It’s not only Christmastime, but it’s all cold and flu time. I felt okay this morning, but it got worse and worse as the day progressed, probably spending 2.5 hours inside a moving tube — the Amtrak Christmas Train — wasn’t the best of ideas. It was a great time for the kids, but having to hear 3 dozen kids, including my own, take over the PA to sing 1 of 3 Christmas songs that each and every kid knows started to get old pretty quick.
Seriously, are there any songs other than “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “Rudolph” or “Jingle Bells.” I was also upset that not one of the kids went the wise guy route and broke out the “Batman smells/Robin laid an egg” verse for Jingle Bells. I thought my daughter might do it, but apparently she was more focused on winning Amtrak Idol.
Right now our Picks Idol is Eagle One, he gained a game on me last week and now he’s up 2 for the shortened season. I’ve got 3 weeks to make up the ground … and I plan on doing it. Rye’s a little bit further behind, but still has a chance.
Houston at Cincinnati: The battle of the rookie quarterbacks with tons on the line. I want to take the Texans so badly, but can’t do it because a rookie making his first start, on the road against a team that’s pretty good and has to win is not a good recipe for success. Gimme the Bengals in a fun game.
- Rich Picks: Bengals
- Matt Picks: Bengals
- Rye Picks: Texans
Minnesota at Detroit: The Lions are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, but they can ill afford to screw up. I think they’ll gain some traction here as long as Nate Burleson isn’t called for another 3 offensive pass interference penalties. Seriously, when was the last time anyone was called for more than 1 in a game. I saw Burleson get flagged for 3 in 2 drives. He’ll bounce back from that and the Lions win big.
- Rich Picks: Lions
- Matt Picks: Lions
- Rye Picks: Lions
New Orleans at Tennessee: New Orleans looked awesome the other night, but they were at home. Here it’s going to be a real struggle for them. Tennessee will keep it close, but can’t score enough points to beat the Saints, who are closing in on the 2 seed.
- Rich Picks: Saints
- Matt Picks: Saints
- Rye Picks: Saints
Kansas City at New York Jets: The Jets are keeping hope alive. Welcoming Tyler Palko to town has to feel good, as long as NY defends the Hail Mary well I think they roll.
- Rich Picks: NY Jets
- Matt Picks: NY Jets
- Rye Picks: NY Jets
Philadelphia at Miami: The big question is this, have the Dolphins bounced back enough to save Tony Sporano’s job? Over the last month they’re one of the best 5 or 6 teams in the league. The Iggles have been my kryptonite all year, so they’ll probably win this one, but I’m taking Miami.
- Rich Picks: Dolphins
- Matt Picks: Eagles
- Rye Picks: Eagles
New England at Washington: Yes the Patriots looked very sloppy in the 4th quarter last week, but they still won. Don’t think for a second that Belichick isn’t loving that his team has fallen asleep with big leads so he has something to yell about. He’s at his best when he’s grouchy. Pats win again.
- Rich Picks: Patriots
- Matt Picks: Patriots
- Rye Picks: Patriots
Atlanta at Carolina: The Falcons do nothing for me, but they win every week. The Panthers are exciting, but they find ways to lose. Falcons win, we all yawn.
- Rich Picks: Falcons
- Matt Picks: Falcons
- Rye Picks: Falcons
Tampa Bay at Jacksonville: I cry for my buddy Ando every week when his Jags find a way to break his heart in a new way. This week it’ll be the old fashioned one, they’ll just get run over. Bucs win.
- Rich Picks: Buccaneers
- Matt Picks: Buccaneers
- Rye Picks: Buccaneers
Indy at Baltimore: Duh, Ravens.
- Rich Picks: Ravens
- Matt Picks: Ravens
- Rye Picks: Ravens
Chicago at Denver: Tebow Time! Tebow Time! Timmy T will once again lead a comeback in the 4th quarter to defeat the Bears in an ugly one at Mile High. Devin Hester will probably do something big this week for the Bears, but he’s really the only weapon they have, so Denver will get by.
- Rich Picks: Broncos
- Matt Picks: Broncos
- Rye Picks: Broncos
San Fran at Arizona: The Cardinals pulled off a big upset at home last week, can they do it again? I wish I could say yes, but they don’t have the weapons to put up enough points. The 49ers will kick 6 field goals again and win 20 (with a safety) to 7.
- Rich Picks: 49ers
- Matt Picks: 49ers
- Rye Picks: 49ers
Oakland at Green Bay: A month ago I thought this would be interesting, then the Raiders reverted to the old Raiders, a stupid group of moronic players that find ways to shoot themselves in the foot and threaten to shoot people off the field. Packers go to 13-0.
- Rich Picks: Packers
- Matt Picks: Packers
- Rye Picks: Packers
Buffalo at San Diego: San Diego, technically speaking, still has a heartbeat for the playoffs. The beat up Bills don’t, so I’ll take the team that they haven’t already made funeral arrangements for. Chargers by a field goal, 27-24.
- Rich Picks: Chargers
- Matt Picks: Chargers
- Rye Picks: Bills
NY Giants at Dallas: I’m going with my gut, and it tells me that the Giants are going to win. They played really well last week against the Pack and came close, this week I think they further jumble the NFC East race. Giants in a good one.
- Rich Picks: Giants
- Matt Picks: Giants
- Rye Picks: Cowboys
St. Louis at Seattle: With the exception of the people that have Marshawn Lynch determining a big fantasy game, who is going to cut out 3.5 hours to watch this one on Monday night? I’ll watch the highlights of the Seahawks win on Tuesday morning.
- Rich Picks: Seahawks
- Matt Picks: Seahawks
- Rye Picks: Seahawks
The views and opinions in the Enterprise blogs are those of the author and are not neccessarily shared by Falmouth Publishing.
