Adam took four of the seven disputed games last week to push his lead over me to ten games. Barring a ridiculous amount of disparity or me cheating by waiting until he sends me his picks leading to my picking the opposite of him and hoping for a miracle, he has me beat this season, and I tip my cap to the man who kicked butt this season, especially on his hero picks. I can, however, conceivably catch both my dad and Geoffy depending on how things play out this week.
I hope you've enjoyed the 2015 edition of Adam and I (and a special thanks to Geoffy for filling in for a week while Adam was on vacation) picking games against the spread, cracking jokes, and showing that to a degree we know absolutely nothing about football. In this final edition of the season, Adam and I disagree on seven games on Sunday's slate.
From all of us here at Confessions of a Sportscaster, I hope you have a blessed and happy 2016! Let's get to the picks.
Sunday, Early Afternoon
New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons (-4.5)
Lucas: Saints. I'm on Letdown Alert after last week. Yeah, Atlanta finally looked competent again, but they were at home and highly motivated to end a shot at 16-0. That sort of thing takes a lot out of you. Taking the points here.
Adam: Falcons. Divisional game at home, no playoffs, just pride on the line. As with any New Orleans game, I can see a shoot out galore shaping up here.
New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills (+2.5)
Lucas: Jets. Rex Ryan is all talk and no results. Everyone knows this except Rex Ryan.
Adam: Jets. This seems like the only play here. The Jets have had a solid season so far and need the win to seal the playoff berth.
Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears (-1.5)
Lucas: Lions. The Bears' rebuild has definitely progressed to the point where there are some good pieces on the roster to go forward with and build around, but they are awful at home. Taking the narrow point margin and the upset.
Adam: Bears. Essentially a pick ’em game. The Bears will come out fired up after their last loss to Detroit by means of an overtime field goal which gave the Lions their first win. Smoking Jay drops the tag for a while and shows us just what kind of QB he could be: 300 yards, 3 touchdowns.
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals (-7.5)
Lucas: Ravens. They've already played spoiler once; expect them to try and throw a bigger monkey wrench into things, especially with a hurt A.J. McCarron expected to start for the Bengals.
Adam: Bengals. I really don’t like the extra half point here. A.J. McCarron has played well, but the Ravens came out of nowhere and surprised Pittsburgh last week. The Ravens should be much easier than what Cincy had last week, but I still don’t like the extra half point.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns (+9.5)
Lucas: Steelers. Pittsburgh done goofed last week, possibly costing them their playoff spot. I think they get revenge this week, even though this is a ton of points to lay.
Adam: Steelers. But I really would not mind taking those points. Pittsburgh comes out firing in a soft Week 17 matchup and finishes the year off strong and has an outside chance of the playoffs.
Lucas note: Yeah, they need to win and the Jets to lose to sneak in.
Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys (-2.5)
Lucas: Redskins. I know the general rule of thumb with lines is that home field is worth three points, so this has the two teams roughly even, but how do you figure they are? The only thing Dallas has going for them is that this game is meaningless to both teams. Still taking the points.
Adam: Redskins. They are in the playoff. No, really; say that again and let it hang in the air... the Washington Redskins are in the playoffs. I know, it feels weird. But I’ll take Cousins over... who is the starting QB in Dallas these days?
Lucas note: The immortal Kellen Moore for the finale. Let that sink in.
Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts (-6.5)
Lucas: Colts. Ladies and gentlemen, your NFL tiebreakers at work.
Colts are still alive. This is all they need. No sweat. pic.twitter.com/W2R5FatV2A
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) December 29, 2015
Adam: Colts. Even with both teams on their QB backups, I like the Colts at home. Frank Gore, the 32 year old crazy man, go nuts again for 150 and 2 scores... eh, probably not.
New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins (+9.5)
Lucas: Patriots. Sorry, Indy. The Patriots aren't going to squander a chance to host two playoff games and get back to the Super Bowl so Brady can flip off Goodell when he hoists the Lombardi Trophy again.
Adam: Dolphins. This is a simple give me the points. New England can lock up home field, but they will not care late in the game on the score. I would bet we see Brady and other take much of the day off. Miami with the back door, 4th quarter, cover.
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants (-2.5)
Lucas: Giants. Maybe Chip Kelly is actually Admiral Dougherty from Star Trek: Insurrection. Dude tried to do what he thought was best for the Federation but instead violated the Prime Directive; Admiral Kelly tried to do what he thought was best for Philadelphia but instead violated the rules of common sense. At least Kelly didn't die be facial stretching.
Adam: Giants. Really... the Giants only favored by 2.5?
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans (-6.5)
Lucas: Texans. With a chance to lock up the division? I'm sure Jacksonville will try to play spoiler, but I don't see Houston losing, especially not with Brandon Weeden actually looking competent.
Adam: Jaguars. Going with my gut here, just seems like the better play. Houston wins, but the Jags make it interesting late.
Sunday, Late Afternoon
San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos (-8.5)
Lucas: Broncos. Any time you can bet against a team that fined one of its best players for not going into the locker room at halftime because he was watching his daughter perform, you have to do it.
Adam: Broncos. For Manning.
Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5)
Lucas: Chiefs. What a year for KC. Win the World Series, then see that magic carry over to football to overcome a five game losing streak.
Adam: Chiefs. Was thinking this line would be a little higher. KC has been playing well of late and will continue by 10 against Oakland.
St. Louis Rams @ San Francisco 49ers (+3.5)
Lucas: Rams. Hey, Jeff, you can finish at .500 this year!
Adam: Rams. Like others above, this seems like the only obvious play. The only reason this does not play out is if either or both of these teams sit key players, like Gurley, to prevent injury.
Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals (-6.5)
Lucas: Seahawks. Last week notwithstanding, the Seahawks have been too good lately not to take the points here.
Adam: Seahawks. Tough line. I just don’t see AZ getting out to that much of a lead even at home I even think Seattle has a high chance to pull off an upset if you will.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers (-10.5)
Lucas: Panthers. Tempted to take the points, but with home field on the line, you think Carolina is going to let themselves have to leave the state for the next month? Not a chance.
Adam: Buccaneers. Taking the points and using the same thoughts as in the New England game. Once the game is essentially decided key players for Carolina will sit, allowing TB to make a late, 4th quarter, cover.
Sunday Night
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers (-3.5)
Lucas: Packers. Taking the Vikings means betting on Teddy Bridgewater on the road, which isn't the best bet to take. Yes, I know the Packers have been absolutely awful for a couple months now. But it's the third straight Week 17 NFC North Championship Game for the Packers, and Rodgers has been money in these games. Also, I found it fitting that this popped up on my Facebook memories on Wednesday when I was writing this.
Lucas note: Wouldn't surprise me, honestly, as bad as he's been.
Records So Far
Lucas: 110-130 (7-9 last week)
Adam: 120-120 (8-8 last week)
Geoffrey: 112-128 (6-10 last week)
Scott: 113-127 (8-8 last week)
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