I must admit: I thought the whole “Tebow-mania” was a fluke. I didn’t think that he could actually beat a real team with a strong defense. I was wrong, but I’m still not sold on that Broncos team, despite their recent success (4-1 under Tebow). Now, I can finally move on from that and start making some correct picks. 

 

@Cleveland vs. Jacksonville (Pick)

This is a close game, considering they have both been pretty awful this year, but I’m going with the Browns. They have been surprisingly impressive this year, considering the fact that no one can even name a team they have beaten. They have 3 wins, and I think they'll get a fourth on Sunday. 

 

 

@Detroit (-7) vs. Carolina

While I know that Detroit has been on quite a skid lately, they are still a powerful team. They’ll be playing against a Carolina rush defense that is one of the worst in the league, they still have Calvin Johnson, and their defensive line should completely shut down anything that Carolina tries to do. Remember: Cam Newton has not played a full NFL season yet, so this 16 games might get to him. Expect a slowdown in these last few weeks and pick accordingly. Look, he's got his shades on and is definitely ready for a vacation. How can you argue with that logic?

 

@Green Bay (-14) vs. Tampa Bay

Double-digit spreads scare me, too. But, the Packers are 4-0 against the spread at Lambeau Field this year, and this Tampa Bay team might be worse than the Vikings they played last week. As long as Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback, this team can do anything.

 

@Miami vs. Buffalo (+2.5)

Really? Buffalo is the underdog in this game? I know Miami has the almighty two-game-win-streak still going, but the NFL is not only decided by win streaks. Buffalo has more talent, and they need a win here to keep their playoff hopes alive. The loss to Dallas was bad, but Dallas is red hot and a lot better than the Fins. Go, Bills, go!

 

Oakland (-1) vs. @Minnesota

The Raiders are hot, the Vikings are not. But, that is not why I’m going Oakland in this game. Minnesota is a great team at home, but they still can not stop the pass, and the Raiders actually have a quarterback now. Carson Palmer has found his groove and will be hard to stop, especially in a dome where his wide receivers will be faster than usual. Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey will both explode this game, and the Raiders will pull off a tight win. 

 

Dallas (-7.5) vs. @Washington

Dallas could not have picked a better time to finally start winning. After last week’s romp of the Bills, Dallas appears ready to make a push for an NFC Wild Card spot. Why now? Two words: Demarco Murray. He has given them the triple threat that they have lacked this season, and no one has seemed to figure him out. As long as he is their running back, and Washington does not have an offense, I’m going with the Boys.

 

@Baltimore vs. Cincinnati (+7)

The Bengals are a much better team on the road, having covered the spread all five times that they have played. 5-0? What more could you ask for? Oh, you want Ray Lewis to miss the game, too? Well, it looks like that will most likely be the case, and with all of that, look for Cincy to come out playing hard. I’m not saying they win, but it will sure be closer than a touchdown.

 

@St. Louis vs. Seattle (+1.5)

There’s something fishy about this game. The Rams are 2-7, with their only wins against a hungover Saints team and a tight, 1 point game over the Browns. Seattle, on the other hand, has 3 wins, including both the New York Giants and the Baltimore Ravens. This should be a laughing matter, as the Seahawks are the underdog, and yet they aren’t. What do the line-makers know that I don’t? 

 

@San Francisco (-9.5) vs. Arizona

Yeah, a large spread, especially with Arizona coming off of an enormous win against the Eagles at home, but the 49ers have been the NFL’s best team against the spread this year. They are an unbelievable 8-0-1, and 3-0-1 at home. They don’t take anyone seriously, and they need every win they can get if they want a chance at having the #1 overall seed in the NFC, hoping that the Packers fall from perfection before the season ends. 

 

@Atlanta (-6) vs. Tennessee

The Falcons lost a tight one last week to the Saints, and I think they can rebound here against the Titans. They have the 4th best rush defense in the league right now, and Chris Johnson will continue to prove why he should not have held out of training camp and why he no longer has his legs beneath him. Matt Ryan will play well, but Michael Turner will be the workhorse for this game, as the Titans are allowing 125.2 rushing yards per game. 

 

@Chicago vs. San Diego (+3.5)

UPSET ALERT! The red hot Bears, coming off of a blowout against the Lions last week, are going to have a little bit of a hangover. Enough, at least, to only be able to pull off a win by field goal, if they even do pull off the win. They are ranked 29th in opposing passing yards this year, and although Philip Rivers has been ice cold, he still racks up those yards, and those will account for something in this one. 

 

@New York Giants (-4.5) vs. Philadelphia

After the ruling out of Mike Vick and Jeremy Maclin for this game, it's hard to take anything but the Giants. They want it, they need it, they'll take it. Giants win in this one, and all Eagles fans will quickly realize their "dream-team" is over.

 

@New England Patriots (-14.5) vs. Kansas City

If this were college football, this spread would be above 25. How can it not be? The Chiefs are starting someone at quarterback that most of the NFL has never heard of, the Patriots are in Foxborough for the first time since their loss to the Giants, which they will avenge, and it’s an easy win to continue their AFC East lead. Patriots in this one, and big.