1) Jets +9 @ Steelers

JUSTIFICATION: The Steelers will be well rested and chomping at the bit for this game to start. The Jets have to consider themselves to be lucky coming away from last week's game with San Diego with a win. The reason I'm not going with the Steelers to cover is that QB Roethlesberger struggled a bit down the stretch. Granted, the Steelers still won these games but he was not playing the lights out football he did early on. Now, with the added pressure of the playoffs and a win or go home situation, I think he will struggle just enough to allow the Jets to cover the spread. The Jets defense was able to shut down the Chargers who had a QB in a very similar situation last week. Nine points is just a bit too rich for my blood in this game.


2) Rams +7 @ Falcons

JUSTIFICATION: I have not been on the Falcons bandwagon all year long and am not going to jump on now. They have played very well and won a bunch of really close games. Their defense has improved dramatically over last season and they could force QB Bulger into some bad decisions. But, their offense lives and dies by how well QB Vick plays. If he is on, the Falcons win easily, if he is off, the defense will have to win the game for them.  With the Rams juggernaut clicking on all cylinders right now, I think that will be a tough order. I'm taking the points and might even place a small side wager on the money line.


3) Eagles -9 1/2 vs. Vikings

JUSTIFICATION: The Vikings pulled a shocker last week in Green Bay. The defense played superbly by picking QB Favre four times. They won't be the beneficiaries of such good fortune this week. The Eagles took the last two weeks of the regular season off and then had a bye week. They have had all kinds of time to work on ways to exploit a weak Vikings defense. I expect the Eagles to come out firing and deliver a knockout blow to the Vikes early and often. A first half play on the Eagles -6 seems like a great play too.


4) Colts +2 @ Patriots

JUSTIFICATION: In what could be a shocker, I expect the Colts to win this game straight up. The Colts defense, much maligned at the beginning of the season, has improved dramatically over the last third of the season. The Colts offense needs no further explanation, they are playing at an unprecedented level. The Patriots have won despite using duct tape and bailing wire to keep their secondary together. They have been able to beat some teams with less that superb passing attacks but the real test will be this week. With the improvement in the Colts' defense and the weakness that exists in the Pats secondary, not even HC Beliceck's ability to scheme will be enough to overcome their deficiencies this week. Colts straight up.


Don Pinchin
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