Likewise in the NFL, a lot of playoff spots are still wide open. In the great tradition of December football, I use ESPN's Playoff Machine to mess up the NFL world as best I can. This was the best I could come up with: New England and Indianapolis miss the playoffs, Green Bay wins the NFC North, and the road to the Super Bowl runs through Philadelphia and... Miami?! Click here for the fun details.
Nathaniel has had a busy week, so he was only able to get quick synopses on all the games. This week, we disagree on 5 games out of the 16 on the slate. Let's see how this goes.
Thursday Night
Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (+2.5)
Lucas: Jaguars. Why am I all in the Jaguars lately? They went from being compared to the '08 Lions a month ago to suddenly not even being the worst team in their division. I don't know what to believe in anymore.
Nathaniel: Jaguars. Because why is Houston favored over anyone right now?
Sunday, Early Afternoon
Atlanta Falcons @ Green Bay Packers (-4.5)
Lucas: Packers. Call it desperate optimism if you will, but Atlanta is not good. Even with Green Bay's defense being as bad as it is, I think they have just enough firepower to sneak back into the race. The fact that Aaron Rodgers might be back (even if it's not this week) is just the proverbial icing.
Nathaniel: Falcons. Because Aaron Rodgers still hasn’t been cleared to play yet, duh.
Buffalo Bills @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5)
Lucas: Buccaneers. Tampa isn't playing a team that's going to blow them out of the water this week. As bad as Tampa is, I just don't trust Buffalo.
Nathaniel: Buccaneers. Because Greg Schiano desperately hopes Tampa Bay ownership will look at the Bucs’ second half results this year and completely ignore the first half.
Indianapolis Colts @ Cincinnati Bengals (-5.5)
Lucas: Colts. I'm more so taking the points here. Cincy remains a pretty good team and Indy seems to get up for those games pretty well, but they're also a little inconsistent. Still, with where this line is I'm comfortable taking the points.
Nathaniel: Bengals. Because the Bengals’ defense is still really good without Geno Atkins.
Cleveland Browns @ New England Patriots (-12.5)
Lucas: Patriots. Most people would say avoid double digit favorites unless A), Cleveland is the underdog; B) Cleveland's potential starting quarterback is Caleb Hanie, C) New England is the favorite, or D) New England is at home and it's December/January. You get even a couple of these and you should almost always pull the trigger. All four? Yes please.
Nathaniel: Browns. Because 12.5 points is a heckuva lot of points.
Detroit Lions @ Philadelphia Eagles (-2.5)
Lucas: Eagles. I hate to say it, but Nick Foles > Matt Flynn. The Eagles may give up a bunch of points, but they're scoring more than 10.
Nathaniel: Lions. Because Nick Foles has to throw an interception sometime, right?
Kansas City Chiefs @ Washington Redskins (+3.5)
Lucas: Chiefs. Part of me is starting to wonder if last year's Redskins were a bit of a fluke. Granted, RG3 is coming back from that ACL surgery, but this team needs an offseason overhaul, especially on defense.
Nathaniel: Chiefs. Because the Chiefs have the less offensive Native American-related nickname.
Oakland Raiders @ New York Jets (-2.5)
Lucas: Raiders. I'm just taking the points. Both of these teams are not good, even knowing that the Jets record isn't abysmal. So many turnovers...
Nathaniel: Raiders. Because I looked it up and the Jets LITERALLY haven’t gained a first down in almost a month.
Miami Dolphins @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5)
Lucas: Dolphins. With all the negativity surrounding this team, they're still in the hunt. You know, as long as Mike Tomlin stays away from the field of play again.
Minnesota Vikings @ Baltimore Ravens (-7.5)
Lucas: Ravens. I don't think it really matters who's under center for the Vikings. This game is in Baltimore, and the Ravens D is just a notch above the Bears D.
Nathaniel: Ravens. Because Baltimore is at home.
Sunday, Late Afternoon
Tennessee Titans @ Denver Broncos (-12.5)
Lucas: Titans. Let's see, December in Denver? Peyton Manning? Take the points.
Nathaniel: Titans. Because 12.5 points is a lot of points.
St. Louis Rams @ Arizona Cardinals (-6.5)
Lucas: Cardinals. I can't get a read on St. Louis this year. Maybe it's for the best. I'm taking Arizona again.
Nathaniel: Cardinals. Because Arizona is the better team.
New York Giants @ San Diego Chargers (-3.5)
Lucas: Giants. Here we go. Everyone wrote them off at 0-6. Yet somehow, they're still a viable playoff candidate. These are the types of games they win. Also, I really, really hope this works as a jinx. I hate the Giants.
Nathaniel: Chargers. Because the Giants can’t play the Redskins every week.
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (-2.5)
Lucas: Seahawks. Right now, I'm not sure San Fran has the tools to beat this Seattle team. Not even pulling them away from the Pacific Northwest. They scare me.
Nathaniel: Seahawks. Because Seattle’s 11-1 and yet somehow not favored – thank you, free points!
Sunday Night
Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints (-3.5)
Lucas: Saints. If you were to rank home field advantages around the NFL, Seattle's is undoubtedly first. After that it gets to be more of a debate, but I'd put the Superdome right up there with any other venue. I don't think even Riverboat Ron can do much with this one.
Nathaniel: Saints. Because the Saints won’t have to play outside – this week.
Monday Night
Dallas Cowboys @ Chicago Bears (+1.5)
Lucas: Bears. Listen, I am in no way a Bears fan. And I'm kind of laughing hysterically at Marc Trestman for being kind of an idiot. But I'm from Chicago. You can't pick against Ditka... Polish sausage... Ditka...
Records So Far
Lucas: 103-93 (11-5 last week)
Nathaniel: 95-101 (8-8 last week)
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