Green Bay looks to derail Minnesota’s playo run
Packers at Vikings
Line: Green Bay 3-1/2 The Green Bay Packers get a firstround bye with a win; the Minnesota Vikings make the playoffs if they win.
In their first meeting in Week 13, Green Bay won 23-14 by controlling the game and the clock. The Packers had 435 yards of offence compared with 359 for the Vikings, and also had the ball a full 17 more minutes.
The Packers have won 12 straight games against teams in their division, and Aaron Rodgers is at his best playing indoors, where his quarterback rating of 116.1 is the best in NFL history.
Despite plenty of injuries, Green Bay has won nine of its last 10 games.
Taking Green Bay
Browns at Steelers
Line: Pittsburgh 6 It’s one of three games that didn’t have a Las Vegas line — this one because of injuries to Cleveland QBs Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy. Running back Trent Richardson and cornerback Sheldon Brown are also out with injuries.
When the teams last met, on Nov. 25, the Cleveland Browns forced eight turnovers and won 20-14. I don’t see that happening again.
And, considering that Thad Lewis, who was elevated from the practice roster, will be Cleveland’s QB, this line looks pretty soft.
Taking Pittsburgh
Cowboys at Redskins
Line: Washington 3-1/2 This is the game of the week, where it’s winner-take-all — the winner clinching the NFC East. The Redskins out-rushed the Dallas Cowboys 149-35 in their first meeting, which Washington won 38-31 while holding on after racing to a 28-3 halftime lead.
Washington’s concern remains its secondary, which is giving up 287.7 passing yards per game — 30th in the NFL — and which Tony Romo will certainly attempt to exploit. Romo and the Cowboys throw the ball 66.3 per cent of the time, which is an NFL high.
Taking Dallas
Eagles at Giants
Line: New York 7-1/2 The New York Giants need a win and a lot of help to make it back to the playoffs. The way they have been playing lately, that doesn’t seem likely. The Giants lost 33-14 to the Baltimore Ravens last week and 34-0 to the Atlanta Falcons two weeks ago.
In those two games, QB Eli Manning struggled with QB ratings of 38.9 and 78.0.
In last week’s game, the Giants allowed Baltimore to put up 533 offensive yards, while New York was only able to grind out 186 of its own.
After a broken hand ended Philadelphia QB Nick Foles’ season last week, the Eagles will bring back Michael Vick, who you know will desperately want to win this game.
New York has failed to cover eight of its last nine games against the Eagles — losing seven of eight straight up — and are 0-5 against the spread in Philadelphia.
A slew of New York players are hurt.
Taking Philadelphia
Bears at Lions
Line: Chicago 3 The Chicago Bears still have an outside chance of making the playoffs — they need a win and a Minnesota loss to get a wild-card spot. Detroit is trying to break a seven-game losing streak. The Lions put up big offensive yards, but most of it is in the middle of the field.
Chicago, which had lost five of its previous six games before finding an opponent — Arizona — it could handle, didn’t exactly shine even in the win over the Cardinals. QB Jay Cutler threw for only 146 yards with his offensive line once again doing little to give him much protection. When Cutler did have time, he often missed open receivers.
The Bears also benefited from two turnover touchdowns — one on a fumble return and another on an interception return.
The Bears have a long list of injuries, both offensively and defensively.
Chicago edged Detroit 13-7 in Week 7, but the Bears were plus-four in turnovers — three coming in the red zone.
Taking Detroit
Rams at Seahawks
Line: Seattle 10-1/2 The Seattle Seahawks outscored their last three opponents 150-30 and won six of their last seven games behind athletic rookie QB Russell Wilson.
While their offensive output has really come out of nowhere, Seattle’s defence has been rock solid all season. It is No. 1 in points allowed, surrendering just 15.5 points a game.
With a win, the St. Louis Rams would have their first winning record since 2003, and that is their mantra going into this game. They could also beat the Seahawks for the second time this year. On Sept. 30, St. Louis won 19-13.
St. Louis has won or tied all of their divisional games this season.
There is, of course, Seattle’s undefeated record at home. However, the only way Seattle can move up in the seeding is with a San Francisco 49ers loss to Arizona, which seems unlikely.
Taking the Rams