Two of the best franchises in football play Sunday and we like Green Bay to take home the Lombardi Trophy. This should be a great game between the 2 best defenses in the league at points allowed per game but we actually feel these offenses match up pretty well against these defenses. The Steelers only lost 3 games with Big Ben at qb and two were against the Saints and Patriots. The reason we bring that up is the thing those teams have in common with the Packers are the spread offense and great quarterbacks. Even with how great the Steelers defense has been these teams gave them trouble and right now the way Rodgers is playing he is probably running the spread offense better than anyone.

            The Steelers have an experience advantage and always find a way to win in the end. But if Pouncey isn't 100% that could really hurt the Steelers. Alot of people don't appreciate how important a center is to an offense but they are usually the ones calling out blitz pickups and assignments not to mention Pouncey is one of the most athletic and best linemen in football. We think this will be a very close game that the Packers win and we feel the total will sneak over, Green Bay 27-20.

        We like the Packers here to win and cover. We feel the Packers are peeking at the right time and their defense will force Cutler into some costly turnovers. We also think Rodgers will do just enough v. a very good Bears defense. We also like this total to go under because the Bears will try to run and the Packers will take what the Bears give them and methodically move down the field eating up the clock with the Bears not blitzing.

NEW YORK JETS +3- OVER PITTSBURGH & OVER 38-

          The Jets have beaten the 2 best qbs in the league and the biggest reason is Revis and Cromartie. The Steelers present a much different challenge this week but we feel the Jets will be up to the challenge. The Steelers are the best defense v. the run so Sanchez will have to make some plays. We feel this will be a close game with each team causing a turnover or two that leads to some points. Brad Smith had a td return in the first game and could get the Jets some crucial field position. We also might see our first overtime game here with the new rules. We like the Jets +3- here and the game to go barely over the total of 38-.

        This is going to be a war between two of the most complete teams in the league. They split their 2 games this year, each winning on the road by 3. The Ravens are 6-2-1 ats on the road this year and they have been in this situation before. The Steelers are tough but not completely dominant at home this year but this game is going to come down to protecting the ball and seeing who breaks first. Some will say that the Ravens beat Pittsburgh without Big Ben but the game with him they easily could have won if not for a late Flacco fumble. We like the Ravens with the points here.

ATLANTA -2- OVER GREEN BAY

        The Falcons are 7-1 su at home this year and beat the Packers earlier in the year at home. We feel the buy also will help Atlanta and the Packers are on a short week and that can't help. Ryan plays very well at home but the running game should be the big difference here along with the Falcons' ability to get pressure without blitzing. The Packers are a very good team but we think Atlanta wins here and covers.

SEATTLE +10 OVER CHICAGO

           Every year there seems to be the one big surprise team and Seattle definitely fits that title this year. We don't believe they are going to win it all but we feel they can hang here. They beat the Bears earlier this season in Chicago. Their best chance here is if the Bears make some mistakes and we think they just might. Cutler is known to be a little careless with the ball and the Bears are just 4-4 ats at home. We like the Seahawks with the points here to cover.

NEW YORK JETS +8- OVER NEW ENGLAND

             The Jets showed some of their old form of last year on defense last year against one of the best quarterbacks ever last week. On offense the Jets controlled the clock with a power running game and limited the Colts possessions. That is the formula they will try to apply this week against the leagues' MVP and we think they might be able to do it v. the Patriots defense. Brady will definitely do his thing but he may not have alot of chances to do it. We like the Jets to keep this one close so take the 8- points.

         We like the Saints here to cover the spread and win in Seattle. The Saints are the defending Champs and Seattle is very inexperienced and there is alot to that when it comes to the playoffs. Brees v. Hasselback isn't much of a comparison and we feel like the Saints will have enough to overcome a very loud away stadium. Look for defensive coordinator Williams to attack Hasselback and cause some turnovers.

NEW YORK JETS +2- OVER INDIANAPOLIS

         We never like going against Peyton but we feel this is a game he will really miss Dallas Clark. The Jets defense has not been dominant this year but we expect Ryan to have them ready for this one. The Colts are at home, but the Jets actually have a better record ats (5-3) on the road than the Colts have at home ats (4-4). We feel this will be a very close game with a turnover maybe deciding it, we like the Jets + 2- here.

BALTIMORE -2- OVER KANSAS CITY

            The Chiefs have had a great year and are very tough at home. The Ravens may have the most complete team in  the NFL, that always don't mean the best but they have been here before and they know how to win these tough games. On the road this year they are 5-2-1 ats. The Chiefs only lost su once this year at home. They are young and talented but we feel the Ravens defense will step up here and cause some turnovers and Flacco and company will make the Chiefs pay. We like the Ravens in a close one here.

GREEN BAY/PHILADELPHIA TOTAL OVER 46

            This game maybe the toughest to call of them all but we like the total to go over here. The Packers are the most one dimensional team in the playoffs although Seattle isn't far behind. They have to throw the ball to win and Rodgers is one of the best at it. The Eagles should probably run alot more in this game but that just isn't Andy Reid. We look for alot of points here in a close one.

      We usually don't  make a game that don't mean anything a best pick but we couldn't resist the Lions here. Detroit is 5-2 ats at home, 2-0 ats as favorites, and 11-4 ats overall this year. The Vikings are coming off a surprising upset over the Eagles just 5 days ago when they kickoff. It will be the shortest rest they could get and Detroit has played well lately. We like Detroit here to cover.

TAMPA BAY  +8 OVER NEW ORLEANS

       This game could mean alot and it starts as an early game which means the Bucs have to win and hope for losses by the Giants and Packers. Tampa has had a great turnaround season and will battle to the end. The Bucs are 6-1 ats on the road this year and are 6-1 ats at New Orleans in their last 7 there. Even if the Bucs don't make the playoffs a 10 win season is pretty impressive. We at least like the Bucs with the points.

NEW YORK GIANTS -4 OVER WASHINGTON

        When this game begins the Giants will need a win and a Packer loss to get to the playoffs. We feel that the Giants are still a pretty good team despite their collapse against the Eagles and the massacre to the Packers. The Redskins are not as good as the Giants and we feel the Giants win this one handily and hope for the best. The Giants are 3-0 su v. the Redskins and 2-0-1 ats last 3 v. Washington. We like the Giants here.

ST. LOUIS -3 OVER SEATTLE

        This is the game of the week with the winner winning the NFC West and the loser going home. 17 weeks ago who would have thought that would be possible. Seattle isn't bad at home but their quarterback situation is shaky and the Rams have a rising star  at qb for them. The Rams also have Stephen Jackson who can take over a game. The Rams are 3-0 as favorites this year and along with Detroit have an NFL best 11-4 record ats this year. From 1-15 to the playoffs, we think so as we like the Rams -3 to cover here.

       Every game the Pats have played this year has gone over the total except one. That is a 13-1 record for overs in their games. In Buffalo there could be bad weather but we seen what they did in a snowstorm in Chicago 2 weeks ago and that was against a much tougher defense. Buffalo also scored 30 the first time they played the Pats. We like over 44- here.

BALTIMORE -3- OVER CLEVELAND

        The Ravens need this game and need to put some wins together heading into the playoffs. The Ravens are 5-0 su v. the Browns and 4-1 ats last 5 v. Cleveland. The Browns have battled all year but we feel the better team covers here. We like the Ravens -3- to cover here.

NEW YORK JETS +1 OVER CHICAGO

          The Jets are a tough team to figure but we believe they are one of the top teams in the AFC. The Jets are 10-4 last 14 ats as dogs and are 5-2 ats as dogs on road in 2010. The Bears are coming off Monday Night and we believe the Jets are the better team here.

INDIANAPOLIS -3 OVER OAKLAND

          The Colts have to run the table to get in the playoffs and we like Peyton in that position. The Raiders have had a great year and will be tough but they are 0-3 v. AFC South this year and the Colts are still the kings of that division. We like the Colts here in a tough game to cover -3 over Oakland.

        This is another battle for first place between these NFC East rivals. We feel the Giants short week and bouncing from town to town last week will be a huge disadvantage and the Eagles are the better team here. Vick has been almost perfect this year with just 1 loss while Manning has been a little careless with the ball this year. Close games like this often come down to turnovers and Vick has thrown 4 ints. to Manning's 19. We like the Eagles here in a battle.

DALLAS -6 OVER WASHINGTON

          The Cowboys are 4-0-1 ats with Garrett as head coach and are basically playing for his job. The Redskins are heading the opposite direction and there is even a chance McNabb won't start. Right now Dallas is the much better team and we think they will cover here.

JACKSONVILLE +5 OVER INDIANAPOLIS

            Another battle for first place here and while we don't like to go against Peyton, we feel he will pull this out but not cover here. The Jags have hung tough all year and we expect them to hang in there in this game. Look for the Colts to possibly win just not by more than 5. Take the points in this one.

NEW YORK JETS +6 OVER PITTSBURGH

             All of a sudden the Jets are in trouble after back to back losses at New England and at home to the Dolphins. Two things going for the Jets here, they are 5-1 ats on the road this year and 9-4 ats as dogs last 13. The Steelers are an excellent team and are going to battle for a 1 seed but we think this will be an old fashioned defensive battle that the Jets desperately need. We like the Jets to cover here even if they don't win outright.

      We like the Colts here for a couple of reasons to cover. The Titans have played terrible since the whole Young/Fisher incident and we don't think it's just a coincidence. The Titans are 2-4 ats and su in 2010 at home. The Colts are pretty much playing for their playoff lives here as are the Titans but the biggest difference is the Colts have Peyton Manning , who we can't see having another bad game.

NEW ENGLAND -3 OVER CHICAGO

        It looks like the Pats are locked in heading down the stretch. Usually after the Pats destroyed the Jets in an AFC rival game there could be a letdown. The difference here is after trying to catch the Jets all year we can't see New England taking their foot of the pedal. They are right where they want to be and even though the Bears have a very good defense we feel the Pats are simply on a roll and will cover here.

TAMPA BAY -2- OVER WASHINGTON

          The Redskins are fading fast and the young Bucs are hungrier than ever after their heartbreaking lost to rival Atlanta last week. Tampa is also 5-0-1 ats on the road this year and are still in the playoff hunt. The Redskins  looked terrible against the Giants last week and are on the verge of calling it a season. We like Tampa here.

PHILADELPHIA/DALLAS TOTAL OVER 50-

           Under Jason Garrett the Cowboys are 3-1 and have been averaging 34 points per game. The Eagles with Vick at quarterback are also averaging 34 points per game. On top of that neither defense have been exactly shut down defenses, Anything can happen but we can't pass up this oppurtunity to pick this total to go over 50-.

      On the road this year the Texans average combined scores have been 54 points. They have one of the worst pass defenses in the league. The Eagles have slowed down a little bit after their 59 point explosion against Washington but still managed 27 and 26 against two of the best defenses in the league. Houston is not one of the best defenses, we like this one to go over the total of 50- here.

KANSAS CITY/DENVER OVER 48-

       The last 3 meetings in this matchup have averaged 68 points total. The Chiefs were not happy with the way Denver handled the big lead and coach Haley refused to shake Josh McDaniel's hand afterward and left him with some choice words. If K.C. has the chance you know they are going to lay it on the Broncos. Add to all that and the over is 7-1-1 when Denver comes to K.C. We love the over here.

ST. LOUIS -3 OVER ARIZONA

       The Rams are 4-1 ats on the road this year and are 9-2 ats overall this year. The Cards looked terrible Monday night and look like they are on a downswing. The Rams may be the biggest surprise this year and unbelievably have a shot at the playoffs. They need this one if that's going to happen. We like them to win and cover here.

BALTIMORE -3 OVER PITTSBURGH

        Baltimore is 5-0 at home this year and we feel they are poised to make a run going into the playoffs. The Steelers are having another very good season and this game should be a war as usual. But we like the Ravens at home to pull this one out and cover.

      Tampa Bay is one of the most surprising teams of 2010 and we are starting to believe they might be in the playoff hunt until the end. The Ravens are a very good team but they have left some weaker teams hang around this year. The Bucs are 5-0 ats on the road this year and we feel they can hang around in this one and keep it close.

PHILADELPHIA -3- OVER CHICAGO

       This is the time of the season where the better teams begin to separate themselves from the pack. Both teams are 7-3 coming into this one but we feel the Eagles are the better team here. The Bears are 1-3-1 ats at home this year and the Eagles have not lost a game that Vick started and finished this year. We like the Eagles to cover here.

SEATTLE +1 OVER KANSAS CITY

         This is truly all about where this game is being played, these are two of the most Jeckyl and Hyde teams you will ever see. The Seahawks are 3-1 ats at home this year while the Chiefs are 1-2-2 ats and 1-4 su on the road this year. We just can't ignore those numbers and if this game was played in Kansas City the Chiefs would probably be 7+ favorites. We like Seattle here.

SAN DIEGO +3- OVER INDIANAPOLIS

          The Chargers are coming on strong lately as they continue to hover at the top rankings on Offense and Defense. The small things were killing the Chargers but they are starting to look like the team many thought they would be this year. The Colts have been hit hard by injury but Manning has kept them right there. The Chargers are 12-4 ats v. Indy and with the Colts still hurting we like the Chargers here.

       The Ravens pass defense has not being playing well but we don't think that will come into play here v. Carolina. The Panthers are 1-4 ats at home this year and the Ravens have won 19 of 20 su when favored by 8 or more. Baltimore needs this win and we feel they cover here.

DETROIT +7 OVER DALLAS

        Dallas looked great last week under new coach Jason Garrett. This week they are at home where they are 0-4 su and ats this year. The Lions are 8-1 ats overall this year and we like them here to stay close enough to the 'Boys.

NEW ENGLAND/INDIANAPOLIS OVER TOTAL OF 50-

       The two best quarterbacks in the league go at it again in this classic. Even though the Colts are depleted the Pats have had trouble stopping lesser qbs than Peyton Manning. The Patriots have gone over the total 8 of 9 this year and the Colts have gone over the total 4 of 5 on the road this year. We like alot of points in this one.

PHILADELPHIA/NEW YORK GIANTS OVER TOTAL 49

       This game is for the Division lead in prime time and we saw what the Eagles are capable of on this stage last week. The Giants defense is better than the 'Skins although they got torched by Kitna last week. Michael Vick is coming off one of the greatest games ever at quarterback and we expect him to give the Giants problems here. Add to that , the Giants have played 8 straight overs v. NFC East. We like over this total.

       We like Denver here at home in a slight upset. Denver is 7-2 ats after bye week and K.C. is 1-8 su and 3-6 ats last 9 trips to Denver. The AFC West could be up for grabs and if the Broncos have any hope of making a run they have to win this one.

ST. LOUIS +5- OVER SAN FRANCISCO

        The Rams are 7-1 ats this year which is the best in the NFL. The 49ers are going to make a run at the NFC West title and they have been looking better. We just think these teams are very similar and we look for a very close game here. Take the points here.

NEW YORK GIANTS/DALLAS TOTAL OVER 45

         The Giants have been on some roll lately scoring an average of 34 points per game in their 6 wins. The Cowboys have given up an average of 31 points per game in their 7 losses which we see Dallas doing here. The Giants also have gone over the total in 7 straight NFC East games. We like over the total of 45 here.

PHILADELPHIA -3 OVER WASHINGTON

        We like the Eagles in this game to cover. The Redskins are coming off the bye week but they have had a ton of distractions and confusion after the McNabb benching 2 weeks ago. The first meeting the Skins won but Vick was knocked out early and with the way he has been playing that makes a huge difference. We believe the Eagles get revenge here and cover.

     The Bucs have won 8 of 10 ats in Atlanta and may hang around in the NFC South longer than people think. The Falcons have played well at home but this is still a matchup of 5-2 teams for first place in the division. Atlanta may find a way to win here but we like the Bucs to hang around like they have in the division so far. Take the points in this one.

NEW YORK JETS -4 OVER DETROIT

      The Jets are 3-0 straight up and ats this year on the road and in their 2 losses have given up a total of only 19 points. The Lions are much improved and are 3-0 ats at home this year but they haven't seen a defense like the Jets. We can't see the Lions holding the Jets to under 19 points and we expect New York's defense to give a young Lions offense alot of problems.

MIAMI +5- OVER BALTIMORE

      We just can't ignore the Dolphins 4-0 su and ats record on the road this year. The Ravens are an excellent team but they haven't really blown anyone out this year and Miami seems to play close games on the road. We look for a close one here taking Miami with the points.

SAN DIEGO/HOUSTON OVER THE TOTAL 50

        We think this is a matchup of two high powered offenses and two underrated quarterbacks. Rivers is having a fantastic season and is facing the pass defense that has allowed the most yards per game through the air. Schaub and the Texans are very capable of putting up alot of points especially at home. Add to that the Chargers have gone over 13 of 15 before the bye week. We like over the total in this one.

        The Rams are 4-0 ats at home in 2010 and have won 6 of 7  ats overall this year. They are one of the surprise teams this year of many surprises. The Panthers won their first game last week but are 2-4 ats this year as we look for the Rams to continue to play well at home and cover here.

MIAMI +2- OVER CINCINNATI

        At first glance this looks like a good game to stay away from but sometimes the numbers don't lie. Miami is 3-0 su and ats on the road in 2010 while the Bengals are just 4-16-1 ats in October. If that wasn't enough, Cincy has lost 10 of last 11 ats as favorites.

KANSAS CITY -7- OVER BUFFALO

        We haven't completely bought into the Chiefs being a serious AFC West contender but we are starting to believe. Don't just look at their wins this year but checkout their only 2 losses this year. They lost at Indy and at Houston and were right there in both games. They are 3-0 ats at home this year and 4-1-1 ats this year overall. We like them here at home to cover.

NEW ENGLAND -6 OVER MINNESOTA

          The  Pats have not lost at home this year while the Vikings are 0-2-1 ats on the road. Favre is questionable to start but we know if there is any way possible he will. That may actually help the Pats because he would be a sitting duck back there. Either way we like  New England to cover at home here.

Quarterbacks

1. Drew Brees (New Orleans) obvious pick, in his prime.
2. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis) - See above.
3. Matt Schaub (Houston) maybe sleeper, not household name but looking for breakout season here.

Honorable mention - Aaron Rodgers.

Running Backs

1. Chris Johnson (Tennessee) no team relies on one player at running back - Adrian has Favre.
2. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota) game breaker.
3. Ronnie Brown (Miami) sleeper - takes a lot of snaps in red zone in wildcat due to breakout.

Also, watch - Frank Gore in San Francisco.

Wide Receivers

1. Andre Johnson (Houston) some say sleeper, don't know how, but best in league right now.
2. DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia) Big play waiting to happen.
3. Greg Jennings (Green Bay ) budding superstar. Great Receivers in Indy & New Orleans but they spread the wealth.

Honorable mention - Chad Ochocinco.

Tight Ends

1. Jason Witten (Dallas) - Romo's safety blanket.
2. Brent Celek (Philadelphia) - Maybe Kolb's safety blanket, hard to bring down - maybe sleeper pick.
3. Antonio Gates (San Diego) - Big target in red zone. 3A - Dallas Clark (Indianapolis) cant go wrong with him.

Defenses & Special Teams

1. N.Y. Jets - very tough - Revis needs to be there.
2. Philadelphia - Bradley is key, Sims big year too.
3. Baltimore - Can pencil in every year.

Honorable mention - Cincinnati

Kickers

1. David Akers (Philadelphia) - Still alot of leg left.
2. Ryan Longwell (Minnesota) - Benefits from dome.
3. Garrett Hartley (New Orleans) - A lot of scoring down there.

Honorable mention - Adam Venitieiri (Indianapolis)

Next update:  Wednesday,  September 8th.

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