NBA at the Break

The NBA at the Break

Signs like this one have been appearing everywhere Jeremy Lin has played.

Note: There was no posting in the past few weeks because I had surgery. I will now be back to posting weekly.

After an extremely long, unnecessary lockout, the 30 NBA teams began the 66 game season on Christmas Day. The season began with Carmelo Anthony leading the Knicks to a 106-104 victory over the Boston Celtics. Anthony and his compatriot Amare Stoudemire had been carrying the Knicks, until about two weeks ago. With Anthony injured, and Amare grieving the death of his brother; an unknown, twice cut, Harvard educated point guard stepped up to the challenge. You know his name.Jeremy Lin. Lin has dominated this season as a starter for the Knicks. He has been the Tebow of the NBA. 

So, what else is going on? Well the defending champion Mavericks got off to a very slow start. Led by Dirk, a new look Mavs team bounced back, and is now in fourth place in the Western Conference. How’s the Big Three doing? Well, in their last game before the All-Star Break, they figured out a way to stop Linsanity. But besides that, the Miami Heat has dominated. They finished with the best record at the break, a half a game ahead of the Bulls. 

Okay, now, what about the teams who didn’t make the championship? Well, the Lakers, coached by new coach Mike Brown cannot seem to win on the road. A 6-12 road record, harms the almost perfect home record. Kobe has been his old solid self, leading the league in scoring with 28 points per game, as well as third in minutes per game. Kobe has tried to convince Lakers’ management to trade or to keep Pau Gasol. 

He's playing well, but Kobe has to be upset with the Lakers' play.

Despite constant speculation, Dwight Howard has stayed with the Orlando Magic. Lakers fans want him, Nets fans want him, but the Magic fans have him. Who knows if he will stay there for the rest of the season? Lamar Odom struggled at first, but has played better recently in his first year for the Mavs. Odom left the Lakers in a bittersweet trade for some cash and a draft pick.

And of course who could be forgetting the Clippers? Led by new acquisitions Chris Paul, and the now injured Chauncey Billups, as well as Blake Griffin,  the Clippers have cruised this season. They even beat their rival, the Lakeshow at one point. Coach Del Negro has coached the Clippers to third place in the conference. 

Oh yeah, there’s Durant too. Durant and his Thunder crew have been ballin’ it up this season, winning 27, and losing only seven. Good for first in the conference. The Thunder could be able to reach the Finals this season, and Durant can finally erase all the doubters, not that he has many. 

Superbowl Preview

Tom Brady and Eli Manning, quarterbacks of the New England Patriots and New York Giants, face off in the Superbowl on Sunday. 

I guess Tim Tebow didn’t pray hard enough.

Tebow and the Broncos were beaten by the Patriots in the divisional round, while the defending champion Green Bay Packers were upset by the New York Giants in the NFC divisional round.  The Giants and Patriots both went on to win in the conference finals in closely contested games and now they meet in the Super Bowl. Again.

Four years ago, these two teams played each other in Super Bowl XLII, when the Giants upset the Patriots and spoiled their perfect season. Now The 12-7 New York Giants take on the 15-3 New England Patriots in what is set to be an epic rematch.

Patriots offense: The Patriots offense starts and ends with Tom Brady. Brady had another fantastic season, finishing second in the NFL with 5,235 passing yards. He also threw 39 touchdown passes. While Brady continues to throw to Wes Welker, he has also added targets to his offense in tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, who have combined for 24 touchdowns this season. The Patriots’ running game is a work in progress. The team has been using BenJarvus Green-Ellis, also known as the “Law Firm,” who ran for 441 yards and 11 touchdowns in the regular season. The Patriots average 32 points per game, third most in the league. In the two games that the Patriots have played in this postseason, the offense has scored 68 points combined, so expect the Super Bowl to be high scoring.

Giants offense: Eli Manning could finally be better than his brother. Eli finished with 4,933 yards passing this season, the most in his career. In addition, he also threw for 29 touchdown passes. If he beats the Patriots, he will have more Super Bowl titles than his brother. Manning has been throwing to his three core of receivers. The big three consists of Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks, who collectively combined for 197 catches and 20 touchdowns. The Giants’ running game has not been as good as in past years, but they still managed to average 24 points per game.

Offensive Edge: Patriots 

Patriots defense: The Patriots defense struggled this season, as they allowed 21 points per game. The Patriots finished #31 in the league in yards per game. Andre Carter had a great season for the Patriots, with 10 sacks on the season.

Giants defense: The Giants defense allowed 25 points per game, good for #25 in the NFL. Despite all the points being scored, the Giants finished second in the NFL in sacks, and second in tackles as well. Their fantastic defensive line consisted of Osi Umenyiora, Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Rocky Bernard. Pierre-Paul finished with 16.5 sacks in just nine games, while Umenyiora finished with nine sacks. This postseason, the Giants have sacked the opposing quarterback nine times. Brady better watch out.

Defensive Edge: Giants

The Pick: This year, the Patriots will try to avenge their loss. To do so, the Patriots must throw to their tight ends quickly and use them wisely. If the Pats can do this, they can win. If the Giants can contain Tom Brady, the Patriots will be hopeless. Eli Manning will tear apart the Patriots defense, but Brady will be throwing to Welker countless times. This will be a Super Bowl for the ages, but Brady and the Pats will pull away.

Patriots 27, Giants 24

NFL Awards

Drew Brees broke Dan Marino's passing yard record this season. 

MVP: Peyton Manning, IND

How can a guy who didn’t play a game be the MVP this season?  Sure, Drew Brees and Tom Brady broke passing records. But the Indianapolis Colts went from a 10-6 record in 2010 to a 2-14 record in 2011. MVP stands for Most Valuable Player. Manning is clearly valuable to the Colts organization. Imagine what the Colts would have been this season? Imagine how they will fare be next season? 

Runner up: Drew Brees

Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees, NO

Brees broke Dan Marino’s passing yard record. Brees also threw the for the most touchdowns this season. Brees just dominated in the year of the passer. He threw 5,476 yards and 46 touchdowns. He led his Saints to a 13-3 record. 

Runner up: Tom Brady, NE 

Defensive Player of the Year: Jared Allen, MIN 

In an otherwise miserable season for the Vikings, Jared Allen stood out. Allen had 22 sacks, 66 combined tackles, including 48 solos. His 22 sacks led the league. Allen also forced four fumbles, and recovered four as well. His four recovered fumbles were the most in football. 

Runner up: DeMarcus Ware DAL

Offensive Rookie: Cam Newton, CAR 

What a year for Cam Newton. Newton threw for 4,051 and 21 touchdowns. In addition, he ran for 706 yards and 14 touchdowns. Newton led the Panthers from a 2-14 record last year, to 6-10 this year. He also had the best completion percentage of any rookie quarterback, and finished 18^th among all quarterbacks, with 60%. 

Runners up: A.J. Green and Andy Dalton, CIN 

Defensive Rookie: Von Miller, DEN 

The Number 2 overall pick in the draft had a fantastic season. Miller had 64 combined tackles, including 50 solo ones. He also had 11.5 sacks. In addition, He forced 2 fumbles. Miller was a major factor in the Broncos defense. He helped the defense from allowing 29 points per game in 2010, to 24 this season. 

Runner up: Patrick Peterson, ARI 

Coach of the Year: Jim Harbaugh, SF 

The 49ers reached the NFC championship this season. And who was the man who led them to this championship? Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh inherited a 6-10 team, with a struggling quarterback, and turned the team into winners. A 13-3 team to be exact. Also, Harbaugh developed Alex Smith and Frank Gore into elite players this season. 

Jim Harbaugh led his 49ers from a 6-10 team, to an NFC championship team. 

Runner up: Jim Schwartz, DET 

Comeback Player of the Year: Matt Stafford, DET 

After two injury plagued seasons, Stafford finally broke out, and became the player we all thought he was. The Number one overall pick in the 2009. After two years of just 19 touchdown passes, Stafford threw 41 this season. He also passed for 5,038 yards. Stafford was also a big factor in leading the Lions to a playoff berth, the team’s first since 1999. 

Runner up: Steve Smith, CAR 

NFL Championship Picks

Ray Lewis and the Ravens will try their best to stop the Patriots' offensive attack. 

It all comes down to these two games. The winner of the Patriots- Ravens game becomes the AFC champion. The Patriots or Ravens will face either the Giants or the 49ers. Or more simply put, the winner of the NFC championship game. 

AFC Championship: 

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots 

The Ravens travel to Foxborough on Sunday to play the Patriots. The last time these two teams faced each other last year, the Patriots won 23-20 in overtime. In 2009, the Ravens and Patriots faced each other in the playoffs. On the first play of that game, Ray Rice ran 83 yards for a touchdown. The Ravens would score 24 points in the first quarter, and cruise to a 33-14 victory. Two years have passed. Joe Flacco has begun to develop more as a quarterback, and the Patriots have been grooming tight ends. The Patriots, as usual, are being led by Tom Brady. Brady has numerous weapons in his passing attack. Not just receivers Wes Welker and Deion Branch, but Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez too. The Patriots’ running game is a work in progress. The combination of BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Kevin Faulk, Stevan Ridley, and Danny Woodhead, isn’t a great quartet. The Ravens are led by their core of defensive all stars. Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Haloti Ngata. Suggs led the team in sacks, Lewis in tackles, Reed was second in interceptions, and Ngata recovered the most fumbles. The Ravens’ offense is not as good as their defense however. The offense is averaging 23 points per game compared to the Patriots 32. 

The Pick: When the Patriots lost to the Ravens in 2009, Welker was out, and Gronk and Hernandez weren’t even members of the Pats organization. Since that game, the Patriots have developed as a roster, and have gone 27-5 in the regular season since that lost. The Ravens have developed as well. Their defense has continued to get better, but unfortunately older. This could be the last year of the Ravens stellar defense, as Lewis & Co., are aging. This game will be very, very close but the Patriots, led by Brady, will pull away with a victory. 

Patriots over Ravens 

NFC Championship: 

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers 

Osi Umenyiora will pressure Alex Smith as much as he can. 

The hottest team in football visits the most surprising team in football. The Giants have dominated their postseason opponents. Led by Eli Manning and their fantastic rushing defense, the Giants blew out the Falcons, and upset the defending champion Packers. If Eli Manning beats the 49ers on Sunday, he will have the opportunity to win another championship. If he wins the game, he will have more then his brother, Peyton. Will he be better than Peyton? We don’t know for sure. Alex Smith has renewed his career this season also. He, helped by Jim Harbaugh led the 49ers to a 13-3 record. Smith had a career year this year. He threw for 3,144 yards, the most in his career, as well as 17 touchdowns. His second most in his career. He also threw for an NFL low five interceptions. Running back Frank Gore finished  sixth in rushing yards, and also scored eight touchdowns. 

The Pick: The Giants have the momentum. After all, they beat the defending champs. Eli Manning wants to prove to the world that he is an elite quarterback. He wants to prove to the world that the Giants are an elite team, a team that will contend in the future. The 49ers want to show they belong in the playoffs. They want to show that this season is not a fluke. The Giants, because of the players’ experience will beat the 49ers and face the Patriots in a Superbowl XLII rematch. 

Giants over 49ers 

NFL Divisional Round Picks

AFC Games: 

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots 

Tom Brady will attempt to win his first playoff game since 2007.

One play. That’s all it took for the Broncos to beat the Steelers last week. One 80 yard pass by Tim Tebow to Demaryius Thomas to win in overtime. Now, after beating an injury riddled Steelers squad, the Broncos travel to Foxborough to face Tom Brady and the Patriots. Brady led his team to a 13-3 record, including a win over the Broncos in Week 15. Brady has had yet another fantastic season, also breaking Dan Marino’s single season passing record, with 5,235 yards. Tight end Rob Gronkowski also scored the most touchdowns by a tight end in a single season. 

The Pick: The last time these two teams played each other, the Patriots snapped the Broncos six game winning streak, and led the Broncos into a three game losing streak. The Broncos have the momentum, but the Patriots have an elite quarterback and great receiving corps. If the Broncos can get to Brady they may have a shot, but if Tebow played like he did against the Patriots in Week 15, the Broncos could have a problem. 

Patriots over Broncos 

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens 

Arian Foster wil try to keep the momentum going for the Texans. 

Arian Foster vs. Ray Rice. T.J Yates vs. Joe Flacco. The Texans defense vs. The Ravens defense. There are countless different exciting matchups in this game. The Texans come into this game after beating the Bengals 31-10 last week. The Texans are making their first playoff appearance in franchise history. This game is Joe Flacco’s first playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. Ravens fans are praying that he will play his heart out in this matchup. 

The Pick: Rice finished with more yards and more touchdowns then Foster did in the regular season.However, Foster had a fantastic game last week, rushing for 153 yards. This game will be a game of running and defense. The play of each quarterback will be key. Flacco will want to prove to Ravens fans that he belongs in Baltimore. Because of this, he will edge TJ Yates, and lead his team to the AFC championship. 

Ravens over Texans

NFC Games: 

New York Giants at Green Bay Packers 

Eli Manning leads possibly the hottest team in football into Lambeau Field on Sunday. The Giants demolished the Falcons 24-2 last week, led by Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora, and Justin Tuck. The Packers meanwhile had a bye week. The Packers, last season’s champs cruised to a 15-1 record this season. Aaron Rodgers had a great year for the Packers, as did receiver Jordy Nelson, who scored 15 touchdowns. The Packers defense however, has been a struggle all season. 

The Pick: If the Giants can get to Rodgers like they did to Matt Ryan, the Giants could win. However, if Aaron Rodgers can throw to his receivers, the Giants could be in for a long night. The Packers’ running game has struggled, while the Giants’ combination of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw flourished last week. This game will be close, but if Jason Pierre-Paul, and the rest of the Giants line pressure Rodgers, the Giants will upset. But if Rodgers scrambles enough, and can get the ball to Nelson and Jennings, the Packers will prevail. 

Packers over Giants 

New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers 

Drew Brees is on fire. Last week, he threw for 466 yards and three touchdowns, as he led his Saints to victory. Brees has broken the single season passing record, and is attempting to lead his team back to the Super Bowl. Their next test is in San Francisco to play the 49ers. The 49ers are led by their fantastic defense which allows just 14 points per game. They allow 230 yards passing, and an NFL low 77 yards rushing. Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles won’t be much of a factor in this game. On offense though, the 49ers have struggled. They finished 26^th in the NFL with 23 points per game. 

The Pick: It’s the NFL’s second best offense going head to head against the NFL’s second best defense. Of course, it’s also the NFL’s 13^th best defense, going against the 26^th best offense. The Saints have the edge in offense, and their defense is better than the 49ers offense. Alex Smith will do his best, but he can only lead his 49ers so far. Expect the 49ers to contend next year as well. 

Saints over 49ers 

NFL Wildcard Round Picks

Tim Tebow will have some trouble overcoming the fantastic Pittsburgh Defense.

After 17 weeks of regular season games, the NFL has finally reached the playoffs. Throughout the seasons there were countless surprises. The Philadelphia Eagles, despite all of their star power, won just  8 games. The Broncos surprised everyone and somehow won their division. Marvin Lewis led his Bengals to the playoffs, one of three AFC North teams to reach the next stage. 

2011 was the year of the passer. Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers led their team’s to the playoffs despite having some of the worst defenses in football.  Drew Brees beat Dan Marino’s record for passing yards in the season. Brady broke the record as well. 

AFC Games: 

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans 

Andy Dalton has done what was once impossible. He has led a Bengals team, without both Chad Ochocinco and Carson Palmer to the playoffs. With the exception of Cam Newton, Dalton has been the best rookie quarterback this season. Dalton threw for 3,398 yards, and 20 touchdowns. Dalton is going into the wildcard round after a loss to division rival Baltimore. The Texans made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The team finished with a 10-6 record. Three of those wins came without all-star quarterback Matt Schaub. Unfortunately, three of those losses came without Schaub as well. With rookie T.J Yates starting, the Texans could have a problem. Fortunately, the Texans have running back Arian Foster. Foster finished with 1,224 yards on the ground, good for fifth in the league.  The Texans defense is great, they allow just 17.4 points per game. 

The Pick: Both the Texans and Bengals have overcome obstacles to reach the playoffs.  However, the Bengals failed to beat a playoff team. They went 0-7 against playoff teams , including losing both games to the Steelers and Ravens. In the Texans’ five games against playoff teams, they went 2-3. One of their two wins was against the Bengals. Texans over Bengals 

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos 

People doubted him, but he somehow won games. In one game he passed for less yardage then the running back ran, yet he still won. Then, the Patriots came to town. The Patriots tore at Tebow, scoring 41 points against he and his Broncos. After the Patriots game, the Broncos lost their next two games, and skidded into the playoffs only after the Raiders lost. The Steelers, despite all of their injuries, had a fantastic 12-4 season. Ben Roethlisberger will most likely play in this game, but if he doesn’t, the Broncos could have a chance to win. 

The Pick: The Steelers have the best defense in football, allowing just 14 points per game. The Broncos are allowing 24 points per game. If Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace break out, the Broncos are in for a long game. 

Steelers over Broncos

NFC Games: 

Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints 

Single season passing leader Drew Brees will try to lead his team over the Lions.

The Lions had the tools to make the playoffs. But they were also cursed. The last time the team won all four of their preseason games, they went 0-16. Matthew Stafford was determined to change that. And he did. He led the Lions to a 10-6 record. With the help of his receiver Megatron, Stafford passed for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns. Calvin Johnson had a  great season of his own. He caught 96 balls for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns. The Saints finished the season 13-3. They also ended the year on an eight game winning streak. Drew Brees set the record for most passing yards in a season for the Saints. Against playoff teams, the Saints were 4-1, losing only to the Packers. The Saints allow 21 points per game, compared to the Lions’ 24. Expect Brees to take advantage of the Lions' poor defense, and throw the ball constantly.

The Pick: The Saints come into this game having won their last eight games. The Lions come into this matchup with a record of 3-2 in their last five games. This will be a passing heavy matchup, but expect Brees to come with the victory. 

Saints over Lions 

New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons 

Tom Coughlin loves Dallas. With his team in the midst of a four game losing streak, Coughlin’s team traveled to Dallas. Eli Manning passed for 400 yards and led his team to a 37-34 victory, that began the Giants’ road to the playoffs. Then, with their playoff hopes on the line, the Cowboys came to Metlife Stadium and lost 31-14. Because of that win, the Giants clinched the playoffs. The Falcons arrived in the playoffs a different way. Led by quarterback Matt Ryan and receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White, the Falcons finished 10-6. The Falcons have a so-so defense, allowing 22 points per game. The Falcons have a potent offense, though not as potent as the Giants, who average 385 yards compared to the Falcons’ 376. 

The Pick: This game will come down to the running game. Which running back will show up, Michael Turner or Ahmad Bradshaw? Whichever running back runs for more yardage will most likely win the game. Eli Manning will do as much as he can, but Turner and Matt Ryan will lead the Falcons to the next round. 

Falcons over Giants

Week 17 Picks

Eli Manning needs to lead the Giants to a victory against the Cowboys this week.

Happy New Year everybody! As we welcome in 2012, the NFL enters its last week of regular season play. All of the games will be played on Sunday. And now, the last picks of the 2011 season! 

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers 

Normally, the Lions would be out of the playoffs, and playing for solely pride. This year, the Lions are playing in a true rivalry with the Packers. The Packers are no longer undefeated. These teams can rest their starters, but each knows this game is important. The Lions will try to beat the Packers after losing 27-15 in Week 12. As great as the Lions have played this season, it will be extremely unlikely. 

Packers over Lions 

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans 

This is a must win game for the Titans. If the Titans win, they have a chance of being in the playoffs. However, the Titans face AFC South rival Texans. The Texans allow just 17 points per game. The Titans will try to intercept as many of rookie T.J. Yates’ passes as they can. This could be difficult. It could be difficult for the Titans to make the playoffs as well. Texans over Titans 

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars 

The Colts are hot. Two wins in a row, and Peyton Manning still hasn’t played a down. Dan Orlovsky has led the Colts after taking the place of the injured Curtis Painter. The Jaguars have not had the best season either. In Week 10, the Jaguars beat the Colts 17-3. That Colts team was 0-10, and had no hope. In stepped Orlovsky, who has taken this team in a new direction. The Colts should end the season on a three game win streak.

Colts over Jaguars 

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins 

The Jets need to win this week. The Jets were expected to unseat the Patriots this season, but could not. Now, against the struggling Dolphins, the team must win to reach the wildcard round. The Dolphins have been disappointing as well. Don’t expect them to beat Rex Ryan’s Jets. They will be playing their hearts out. On both offense and defense. 

Jets over Dolphins 

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings 

With Adrian Peterson on injured reserve, there will be an even bigger obstacle for the Vikings. The Vikings now have an even dimmer opportunity to beat the Bears, who are without quarterback Jay Cutler. The Bears will look back on the season that wasn’t. The Bears will be happy to end their five game losing streak, though. Bears over Vikings 

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills 

The Pats will try to achieve home field advantage in the playoffs by beating the Bills. The Bills beat the Patriots this season, 34-31. Since that victory, the Bills’ playoff hopes have vanished. They have gone 3-9 since that victory. The Patriots have 10-2, and have cruised to a number one seed. The Patriots will beat the Bills, and receive home field advantage. 

Patriots over Bills 

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints 

Cam Newton will end his fantastic rookie season against the Saints. Newton threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers lost because of a Drew Brees touchdown with 0:50 left on the clock. Brees broke Dan Marino’s single season record for passing yards last week. The Saints could clinch a first round bye, with this victory and a 49ers loss. Sean Payton wants that bye. 

Saints over Panthers 

Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles 

One more game. One more game, and the Eagles’ nightmare of a season comes to an end against the lowly Redskins. The Eagles, with their countless free agent signings, will miss the playoffs. The Redskins who were unable to find a consistent quarterback, will miss the playoffs as well. The Eagles should beat the Redskins, and reach a .500 record to end this nightmare. 

Eagles over Redskins 

San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams 

What can Harbaugh do for you? Jim Harbaugh has come to the 49ers and has completely remade the team. If the 49ers beat the Rams tomorrow, the 49ers will clinch a first round bye. It will be Alex Smith’s first playoff appearance. The Rams are hoping the Draft lottery will come in their favor. If it does, they will draft Andrew Luck. What will happen to Sam Bradford? Good question. 

49ers over Rams 

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals 

Apparently, the Cardinals needed rest. Since their bye week, the Cardinals have gone 6-4, compared to 1-4 before it. The Seahawks have gone 5-5 since their bye week. These two teams are playing for .500 records, and for second place in the NFC West. The Seahawks won the first meeting, but expect this game to be closer. Still, Marshawn Lynch could take advantage of the 120 rushing yards allowed by the Cardinals defense. 

Seahawks over Cardinals 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons 

Yikes! The Bucs have lost nine games in a row. Yes, nine games in a row. Don’t expect that streak to end against the Falcons. The Falcons have clinched the playoffs, led by quarterback Matt Ryan. The Buccaneers still have a chance though. They beat the Falcons 16-13 this season. The win against the Falcons was one of their four wins. The Falcons have learned from that loss, and at home, should be tough to beat. 

Falcons over Buccaneers 

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals 

Andy Dalton has led the Bengals to a 9-6 record thus far. If he leads the Bengals to a win over the Ravens, he and his squad could be in the playoffs for the first time since the Carson Palmer injury. The Ravens could clinch a first round bye, with another victory over their division rival. The Bengals should upset the Ravens to sneak into the wildcard round. Bengals over Ravens 

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns 

The Browns are in the middle of a five game losing streak. With Seneca Wallace starting, the prospects of a win are even dimmer. The Steelers could clinch a first round bye with a win and a Ravens loss. The Browns are hoping for some luck in beating the Steelers, but that won’t happen. 

Steelers over Browns 

Kanas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos 

The Chiefs. The only team to beat the Packers, aren't even in the playoffs. The Denver Broncos, were having some luck with Tim Tebow. Then came the Patriots. The Patriots demolished Tebow and the rest of the Broncos team, 41-23. The Broncos can clinch the AFC West with a win. The Broncos should continue riding the luck of Tebow to cruise to a  victory over the Chiefs. 

Broncos over Chiefs 

San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders 

This is a must win game for the Raiders. If the Raiders are able to win, they have a better chance of making the playoffs. The Chargers have had an extremely disappointing season. If they lose this game, they will finish the season below .500. Led by Carson Palmer, the Raiders have turned it around this season. An 8-8 season will be a failure. 

Raiders over Chargers 

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

With Tony Romo questionable, the Cowboys are forced to turn to Stephen McGee.

Winner takes all. Whoever wins this game will go to the playoffs as the NFC East champion. Loser goes home. The last meeting was a victory by the Giants because of a blocked field goal. The Cowboys may have some trouble, as quarterback Tony Romo is questionable. With Stephen McGee starting, the Giants should take full advantage. Better luck next year Cowboys! 

Giants over Cowboys