Just when I thought this was heading for a photo finish, Joe turns in a five-win card and hands Nathan back two games. And now, just a week after trimming the margin to a manageable distance, Joe once again finds himself in need of a huge run.
With this last set of games to decide the contest, they've chosen opposite sides on 10. Joe has to have at least eight of those fall his way to overcome Nathan's current five-game lead–a tall task indeed.
Season to date:
Nathan: 111-115-10 (32-25-3 locks)
Joe: 106-120-10 (25-26-2 locks)
Detroit -3 @ Green Bay
Nathan: While Aaron Rodgers and a few defensive players might sit this one out, Matt Flynn and the wide receivers should still be able to pick apart the Lions secondary. Pick: Green Bay and the points
Joe: Green Bay will be sitting some of their players here so gotta try, and go with the Lions since they have can get a better seed. Not a fan of the later weeks, and like I said last week I won’t play much till the playoffs. Pick: Detroit to cover
Tennessee -3 @ Houston
Nathan: With how many injuries the Texans have suffered, I wouldn’t be surprised if they rest a good number of their players. Pick: Tennessee to cover
Joe: The Titans really need this one, but for some reason I think Houston finds a way to pull it out. They need to get something going heading into the playoffs. Pick: Houston and the points
Indianapolis @ Jacksonville -3.5
Nathan: The Colts are actually on a winning streak, and the Jaguars secondary has had way too many injuries. Pick: Indianapolis and the points◄
Joe: Both of these teams just need to put this season past them. I will take the home team. Pick: Jacksonville
New York Jets @ Miami -2
Nathan: While the Jets need this game more, the Dolphins have been the better team recently. Pick: Miami to cover
Joe: The Jets have had a rough go here, and are a lot better than their record suggests. It will be interesting to see how they respond for this game, but they are undervalued for sure. Pick: New York Jets and the points◄
Chicago @ Minnesota -1
Nathan: The Bears have been very injured lately, and now that they are finally eliminated from the playoffs I’m not sure how much they have left this year. The Vikings have been competitive in almost all of their games this season. Pick: Minnesota to cover◄
Joe: The Bears season went from very promising to devastating, and I think with everything behind them this week could be refreshing for them. I think they play loose, and get this one heading into the offseason. Pick: Chicago and the points
Buffalo @ New England -11
Nathan: Not only do the Patriots want home field advantage throughout the playoffs, but I’m guessing they haven’t forgotten their Week 3 loss. Pick: New England to cover
Joe: The Bills might be a shell of the team that beat the Patriots earlier in the year, but like I said last week.. they are improving. I think the Patriots will do enough to win, but are not a team I like to lay double digits with. Pick: Buffalo and the points
Carolina @ New Orleans -9
Nathan: With the 49ers all but certain to beat the Rams, the Saints don’t have all that much to play for. The Panthers seem like the team who will try to finish strong. Pick: Carolina and the points◄
Joe: A few weeks ago I noticed the Saints defense really was improved from the beginning of the season, and they really proved that against the Falcons. They might not need this game much, but that defense should help them cover the 9 here even though I usually don’t go with teams in this spot. Pick: New Orleans to cover
Washington @ Philadelphia -10
Nathan: The Redskins have been keeping games surprisingly close, so even though I expect a Philadelphia victory, this could come down to the end. Pick: Washington and the points
Joe: I really don’t know what to make of this one, and the line says take the Eagles. Even still Philly just hasn’t played well all year, and their big win over the Cowboys last week wasn’t anything impressive. Try the points. Pick: Washington and the points
San Francisco -11 @ St. Louis
Nathan: The 49ers defense against Kellen Clemens just sounds like a problem waiting to happen. Pick: San Francisco to cover
Joe: Just going to take the points with the Rams, and see what happens. Backup QB’s cover more times than not, and this is a late season game against a team whose offense really isn’t all that explosive anyways. Pick: St Louis and the points
Seattle @ Arizona -2.5
Nathan: I think the Seahawks have the better team and will come out on top. Taking the points as well is just insurance for me. Pick: Seattle and the points◄
Joe: Seattle may have snagged a few victories on the road, but Arizona is playing well and should close out the season with a win. Pick: Arizona to cover
Tampa Bay @ Atlanta -12
Nathan: The Buccaneers are on a losing streak and hurting. Even if Atlanta isn’t trying for the fifth round pick, they simply have more talent. Pick: Atlanta to cover
Joe: Like I said with the Saints I usually don’t like playing teams in this spot, but Atlanta could use a better seed. They are also on another level than the Bucs are. Pick: Atlanta to cover
Baltimore -3 @ Cincinnati
Nathan: I think the Ravens to win this, but it could be the most exciting matchup of the day. I’ll take the points. Pick: Cincinnati and the points
Joe: Cincinnati has failed to deliver when people expected them to pull the upset, but for some reason I feel like this is the week. A gut play for me, and likely my only play of the week. Pick: Cincinnati and the points◄
Pittsburgh -7 @ Cleveland
Nathan: The Steelers are just the better football team, and to ensure the victory I think the Steelers will keep the foot on the gas for a while. Pick: Pittsburgh to cover
Joe: Lots to play for as far as seeding goes, and if Cincy takes out Baltimore the Steelers could be in business. I think they come for blood. Pick: Pittsburgh to cover
Kansas City @ Denver -3
Nathan: I’m going to guess with how good the Broncos defense is, that they will know how to get the best of Kyle Orton rather than the other way around. Pick: Denver to cover
Joe: I know I said I would never go with Tebow, but it is funny. Now everyone is bashing the guy, and jumping ship they actually missed the fact that he has improved quite a bit over the last few weeks. He still is not good, but good enough to help his team beat KC at home. Pick: Denver to cover◄
San Diego @ Oakland -3
Nathan: The Raiders beat the Chargers once on the road, and they should be able to do so again at home. While there will be teams that aren’t playing for anything beating ones that have something to play for, I don’t think this will be one of them. Pick: Oakland to cover
Joe: Revenge game for the Chargers, and Oakland is really not playing well. Palmer doesn’t look good, and if the bolts come to play they should have no trouble ending the season with a win. Pick: San Diego and the points
Dallas @ New York Giants -3
Nathan: I think the Cowboys are the better team, and can be more successful in the playoffs. I picked Dallas to win, and I’ll take the points as a bonus. Pick: Dallas and the points
Joe: Top to bottom Dallas is just the better team here.. it is that simple. The Giants should have lost in Dallas, and the Jets lost last week’s game rather than the Giants winning it. You never know, but there is a reason the boys feel confident going into NY. Pick: Dallas and the points◄
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