Sunday Smash (Saturday Edition)- Week 14

Hello there fans and friends. It's the final straightaway of the race that is the NFL season. Twelve games down, four to go. There are six teams that are officially, utterly, mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. After this week, that number can grow by more than a half-dozen other teams. The week is already off to a bizarre start, as the Steelers laid an egg for the fifth consecutive week. (At this point, I'm a proponent for Troy Polamalu getting the NFL MVP every single season. Pittsburgh has shown what they are without him.)

On Thursday, (besides picking a Steeler victory and declaring how preposterous it would be if they lost) the blog took a look at the scenarios for the New York teams this weekend. So you can check those out. After dropping to 0-1 for the week Thursday night, we are obviously anxious for redemption. Here are the picks.

The Locals
Jets (-4) over Bucs
Kellen Clemens vs. Josh Freeman. Look out Canton! This spread would probably be doubled if Mark Sanchez were starting for the Jets. But as bad as Clemens has been, I think all Jets fans can agree that Kellen at his worst is actually better than Marky Mark at his worst. He won't be forced into anything big in this game. Thomas Jones will rack up the yards and work down the clock. And I see the defense re-creating the hell they gave Houston in week 1, smothering the young Bucs (not sure if the pun's intended) into turnovers.

Giants (+1) over Eagles
The toughest game of the week to pick. The Eagles have the momentum and probably have superior talent. But the Giants are at home and showed a whole lot of moxy in out-slugging Dallas last week. If Philly loses, they fall to even with the Giants and their playoff hopes take a big hit. If New York loses, its playoff hopes take a fatal hit. They will be slightly more desperate, and that's the difference in the end.

Around the NFL
Chargers (+3) over Cowboys
From the hardest game to pick, we move to what I think is one of the easiest (I will now pause and allow you to put your life savings on the Cowboys.) But the Chargers on NBA Jam-type fire right now. Contrary to their December reputation, the Cowboys have played well so far this month. But their vulnerability to big plays and lack of discipline was worrisome against the Giants last week. And San Diego has more explosive playmakers than Big Blue does.

Packers (-4) over Bears
Ya know, when the season is over I plan to do a detailed overview of my picks for the entire season. I'm going to see which teams I tended to pick for and against. There is little doubt in my mind that I've picked against the Bears more than any other team this season. Nothing about them is likable. And it's not in a personal sense. It's just I never see a spread that I like with them; not even a home game in freezing December against a big rival. I just don't see it.

Dolphins (+2.5) over Jaguars
Yeah, this is shameless pandering toward the Jets' playoff chances. And no, I'm not apologizing. Along with Denver, Jacksonville is another team whose success baffles me. If they win this week and get to 8-5, I can do nothing but tip my cap. If they lose? Well, a Jaguars team that is 7-6 makes a lot more sense to me.

Texans (-7) over Seahawks
In a division that had the potential to be wide open, Seattle has shown time and again that they want no part of winning it. Houston is at home and still has mathematics to play for. The Seahawks have a messy situation that has now reached their front office. 2010 cannot come fast enough for them. I have no problem laying 7 on it.

Upset Perfiction of the Week
Panthers (+13) over Patriots
There are 14 games taking place on Sunday. This one has the second-biggest spread (right below the Baltimore-Detroit barn-burner.) And I'm not sure why. The Patriots haven't been themselves the entire year, and all their problems have been magnified on the road. Some guy named Moore is under center for Carolina, but they have a two-headed nightmare of a backfield. With all the turmoil and guys getting thrown out of team meetings, the Patriots may be buttering us up for a 72-10 game. It's a possibility. But I'm banking on a competitive, exciting game that's going to get a little dicey for the Pats.

Enjoy the games!