NFL Conference Championship Predictions

Arizona 31 Philadelphia 27

I am about to break the two biggest rules of NFL game playoff picking. Don't pick against a team that beat the other team in the regular season, especially when said team destroyed the other in that game and the game was less than 2 months ago. The 2nd rule is not to pick the Cardinals. I'm breaking both. Brian Westbrook doesn't look quite right and with him goes the team. He goes down, so does the rest of the team. The Cardinals may have lost to the Eagles on the road earlier this season, but they were a completely different team for most of the season at home, where this game is being played. I'm chalking that Thanksgiving game up to being a fluke. The Cardinals are clicking at all the right moments right now. The Eagles just look like they are. All they have really done is barely beat Tavaris Jackson and then they had the Giants hand the game to them last week. They haven't looked as good as the Cardinals, who knocked out Matt Ryan and then stole the game and the ball from Jake Delhomme and the Panthers last week.

Pittsburgh 20 Baltimore 13

While Pittsburgh has no commanding victories over Baltimore this season and while historically the team who has lost the first 2 matchups have the advantage in the 3rd, I'm still taking them. Ben Roethlisbergr I trust to lead a team down field and score late, which is likely what will be necessary for someone to win this game. I do not trust Joe Flacco to do that. Baltimore also hasn't had a bye week since week 2. They are getting tired right now. This is a veteran team. A veteran team, playing this long without a rest, with a rookie quarterback, is probably not going to beat someone as complete as the Steelers. I pick the Steelers in a close one.

NFL Week 17 Picks

St. Louis at Atlanta 14-37

The Falcons are playing with the opportunity to win the division here and the Rams haven't been playing in weeks. Seriously, they got tackled by an old man last week. Add in the fact that the Falcons have 10 times more talent than the Rams and this one could get ugly.

Fantasy MVP: Michael Turner 140 yards rushing 30 yards receiving 2 TDs

New England at Buffalo 37-21

The Patriots are on a roll lately and the Bills haven't been a very good team in the past few weeks. Look for the Patriots offense to look like their 2007 offense once again this week and I don't think the Bills will have the offense firepower to match the Patriots and win the game/

Fantasy MVP: Matt Cassel 310 yards passing 3 TDs 1 INT

Kansas City at Cincinnati 13-17

The Chiefs seem to inventing new ways to lose. This might look like a very winable game for a Chiefs team that has looked pretty good for the first 3 quarters of their games this season, but the Bengals have looked pretty good over their past 2 weeks, getting 2 wins. Look for the Chiefs to lose once again.

Fantasy MVP: Cedric Benson 120 yards rushing 40 yards recieving 1 TD

Detroit at Green Bay 20-37

This is the Lions' last chance to win a game and don't think they won't be playing harder that any team this week. However, they just don't have the talent to get it done this year, even against a reeling Packers' team.

Fantasy MVP: Ryan Grant 130 yards rushing 40 yards receiving 2 TDs

Tennessee at Indianapolis 31-34

The Titans have already locked in their #1 seed and they've already beaten the Colts once this year. However, the Colts might be the best team in the league right now the way they are playing. Even though they've already locked in their playoff sport already, they will still be playing for something this week, and come out looking to maintain their momentum as well as get their best win of the season, even if it means Peyton Manning plays the whole games, as opposed to 1 quarter, which he normally does in Week 17.

Fantasy MVP: Peyton Manning 280 yards passing 3 TDs O INTs

NY Giants at Minnesota 27-17

The Giants have also locked in their #1 seed, but that doesn't mean they aren't going to play hard this week. Their team is value around the value that they should play hard every game. They want to keep the momentum going into the playoffs, so don't expect them to be resting their regulars too much. If this game turns into a game of simply which is a better team, which it should with the Giants not taking it easy, the Giants should win fairly easily.

Fantasy MVP: Eli Manning 210 yards passing 2 TDs 1 INT

Carolina at New Orleans 34-35 upset pick

The Panthers are a good team, but I'm not going to go against the trend. No NFC South has lost a division home game all year. I don't know the Saints are going to win it; I just know that somehow they will, even if by a tiny margin.

Fantasy MVP: Drew Bress 410 yards passing 4 TDs 2 INTs

Cleveland at Pittsburgh 6-31 lock pick

The Browns haven't scored an offensive touchdown in over a month and will be attempting to do it with their 4th different quarterback in that stretch of time and against the Steelers' #1 ranked defense. I say the streak continues and the Steelers win this one very easily. After the game, I wouldn't be surprised in Romeo Crennel's bags are sitting in the locker room. He's going to be fired very soon.

Fantasy MVP: Pittsburgh DEF 1 def TD, 4 INT, 1 fumble recovery, 4 Sacks, 6 points allowed

Oakland at Tampa Bay 10-28

The Raiders haven't looked bad lately, especially offensively with JaMarcus Russell having the best 2 game stretch of his young career. However, he did that against 2 mediocre pass defenses, Houston and New England. Don't expect Russell and the rest of the young Raiders to be able to march into Tampa, across 3 time zones, and beat the Bucs, no matter how bad the Bucs have been playing lately.

Fantasy MVP: Warrick Dunn 90 yards rushing 40 yards receiving 2 TDs

Chicago at Houston 21-24 upset pick

The Texans live and die by their offense, especially the pass offense. They should be able to move the ball fairly easy through the air this week against the Bears poor pass defense, in a warm weather game at home. They should be able to ride that all the way to the slim upset.

Fantasy MVP: Matt Schaub 330 yards passing 3 TDs 2 INTs

Jacksonville at Baltimore 13-23

The Jacksonville Jaguars haven't been very good all year and I don't expect that to change this week. The Ravens are playing for the playoffs, so they should be able to easily take care of business and win a very winnable game at home.

Fantasy MVP: Joe Flacco 260 yards passing 1 TD 0 INTs

Washington at San Francisco 17-21 upset pick

The Redskins won last week. However, they can't make the playoffs. Their coach's job has been secured for next year, reportedly, and they have to travel 3 time zones to play the 49ers, who haven't been very kind to vistors from the East Coast this year. The Niners are playing for coach Mike Singletary's job, to be brought back next year as a full time coach, not just an interim, as well as a 7-9 record, which would be a sign of huge progress this season and a very bright future with the 49ers for the first time in a long time.

Fantasy MVP: Shaun Hill 220 yards passing 2 TDs 0 INTs

Miami at NY Jets 24-27 upset pick

I still like Brett here. He is going to be playing in a cold enviorment with a bad shoulder, but he's still Brett Favre. You can't bet against him in huge games like this, especially against teams that aren't used to playing in the cold. He should be able to light up the Dolphins poor pass defense, their Achilles Heel, and have his best game in months.

Fantasy MVP: Brett Favre 280 yards passing 3 TDs 2 INTs

Dallas at Philadelphia 38-31

Logic says don't pick the Cowboys in December. Logic says don't pick against the Eagles in December. Logic says don't pick the Cowboys in a big game, especially a season finale, they haven't won one since 1999. However, the Cowboys are the better team here and with both teams coming off losses, neither has the momentum. I expect talent to prevail over the trends and the logic.

Fantasy MVP: Brian Westbrook 100 yards rushing 70 yards receiving 2 TDs

Seattle at Arizona 21-13 upset pick

The Cardinals are already in the playoffs and haven't been playing very well lately so don't expect them to play anywhere near their best ball. I have a feeling the Seahawks, who are heating up lately, will win here and send Mike Holmgren out with a win. Senaca Wallace should be able to torch the Cards' poor secondary and that'll be enough to win.

Fantasy MVP: Seneca Wallace 270 yards passing 2 TDs 0 INTs

Denver at San Diego 21-27 game of the week

It has come down to this. The Chargers back in Denver for revenge, Hochuli nowhere in sight, in what is pretty much a one game playoffs, winner goes to the playoffs, loser does not. The Chargers should be able to close out the semi-miracle comeback at home. The better team will win here, as they should have last time these two met, way back in week 2.

Fantasy MVP: LaDainian Tomlinson 115 yards rushing 40 yards receiving 2TDs

NFL Week 16 Picks

Indianapolis at Jacksonville 34-21

The Colts are on a roll as of late, which is a scary thought for many teams. Jacksonville won last week, but they aren't the same team as last year, the one that could have won the division. They don't have the chemistry. Peyton Manning and the Colts should win one fairly easily here.

Fantasy MVP: Peyton Manning 350 yards 4 touchdowns 1 INT

Baltimore at Dallas 23-31

The Cowboys looked really good last week. The Ravens defense is great, especially against the run, but weak against the pass. That's bad news when playing a pass heavy team like the Cowboys, in a pass friendly enviornment like Dallas. Marion Barber won't have a great game against this Baltimore run defense, few do, but he's the type of back, a power back like Brandon Jacobs, who had a great game against the Ravens earlier this year, who can stablize the running game and not force the Cowboys to be one dimensional. That should set up the pass, which Baltimore is weak against, and force the Ravens' young offense to play from behind, which they could have trouble with.

Fantasy MVP: Tony Romo 280 yards 3 touchdowns 1 INT

Cincinnati at Cleveland 10-13

Both teams are just so awful. This might be one of the sloppiest games of football all year. The Browns have at least some talent, in the running game, and a few defensive players, as well as kick returner Josh Cribbs, so I'll pick them to win a messy one.

Fantasy MVP: Braylon Edwards 95 yards receiving 1 touchdown

San Francisco at St. Louis 27-10

This was a blowout, in the Niners' favor, last time these two teams met. Not much has changed since then. The Rams are still not trying and the Niners are still making good progress for the future under Mike Singletary. Expect the same result as last time. This one will be over fast.

Fantasy MVP: Shaun Hill 230 yards passing 2 touchdowns 1 INT

New Orleans at Detroit 38-21 lock pick

The Saints offense is going to have the game of their lives. Detroit's defense is that bad. Look for the Saints and their strong offense to blow out the Lions, pushing them to 0-15. The Lions will score some on the Saints' weak defense, but it'll be far too little, far too late.

Fantasy MVP: Pierre Thomas 130 yards rushing 35 yards receiving 3 touchdowns

Pittsburgh at Tennessee 31-10 upset pick

You might be surprised at the predicted margin of victory, but I expect Pittsburgh to go into Tennessee and win in very easily fashion. The Titans are walking wounded without Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch, their two most important defensive players. They aren't going to be able to create anything up front without them, or at leat not nearly enough to exploit the Steelers' one weakness, the line, and win in the trenches. Ben Roethlisberger is going to get time in the pocket and pick apart the Titans' secondary.

Fantasy MVP: Ben Roethlisberger 280 yards 2 touchdowns 0 INTs

Miami at Kansas City 21-24 upset pick

Kansas City has to win eventually. They can't keep losing close games and I think this will be the week they break out and get a good win. The Dolphins looked really bad last week, even in a win, nearly blowing it at home against San Francisco. I don't think this team is as talented as their record says they are. They will go into Kansas City and lose, as the Chiefs finally win a close one. The Chiefs have really looked good lately with Tyler Thigpen at quarterback.

Fantasy MVP: Ronnie Brown 100 yards rushing 50 yards receiving 2 touchdowns

Arizona at New England 38-41

If Tavaris Jackson can get 4 touchdowns against Arizona, how many can Matt Cassel get? Cassel and the Patriots' offense should have a fairly easy time here. Even with Cassel at the helm, instead of Tom Brady, they have looked like the 2007 Patriots offensively at times. This should be another one of those times. Kurt Warner and the Cardinals should have a good game too offensively, but not enough to outscore the Pats in this sure to be high scoring affair. Plus, Arizona should be affected by the 3 hours time difference which has messed up so many good teams this year.

Fantasy MVP: Matt Cassel 360 yards passing 4 touchdowns 1 INT

San Diego at Tampa Bay 20-27

This is the Chargers last chance to salvage their season, so they'll give a good effort. However, I just don't think they have what it takes to have a good season this year. They aren't going to be able to beat both major trends in the NFL this season, teams traveling across threee times zones often lose and the NFC South is 26-2 at home, and come into Tampa and win a game. They aren't good enough and Tampa isn't bad enough.

Fantasy MVP: LaDainian Tomlinson 90 yards rushing 45 yards receiving 1 touchdown

Houston at Oakland 17-21 lock pick

Matchup of the week right here in terms of player vs. player. Andre Johnson is the wide receiver that Matt Schaub throws to almost every play. Nmandi Asomugha is the cornerback that will be defending him and the cornerback that no one every throws on. If he can shut down Johnson, the Texans will have no one to go to and lose this one. If Johnson wins, the Texans will have a field day. I'm going with the former for the upset.

Fantasy MVP: Steve Slaton 70 yards rushing 40 yards receiving 2 touchdowns

Buffalo at Denver 14-38

Denver is one of the most inconsistent teams in the league. That also means they randomly explode for huge games. Against a Buffalo team that is going nowhere but down, 1-7 in their last 8 after starting 5-1, that looks very likely.

Fantasy MVP: Jay Cutler 420 yards passing 4 touchdowns 1 INT

NY Jets at Seattle 27-21

East Coast teams have had trouble playing west coast teams on the west coast, with the exception of the Patriots, and most notably the Jets, losing to both the Raiders and the Niners. However, the Seahawks aren't very good, so that shouldn't matter. Brett Favre will win here, though it will be much closer than their records say it should be.

Fantasy MVP: Thomas Jones 110 yards rushing 40 yards receiving 2 touchdowns

Atlanta at Minnesota 20-24

The Falcons have two weaknesses, defending the run and going on the road. Going to Minnesota to play the Vikings and the league's best running back Adrian Peterson shouldn't be much fun for them. They'll lose a well fought game.

Fantasy MVP: Adrian Peterson 140 yards rushing 2 touchdowns

Philadelphia at Washington 31-21

The Eagles are crusing, the Redskins, not so much. This will be a good close game that will by a mirror of these team's true talent. However, Donovan McNabb and company may be too much for the Redskins.

Fantasy MVP: Donovan McNabb 250 yards passing 3 touchdowns 1 INT

Carolina at NY Giants 27-17 upset pick/game of the week

The Giants are a good team. However, they've really been missing Plaxico because now they have no redzone receiver, especially since they traded Jeremy Shockey before the season. Now they are missing Brandon Jacobs, their redzone and short yardage back. They can't expect to beat Carolina, as good as the Panthers have been playing, not being able to score in the redzone or convert on 3rd and short.

Fantasy MVP: DeAngelo Williams 140 yards rushing, 40 yards receiving, 2 touchdowns

Green Bay at Chicago 20-24

The Packers have been without a strong running game all year, with Ryan Grant struggling. Whether or not that has been a result of a poor line is questionable, but the facts are that they do struggle with the run and that has shown in their record. The Bears are one of the league's best running teams, going against the Packers poor run defense, in what is supposed to be mid teens temperatures, weather forecast says 15-18 degrees with snow, which also happens to be the temperature where you need to run and stop the run. Advantage home team. Advantage Chicago.

Fantasy MVP: Matt Forte 110 yards rushing 20 yards receiving 2 touchdowns