Picks for this week's games and next

Last week’s record, 7-9; for season, 134-95

Pick of the Week, 2-0; for the season 12-3

My double-digit winning street came to a screeching halt last week with my second losing week of the season. I did, however, hit both of my Picks of the Week.

I was out shopping on Sunday afternoon and got home just in time to see the fourth quarter of the Giants/Eagles game. I was overjoyed to see the Giants leading 24-10 entering the last quarter, but what I witnessed from that point on was the biggest collapse in a pro football game I have ever seen. Unbelievable!

Because this paper doesn’t publish the week between the Christmas and New Year’s Day, I’ll be giving you this week’s picks and quick picks for the following week, which is the final week of the season.

Here’s wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

Thursday, Dec. 23

Carolina at Pittsburgh — The Steelers came oh-so-close to beating the Jets but they should have no trouble with the Panthers. I like Pittsburgh, 24-13.

Saturday, Dec. 25

Dallas at Arizona — The Cards do not score enough to win this one. I’ll stick with the Cowboys, 27-17.

Sunday, Dec. 26

Tennessee at Kansas City — The Titans will play tough, but the Chiefs really need this game. I’ll take Kansas City, 20-17.

Seattle at Tampa Bay — I’m not sure the Bucs are still alive in the Wild Card race, but I still like them in this game, 24-17.

Minnesota at Philadelphia — What can I say? Vick was incredible against the Giants, and I don’t see that changing against the Vikings. The Eagles win, 31-20.

Baltimore at Cleveland — This pick may not help my percentage, but I’ll go with the Browns at home, 19-17.

New England at Buffalo — The Bills finally won a road game so why not an upset of the Patriots at home? Nice try. New England is the pick here, 27-17.

San Francisco at St. Louis — An absolute must-win game for the Rams, so I’ll stick with them, 23-20.

Detroit at Miami — Miami lost a huge home game to the Bills, but what should you expect when they were 1-5 at home going into the game? I’ll take the Lions, 28-24.

Washington at Jacksonville — The Skins are all messed up while this is a must-win game for the Jags. I’ll stick with Jacksonville, 24-13.

New York Jets at Chicago — This game should be a real defensive battle, but in the end I don’t like the Bears coming off a Monday night game. I think the Jets will get it done by a score of 19-17.

Houston at Denver — There’s not much to get excited about in this one. I’ll give the nod to the Texans, 34-24.

Indianapolis at Oakland — This is a huge game for both teams and it should be a real shootout. I’ll stick with Manning and the Colts, 33-27.

New York Giants at Green Bay — I’m having a hard time envisioning the Giants recovering from last week’s collapse against the Eagles. With that said, I’m still a Giant fan, so I’ll stick with them, 30-27.

San Diego at Cincinnati — I have to make the Chargers my Pick of the Week in this game. They can’t afford a loss. San Diego wins, 33-24.

Monday, Dec. 27

New Orleans at Atlanta — This could be a preview of the NFC Championship game. I truly like both teams but at this stage, I can’t see the Falcons letting up. I’ll take Atlanta, 33-30.

Quick picks

Here are my quick picks for the last week of the regular season.  Keep in mind that I’m making these picks in advance, as we take the week off between Christmas and New Year’s Day at The Journal. I have no idea what will have happened with the previous week’s picks, so I’m making my selections somewhat in the blind:

Sunday, Jan. 2

Steelers over the Browns, 24-20; Giants over the Skins, 27-20; Lions over the Vikings, 24-21; Saints over the Bucs, 27-17; Green Bay over the Bears, 27-23; Patriots over the Dolphins, 30-20; Atlanta over the Panthers, 23-19; Kansas City over Oakland, 23-20; Jacksonville over Houston, 28-24; Jets over the Bills, 20-19; Eagles over the Cowboys, 30-27; Baltimore over Cincinnati, 23-19; Colts over the Titans, 24-17; San Diego over Denver, 34-19; San Francisco over Arizona, 23-20; and St. Louis over Seattle, 27-17.

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