There are some very important playoff implication games today in the league. Can Chicago, Minnesota, Washington or Dallas make it in? The Giants still have a shot though they need a lot of help to get in. Here’s what can happen: If Chicago wins and Minnesota loses to Green Bay, Chicago is in as the sixth seed. If Chicago and the Vikings win, the Vikings are in. If the Vikings and Bears lose and Washington loses to Dallas, the Cowboys would win the division and the Giants amazingly would be in. Denver and Peyton are playing for home field, as are the Texans and the Patriots. If Denver beats KC, they secure the second seed if the Texans beat Indy. But if Denver wins and the Texans lose, Denver is the No.1 seed and secures home field advantage throughout the playoffs. If Denver and the Texans lose and the Patriots win, the Pats secure the No.1 seed and the home field advantage through the playoffs. It’s pretty wild. Another interesting scenario is the MVP and the comeback player of the year awards. It’s between Adrian Peterson and Peyton. I was with Peyton for a long time and I still am with him for comeback player of the year. Anybody who can go through four neck surgeries, comeback and have the kind of season he’s having (more than 30 TDs and seven or eight ints) leading his team to the playoffs and maybe home field advantage, to me, that’s pretty amazing. I’ve been leaning towards AP for the MVP lately, but I want these last games to play out to see whom I will choose. I’ll let you know this afternoon after the games have been played. If AP breaks the rushing record of 2,105 set by Eric Dickerson (he needs 160+ yards), and the Vikings win, AP is the man. If AP comes up short and the Vikings lose and Peyton gets it done (which he probably will against KC), I’m going with Peyton. If AP breaks the record and the Vikings lose, and Peyton has a good game, I’m going with Peyton. To me the Vikings need to win and Peterson needs to have a good game. If he does, if they do and he does, AP is my pick. I’ll let you know after the games.
On to this weeks picks.
Record: 5-8
Baltimore Ravens ()10-5) @ Cincy Bengals (9-6)
Where: Paul Brown Stadium (65,535), Cincinnati
Time: 1 PM ET/Noon CT
Network: CBS
Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Soloman Wilcox
Line: Bengals by 1
Should be a really good game here. Like the way the Bengals are playing and the Ravens were very impressive last week in beating the Giants soundly. Like the Bengals to get through this one at home. If the Bengals win, they could get the home field in the first round. Same for the Ravens. So this game has significance. This has a good chance to be a first round playoff game next week. Can’t wait for the playoffs.
Bengals 24, Ravens 21
Chicago Bears (9-6) @ Detroit Lions (4-11)
Where: Ford Field (65,000), Motown
Time: 1 PM ET/Noon CT
Network: Fox
Announcers: Kenny Albert, Darryl Johnston and Goose (Tony Siragusa)
Line: Bears by 3
This is a tough game for the Bears. They must win and the Vikings have to lose to the Packers for the Bears to make it in as the sixth seed. Jay Cutler has to get time from his line, Matt Forte, who sprained his ankle last week but will play, has to run it well, and Cutler has to find other receivers besides Brandon Marshall so it can open the offense up some. Earl Bennett and Alshon Jeffery are very good players. Cutler needs to look for them. Think the offense of the Bears will do enough and their defense will hold down Matthew Stafford and Megatron (Calvin Johnson) enough to give themselves a chance to make the playoffs.
Bears 28, Lions 24
Houston Texans (12-3) @Indianapolis Colts (10-5)
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium (70,000), Indy
Time: 1 ET/ Noon CT
Network: CBS
Announcers: Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
Line: Texans by 7
I’m a believer in this Indy group. Andrew Luck has been pretty darn good, and they play with a lot of passion. Chuck Pagano is back in one of the best stories of the year, as he has returned from cancer, and will be leading his team today. Bruce Arians did a terrific job running the team in Pagano’s absence and Pagano made a beautiful, passionate speech to his team earlier in the season after his team won a big game. This is a great story. I wasn’t big on the Colts after Jim Irsay let Peyton go, but I like this story and I like these Colts. Houston, to me, is kind of fading. I don’t think they’re on the Patriots or Broncos level. Frankly, Indy could be better. I like the Colts to get it done today for Pagano and for their playoff posturing.
Colts 31, Texans 27
Carolina Panthers (6-9) @ New Orleans Saints (7-8)
Where: The Mercedes-Benz Superdome (72,003), N’Awlins
Time: 1 ET/ Noon CT
Network: Fox
Announcers: Mike Martz, Krista Voda
Line: Saints by 5
The Saints finally had a good week this week. They beat the Cowboys at Dallas last Sunday in overtime, and Sean Payton, their phenomenal coach who has been suspended this season due to Bountygate, signed a five-year extension, for $8m/per. Things are on the up and up for the Saints. They aren’t going to make the playoffs, but they should have high hopes for next year. Drew Brees will play with a purpose today. Cam has been playing phenomenally the past three weeks and I think he’ll do well against the Saints again today. The Saints defense is a little leaky and their secondary is suspect. But the Saints are pumped about Payton coming back and they will outscore the Panthers and Cam in what should be a stellar offensive game. Mark Ingram is starting to run well. Ingram is a tremendous player. He’s going to start asserting himself today and next year.
Saints 38, Panthers 35
Green Bay Packers (11-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (9-6)
Where: Vikings Stadium (Metrodome, 73,000), Minneapolis
Time: 4:25 ET/3:25 CT
Network: Fox
Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
Line: Packers by 3
Huge game for both teams, though more important to Minnesota as they have to win to make the playoffs. They Vikes will know the verdict of the Chicago game once they get started. If the Bears lose and the Vikings lose and the Cowboys beat the Redskins, the Vikings are out of luck. The Vikings must win, period. Packers looking for a first round bye. The Falcons have secured the No.1 seed and home field throughout the playoffs, but the Packers would love to have that first round bye and home field in the second round. And depending on how the Falcons do, possibly home field in the championship game if they can win their first playoff game. They need to win also. It’s pretty important to them. This should be a classic with AP going for Dickerson’s record and ARodg and company trying to dissect the Vikings D led by the ferocious Jared Allen. Like ARodg to get it done even though Randall Cobb, who has been awesome for the Pack this year, may be out. It’s going to be a terrific game and the Vikings could win. But I’ll go with the Pack.
Discount Double Check 31, Vikes 30
Dallas Cowboys (8-7) @ Washington Redskins (9-6)
Where: FedEx Field (85,000), D.C.
Time: 8:20 PM ET/7:20 CT
Network: NBC
Announcers: Al, Cris and Michelle
Line: Skins by 3
What a classic way to wrap up Sunday Night football. This is a lot of times my favorite game of the day, because it’s always a great matchup and Cris Collinsworth is a fantastic color analyst. And the rivalry doesn’t get any bigger than this one. And the implications? Just making the playoffs for both teams. I love the way RGIII has played this year. He’s been phenomenal. Dallas has hung in there, and Tony Romo has had a good year. Can the Cowboys pull off the upset? I believe they’re going to give it a Herculean effort, but I’m going with RGIII in this one. The guy is just special. I didn’t love how he said he had won the Heisman before he did win it last year, but I like him overall. He’s going to be a heckuva player for many years to come in this league if he can stay healthy. The Redskins could be a threat in the playoffs if they pull it off tonight. Romo will give it a terrific go, but gotta go with the Skins at home to take the NFC East and move on to the postseason. Should be fun.
‘Skins 31, Cowboys 27
Other scores:
49ers 24, Cardinals 3
Seahawks 34, Rams 27
Patriots 37, Dolphins 27
Broncos 31, Chiefs 7
Giants 27, Eagles 24