NFL WEEK 18 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: (10-5)

SEASON RECORD:(158-97)

THE SATURDAY GAMES

The storybook ending for the Kansas City Chiefs, like always it seems, will be a win in the final week & they will clinch the number one seed in the AFC. Patrick Mahomes is 8-1 versus the Raiders. Jarrett Stidham did pretty well in his first start last week replacing Derek Carr versus the 49ers. The Chiefs will get that storybook ending and get the number one seed. Raiders have nothing to play for and Kansas City has dominated this rivalry since Mahomes arrived on the scene.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

TENNESSEE TITANS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

The battle for the AFC South title means the winner will be in the playoffs. This matchup is the tale of two halves as the Titans were 7-3 at one point while the Jaguars were 3-7. The Titans come in losing six in a row while the Jaguars have won 4 in a row. The Titans are down to former Steeler quarterback Josh Dobbs who would be making his second NFL start both with the Titans. Titans running back Derrick Henry will keep the Titans close in this game. I like the Jaguars defense to be the X-factor in this one and helps Jacksonville get back to the playoffs.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT BUFFALO BILLS

This should be an emotional game for the Buffalo Bills while dealing with one of their fallen comrades on Monday Night football which shocked the world. The team and the entire nation got great news about Damar Hamlin’s health as he’s breathing on his own and talking. Hamlin facetimed his teammates this week which should give this Bills team a lift. Meanwhile the Patriots need to win this game to make it to the playoffs. The Bills need the Chiefs to lose and with a win, would get the number one seed. Bills still need to play and win this game to keep their number two spot, with the Bengals in their rear-view mirror. Last time the Bills won 13 games you’d have to go back to the 1990’s when Jim Kelly led teams & did it three times. The Bills have won 3 of the last 4 contests versus the Patriots which includes a playoff game. Does Bill Belichick have a plan for this kind of emotional lift his team will face? I like the Bills rallying for their teammate and being at home, they should be able to beat up on the Patriots.

OUR PICK: BILLS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT CHICAGO BEARS

This game really means nothing for either team. The Vikings, win or lose, will be in the same playoff spot. The Bears would like to lose and the Texans win to get the number one draft pick in April. The Bears chances are good with Nathan Peterman getting the start with Justin Fields’ shut down for the final game of the season. Peterman is awful with 3 touchdown passes compared to 13 interceptions in 4 NFL career starts. I like the Vikings 2nd string team mixed with a few starters to beat any of the Bears number one’s.

OUR PICK: VIKINGS

HOUSTON TEXANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

The battle for draft pick status. Last time these two teams met, it ended up in a draw. The Texans would get the number 1 draft pick with a loss or a Bears win. The Colts’ reasons for hiring Jeff Saturday most experts would say were to get a better draft pick to find a new franchise quarterback. For the Colts, they have teams like the Broncos, Cardinals, and Rams hovering around them in the draft order. Who will end up winning this clunker? The Texans have been playing better and Lovie Smith could be on the hot seat, would likely defy logic, and get the meaningless win here.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

NEW YORK JETS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

Both the Jets and Dolphins looked like two teams that were going to make it into the playoffs and make noise in the post-season. Both teams have lost 5 games in a row. The Dolphins have a shot at the final playoff spot but need to win the game. The Jets are eliminated and have not scored an offensive touchdown in the last three games. The Dolphins playoff hopes rest on a third string quarterback, Skylar Thompson.

I like the Jets prevailing in this one as they will have Mike White behind center and be motivated to derail the Dolphins playoff hopes and bring them to the couch with them watching the post-season on TV. The Jets defense will make Skylar’s day uncomfortable, all day long.

OUR PICK: JETS

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Finally, the Saints get hot as they have won three games in a row. “Johnny come lately” as we can say “Andy come lately,” as in Dalton. The Panthers had the Buccaneers on the ropes last Sunday and did not finish the job as they let the worm, Tom Brady, back into the playoffs. This is another game that means nothing. The Saints do not have a first rounder in the draft, and they are the hotter team coming in. In his first year as head coach, Dennis Allen would like to end it 8-9 instead of taken on double digit losses while ending the season winning 4 in a row.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

This is another game that means nothing to both teams. The Buccaneers clinched the dreaded NFC South last week and cannot improve their playoff status. The Falcons will march out their rookie quarterback, Desmond Ridder, in search of his first NFL victory behind center. Tom Brady is going to start this week 10-0 all-time versus the Falcons. The Falcons would rather lose this one, than win it and find the better draft spot. Brady sees this game as a fine tune up before post-season.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Deshaun Watson had his best game in a Browns uniform last week. The Steelers have yet another chance to sneak into the back door of post-season play. Mike Tomlin’s team is 8-8 and do not take on losing seasons. The Browns sent home Jadeveon Clowney for what he said about the coaching staff. Watson will be in a hostile environment in Pittsburgh, a division rival. The fans will be ready to shower him with obscenities. I like the Steelers defense as a unit that has played very well down the stretch. I like how rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett has conducted business on the field by taking what he sees & then forcing the issue.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

The Bengals are pissed off at how the playoffs unfolded with the game being cancelled last Monday Night due to Damar Hamlin’s injury. The Bengals feel like they got the short end of the stick from the league. The Bengals have been playing like a well-oiled machine and can put up points on the Ravens defense. The Ravens will be without Lamar Jackson & that makes this pick easy. Bengals all day. First being slighted by the league. The Ravens back up Tyler Huntley cannot match scores with Joe Burrow.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

DALLAS COWBOYS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Do the Commanders have anything left in the tank to upset their division rival? The Cowboys are fighting for the division title and have a shot at the number one seed in the NFC. The Commanders weeks ago looked like they were going to make the post-season but fell on hard times losing three games in a row. The Commanders were officially eliminated. I don’t think the Commanders have anything left. They will be like a deer in headlights and turn into roadkill at the end of this one.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

NEW YORK GIANTS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

The Giants last week in a big win clinched a playoff spot. The Eagles have not been soaring like they have been, losing two in a row. The Eagles have lots to play for in the final week of regular season. The number one seed for which they have to first win the NFC East. The Giants really can’t improve their playoff status but can play spoilers and bring the Eagles down to their level. The X-factor is the return of Jalen Hurts behind center for the Eagles. Many thought the Eagles offense was designed so you can change the quarterback like a light bulb. Hurts is the oil in the Eagles machine. Eagles prevail and grab the number one seed while winning the NFC East.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

LA RAMS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

The Rams might have suffered the worst Superbowl hangover of all-time after winning the entire thing last year. The Seahawks need to win and get some help to get back to the post-season. Pete Carol has never gone two seasons in a row not making it to the playoffs. Will Baker Mayfield have a big game to improve his stock for next off-season? Former Seahawk, Bobby Wagner, needs ten tackles to set a new Rams all-time season record in tackles in a single season.

I like the Seahawks getting it done in this one. Geno Smith will have a big game to improve his stock for next season as a starting quarterback somewhere. The Rams will be dotting their I’s and crossing their T’s on their upcoming vacation plans.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

LA CHARGERS AT DENVER BRONCOS

By the time this game comes rolling around in the late afternoon, everything could be wrapped up regarding playoff seeding. The Chargers could rest some guys. The Broncos played the Chiefs tough last week but lost. After being blown up by the Rams, they show some heart. The Chargers running back, Austin Ekeler, could make history and join a small group of running backs to have had 20 touchdowns in two consecutive seasons in a row. I like the Chargers in this one even if they rest players. Not picking Denver even if the Chargers have a bus crash.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Coming into the final week of the regular season, the 49ers have a chance at the number one seed in the NFC but need help like the Cowboys and Eagles losing their games. Even if everything is set for the 49ers before their game and they decide to rest players versus the Cardinals and have nothing at stake, I like San Francisco. The Cardinals have the beer guy starting behind center in this one. The Cardinals checked out in week 4 of regular season.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

DETROIT LIONS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

The final game of regular season which of course includes playoffs aspirations for both teams. You thought the Green Bay Packers were dead in the water. You thought it was going to be a post-season without Aaron Rodgers. Here we go and if Packers win, Rodgers and Green Bay make the post-season. The Lions have been impressive this season. They need to knock off the Packers and have the Seahawks lose to get in. If Seahawks do win their game, I think the Lions will still want to knock out the Packers just for kicks. The way the NFL goes, Tom Brady got back in the post-season last week with his Buccaneers winning. This means Rodgers will get the Packers back in the post-season, knocking out the Lions and Seahawks in the process.

OUR PICK: PACKERS