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Picks appear in bold.

Chicago at Houston (2.5)
The Bears need this game, and help from the Giants, in order to win the NFC North. Unfortunately, the Texans are a very good home team and will want to prove something after their dismal performance in Oakland last week.

St. Louis at Atlanta (-14)
I know that's a lot of points, but the Falcons are still hoping to enter the postseason with the second-seed and a bye week in the NFC. Couple that with the Rams simply wanting to be put out of their misery and you've got the makings for an ugly game.

Detroit (+11) at Green Bay
It seemed as though Dan Orlovsky and the rest of the Lions were almost in tears during their interviews this week. No professional athlete should have to experience what they have, so I'll be rooting for them. I would love to say that the Lions are going to win this game, but I just don't see it happening. They'll make it close, though.

New York Giants (+7) at Minnesota
I know this game doesn't mean much to the Giants and they'll rest their ailing players, but I think they're deep enough to give Vikings all they can handle.

Carolina (-2.5) at New Orleans
Well, this is the last chance for a visiting team to win a game between NFC South opponents. I like the Panthers because they still have something to play for and it looks as though neither Jeremy Shockey nor Pierre Thomas will play.

Cleveland at Pittsburgh (-10.5)
Bruce Gradkowski will be the fourth starting quarterback for the Browns this year and that's pretty much the only reason I need, isn't it?

New England (-5.5) at Buffalo
The Patriots are an experienced team that knows how to put a game away. I don't think it will be enough, but they'll hold up their end of the bargain in trying to secure a playoff berth.

Oakland (+13.5) at Tampa Bay
Don't get me wrong, the Bucs are going to win this game, but I don't see it being quite as lopsided as Vegas thinks. Tampa just isn't playing well enough to beat anyone by two touchdowns right now.

Tennessee (-3) at Indianapolis
This game is a pretty tough call, but I know one thing: in the last game of the past four or five seasons, we find out just how much Peyton Manning means to the Colts. The offense just doesn't look the same with Jim Sorgi at the helm - go figure.

Kansas City (+3) at Cincinnati
Sorry, just not going to waste my time.

Dallas at Philadelphia (-1.5)
I can't explain it, but for the last month I've thought that if the Cowboys; postseason fate came down to this game, they'll lose. As you can see, I still feel that way.

Jacksonville at Baltimore (-11.5)
I was surprised to hear how many of my colleagues weren't aware that there's a scenario in which the Ravens wouldn't make the playoffs. Albeit an unlikely one, I don't see John Harbaugh taking too many chances.

Miami (+3) at New York Jets
I've had a similar feeling about this game as the Cowboys-Eagles tilt and I'm not about to back off of it. Right now, the Dolphins are playing well and winning, while the Jets are staggering to the finish line.

Seattle at Arizona (-4.5)
The Seahawks will play hard in Mike Holmgren's last game on the sidelines (for now, anyways), but it won't be enough as the Cardinals are tired of hearing about how they don't deserve to be in the playoffs.

Washington at San Francisco (-3)
Maybe I'm just drinking the "Mike Singletary Kool-Aid", but the 49ers are a much different team than they were just five weeks ago. They're playing with confidence and purpose. The Redskins, on the other hand, are not.

Denver (+9) at San Diego
I realize that the Broncos are on a slide and the Chargers have come back from the dead to make this interesting, but a nine point spread is simply ridiculous in my opinion. I like San Diego to win, but I certainly can't see it being in blowout fashion. Then again, the inconsistency which has characterized both of these teams this year makes me think we shouldn't make any assumptions.

Last Week: 7-9
Season: 122-113-5