NFL WEEK 15 PICKS UPDATE

Not a bad week, going 14 - 2 after a frustrating 8 - 8 the week before. I wanted to go with the Bills, but just couldn't make myself count on their offense to produce points. Of course, had Jordy Nelson been able to hold on to a sure touchdown catch, the result might have been different. Without any real upsets, several teams were able to clinch playoff berths, but home field is still up for grabs in both conferences, as well as a number of divisions. Perhaps the most compelling race, despite the lousy records of the teams involved, in the NFC South, where 6 - 8 New Orleans sits on top. But 5 - 8 - 1 Carolina and 5 - 9 Atlanta are still in contention. It's just a shame that a deserving team will get left out of the playoffs while a bad team will be hosting a game. The other three team race is in the AFC North, where Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Baltimore are in a dogfight that will most likely go down to the wire.

Last Week:           14 - 2        .875
Overall:            145 - 79 - 1  .647

Arizona (10 - 3) 16 @ St. Louis (6 - 7) 23:  No. The Cardinals are really doing it with mirrors, at least offensively. they're down to a third stringer, and still maintaining the top spot in the NFC. Next up, Seattle. How do say BIG GAME? Arizona 12 - 6.

Pittsburgh (8 - 5) 37 @ Atlanta (5 - 8) 31: Correct. Atlanta fell to 5 - 9, yet still control their own destiny in the NFC South.  Pittsburgh 27 - 20.

Washington (3 - 10) 21 @ New York Giants (4 - 9) 31: Correct.  There's way to much dysfunction in Washington. Now RGIII is back at the helm, as ineffective as ever.  New York Giants 24 - 13.

Miami (7 - 6) 24 @ New England (10 - 3) 27: Correct. The Pats solidified themselves as the class of the AFC, but still need to keep winning to make sure the playoffs go through Gillette Stadium. New England 41 - 13.

Oakland (2 - 11) 20 @ Kansas City (7 - 6) 23: Correct. The Chiefs kept their very slim playoff hopes alive, while Oakland, well, whatever... Kansas City 31 - 13.

Houston (7 - 6) 24 @ Indianapolis (9 - 4) 30: Correct. The Colts defense had to step up, and they did.  Indianapolis 17 - 10.

Jacksonville (2 - 11) 16 @ Baltimore (8 - 5) 27:Correct. Jacksonville could be a darkhorse for the future. As bad as their record is, it's a young team that will only get better with experience. Baltimore 20 - 12.

Green Bay (10 - 3) 24 @ Buffalo (7 - 6) 21: No. In back to back weeks the Bills took on Manning and Rodgers and didn't allow a TD pass from either of them. Buffalo probably won't make the playoffs, but if they do happen to make it in, watch out.  Buffalo 21 - 13.

Tampa Bay (2 - 11) 20 @ Carolina (4 - 8 -1) 21: Correct. The Panthers don't control their own destiny in the terrible, woeful, pathetic, bad (pick your own adjective), but two more wins could put them over the top. Carolina 19 -17.

Cincinnati (8 - 4 - 1) 27 @ Cleveland (7 - 6) 24: Correct. Well, Johnny, welcome to the NFL. The Bengals made Manziel look just like what he is: a one dimensional rookie QB in way over his head. What was Cleveland thinking? Cincinnati 30 - 0.

New York Jets (2 - 11) 23 @ Tennessee (2 - 11) 20: Correct. I doubt anyone really cares about this one. The Jets have had some tough losses, so I think they either win big or get blown out. I'll take the blowout. New York Jets 16 - 11,

Denver (10 - 3) 28 @ San Diego (8 - 5) 27: Correct. Can it be that Denver has a different formula for making it to the Super Bowl this season? Could it be that Peyton Manning doesn't have to do everything? It's possible, especially if the Pats get upset in the next couple of weeks and the Broncos secure home field. Denver 22 - 10.

Minnesota (6 - 7) 13 @ Detroit (9 - 4) 27 : Correct. This is one of those games the Lions would have lost in past years, diminishing their playoff hopes. But maybe, just maybe this season is different in the Motor City. We're likely to find out in Lambeau on the last day of the season.  Detroit 16 - 14.

San Francisco (7 - 6)  14 @ Seattle (9 - 4) 20: Correct. Can the Seahawks manhandle a team led by their third string QB to eke out a division title and maybe home field in the NFC? With that defense, anything is possible. Seattle 17 - 7.

Dallas (9 - 4) 30 @ Philadelphia (9 - 4) 28: Correct. Don't look now, but the 'Boys are poised for a playoff run. No team has ever played a Super Bowl in their home stadium. Could Jerry Jones be working some historical magic in North Texas?  Dallas 38 - 27.

New Orleans (5 - 8) 34 @ Chicago (5 - 8) 30: Correct. I actually wasted the time to watch this game, albeit in sped up mode on my DVR. Jay Cutler is taking the heat for a lot of other problems with the Bears. New Orleans 31 - 15.