Merry Christmas!
The San Diego Chargers and the Tennessee Titans will play on Christmas night in Nashville to get Week 16 started off.
The Titans, after starting the season 0-6, are now 7-7 and have a legitimate shot at a wild card spot if they can defeat the Chargers, who are on a nine game winning streak and are looking to secure the number-two seed and a first round bye in the AFC playoffs.
There are a lot of games with playoff implications, especially in the AFC, where six teams are 7-7 and battling for the two wild card spots still open. The Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos are 8-6 and currently hold the final two spots for the AFC playoffs.
In the NFC, it's a little simpler as the last two spots up for grabs have just three teams going after one another.
The Green Bay Packers (9-5) and Dallas Cowboys (9-5) hold those spots for now but the New York Giants (8-6) are right there and hold the advantage on Dallas after sweeping the two games in '09 against the 'Pokes.
Some of the BIGGER GAMES this weekend...
Baltimore (8-6) at Pittsburgh (7-7)- Hard to believe just a year ago these two teams battled for the AFC Championship and a Super Bowl berth. Now it's a battle just for survival and a chance at the playoffs.
The Steelers defense is a shell of it's former self without the injured Troy Polamalu and the Ravens defense has been found lacking at times this year as well, especially in the secondary.
Houston (7-7) at Miami (7-7)- This game is big for both teams because the loser (especially if it's Houston) goes home for the post-season while the winner takes a step closer to the post-season.
Jacksonville (7-7) at New England (9-5)- The Jaguars face a Patriots team that has been struggling but seems to be getting their edge back as the final two games of the season loom.
The Pats can wrap up the AFC East with a win and the Jags simply MUST WIN or they are history for the '09 playoffs.
Denver (8-6) at Philadelphia (10-4)- The Eagles have won five in a row and can take a huge step to securing a playoff spot with a win as well as the NFC East division title. Once upon a time, the Broncos were 6-0 and Head Coach Josh McDaniels seemed a lock to win Coach of the Year honors... that is not the case now as the Broncos need a win to stay afloat for a playoff spot.
One note of interest in this game sees Denver safety Brian Dawkins returning to Philly to face his former team.
New York Jets (7-7) at Indianapolis (14-0)- The Jets MUST WIN or they are out of it... the Colts are trying to remain unbeaten as they chase history. The Colts have already clinched home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
Dallas (9-5) at Washington (4-10)- The Cowboys need this win against their arch rivals in D.C. as they would take a huge step closer to a possible playoff spot. A loss would do huge damage to Dallas' playoff hopes.
Carolina (6-8) at New York Giants (8-6)- The Giants MUST WIN or else... they will need a ton of help in Week 17 to make the post-season. With some help from Denver and Washington and a win over the Panthers, then the Giants have a legitimate shot at the NFC East title.
Minnesota (11-3) at Chicago (5-9)- The final Monday Night Football game of the season has the Vikings looking to secure a first round bye in the Windy City against a Bears' team that has appeared to have packed it in for the '09 season.
Here are the picks for the upcoming games this weekend. (HOME TEAMS are listed in BOLD)
San Diego over Tennessee
Atlanta over Buffalo
Cincinnati over Kansas City
Cleveland over Oakland
Green Bay over Seattle
Pittsburgh over Baltimore
Miami over Houston
New England over Jacksonville
New Orleans over Tampa Bay
NY Giants over Carolina
Philadelphia over Denver
Arizona over St. Louis
San Francisco over Detroit
Indianapolis over NY Jets
Dallas over Washington
Minnesota over Chicago
Last Week's record: 12-4
SEASON RECORD: 145-79
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