Could you imagine being a San Diego Charger and being forced to sit out your family’s Christmas dinner because you’re playing on Dec. 25? Not only will they be playing on the holiest night of the year, they’re across the country from their home, playing in Nashville, Tennessee. Why couldn’t the NFL put together a game featuring two regional teams, meaning that the players wouldn’t have to travel on Dec. 24 and miss seeing their kids and/or families unwrap their gifts on Christmas morning?
The lines are from Vegas and the home teams are in CAPS.
San Diego +3 over TENNESSEE
There are three factors at work here: An 11-3 team actually getting points, the theory that the Chargers can’t win in the eastern time zone and their undefeated December run. San Diego hasn’t wrapped up the No. 2 seed in the AFC yet and still need a win to take that. The Titans need to win out and get a ton of help to even consider the post-season. When San Diego inevitably goes up, the Titans might just fold.
GREEN BAY -14 over Seattle
This should be the Matt Hasselbeck farewell tour because he has certainly lost a lot of his ability. Maybe if the Seahawks had some protection for him, he wouldn’t play so poorly. The Packers may great at home and the Seahawks are terrible on the road.
CLEVELAND -3 over Oakland
The Browns got some good news this week with the reports that Mike Holmgren will be running their front office and the team had two record performances last week against the Chiefs. The Raiders are slightly better than K.C., but Oakland has a habit of folding to lesser foes.
Kansas City +13.5 over CINCINNATI
After an emotional game against the Chargers, the Bengals will surely be fired up for Chiefs to come to town. The thing is the Bengals don’t blow out crummy teams like they should be doing.
ATLANTA -9 over Buffalo
The Falcons have no intention on keeping their streak of never having back-to-back winning seasons and that means they have to be fired up to take out the lowly Bills. With Brian Brohm starting at QB for the Bills, it’s hard to imagine the AFC East doormat coming through.
MIAMI -3 over Houston
The Dolphins are one of the best teams that simply can’t win. They’re much better than their 7-7 record and have playmakers at every position. Houston has hardly any running game, one stud wide receiver, QB that doesn’t inspire confidence and a coach that could be fired any minute now after another season of failing to deliver. The math is simple here.
Carolina +7 over NEW YORK GIANTS
Don’t forget that Eli Manning is playing hurt and the Panthers are finally playing decent with an average quarterback at the helm. The Giants are right in the thick of the post-season race, but can we really believe that they’ve pulled it together after one big win over a four win team?
NEW ORLEANS -14 over Tampa Bay
The Saints had a huge boulder lifted off their collective shoulders with their first loss of the season. Now, they’ll be free to put the boots to the inferior Bucs. And don’t worry about New Orleans resting their guys, there’s still a chance that Minnesota can catch them for the No. 1 seed.
Jacksonville +9 over NEW ENGLAND
The Jaguars are still alive and have Maurice Jones-Drew. The Pats haven’t lost at home yet, but giving nine points to a possible playoff team doesn’t make sense.
Pittsburgh -3 over BALTIMORE
The Steelers only lost in Baltimore earlier this season because their third string QB couldn’t handle the pressure of overtime. With Big Ben at the helm, Pittsburgh should be good enough to beat the Ravens and muddy up the AFC playoff picture even more.
PHILADELPHIA -7 over Denver
The Eagles are flying into the playoffs and could ride this wave of success all the way to the Super Bowl. The Broncos on the other hand, are still slumping after their torrid start to the season. Philly shouldn’t have a problem locking up the win at home.
St. Louis +14 over ARIZONA
The Rams could wrap up the No. 1 pick with a loss, but still have something to prove to show Steven Jackson that they have potential. The Cardinals are a better road team anyway.
New York Jets +5.5 over INDIANAPOLIS
The Jets will (at least they should) blitz early and often to get people in Peyton Manning’s face, forcing Indy to take out their superstar QB. Why would they risk an injury in a meaningless game when facing a hard blitzing team?
Dallas -6.5 at WASHINGTON
The Cowboys barely got by the Redskins at home earlier this season and, despite winning last week, you can’t be sure that their December woes won’t resurface. Washington looked awful against the Giants, but always get up more when the Boys come to town. Besides, these games are always close.
Minnesota -7 over CHICAGO
After a week of Favre-Childress drama, the team should come together while beating the tar out of the floundering Bears. And has anybody seen Matt Forte? You know, the guy who was taken a pick or two after Adrian Peterson in your fantasy draft? Talk about a huge bust.
Last week: 7-7-1
This season: 122-91-2
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The Colts continue to surprise everyone and keep playing their stars. Players such as Peyton Manning, Dwight Freeney, and Reggie Wayne continue to suit up for the Colts. The Colts have accomplished everything set out so far but it still remains a question if going perfect is one of those items.
This week will be interesting to see what happens with the Jets. The Jets are fighting for their playoff lives and also have the best defense in football. Is that something that Peyton Manning needs to see right now? It’s a hard question to answer but all I know is that this is still the #1 team in football.
Merry Christmas!And have a good time!