lot to play for this week: if he finishes with more correct picks for the season than me, he gets a guest post here on COAS on any topic he chooses. I don't really get anything if I win, other than maintaining the sanctity of COAS from the prying words of Bears fans.
In this final round, Adam and I disagree on four of the 16 games. This rules out a tie, and means with a split of the games, I win for the season. If Adam wins the week, he wins the season. Good luck to you, sir.
From all of us here at Confessions of a Sportscaster, have a very Merry Christmas! Let's begin!
Sunday, Early Afternoon
Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots (-3.5)
Lucas: Patriots. Neither team has anything to play for, but I refuse to bet against New England at home in December.
Adam: Bills. I think this game could easily get away from the Pats. They have nothing more to play for this week.
Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings (-6.5)
Lucas: Vikings. I know a lot of Vikings fans are a little scared of Jay beating their bad pass defense, but this is Smokin' Jay we're talking about. Meanwhile, a lot of Bears fans are scared Cutler will tear an ACL or something and pour nitroglycerine on the magnificent dumpster fire they've built at Halas Hall.
Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens (-8.5)
Lucas: Browns. I'm taking the points here despite Cleveland's struggles, but what does it tell you when Rex Grossman wants nothing to do joining your team for a week?
Adam: Browns. Just taking the points. The Ravens have struggled of late and Browns have shown some spirit earlier in the year.
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins (+6.5)
Lucas: Redskins. I see this one of two ways, now that the 8-8 spectacular flameout to miss the postseason possibility is gone: either the Cowboys rest a bunch of guys (Murray, primarily), allowing for a conceivable backdoor cover, or they stupidly keep handing it to Murray and he gets hurt, flaming out their playoff chances in the process. Personally, I'd prefer the former so we can see this recreated.
Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans (+7.5)
Lucas: Colts. Andrew Luck Revenge Game to boost the spirits in Indy before they get bounced in a couple weeks? Count me in. And you know what? Just for fun (and because it's true), here's some proof that the Attack on Titan theme goes with everything.
San Diego Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5)
Lucas: Chargers. BOLO TIE! BOLO TIE! BOLO TIE!
New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins (-5.5)
Lucas: Dolphins. One more win to keep up the trend of Joe Philbin upping his win total every year in Miami and give him and Tannehill confidence going into 2015. Have fun against that god-awful secondary, Ryan!
Adam: Dolphins. Tannehill has been playing lights out the last few weeks. I think it keeps up against the poor jets secondary.
New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3.5)
Lucas: Saints. It's on the road, so of course the Saints will win big to continue the narrative flip from past years.
Adam: Buccaneers. Everything in my head says Saints blowout. Everything in gut says Bucs. So I am going with my gut and say that the Bucs play with spirit. Also the Saints are broken and out of the playoffs, so they literally have nothing to play for, other than maybe pride.
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants (-2.5)
Lucas: Giants. We now go live to what Bradley Fletcher will look like after matching up on Odell Beckham, Jr.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans (-9.5)
Lucas: Jaguars. Taking the points and praying that J.J. Watt doesn't make a last ditch effort to sway the MVP voters... which he'll probably do anyway, because he's J.J. Freaking Watt.
Adam: Jaguars. I like the points here against the banged up Texans.
Sunday, Late Afternoon
Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons (-3.5)
Lucas: Falcons. Atlanta's offense > Carolina's offense. Plus, I think it'll be hilarious to see a 7-9 team make the playoffs where six of the wins came within the division and get crushed by whoever finishes second in the NFC West.
Adam: Falcons. Matty Ice for the South… with a losing record to boot.
Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos (-14.5)
Lucas: Raiders. With as mortal as Peyton Manning has been lately (including LOSING STRAIGHT UP AT NIGHT, DAMMIT PEYTON YOU KILLED THE GAMBLING RULE), this one is obvious. Two touchdowns? Take it.
Adam: Raiders. Taking the points in a week when the playoff bound teams tend to rest up if they can.
Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers (-7.5)
Lucas: Packers. My head is screaming at me to take the points, because this is a ridiculous line. But let's remember, the Lions have looked like crap en route to wins against inferior divisional foes, Aaron Rodgers has been a demigod at Lambeau, and oh yeah, the last time the Lions won in Green Bay, my dad was trying to corrupt me to root for the purple and gold. Also, Dominic Raiola is a thug and needs to be banned from the NFL.
Adam: Lions. Ugh… I hate the line on this game. A few more points either way and I would be happy to pick either way. Lions have shown some grit when it comes down to close games. I think this will be a close game, so taking the points is the way to go here.
St. Louis Rams @ Seattle Seahawks (-12.5)
Lucas: Rams. The Seahawks are peaking at the right time, and it terrifies me, considering that most likely, the road to the Super Bowl will go through Century Link. But 12.5 points is way too many. Thank you for asking.
Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers (-5.5)
Lucas: Cardinals. Methinks something else weighs heavily on the mind of one James Harbaugh. Also, happy belated birthday.
Happy Birthday, Jim. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/kameWJ7F5S
— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) December 23, 2014
Adam: 49ers. Banking here on the beaten up Cardinals at home.
Sunday Night
Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5)
Lucas: Steelers. I debated about going with the upset here, but with A.J. Green battling that arm injury, I wonder how well they'll be able to attack Pittsburgh's weakness.
Adam: Steelers. I like Bell and Brown at home over Hill and Green on the road. Thought this should be a great game to end the NFL regular season.
Records So Far
Lucas: 119-121 (8-8 last week)
Adam: 118-122 (8-8 last week)
Rascal: 2-2 (no picks since Week 15)
Arnie: 1-0 (no picks since Week 9)
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