Michael Robinson (VIP Sports)

December 22, 2004

This article was written for, and is the exclusive property of VIP Sports

Week 15 selections started off on the wrong foot with the Steelers failing to cover against the woeful Giants. However, we finished with three straight wins for a 3-1 record for the week. The year to date record is now 29-32.

The first win was Carolina getting 3.5 points at Atlanta. The Panthers had won five straight games heading into this contest, and you knew it would be a smash mouth game. This was a back and forth game with Atlanta leading 24-10 after three quarters. Carolina stormed back with 21 unanswered points to take a 31-24 lead, but Atlanta and Michael Vick rallied in the last two minutes to pull out a 34-31 win.

The second win was Buffalo even at Cincinnati. Buffalo was the more motivated team in this game as they are still fighting to make the playoffs. It also helped that Cincinnati quarterback, Carson Palmer missed this game with a hamstring injury. This game was never really close as Buffalo blocked a punt for a touchdown and returned an interception for a touchdown, and cruised to a 33-17 win.

The third win was the Colts giving 7.5 points to Baltimore at home, and winning 20-10. The game was closer than the score indicates, but the Colts blocked a field goal and then had an interception late in the game to seal the win, and the cover. Colts’ quarterback, Peyton Manning only threw for one touchdown pass in the game meaning, he is still one behind Dan Marino’s single season mark.

The only loss of the week was Pittsburgh giving 10 points at the Giants. The Giants were playing awful football coming into this game, losers of six straight, and failing to cover the spread in any of them. In this game though, they got a 91 yard kick return for a touchdown to start the game and it seemed to ignite the crowd, and the team. The Giants played hard all game, but the Steelers still pulled out a 33-30 victory.

Oakland (+8) at Kansas City

Oakland’s 40-35 win over Tennessee last week helped them rebound from a dismal performance at Atlanta two weeks ago. Quarterback, Kerry Collins had his best game as a Raider with 371 yards passing and five touchdown passes. Wide receiver, Jerry Porter hauled in 148 of those yards and caught three touchdown passes.

Despite putting up 45 points, Oakland could only manage 57 yards rushing. Their defense also surrendered 492 yards passing to Titans backup quarterback, Billy Volek. If the Raiders do not do something to address their pass defense, Kansas City quarterback, Trent Green might throw for over 500 yards this week. 

Kansas City scored 45 points last week, but had a much easier victory with a 45-17 win against Denver. The win was especially sweet for the Chiefs, who severely dampened the playoff chances of their hated rival. The Chiefs have now won three straight games, and can finish at .500 if they win their last two.

The fact that the Chiefs have continued to play hard after starting 3-8 is a testament to their players and coaches. Running back, Larry Johnson was considered a first round bust as recently as four weeks ago, but he has come out of nowhere to rush for over 100 yards in the last three weeks subbing for Priest Holmes.

These two teams met three weeks ago in Oakland, with Kansas City winning 34-27 in a shootout. This will also be a high scoring game as evidenced by the Over / Under currently being at 59 points. Oakland’s win over Tennessee last week shows they haven’t tanked the season, but they still get blown out by two touchdowns on the road here.

Pick: Kansas City

Denver (-4) at Tennessee

Denver is now 8-6 after a 45-17 trampling at Kansas City. Denver needed the win in order to increase its playoff chances, but they are now tied with Buffalo, Jacksonville, and Baltimore for the last AFC Wild Card spot. If there is a four way tie between the teams, Jacksonville gets in, so Denver’s destiny is not even in their own hands.

The key for Denver in this game is to get the running game back up to speed, and Coach, Mike Shanahan has said that both Tatum Bell and Reuben Droughns are healthy enough to play. Quarterback, Jake Plummer is struggling as well with just two touchdowns and nine interceptions in his last four games.

Tennessee dropped to 4-10 after a 40-35 loss to Oakland. They have now lost four straight games. To make matters worse, running back, Chris Brown has joined quarterback, Steve McNair in being sidelined for the rest of the season. Antowain Smith should see most of the carries in Brown’s absence.

Despite all the injuries and the losses, there have been some bright spots for the Titans. Backup quarterback, Billy Volek, has thrown 17 touchdowns and just eight interceptions, and Drew Bennett leads the AFC in receiving yards. The team has also played hard every week when other teams would have just mailed it in.

This is the Saturday Night game which means that the Titans will have a nationally televised audience to themselves. Denver is really struggling coming into this game, and the local Denver media is beating them up pretty good. Denver might get a close win, but the play here is to take the points.

Pick: Tennessee

Atlanta (+4) at New Orleans

Atlanta (11-3) is coming off an exciting 34-31 win over Carolina at home. The Falcons needed a late comeback after blowing a two touchdown lead in the fourth quarter. The Falcons have sewn up a first round bye in the NFC playoffs, but can not catch Philadelphia for home field advantage throughout.

The big question surrounding the Carolina game was how the rushing attack would fare without injured running back, TJ Duckett. Warrick Dunn answered that question with 134 yards on 28 carries. The Falcons will again be without Duckett this week, and they will limit Dunn’s carries to keep him healthy.

New Orleans (6-8) dramatic 21-17 win at Tampa Bay last week means that they are still in the playoff hunt. The Saints were down 17-7 with under five minutes left before they rallied. New Orleans plays next week at Carolina and they own the tie-breaker against St. Louis (6-8), so they are in the playoffs if they win their last two games.

The Saints first priority in this game is to get running back, Deuce McAllister untracked. McAllister has only broken the 100 yard mark three times this season, after doing  it nine times last year. Quarterback, Aaron Brooks plays great in spurts, but he is too inconsistent to rely on his passing arm to win the game.

New Orleans is favored in this game, because the Falcons main incentive in this game is to stay healthy. Atlanta is already hurting at the running back position, and quarterback Michael Vick may sit completely for this game. New Orleans wins this game at home in the must win situation.

Pick: New Orleans

Philadelphia (+2.5) at St. Louis

Philadelphia improved their record to 13-1 after a lackluster 12-7 win at home against Dallas. The Eagles actually trailed for most of this game, but got a Dorsey Levens touchdown run with under two minutes left for the win. Quarterback, Donovan McNabb struggled in this game with two interceptions and a fumble.

The big news to come out of last week for Philadelphia was the injury to Terrell Owens. Owens sprained his ankle in the 3rd quarter against Dallas, and he is out until at least the Super Bowl. The Eagles may rest even more of their players in this game, as they have already clinched home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

St. Louis’ (6-8) freefall continued last week with a embarrassing 31-7 loss at Arizona. Despite the loss, the Rams are only one game behind Seattle in the NFC West division, and they won the tie-breaker by virtue of beating the Seahawks twice this season. The Rams are also alive for the final Wild Card spot in the NFC. 

There is some good news in this game for St. Louis. Quarterback, Marc Bulger’s bruised right shoulder should be healthy enough to start.  They also hope to have running back Steven Jackson back from a knee injury, which will take some of the pressure off Marshall Faulk, who is also banged up with a knee injury.

The Rams are 2-6 in their last eight games, but still have a great chance to make it into the playoffs in the pathetic the NFC conference. This is the Monday Night game, and the Rams will have a great crowd to help their team jump started. Give the points against a Philadelphia team that has nothing to play for.  

Pick: St. Louis