Last week’s record: 13-3 Season to date: 139-68-1
Last week vs. spread: 11-5 Season vs. spread: 97-107-4 Not including Thursday’s games
MATCHUP
Bucs (9-4) at Falcons (8-5)
Noon Sunday
Line: Falcons by 3
Weather: Dome
THE BUZZ
Bucs: In another key NFC South game, Bucs need big game from QB Jeff Garcia, who has 12 TD passes vs. 3 INTs in 9 games vs. Falcons. Bucs have won last 3 vs. Falcons.
Falcons: NFC South teams are 9-0 at home against division rivals this season, and Falcons are 5-1 at Georgia Dome.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Bucs’ Antonio Bryant having big season with 66 catches, 5 for TDs. Falcons’ Michael Turner has rushed for 672 yards and 12 TDs in 6 home games.
THE PICK
Falcons 24, Bucs 20
MATCHUP
Redskins (7-6) at
Bengals (1-11-1)
Noon Sunday
Line: Redskins by 7
Weather: 55(degrees), cloudy
THE BUZZ
Redskins: Clinton Portis, unhappy with his workload, went off on coach Jim Zorn this week, sarcastically calling him a “genius.” Redskins’ fast start has faded.
Bengals: Hard to see Cincy doing much against the NFC’s No. 2-ranked defense, even at home. Carson Palmer still not ready.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Portis could add to total of 7 rushing TDs. Bengals need big day from QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has only 6 TD passes vs. 9 INTs.
THE PICK
Redskins 19, Bengals 16
MATCHUP
Titans (12-1) at Texans (6-7)
Noon Sunday
Line: Titans by 3
Weather: 75(degrees), 30 percent chance of rain
THE BUZZ
Titans: Unbeaten in division, Titans closing in on home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs. They should make it 8 straight against their AFC South rivals.
Texans: Have been more competitive lately, and winning at Green Bay in December is impressive. Titans’ defense too strong.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Titans rookie Chris Johnson has rushed for 242 yards and 3 TDs in last 2 games. Texans rookie Steve Slaton has rushed for 234 yards in last 2 games.
THE PICK
Titans 23, Texans 17
MATCHUP
Lions (0-13) at Colts (9-4)
Noon Sunday
Line: Colts by 17
Weather: Dome
THE BUZZ
Lions: It keeps getting sadder for Lions, whose quest to avoid becoming 1st 0-16 team doesn’t get any easier. After facing NFL’s hottest team, they close with Saints and Packers.
Colts: Go for 7th straight win with chance to be AFC’s top wild-card team. They haven’t allowed TD in last 2 games, and only 8 since Nov. 1.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Lions’ Calvin Johnson has 56 catches, 9 for TDs. Reggie Wayne leads Colts with 67 catches, 5 for TDs.
THE PICK
Colts 30, Lions 10
MATCHUP
Packers (5-8) at
Jaguars (4-9)
Noon Sunday
Line: Packers by 2 1/2
Weather: 70(degrees), cloudy
THE BUZZ
Packers: Last-second loss to Texans ended realistic playoff hopes, so how will Packers handle rest of season?
Jaguars: It’s been injury-plagued, frustrating season for Jaguars. But they’re catching team whose season has been almost as disappointing.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
More Top Picks Best International Snack Subscription Boxes
Packers’ Aaron Rodgers having solid 1st year as starTer with 22 TD passes vs. 11 INTs. Jags’ Maurice Jones-Drew has 12 TDs, 11 rushing, 1 receiving.
THE PICK
Jaguars 24, Packers 23
MATCHUP
Chargers (5-8) at
Chiefs (2-11)
Noon Sunday
Line: Chargers by 5
Weather: 55(degrees), 30 percent chance of rain
THE BUZZ
Chargers: Sorry season winding down for Chargers, who got bad officiating breaks early, and had lost 5 of 6 before beating Raiders last week.
Chiefs: Must address quarterback issue long term, so Tyler Thigpen tryout continues. Encouraging stats–12 TD passes in last 7 games–don’t make him sure thing.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Chargers’ Philip Rivers leads NFL in passing, with 26 TD passes vs. 10 INTs. Larry Johnson has averaged 117.5 yards rushing with 3 100-yard games in 4 vs. Chargers.
THE PICK
Chargers 23, Chiefs 20
MATCHUP
49ers (5-8) at Dolphins (8-5)
Noon Sunday
Line: Dolphins by 6 1/2
Weather: 75(degrees), 30 percent chance of rain, windy
THE BUZZ
49ers: Mike Singletary’s chances of keeping head coaching job growing with 3 wins in last 4 weeks. If RB Frank Gore is out, not much chance here.
Dolphins: Tied for 1st with 3 weeks left? Not bad for team that was 1-15 last season. Need this game because they finish with 2 on road (Chiefs, Jets).
FANTASY OUTLOOK
49ers’ Shaun Hill has resurrected his career, throwing 10 TD passes vs. 4 INTs in 112 throws. Same goes for Dolphins’ Chad Pennington, who has tossed 9 TDs vs. 4 INTs in 7 home games.
THE PICK
Dolphins 27, 49ers 17
MATCHUP
Bills (6-7) at Jets (8-5)
Noon Sunday
TV: WBBM-Ch. 2
Line: Jets by 7 1/2
Weather: 45(degrees), cloudy
THE BUZZ
Bills: Once promising season has gone so bad that coach Dick Jauron’s future employment now in question. Can they regroup for strong finish?
Jets: Tied with Dolphins and Patriots for 1st, can’t let home game vs. slumping team get away. Brett Favre needs to rally –9 quarters with no TD pass.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Marshawn Lynch lone bright spot for Bills with 90.8 rushing yards in last 4 games, 7 rushing TDs for season. Jets’ Thomas Jones has averaged 108.6 rushing in last 4 games, leads AFC with 1,144.
THE PICK
Jets 24, Bills 13
MATCHUP
Seahawks (2-11) at
Rams (2-11)
Noon Sunday
Line: Off
Weather: Dome
THE BUZZ
Seahawks: 6 straight losses and QB Matt Hasselbeck’s questionable back mean problems aren’t going away. They’ve beaten Rams 7 straight, but all streaks must end.
Rams: Chance to end 7-game losing streak in which they haven’t scored more than 16 points. If they have any heart, this is chance to grab late-season win for coach Jim Haslett.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Seahawks’ Deion Branch, who had 5 catches for 92 yards and TD in Sept. loss to Seahawks, had 2 TDs last week vs. Patriots. Rams’ Torry Holt has 50 catches, only 2 TDs.
THE PICK
Rams 16, Seahawks 14
MATCHUP
Vikings (8-5) at
Cardinals (8-5)
3:05 p.m. Sunday
TV: WFLD-Ch. 32
Line: Off
Weather: 60(degrees), cloudy
THE BUZZ
Vikings: Coming off unimpressive win at Detroit, fighting to keep NFC North lead. They must control ball with run.
Cardinals: With NFC West title clinched, realistic goal now is No. 3 seed in NFC playoffs, and this would give them tiebreaker over Vikings.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Vikings’ Adrian Peterson on roll with 6 100-yard games in last 8 weeks. Cards’ Kurt Warner has thrown 25 TD passes vs. 12 INTs.
THE PICK
Cardinals 30, Vikings 24
MATCHUP
Steelers (10-3) at
Ravens (9-4)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
TV/radio: WBBM-Ch. 2, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Ravens by 2
Weather: 45(degrees), cloudy
THE BUZZ
Steelers: Willie Parker getting only 3.9 yards per carry, so running game concern. Rookie Rashard Mendenhall was supposed to help, but shoulder injury ended season.
Ravens: Have won 7 of last 8 with improved offense and NFL’s No. 2 defense (Steelers are No. 1).
FANTASY OUTLOOK
More Top Picks Best Microphones For Youtube
Steelers’ Hines Ward having solid year with 60 catches, 6 TDs. Ravens’ Willis McGahee has 5 TDs this season, 3 in 3 games vs. Steelers.
THE PICK
Ravens 20, Steelers 16
MATCHUP
Broncos (8-5) at
Panthers (10-3)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
Line: Panthers by 7 1/2
Weather: 50(degrees), cloudy
THE BUZZ
Broncos: Thanks to weak AFC West, Broncos can clinch title with win. With troubled running game, that will difficult.
Panthers: They may as well hand ball to RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, who combined for 301 yards rushing last week, until Broncos stop them.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Tatum Bell (4.2 avg), who was selling cell phones until re-signing recently, healthiest Broncos runner; Panthers receiver Steve Smith has 3 straight 100-yard receiving games, 5 TDs on season.
THE PICK
Panthers 30, Broncos 20
MATCHUP
THE BUZZ
Patriots (8-5) at
Raiders (3-10)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
Line: Patriots by 7
Weather: 40(degrees), 40 percent chance of rain
THE BUZZ
Patriots: Tied for 1st, finishing 2nd West Coast 2-game road trip of season. After 3-point win at Seattle, can’t take even Raiders lightly.
Raiders: Playing out string, set to become only team to lose 11 games in 6 straight seasons.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Matt Cassel has completed 64 percent with 4 TD passes and 1 INT in last 2 road games, may not start (bereavement). Raiders rookie Darren McFadden getting 4.6 yards per carry.
THE PICK
Pats 21, Raiders 17
MATCHUP
Giants (11-2) at
Cowboys (8-5)
7:15 p.m. Sunday
TV/radio: WMAQ-Ch. 5, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Cowboys by 3
Weather: 65(degrees), partly cloudy
THE BUZZ
Giants: Coming off loss to Eagles, now in race with Panthers, whom they host next week, for No. 1 seed in NFC playoffs. Can they bounce back?
Cowboys: After 4th-quarter collapse vs. Steelers, time to show their mettle or understand they’ll be home for New Year’s. Cowboys desperate team here.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Giants’ Brandon Jacobs, who ran for 117 yards and 1 TD in Nov. win over Cowboys, has 6 rushing TDs in last 5 games but may not play (knee). Tony Romo has 4 TD passes each in last 2 vs. Giants.
THE PICK
Cowboys 27, Giants 21
MATCHUP
Browns (4-9) at
Eagles (7-5-1)
7:30 p.m. Monday
TV/radio: ESPN,
WSCR-AM 670
Line: Eagles by 14
Weather: 50(degrees), cloudy
THE BUZZ
Browns: Romeo Crennel job watch is on as Browns finish season with Ken Dorsey as starting QB. Not many options left.
Eagles: Making late-season push for wild-card spot with consecutive wins over division-leading Cards and Giants. Browns won’t be roadblock.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Braylon Edwards having decent year for Browns with 45 catches, but only 3 TDs. Eagles’ Brian Westbrook among NFL’s hottest with 333 yards from scrimmage and 6 TDs in last 2 games.
THE PICK
Eagles 30, Browns 10