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?