The stretch run

These December games are the ones that truly matter. The ones that seperate the pretenders from the contenders. The ones that can push a team over the top and into the playoffs and ones that can ruin seasons. This is the best kind of football. Not the games when it's still t-shirt weather, these are the games that the true fans and players suffer through. This IS football (except if you're watching Miami play, who even knows what they're doing any more.)

Cowboys (-10.5) at LIONS

Without Roy Williams (Lions WR) in Detroit's lineup, we, the public are being deprieved of a possible crippling hit by Roy Williams (Cowboys safety) on Roy Williams (Lions WR). The Lions are free falling right now and have no running game. But I still remember Detroit beating Dallas last year which makes me fret slightly. But on slightly.

BILLS (-7) over Dolphins

The Dolphins are not beating Trent Edwards at home. This guy is only getting better week by week.

Giants (+2.5) over EAGLES

I know I'm picking Elisha Manning on the road but I firmly believe that McNabb has a better chance of being booed off the field then the Giants' QB.

Panthers (+10.5) over JAGUARS

If the Panthers weren't sandwiched in between the Colts and the Steelers on Jacksonville's schedule, I would take the Jags.

Chargers (pick) over TITANS

Still don't like this Titan team and still think Vince Young is due for an injury.

BENGALS (-7) over Rams

Brook Berlin may get some playing time for St. Louis at quarterback. Is that not enough for you? It is for me and this game is featuring two teams of fantasy wash-ups.

Raiders (+10.5) over PACKERS

Favre's going to be playing in a bit of pain and the cold of Lambeau isn't really going to help. The Pack should win but the Raiders should cover.

PATRIOTS (-10.5) over Steelers

I think that after that thrilling win over Baltimore (who basically just kept on shooting themselves in the feet at the end) that the Pats will come out big at home knowing the can relax the next two weeks with the Jets and Dolphins on the schedule.

Bucs (-3) over TEXANS

These Buccaneers just plan win. They probably won't when they face the Vikings in the playoffs but this week they will.

Cardinals (+7) over SEAHAWKS

I really need Kurt Warner to play his heart out this week for my fantasy team. And even though Seattle is really tough to play at, seven points feels like too much.

Vikings (-8.5) over NINERS

The 49ers are awful and the Vikings are peaking at the perfect time.

Browns (-3.5) over JETS

The Jets are all proud of themselves after pounding the Dolphins; the Browns are upset after a tough loss on a tough call to end last week's game. Can you really see the Jets coming out on top in this one?

BRONCOS (-6.5) over Chiefs

With Brandon Stokley and Javon Walker coming back this week, Jay Cutler may actually be able to elevate his game. The Chiefs are still down Larry Johnson but I must say that Kolby Smith is doing better than I expected. There's still Brodie Croyle on the road though...

Colts (-9) over RAVENS

Every one's going to think the Ravens are better than they truly are after challenging New England last week. This will be a huge letdown for any expecting that kind of Raven effort again.

FALCONS (+4) over Saints

How Atlanta gets two Monday Night Football games at home in one season I just don't know. It had to have been something to do with schedules being made before arraignments being made on star quarterbacks. Since Reggie Bush isn't likely to play in this one, it's hard to take this year's Saints, even if the Falcons suck out loud.

This week: 0-1
Last week: 8-7
This season: 86-82-9

Collins saves the 'skins

After watching Jason Campbell getting carted off the field with a leg injury, the ball was put in the hands of Todd Collins. Campbell was hit when he got a pass off and his knee buckled awkwardly under the pressure of the three defenders hitting him. It looked like the type of injury that could ruin a season and it was. After having his leg examined, it's been reported that he dislocated his patella. It isn't incredibly serious, but would the Skins really want to rush him back when they have little to no shot at the playoffs? I wouldn't.

Campbell had previously come out of the game after getting hit in the arm by a defender's helmet while being driven out of bounds as well.

Apparently, Washington were also playing without having held a full practice before the game as well, putting them at a significant disadvantage. Coupled with the funeral of Sean Taylor, this was an improbably win in my eyes.

Oh, and Rex Grossman was injured as well but it doesn't really matter who's quarterbacking the Bears. He and Brian Griese leave a lot to be desired behind center.

This week: 0-1
Last week: 8-7
This season: 86-82-9

Too soon, too soon.

Are the Redskins and Bears really playing today? These Thursday night games are going to start getting preposterous. With what the Redskins went through the over the past week or so with Sean Taylor’s murder then funeral and losing that close game with the Bills, there’s no way they can be up for this tilt.

Bears (+3) over REDSKINS

It’s become fairly apparent that Joe Gibbs doesn’t really know what he’s doing any more as evidenced by his two time outs in row call that ultimately lost the game for his team. If he’s that bad at coaching, are we right to assume he’ll kick the ball right at Devin Hester?

As for Hester, when he was on offence against Buffalo on Sunday, he got the ball twice and came out with a total of minus-three yards. Looks like his abilities are just on special teams.

And I don’t think too many people will be clamouring over not having the NFL network for this tilt.

Last week: 8-7
This Season: 86-81-9

Where the flu happens

Poor Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum, two of the Lakers core guys this season, are both suffering from the flu. Now, while the average man would call in sick for work (like Bynum did, getting IVs at a hospital instead of playing at Minnesota) Kobe Bryant led his team to victory. Who said this guy isn’t dedicated to Los Angeles? After seeing something like that happen, I’m very confident I’ll be seeing him play when he visits in February.

Poor Stephon Marbury. Surrounded by controversy more often than not, he now has to deal with the death of his father. The senior Marbury even died during a Knicks game while his son was on the court, then Stephon was not informed of his death until after the game. I would think you’d have to tell a guy if something like that happened no matter when it did. Also, the Knicks are hoping Starbury’s still going to be in their line up tonight. How about a little down time for mourning?

The Tigers are stacked

The might have dealt a ton of prospects but bringing two young studs — even if one is coming off a poor season — is well worth it. It might not be a deal for Johan Santana (which makes no sense at all for the Twins by the way) but reeling in the arguably two best Marlins is a powerful move. Watch out American League, Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis are now Tigers.

Cabrera, who is only 24 years old, has driven in over 100 runs in each of the past three seasons and is a perennial all-star. He's one of, if not the best young third-basemen in the majors. Incumbent Tigers 3B Brandon Inge should start packing up his stuff right now, there's no way he'll be sitting on the Tigers' bench earning about $6-million per season.

Then there's Willis, who is coming off a bad season but still has great upside as proven by his all-star appearance. While it is harder for pitchers in the American League than the National League with the DH, better opposition and all, Willis could do very well for himself. Why? because his awkward, eccentric delivery style will cause some hitters to be baffled. He may not be a fantasy sleeper because of his past but I would not mind grabbing him a round or two earlier than he perhaps should go.

Going to the Marlins are a bunch of quality young players and prospects who will help Florida down the line. In short, about two or three years from Florida might be playing in the post-season again with some of the guys from this deal in starring roles. Of course, the team could be playing out of Vegas by then but who knows?

If you want the new Marlins names: Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller, Mike Rabelo, Eulogio De La Cruz, Dallas Trehern and Burke Badenhop.

As for the Santana saga, why do the Twins want rid of him so badly? They still have him for another year under contract so why not at least hold onto him until the trade deadline? After letting star CF Torrii Hunter walk away in free agency, why give away the best pitcher in the world? And what the Yankees and Red Sox were offering wasn't anything close to what I would want in return for him. Minnesota is right to demand more than two top prospects and a third "mid-level" one. There has to be more in the deal for a Cy Young winner.

Also, it's been brought up that Minnesota is getting a new stadium in two years time. Why would they want to open up a new ball-park without one of their franchises all-time stars? They should keep on trying to resign him and if there's an impasse in talks, up the asking price for trade suitors.

I'd say the same thing to Oakland over Dan Haren and Baltimore over Eric Bedard: If you're not getting value back, don't even think about moving those arms. It makes no sense to deal a proven all-star game starter (Haren) or a stud lefty (Bedard) for a discount.

Ugh...

Well that was close, but you could tell as soon as the Patriots got the ball back after the Ravens went up that New England would pull out a win. In fact, I wrote that sentence with six minutes left in the game and Brady driving down by four.

It seems like either New England's been figured out by two vastly inferior teams two weeks in a row or something's wrong. It is looking very much like they are beatable now. I'm also not so certain about betting on them and those huge lines they're giving every week any more.

And what a finish. Everyone will be talking about how the Pats two-minute drill went down for at least a week. Let's hope Pittsburgh was watching and taking notes.

Ugh, I feel almost sick writing about this game. In my mind it's a shame it ended how it did. I'd be a lot more up for the entire turn of events if Boller throws the ball three yards further or his receiver twists into the end-zone instead of being tackled. It would also be fun to have an all-caps "PATRIOTS LOSE!" head-line.

Lastly, props to Willis McGahee on his huge game. I've long been a Willis supporter and it makes me proud to say so after having such a good game.

This week: 8-7
This season: 86-82-9

Sean Taylor greatly missed

In perhaps the most oddest, sad and fitting turn of events in the Bills-Redskins game, the first game for Washington after the murder of Sean Taylor, the 'skins D lined up for their first play with only 10 men on the field. In fact, the only position not accounted for was Taylor's free safety spot. It was a touching moment since it was planned but then again, Bills running-back Fred Jackson did run for 22 yards. Reed Doughty, the Redskin's new starting safety came in on the next play and made a tackle.

The end of the game was quite wacky as well. With seconds left on the clock, the Bills lined up for a field goal attempt that was put through by Rian Lindell. But, of course, Washington coach Joe Gibbs called time out at the last second. Lindell lined up again, put it through, but again Gibbs had called timeout, which is actually against the rules. The ball was moved up 15 yards for a 36-yard attempt and yet again, Rian Lindell put it through, winning the game 17-16 for the Bills.

The Colts showed the Jaguars how it's done, beating their division rival 28-25 to take a two-game lead in the AFC South. Manning was great despite the continued absence of his number one target Marvin Harrison. He even connected on four TD passes in the victory. When Harrison does return, this team will be an absolute force. Also, like I said, David Garrard's interception-less streak came to an end in the loss.

In further reverse-jinx news, after bringing up that Carolina hasn't won at home in like a year, they toppled the awful 49ers. Is there anybody left on the "Niners are going to be good this season" band wagon? If there is, they probably just fell asleep while watching the team play.

The Dolphins are still winless. Are you surprised? If I was on that "underdog" Jets team I would've been fired up by having experts giving me point against a winless team, regardless if Miami was at home. And do they give away paper bags for the 'Fins fans at the gates or did everyone just bring their own?

Adrian Peterson's back and he's at his best too. The rookie of the year in waiting scored twice in the Vikings blow out of Lions. What happened to Kitna's crew? Have they just regressed to Detroit standards or has Mike Martz's offence been figured out?

I told you A.J. Feeley wasn't the answer... Maybe Kevin Kolb is...

Is there something wrong with Big Ben? It seemed like every time he threw last night the receivers needed to jump to haul in the passes. It didn't seem to matter though as the Steelers trumped the Bengals.

And finally, LDT is showing why he was the consensus number one fantasy pick at the beginning of the year. It's too bad the Chargers can't play the Chiefs every week of the season. San Diego is now at the top of the AFC west but who really thinks these guys will win a single game in the playoffs? I certainly don't.

This Week: 8-6 (With the Patriots tonight)
This Season: 86-81-9