Oh righty. Let’s see if I can end the regular season on a positive note.

 

(2.5) N.Y. Giants at Washington

The Giants still have a shot at the playoffs. From NFL.com:

 

1) NYG win + NYG clinch strength of victory tiebreaker over GB**, OR

2) NYG win + GB loss or tie, OR

3) NYG tie + GB loss or tie + STL loss or tie + ATL loss or tie + CAR loss or tie, OR

4) GB loss + STL loss + ATL loss + CAR loss

I’ll make it easy. Redskins win, Tiki’s dreams of a Bettis-like sendoff get dashed and everyone can blame the coach.

 

Atlanta at Philadelphia (7.5)

 

The Falcons still have a shot at the playoffs. From NFL.com:

 

1) ATL win + CAR loss or tie + GB loss or tie + NYG loss or tie, OR

2) ATL tie + CAR loss + GB loss + NYG loss + STL loss

 

I’ll make this easy. The Falcons will lose. But will they lose by a big amount? I’ll say no.

 

Buffalo at Baltimore (9.5)

 

The Ravens still have a shot at claiming home-field advantage, and even though they’ll probably win, I’ll give the Bills a fighting chance.

 

(2.5) Carolina at New Orleans

The Panthers are still in the playoff hunt, but I still have that bad taste a few weeks back against the Steelers where they quit, so I’ll say go Saints.

 

Cleveland at Houston (4.5)

No playoff talk here. Houston will probably win, but will they win by four-and-a-half points? Sure.

 

Detroit at Dallas (12.5)

I hope the Cowboys get up by 10 and then put it in cruse control.

 

Green Bay at Chicago (2.5)

The Packers can clinch a playoff. From NFL.com:

 

1) GB win + NYG win + GB clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over NYG**, OR

2) GB win + NYG loss or tie + STL loss or tie, OR

3) GB win + NYG loss or tie + CAR win, OR

4) GB win + NYG loss or tie + ATL win, OR

5) GB tie + NYG loss + STL loss + ATL loss or tie + CAR loss or tie

But the Bears will win and ruin what could possibly be BRETT FAVRE’S FINAL REGULAR-SEASON NFL GAME.

 

Jacksonville at Kansas City (2.5)

Both teams need this win to bolster their playoff chances. Will the Chiefs lost two home games in December in the same season? I’m going with history on this one.

 

Miami at Indianapolis (9.5)

After that Houston loss, now I’d say it’s panic time for the Colts. Then again, maybe this “nothing-to-lose” mindset going into the playoffs might be good for Indianapolis.

 

New England at Tennessee (3.5)

Will this second-half-of-the-season rally stop here for the Titans? I’ll be a party pooper and say yes.

 

Oakland at N.Y. Jets (12.5)

I’ll say the Jets will win, but not by a dozen points.

 

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (6.5)

For all the crap the Steelers have gone through this season, to finish 8-8 will be much better than 7-9. However, I have to imagine the Bengals will be out for blood after what happened the last time the Bengals hosted the Steelers.

 

Seattle at Tampa Bay (3.5)

Even though Seattle has clinched the NFC West, that’s not saying much. I’m sure they would like end the season on a winning note before trying to make it back to the Super Bowl.

 

(2.5) St. Louis at Minnesota

The Rams can clinch a playoff spot, according to NFL.com, if the following happens.

 

1) STL win + NYG loss or tie + CAR loss or tie + ATL loss or tie, OR

2) STL tie + NYG loss + CAR loss + ATL loss + GB loss

 

I’ll say why not.

 

Arizona at San Diego (13.5)

Wow. I’m sure the Chargers will win, but will they win by that big a margin? Hopefully, the Chargers’ second unit will be able to trounce the Cardinals’ starters.

 

San Francisco at Denver (10.5)

The Broncos will probably win, but the 49ers will make it a game.