WEEK 15 NFL RECAP

I thought I would either excel or tank this past week, but as it turned out, I did neither.  Some of the big upsets went my way, while some others came as a big surprise, including the Chargers' win over the Broncos in Denver.

This Week:  9 - 7

Overall:  153 - 88 - 1

Thursday:

San Diego (6 - 7) 20 @ Denver (11 - 2) 31: San Diego stayed alive in the playoff chase, but just barely. Another loss and they're out due to a loss to Miami and a poor conference record. Stranger things have happened, so they just need to win out and see if that's enough. No. 27 - 20.

Sunday:

Washington (3 - 10) 24 @ Atlanta (3 - 10) 30: Really, Mike? You get a late score to stay alive and then go for two? I'm referring, of course, to Washington head coach Mike Shanahan. He looks like a guy that's really trying to get fired. Correct. 26 - 27.

Chicago (7 - 6) 27 @ Cleveland (4 - 9) 21: Chicago recovered from two Browns' defensive touchdowns to take a slim edge in the NFC North. Cutler shook off some early rust and ended up throwing for 365 yards against a pretty good defense. Correct. 38 - 31.

Houston (2 - 11) 23 @ Indianapolis (8 - 5) 31: The Texans played like a team that has very little to play for, except the end of the season and the golf course. The Colts are trying to round into playoff form. It's tough to say if they are because Texas didn't put up much of a challenge. Correct. 3 - 25.

New England (10 - 3) 24 @ Miami (7 - 6) 27: This time Tom Brady wasn't able to work a miracle after the Dolphins pulled ahead, leaving the future hall of famer over a minute on the clock. In the process, Miami stayed in playoff contention.  Correct. 20 - 24.

Philadelphia (8 - 5) 27 @ Minnesota (3 - 9 - 1) 24: This had to be one of the more baffling games of the season. The Eagles were in position to get a stranglehold on the NFC East and the Vikes were missing their top two running backs. Instead, with the game still in the balance, Philadelphia allowed Minnesota to steamroll them in the fourth quarter.  No. 30 - 48.

Seattle (11 - 2) 31 @ New York Giants (5 - 8) 20: The Giants looked like a team that already has an offseason cruise booked and the Seahawks looked like a team that's planning on being back in the Big Apple in February. Correct. 0 - 23.

San Francisco (9 - 4) 20 @ Tampa Bay (4 - 9) 24: This was easily my worst pick of the week. The Niners are getting back in form and even though the Bucs have played well recently, they didn't have enough for San Francisco.  No.  33 - 14.

Buffalo (4 - 9) 21 @ Jacksonville (4 - 9) 27: As I said in my pick, who really cares?  No. 27 - 20.

Kansas City (10 - 3) 23 @ Oakland (4 - 9) 24: Second worst pick of the week. What can I say?  No. 56 - 31.

New York Jets (6 - 7) 20 @ Carolina (9 - 4) 27: The Jets won't make the playoffs and the Panthers are getting ready for a huge game this week as they host the Saints for the NFC South lead. Correct. 20 - 30.

Green Bay (6 - 6 - 1) 27 @ Dallas (7 - 6) 31: If Jerry Jones doesn't clean house on the coaching staff after this debacle, he never will. The Cowboys already knew that the Eagles had lost, thus pulling even in the NFC East with a win.  Then after taking a 26 - 3 lead into the locker room at halftime, they inexplicably abandoned the running game.  No. 37 - 36.

Arizona (8 - 5) 28 @ Tennessee (5 - 8) 17: Although the Cardinals are currently on the outside looking in at the playoffs, we learned a lot about their toughness in this one. Now they get to head to Seattle and then host the 'Niners to end the season and possibly get into the postseason, but it will be difficult as none of the important tiebreakers go their way at the moment.  A huge task. Correct. 37 - 34 OT.

New Orleans (10 -3) 27 @ St. Louis (5 - 8) 30: The Rams made the Saints look ordinary, so I'm pretty sure Carolina's defensive staff will be taking a good look at the game film in preparation for their big showdown this week. Correct.  16 - 27.

Cincinnati (9 - 4) 20 @ Pittsburgh (5 - 8) 23: This may have been my best pick of the week. Cincinatti could have just about wrapped things up in the AFC North, but now they could be in trouble. Correct. 20 - 30.

Baltimore (7 - 6) 17 @ Detroit (7 - 6) 27: Oh, come on, a 61 yarder? Judging from that Raven defense, I wouldn't count out another deep playoff run, but only if QB Flacco gets back on target.  No. 18 - 16.