Thursday night schedule ends with whimper

The final Thursday game of the year couldn’t be much more forgettable.

Denver and Indianapolis are hard enough to watch with a full week to prepare. On short notice: UGH!

The Broncos (4-9) have been one of the league’s major disappointments. They broke an eight-game skid last Sunday by manhandling the undermanned Jets.

Indianapolis (3-10) has dropped four straight and seven of eight. Enough said. Denver is a one-point favourite at Lucas Oil Stadium. At least the Colts won’t have to freeze in a blizzard as they lose this one. Broncos, 13-10

Green Bay (plus 2) at Carolina

After barely escaping Cleveland, not buying the Packers, not even with Aaron Rodgers. Best Bet: Panthers, 26-20

L.A. Rams (plus 2.5) at Seattle

The Seahawks are too darn undisciplined as well as injured. Upset Special: Rams, 31-21

New England (minus 2.5) at Pittsburgh

Not quite Game of the Millennium anymore, but still a good one. Patriots, 33-27

Los Angeles Chargers (plus 1.5) at Kansas City, Saturday

Another huge matchup. The Bolts are charging, but ... Chiefs: 21-20

Dallas (plus 1) at Oakland

The other AFC West contender is getting desperate. Raiders, 24-21

Philadelphia (minus 7.5) at New York Giants

Foles won’t fail the Eagles, at least not this week. Eagles, 20-10

Cincinnati (plus 10) at Minnesota

Will the Bungles, uh, Bengals show up this time? We have our doubts. Vikings, 27-16

Atlanta (minus 3.5) at Tampa Bay

It’s simple: the Falcons are a better team by more than this spread. Falcons, 27-17

Houston (plus 9.5) at Jacksonville

A win and the Jaguars are in playoffs. Say what? Jaguars, 26-10

N.Y. Jets (plus 16) at New Orleans

How, exactly, are the Jets going to score? Maybe on defence, but ... Saints 30-6

Arizona (plus 6) at Washington

Two teams destroyed by injuries. Cardinals, 22-17

Baltimore (minus 7) at Cleveland

Seems a matter of time before the Browns win one. Actually, no. Ravens, 17-13

Tennessee (plus 2.5) at San Francisco

The Titans could short-circuit playoff chances by flopping here. Titans, 20-16

Chicago (plus 5.5) at Detroit, Saturday

The Last Jedi opens this week. Good time to go see it. Lions, 16-13

Miami (OFF) at Buffalo

Forget last week, the Dolphins don’t like Western New York. Bills, 17-15 Last week: Against the spread (6-82). Straight up (8-8) Season Totals: Against the spread (96-96-8). Straight up: (128-78) Best Bet: 8-6 against the spread, 9-5 straight up.

Upset special: 8-6 against the spread, 8-6 straight up