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By Mike Ivcic, UltimateCapper Contributing Writer
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Arizona Cardinals @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Sun, 1pm, FOX
Line: Cardinals by 7
If Arizona wants to remain a legitimate contender in the NFC playoff race – and at 5-4, they actually are legitimate contenders – then this is a game they must win. I think they do, but I’m not sure about a 7-point spread on the road for a team I only picked to win 5 games this year.
Pick: Arizona 24, Jacksonville 20
Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sun, 1pm, FOX
Line: Falcons by 1.5
Can Greg Schiano and the Bucs keep the momentum alive? On a short week, even at home, I can’t see Mike Glennon outplaying Matt Ryan, even in a horrible year for the Falcons.
Pick: Atlanta 27, Tampa Bay 20
Baltimore Ravens @ Chicago Bears
Sun, 1pm, CBS
Line: Bears by 3
Talk about a huge game for both teams. Chicago’s a game back of Detroit and has already lost twice to the Lions, so they can’t afford any more setbacks, even in a non-conference matchup. Baltimore, meanwhile, plays a tough road game in a week where either the Bengals or the Browns are guaranteed to win, so it’s incumbent on the Ravens to keep pace. They’ve struggled on the road this year, though (1-4), so I like the Bears here.
Pick: Chicago 30, Baltimore 24
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
Sun, 1pm, CBS
Line: Bengals by 5.5
For a full preview, click here. Too big of a line, though.
Pick: Cincinnati 23, Cleveland 20
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Detroit Lions @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Sun, 1pm, FOX
New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills
Sun, 1pm, CBS
Oakland Raiders @ Houston Texans
Sun, 1pm, CBS
Washington Redskins @ Philadelphia Eagles
Sun, 1pm, FOX
Line: Eagles by 3.5
For a full preview, click here. I just can’t imagine the Eagles continuing to lose at home.
Pick: Philadelphia 37, Washington 28
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San Diego Chargers @ Miami Dolphins
Sun, 4:05pm, CBS
Green Bay Packers @ New York Giants
Sun, 4:25pm, FOX
Line: Giants by 5
I know the Packers are playing their 20th-string QB, but Scott Tolzein played well last week in emergency duty and now has a week to prepare where he knows he’ll be the starter. I think the Packers give the Giants a good hard fight, and while they may come up short in the end, I feel comfortable that it will be a field-goal-type game.
Pick: New York 24, Green Bay 21
Minnesota Vikings @ Seattle Seahawks
Sun, 4:25pm, FOX
Line: Seahawks by 12.5
The Seahawks haven’t been super-impressive recently. What cures that? A visit from the lowly Vikings.
Pick: Seattle 33, Minnesota 14
San Francisco 49’ers @ New Orleans Saints
Sun, 4:25pm, FOX
Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos
Sun, 8:20pm, NBC
Line: Broncos by 8
For a full preview, click here. Peyton’s already lost once in primetime, it won’t happen again.
Pick: Denver 27, Kansas City 17
New England Patriots @ Carolina Panthers
Mon, 8:30pm, ESPN
Line: Panthers by 2.5
The Jets may put some pressure on New England if they beat Buffalo, but I don’t see the Patriots surrendering their AFC East lead. Meanwhile the Panthers still have both meetings with the Saints still ahead and there’s a chance they could be playing for a tie of the NFC South lead on Monday night. They’re at home, they’re coming off a big win in San Fran last week, and they have no guarantee of a playoff spot without winning the division. There are three major factors in play for betting this game – when in doubt, always take the more desperate team, the home team, and the favorite. Carolina is all three.
Pick: Carolina 24, New England 21
Straight-Up: 86-49
Against Spread: 65-67-3
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