NFL: 2009 Wild Card Predictions

Week 17 Performance: 12-4
2008/2009 Performance: 154-101 (Excludes Eagles/Bengals tie)

Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Falcons

The red birds are at home and they have a good offense. But their defense gave the Broncos a defense a run for their money for the worst defense in the league.

Outcome: Cardinals 30 Falcons 24 - Falcons cannot run the ball against the Cardinals terrible defense.

Indianapolis Colts @ San Diego Chargers

Pick: Chargers

Following the Chargers Week 12 23-20 last second loss to the Colts, QB Phillip Rivers said they were the only 4-7 team with a chance of making the playoffs. Still, that was probably more of a shot against the Broncos than a strong belief in his team.

Both teams are hot as the Chargers have went 4-1 since and the Colts have won nine in a row. Despite that impressive streak, the Colts have not dominated the competition. Expect a fun game for Chargers fans!

Outcome: Chargers 23 Colts 17 - Another chapter added to Chargers/Colts rivalry; Sproles comes up big while LT sits.

Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins

Pick: Ravens

The Ravens are not a dominant defense, but they are among the best and the Dolphins trick plays and wildcat offense may not be enough.

Outcome: Ravens 27 Dolphins 9 - Dolphins become latest victim of Ravens' defense.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Eagles

The Vikings are formidable at home. However, a Philadelphia talk show host called the Vikings offense one dimensional, referring to their reliance on Adrian Peterson and inept play a QB. But it is one thing to know it and another thing to stop it. The Vikings won 10 of their last 14 games with teams knowing that. Still the Eagles are a hot team and clicking on all cylinders.

Outcome: Eagles 26 Vikings 14 - No surprises, A 71-yard screen TD pass to Brian Westbrook and bad play by QB Tavaris Jackson make the difference.

Picture: The Grain Belt Beer sign is a landmark, located on Nicollet Island off of banks of the Mississippi River, north of downtown Minneapolis. The sign is within walking distance of the Metro Dome.

At Grain Belt's peak, the sign lit up every night. Now owned by the city, the sign is still occasionally lit to commemorate the Minneapolis Brewery Company's history that went back to the 19th century. The sign itself was built circa 1940.

NFL: 2008 Week 17 Predictions

Week 16 Performance: 5-11
Overall Performance: 142-97

Detroit Lions (0-15) @ Green Bay Packers (5-10)

Pick: Packers

Forget all the games with playoff implications, this is the game of the day! The Lions seek to avoid the infamy of going undefeated.

Outcome: Packers 31 Lions 21 - Lions finish first 0-16 season.

Miami Dolphins (10-5) @ New York Jets (9-6)

Pick: Jets

The Dolphins are a media darling because of Bill Parcels and the wild cat offense and turning around from the 1-15 season last year. Then there is the Chad Pennington getting revenge on the Jets for replacing him with Brett Favre story. That is all noise. At the end of the day, Brett Favre, the Waco Kid and his Jets will look to take care of business on their home field.

Outcome: Dolphins 24 Jets 17 - Pennington gets his revenge; Dolphins make the playoffs, Jets out.

Denver Broncos (8-7) @ San Diego Chargers (7-8)

Pick: Broncos

The Broncos could become the first team since division play started in 1967 to not make the playoffs after being up three games with three weeks to go. But Chargers, do us all a favor and do not give us that 'everyone wrote us off' crap.

Outcome: Chargers 52 Broncos 21 - Justice is served. League's worst defense not in the playoffs as Broncos complete monumental collapse.

St. Louis Rams (2-13) @ Atlanta Falcons (10-5)

Pick: Falcons

The Falcons will want to win to ensure a home playoff game in the first round.

Outcome: Falcons 31 Rams 27 - Falcons get 11th win, not home field advantage in Wild Card round against eight win Cardinals.

New England Patriots (10-5) @ Buffalo Bills (7-8)

Pick: Bills

Shots Heard is sticking to the idea that the Bills love .500. The Patriots are due for a let down anyways.

Outcome: Pats 13 Bills 0 - Pats pitch a shutout but lose tiebreakers with Dolphins, Ravens and do not make the playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs (2-13) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-11-1)

Pick: Bengals

The Bengals have been showing a little pride lately.

Outcome: Bengals 16 Chiefs 6 - Chiefs finish with worst record in AFC.

Chicago Bears (9-6) @ Houston Texans (7-8)

Pick: Bears

The Bears last game of the season is in sunny Houston. I am depressed.

Outcome: Texans 31 Bears 24 - Texans finish at .500, Bears miss playoffs.

Tennessee Titans (13-2) @ Indianapolis Colts (11-4)

Pick: Colts

Despite their records, you will not find a more boring game as these teams look to rest their starters before the playoffs.

Outcome: Colts 23 Titans 0 - Titans finish season on a whimper in an otherwise meaningless game.

New York Giants (12-3) @ Minnesota Vikings (9-6)

Pick: Vikings

Do not expect the Giants to lay down and die. This is a team that likes to test themselves always.

Outcome: Vikings 20 Giants 19 - A Giant victory for the Vikings.

Carolina Panthers (11-4) @ New Orleans Saints (8-7)

Pick: Panthers

The Saints are battered and playing for a winning season is probably not enough consolation for them.

Outcome: Panthers 33 Saints 31 - Panthers earn first round bye.

Cleveland Browns (4-11) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4)

Pick: Steelers

This should be an ugly 60 minutes of football.

Outcome: Steelers 31 Browns 0 - Steelers win big but its the browns that deliver a blow.

Oakland Raiders (4-11) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6)

Pick: Bucs

Don't worry about the 2002 Super Bowl revenge angle because the Raiders do not care about it either. That is ancient history.

Outcome: Raiders 31 Bucs 24 - Bucs lose fourth in a row and complete biggest collapse in franchise history.

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10) @ Baltimore Ravens (10-5)

Pick: Ravens

If the Ravens are smart they will use this game to stay sharp. They are not good enough to worry about rest.

Outcome: Ravens 27 Jags 7 - Ravens make playoffs, Pats knocked out.

Dallas Cowboys (9-6) @ Philadelphia Eagles (8-6-1)

Pick: Eagles

Last week it was the Eagles that controlled their own destiny. This week it is the Cowboys that control their own destiny. Controlling one's destiny is an illusive concept.

Outcome: Eagles 44 Cowboys 6 - Cowboys get blownout and pwned in do or die game against the Eagles.

Washington Redskins (7-8) @ San Francisco 49ers (6-9)

Pick: 49ers

Two teams that are looking to make making the playoffs next season their New Years resolution.

Outcome: 49ers 27 Redskins 24 - Singletary kept on as 49ers coach.

Seattle Seahawks (4-11) @ Arizona Cardinals (9-7)

Pick: Cardinals

The Cardinals will look to get sharper heading into the playoffs

Outcome: Cardinals 34 Seahawks 21 - Cardinals take over the game in the 3rd quarter.

Picture: Snowy Lambeau Field bleachers

NFL: 2008 Week 16 Predictions

Week 15 Performance: 12-4
Overall Performance: 137-86

New York Giants (11-3) @ Carolina Panthers (11-3)

Pick: Panthers

Home field advantage in the playoffs is on the line and this is the best football match-up of the season. The two best teams are playing each other. We will see if this game can live up to the hype.

Outcome: Giants 34 Panthers 28 - Giants beat Panthers in OT to take top spot in NFC.

Prediction/Outcome Note (Jan. 6, 2009): Should the Giants and Panthers win their Division playoff games, this game will have decided home field advantage for the Giants over the Panthers in the 2009 NFC Conference Finals.

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) @ Tennessee Titans (12-2)

Pick: Steelers

The Steelers have won a lot of tough close games.

Outcome: Titans 31 Steelers 14 - Titans clinch top spot in AFC.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-11-1) @ Cleveland Browns (4-10)

Pick: Browns

If the Bengals lose they will be 0-8 on the road.

Outcome: Bengals 14 Browns 0 - An Ohio brownout.

New Orleans Saints (7-7) @ Detroit Lions (0-14)

Pick: Lions

The Lions have been getting better, while the Saints are now officially a disappointment even if they beat the Lions.

Outcome: Saints 42 Lions 7 - Saints go to Detroit and handily put Lions one loss a way from first 0-16 season in NFL history.

Miami Dolphins (9-5) @ Kansas City Chiefs (2-12)

Pick: Chiefs

This is our upset pick of the week. Somehow I typed the Chiefs when I meant to type the Dolphins and I decided to keep it and roll the dice.

Outcome: Dolphins 38 Chiefs 31 - Dolphins prevail in high scoring game.

Baltimore Ravens (9-5) @ Dallas Cowboys (9-5)

Pick: Cowboys

The Ravens defensive prowess is inflated due to the lackluster offenses they have played against.

Outcome: Ravens 33 Cowboys 24 - Ravens celebrate the end of Texas Stadium.

Arizona Cardinals (8-6) @ New England Patriots (9-5)

Pick: Patriots

The Cardinals called in personal time ever since they clinched a playoff spot; and their defense is terrible.

Outcome: Patriots 47 Cardinals 7 - Cardinals defense is anemic in loss to Pats

Indianapolis Colts (10-4) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (5-9)

Pick: Colts

This game features two teams going in opposite directions. Hey that's pretty good that Shots Heard did not use that clique until the 16th week.

Outcome: Colts 31 Jags 24 - Manning completes his first 17 passes.

San Francisco 49ers (5-9) @ St. Louis Rams (2-12)

Pick: 49ers

The Rams are a semi-pro team.

Outcome: 49ers 17 Rams 16 - Rams blow 13 point lead.

San Diego Chargers (6-8) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5)

Pick: Bucs

The Chargers have looked bad in the face of adversity this year. Playing against the Bucs, who are undefeated at home, does not suit the Chargers. The Chargers need a win and Broncos loss to keep their playoff hopes alive. But the Bucs need a win to keep their playoff hopes burning bright.

Outcome: Chargers 41 Bucs 24 - Chargers set-up winner take all game with Broncos; Bucs take step back.

Buffalo Bills (6-8) @ Denver Broncos (8-6)

Pick: Bills

For some warped reason, the Bills seem to feel happy about their season if they end at .500.

Outcome: Bills 30 Broncos 23 - Broncos unable to seal the deal at home against a team that lost eight of their last ten games.

Houston Texans (7-7) @ Oakland Raiders (3-10)

Pick: Texans

As usual, the Texans are a better second half team.

Outcome: Raiders 27 Texans 16 - Raiders ruin Texans chance of winning season.

New York Jets (9-5) @ Seattle Seahawks (3-11)

Pick: Jets

The Jets have to worry that the Seahawks will be playing for pride and show up.

Outcome: Seahawks 13 Jets 3 - Seahawks give Jets snowy surprise.

Atlanta Falcons (9-5) @ Minnesota Vikings (9-5)

Pick: Vikings

The Vikings control their own fate at home. They could not ask for much more. Unless of course they wanted to be greedy, then they could ask for Jared Allen to be healthy, a good starting quarterback and their first Super Bowl win in franchise history.

Outcome: Falcons 24 Vikings 17 - Falcons do what Vikings cannot do; Lock up a playoff spot.

Philadelphia Eagles (8-5-1) @ Washington Redskins (7-7)

Pick: Eagles

Once upon a time in a Celtics game, with the game on the line, Coach K.C. Jones called a play for Dennis Johnson. Larry Bird replied, “Why don’t you just give me the ball and tell everybody else to get the hell out of the way.”

Jones said, “Larry you play, and I’ll coach." Then Jones said, "Get it to Larry and everybody else get the hell out of the way.”

Their has been a lot of hype about whether Donovan McNabb can lead the Eagles to a playoff birth. But what people should be saying is get Brian Westbrook the ball and everybody else get the hell out of the way, so to speak.

Outcome: Redskins 10 Eagles 3 - Eagles stopped at the one yard line.

Green Bay Packers (5-9) @ Chicago Bears (8-6)

Pick: Bears

A ten loss season for Cheeseheads? Only last year, Favre led this team that he called the best team he's ever played on to a 13-3 season, right? Just checking.

Outcome: Bears 20 Packers 17 - Blocked FG keeps Bears playoff hopes alive.

Picture: A younger Eli Manning tries to evade a Carolina Panther player.

NFL: 2008 Week 15 Predictions

Week 14 Performance: 12-4
Overall Performance: 125-82

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (8-5)

Pick: Falcons

This is a playoff game for both teams. The Falcons should have the edge at home.

Outcome: Falcons 13 Bucs 10 - Another close loss to NFC South rival for Bucs.

Chicago Bears (7-6) @ New Orleans Saints (7-6)

Pick: Bears

Drew Brees is 2-6 in games played in under 40 degree weather.

Outcome: Bears 27 Saints 24 Gould's FG lifts Bears, sinks Saints into despair.

Washington Redskins (7-6) @ Cincinatti Bengals (1-11-1)

Pick: Redskins

The Redskins will remain in the playoff picture.

Outcome: Bengals 20 Redskins 13 - Redskins playoff hopes dashed on Bengals second win of the season.

Tennessee Titans (12-1) @ Houston Texans (6-7)

Pick: Titans

The Texans beat the disfunctional Packers at Lambeau Field. They will lose at home to the refined Titans.

Outcome: Texans 13 Titans 12 - Texans reach .500 and hand Titans second loss.

Detroit Lions (0-13) @ Indianapolis Colts (9-4)

Pick: Colts

It's going to be a bloodbath!

Outcome: Colts 31 Lions 21 - Colts can afford to make mistakes against winless lions.

Green Bay Packers (5-8) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9)

Pick: Jaguars

Just a quick Ted Thompson shot. The Packers are now 30-31 under his inept management.

Outcome: Jags 20 Packers 16 - Jags initiate Packers into sub .500 club; eliminate Packers from the playoffs.

San Diego Chargers (5-8) @ Kansas City Chiefs (2-11)

Pick: Chargers

The Chargers are holding out hope that their season finale against the Broncos will have a playoff birth on the line.

Outcome: Chargers 22 Chiefs 21 - Chiefs have lost last three games by eight points.

San Francisco 49ers (5-8) @ Miami Dolphins (8-5)

Pick: Dolphins

If the Dolphins win out they are in the playoffs.

Outcome: Dolphins 14 49ers 9 - Dolphins beat the 49ers the week after their nemesis Jets lost to the California gold diggers.

Buffalo Bills (6-7) @ New York Jets (8-5)

Pick: Jets

Favre said he expected the Jets to make the playoffs. He should have been saying that last week. The Jets are an up and down team. A three game losing streak would be disastrous though.

Outcome: Jets 31 Bills 27 - Late fumble return keeps Jets playoff hopes shining bright.

Seattle Seahawks (2-11) @ St. Louis Rams (2-11)

Pick: Seahawks

Shots Heard remembers when games like this only got a box score on ESPN with no highlights.

Outcome: Seahawks 23 Rams 20 - Game is fifth game to be be locally blocked out on TV in the last three years.

Minnesota Vikings (8-5) @ Arizona Cardinals (8-5)

Pick: Vikings

This could be a playoff preview; scary! The good news is that it is not too likely a possibility.

Outcome: Vikings 35 Cardinals 14 - Quarterback dilemma does not slow down Vikings.

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) @ Baltimore Ravens (9-4)

Pick: Ravens

Great defensive battles in the regular season are 'ugly.' Great defensive battles in the playoffs are 'epic.' Despite strong division title ramifications, this game will be ugly.

Outcome: Steelers 13 Ravens 9 - Steelers prevail in anticipated defensive battle.

Denver Broncos (8-5) @ Carolina Panthers (10-3)

Pick: Panthers

The Broncos went into the Jets backyard and derailed their momentum. The Panthers are a better team than the Jets though.

Outcome: Panthers 30 Broncos 10 - Panthers triple Broncos in the wake of news that Panthers' owner needs a heart transplant.

New England Patriots (8-5) @ Oakland Raiders (10-3)

Pick: Patriots

I am not sure why I did not buy tickets to this game on the off chance that the Raiders would dash the Patriots playoff hopes. Two tickets to the game, $200. Other expenses, yadda yadda, yadda. Watching Bill Bellicek cry: priceless.

Outcome: Patriots 49 Raiders 26 - Cassel continues to impress.

New York Giants (11-2) @ Dallas Cowboys (8-5)

Pick: Giants

Giants scorers: Remember to run and spike the ball on the Cowboys Star at the 50 yard line after scoring the game winning TD. That is also priceless.

Outcome: Cowboys 20 Giants 8 - Giants unable to push the Cowboys to the brink of playoff elimination.

Cleveland Browns (4-9) @ Philadelphia Eagles (7-5-1)

Pick: Eagles

The good news: If the Eagles win out they will probably make the playoffs. The bad new: The Eagles final two games are against fierce division rivals, the Redskins and Cowboys, who are also fighting for playoff spots. Looks like that tie to the Bengals will be their undoing.

Outcome: Eagles 30 Browns 10 - McNabb has statement game.

Picture: Detroit Lions quarterback, Drew Stanton(left) and tight end, Joe Stevens (right) during a 38-14 loss to the lowly Jaguars on Nov. 9, 2008. The Lions are 0-13.

NFL: 2008 Week 14 Predictions

(NFL Fan Base Map: Click to enlarge)

Week 13 Performance: 11-5
Overall Performance: 113-78

Houston Texans (5-7) @ Green Bay Packers (5-7)

Pick: Packers

Favre loyalists will have to wait longer for confirmation that the Packers will not make the playoffs.

Outcome: Texans 24 Packers 21 Matt Schaub throws for 414 yards as another road team wins at Lambeau.

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8) @ Chicago Bears (6-6)

Pick: Bears

The Jags are a team without a soul.

Outcome: Bears 23 Jags 10 - Bears win cold one at Soldier Field.

Minnesota Vikings (7-5) @ Detroit Lions (0-12)

Pick: Vikings

The Vikings are a roller coaster team that is mediocre on the road. However, Adrian Peterson runs great on turf and the Lions are ranked last in rushing defense (176.9 ypg).

Outcome: Vikings 20 Lions 16 - Loss puts Lions at 0-13.

Oakland Raiders (3-9) @ San Diego Chargers (4-8)

Pick: Chargers

The results are in. The Raiders wasted a number one overall pick on a quarterback (Jamarcus Russell) with raw talent at best and no leadership abilities. That's the g-rated version.

Outcome: Chargers 34 Raiders 7 - Chargers win, avoid going onto the brink of playoff elimination.

Cincinatti Bengals (1-10-1) @ Indianapolis Colts (8-4)

Pick: Colts

One so-called-expert brought up Peyton Manning for MVP. He has not been that valuable, but he does seem to be improving.

Outcome: Colts 35 Bengals 3 - Everything goes according to plan for the Colts.

Atlanta Falcons (8-4) @ New Orleans Saints (6-6)

Pick: Saints

Will the Falcons deliver the knockout blow to the Saints?

Outcome: Saints 29 Falcons 25 - NFC South race tightens.

Philadelphia Eagles (6-5-1) @ New York Giants (11-1)

Pick: Giants

The Giants do not seem to be set back by the Plaxico Burress controversy.

Outcome: Eagles 20 Giants 14 - Eagles beat NFC's best team, stay alive.

Prediction/Outcome Note (Jan 5, 2009): Had the Giants won this game, the Giants would likely be playing the Cowboys or Vikings instead of the Eagles in their upcoming Divisional playoff game with the Eagles. The Eagles split the regular season series with the Giants and have a plus two point differential.

Cleveland Brown (4-8) @ Tennessee Titans (11-1)

Pick: Titans

Shots Heard does not believe in Tennessee dominance, but Cleveland was in disarray even before losing their top two quarterbacks to injury.

Outcome: Titans 28 Browns 9 - Titans clinch first ever AFC South title.

Miami Dolphins (7-5) @ Buffalo Bills (6-6)

Pick: Bills

The Bills may have realistically lost their playoff opportunity, but they should be able to get up for a game in which they can knock down their rival also.

Outcome: Dolphins 16 Bills 3 - Bills loss all but officially seals their demise.

Kansas City Chiefs (2-10) @ Denver Broncos (7-5)

Pick: Broncos

The Broncos theme song should be 'The Great Pretender.'

Outcome: Broncos 24 Chiefs 17 - Broncos barely snap out of home woes against the lowly Chiefs.

New York Jets (8-4) @ San Francisco 49ers (4-8)

Pick: Jets

The Jets tend to play down to their opponents level as their 1-3 record against the AFC West would indicate.

Outcome: 49ers 24 Jets 14 - Jets unable to get off the snide against the Niners.

New England Patriots (7-5) @ Seattle Seahawks (2-10)

Pick: Patriots

The Seahawks just do not have enough weapons.

Outcome: Patriots 24 Seahawks 21 - Victory keeps Pats in thick of the playoff race.

St Louis Rams (2-10) @ Arizona Cardinals (7-5)

Pick: Cardinals

The Cardinals know what their bread and butter is. They are 4-0 in division play.

Outcome: Cardinals 34 Rams 10 - Cardinals clinch NFC West title.

Dallas Cowboys (8-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)

Pick: Steelers

This is the first time in the match-ups, Shots Heard is using the term playoff intensity. Expect a fun game.

Outcome: Steelers 20 Cowboys 13 - Steelers comeback and beat Cowboys; fan nets $1 million on ESPN contest.

Washington Redskins (7-5) @ Baltimore Ravens (8-4)

Pick: Ravens

With a Saints win over the Falcons and a Steelers win over the Cowboys, the Reskins will climb back in to the thick of the playoff race. Shots Heard is not betting on that trifecta.

Outcome: Ravens 24 Redskins 10 - Ed Reed intercepts two passes and scores on a fumble return.

Tampa Bay Bucs (9-3) @ Carolina Panthers (9-3)

Pick: Panthers

In Week 6, the Bucs blew the Panthers away 27-3. But the Panthers have been resilient all year long and are undefeated at home.

Outcome: Panthers 38 Bucs 23 - Panthers take sole position of first in NFC South on 301 net rushing yards by their RBs.

NFL: 2008 Week 13 Predictions

Week 12 Performance: 9-7
Overall Performance: 102-73

Indianapolis Colts (7-4) @ Cleveland Browns (4-7)

Pick: Colts

Peyton Manning is looking like the Peyton of old or at least that is what we are hearing.

Outcome: Colts 10 Browns 6 - Like the days of Yore, low scoring Colts/Browns game.

Baltimore Ravens (7-4) @ Cincinnati Bengals (1-9-1)

Pick: Ravens

The Ravens have not given up 100 yards rushing in 30 games.

Outcome: Ravens 34 Bengals 3 - Ravens get another blowout win; Bengals blown out again.

Miami Dolphins (6-5) @ St Louis Rams (2-9)

Pick: Dolphins

Injuries prevent Shots Heard from calling the Rams.

Outcome: Dolphins 16 Rams 12 - Rams lose again; Dolphins rebound.

San Francisco 49ers (3-8) @ Buffalo Bills (6-5)

Pick: Bills

This should be a fun game for Bills fans. It will set up some perfect hope crushing in the coming weeks.

Outcome: 49ers 10 Bills 3 - Buffalo's self destruction nearly complete.

Carolina Panthers (8-3) @ Green Bay Packers (5-6)

Pick: Panthers

This is the biggest game of Aaron Rodgers career. He could pull it off, but Shots Heard is leaning towards the Panthers who have been consistent all year long.

Outcome: Panthers 35 Packers 31 - Long pass to Steve Smith finishes Packers.

New Orleans Saints (6-5) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-3)

Pick: Saints

Drew Brees and Reggie Bush will show up for this one.

Outcome: Bucs 23 Saints 20 - Bucs win pivotal NFC South match-up.

New York Giants (10-1) @ Washington Redskins (7-4)

Pick: Giants

The Giants are dominating opponents.

Outcome: Giants 23 Redskins 7 - Giants ignore Plaxico Burress controversy and keep winning.

Atlanta Falcons (7-4) @ San Diego Chargers (4-7)

Pick: Chargers

Amazingly enough, a Chargers win and Broncos loss will have us talking about the Chargers as a possible division winner.

Outcome: Falcons 22 Chargers 16 - Chargers lose shot at winning season; playoff hopes weakened.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) @ New England Patriots (7-4)

Pick: Steelers

This is the week that we get to see if Matt Cassel and the Patriots are for real.

Outcome: Steelers 33 Patriots 10 - Steelers latest team to blowout Pats in Foxborough.

Denver Broncos (6-6) @ New York Jets (8-3)

Pick: Broncos

We heard that the Jets practice squad ate McDonald's combo meals right before scrimmages in order to more realistically simulate the Broncos defense.

Outcome: Broncos 34 Jets 17 - Broncos control Jets at Meadowlands.

Kansas City Chiefs (1-10) @ Oakland Raiders (3-8)

Pick: Raiders

The Raiders will win the Toilet Bowl.

Outcome: Chiefs 20 Raiders 13 - Raiders hit another low; lose to Chiefs at home.

Chicago Bears (6-5) @ Minnesota Vikings (6-5)

Pick: Vikings

The Vikings are more in sync than the Bears are.

Outcome: Vikings 34 Bears 14 - Vikings put up stout defensive effort.

Tennessee Titans (10-1) @ Detroit Lions (0-10)

Pick: Titans

Easy call.

Outcome: Titans 47 Lions 10 - Titans get needed week off, following loss to Jets.

Seattle Seahawks (2-9)@ Dallas Cowboys (7-4)

Pick: Cowboys

The Seahawks mindset is just not there.

Outcome: Cowboys 34 Seahawks 9 - Cowboys control Seahawks.

Arizona Cardinals (7-4) @ Philadelphia Eagles (5-5-1)

Pick: Eagles

Both teams are volatile. Anything can happen.

Outcome: Eagles 48 Cardinals 20 - Eagles back to winning formula: McNabb + Westbrook = Victory.

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7) @ Houston Texans (4-7)

Pick: Texans

The match-up that is the least interesting is also the Monday night football match-up.

Outcome: Texans 30 Jags 17 - Mario Williams gets 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble.

NFL: 2008 Week 12 Predictions

Week 11 Performance: 10-5
Overall Performance: 93-66

Last week was another good week. The Eagles/Bengals tie was thrown out, because who really predicts ties. Why the NFL even has ties instead of extra overtimes is beyond us.

New York Jets (7-3) @ Tennessee Titans (10-0)

Pick: Jets

Logic points to the Titans. Despite Brett Favre's great influence, the Jets are merely an above average offense. The Titans sport a top three defense and they have been picking off the deep corner routes that Favre likes to throw. Even if the Jets play it conservatively, Titans quarterback, Kerry Collins should match their efforts. But that is logic and maybe the Jets have that little extra specialness to them this season after all.

Outcome: Jets 34 Titans 13 - Favre hands Titans first loss.

San Francisco 49ers (3-7) @ Dallas Cowboys (6-4)

Pick: Cowboys

After this win, the talking heads will be pretending the Cowboys are something special again.

Outcome: Cowboys 35 49ers 22 - 'That wide receiver' accumulates 213 yards.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions

Pick: Bucs

Are the Bucs the NFL's best kept secret? Imagine a Panthers vs Bucs playoffs match-up. That would be a promoter's nightmare.

Outcome: Bucs 38 Lions 20 - Darkness at the end of the tunnel for winless Lions?

Minnesota Vikings (5-5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6)

Pick: Vikings

Adrian Peterson needs to pick up his road game. That is a big part of why the Vikings are 1-4 on the road. Luckily, the Jags are also 1-4 at home. Poor fans!

Outcome: Vikings 30 Jags 12 - Vikings raid Jacksonville.

Chicago Bears (5-5) @ St. Louis Rams (2-8)

Pick: Bears

Let next year's job competition begin this week for the Rams. The Bears are going James Bond saying, die another day.

Outcome: Bears 27 Rams 3 - Bears become latest team to beat up Rams.

Oakland Raiders (2-8) @ Denver Broncos (6-4)

Pick: Broncos

The AFC is easily the worst division in football. The 1st place Broncos have no chance of making the Super Bowl.

Outcome: Raiders 31 Broncos 10 - Raiders deliver mile-high beatdown.

Carolina Panthers (8-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (6-4)

Pick: Panthers

Playoff match-up preview?

Outcome: Falcons 45 Panthers 28 - Michael Turner rushes for four TDs.

Prediction/Outcome Note (Jan 5, 2009): Had the Falcons won their Wild Card game against the Cardinals, this would have truly been a playoff match-up preview. The Falcons lost 30-24.

Houston Texans (3-7) @ Cleveland Browns (4-6)

Pick: Browns

Quarterback, Brady Quinn has reinvigorated the Browns.

Outcome: Texans 16 Browns 6 - Texans finally win on the road.

Arizona Cardinals (7-3) @ New York Giants (9-1)

Pick: Giants

Playoff match-up preview again?

Please G Men, make a couple pick sixes on Kurt Warner. All this Warner as MVP talk is nauseating.

Outcome: Giants 37 Cardinals 29 - Giants snap Cardinals seven game home winning streak.

Washington Redskins (6-4) @ Seattle Seahawks (2-8)

Pick: Seahawks

The Seahawks are an illusively weak team. Matt Hassleback is back and ready to take care of the business at home.

Outcome: Redskins 20 Seahawks 17 - Portis leads Skins.

Buffalo Bills (5-5) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-9)

Pick: Chiefs

Imagine having your playoff hopes burned by the worst team in the conference (with no due respect to the Raiders and Bengals).

Outcome: Bills 54 Chiefs 31 - Bills score 54 against the tribe of losers.

New England Patriots (6-4) @ Miami Dolphins (6-4)

Pick: Patriots

With both these teams a game out of first, behind the Jets, who are playing at the undefeated Titans house, it is too early to say these teams are playing for 2nd in the AFC East.

Pats Quarterback Matt Cassel is looking better each week.

Outcome: Patriots 48 Dolphins 28 - Patriots take first place in AFC East.

Cincinnati Bengals (1-8 )@ Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3)

Pick: Steelers

At least the Lions have about as much heart as one could expect a dreadful team to have. The Bengals are taking several minutes off during each football game.

Outcome: Steelers 27 Bengals 10 - Steelers handle the Bengals.

Philadelphia Eagles (5-4-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (6-4)

Pick: Ravens

There is no excuse for the Eagles to not score against the Bengals in overtime. And no that is not a shot at McNab for not knowing their are ties in the NFL. They should simply be able to put up a three spot in a 15 minute overtime against the Bengals. The Eagles just may not have the heart to win games like this and make the playoffs.

Outcome: Ravens 36 Eagles 6 - Ed Reed gets 2 INTs and 151 return yards; McNabb benched.

Indianapolis Colts (6-4) @ San Diego Chargers (4-6)

Pick: Chargers

The AFC playoff picture is going to look much more interesting if the Chargers can pull this game out.

Outcome: Colts 23 Chargers 20 - Business as usual: Adam Vinatieri hits a game winning FG.

Green Bay Packers (5-5) @ New Orleans Saints (5-5)

Pick: Packers

This game features two teams that are looking to get a leg up. Shots Heard thinks that the Saints will lay an egg.

Outcome: Saints 51 Packers 29 - Home sweet dome for the Saints.

Picture: Julie Roberts, country singer

NFL: 2008 Week 11 Predictions

Week 10 Record: 12-2
Overall Record: 83-61

Houston Texans (3-6) @ Indianapolis Colts (5-4)

Pick: Colts

Both these teams are shaky week in and week out.

Outcome: Colts 33 Texans 27 - Colts no huddle offense too much for Texans

New York Jets (6-3) @ New England Patriots (6-3)

Pick: Jets

The Pats are not first place material anymore. Get over it Bostonian elitists.

Outcome: Jets 34 Patriots 31 - Jets overtime win tilts balance in AFC East

Denver Broncos (5-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (6-3)

Pick: Falcons

Matt Ryan and Michael Turner will rip up the Broncos defense.

Outcome: Broncos 24 Falcons 20 - Another close victory puts Broncos on solid ground

Oakland Raiders (2-7) @ Miami Dolphins (5-4)

Pick: Miami

Shots Heard feels sorry for anybody that has to watch the Raiders as part of their designated regional coverage. Note to the networks: Please take Southern California off the list.

Outcome: Dolphins 17 Raiders 15 - Dolphins keep pace in AFC East; stay game out of first

Baltimore Ravens (6-3) @ New York Giants (8-1)

Pick: Giants

One of the worst match-ups of potential playoff teams that we have seen this year.

Outcome: Giants 30 Ravens 10 - Ravens not so tough after all

Detroit Lions (0-9) @ Carolina Panthers (8-2)

Pick: Panthers

We are already looking forward to watching the winless Lions and potentially undefeated Titans playing on Thanksgiving.

Outcome: Panthers 31 Lions 22 - Lions jump out to 10 point lead and then lose again.

Philadelphia Eagles (5-4) @ Cincinnati Bengals (1-8)

Pick: Eagles

Shots Heard would take an Eagle over a Bengal (Cat) in real life too. Who knew that a Bengal was a cat? We looked it up.

Outcome: Eagles 13 Bengals 13 - For McNabb ignorance is not bliss.

Chicago Bears (4-5) @ Green Bay Packers (5-4)

Pick: Packers

Nobody without a decent quarterback is winning at Lambeau.

Outcome: Packers 37 Bears 3 - Packers dominate Bears in big division match-up.

New Orleans Saints (4-5) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-8)

Pick: Chiefs

This is actually the logical pick. The Chiefs have lost their last three games to potenital playoffs teams (Jets, Bucs, Chargers) by a total of eight points. Meanwhile, the Saints come in winless on the road.

Outcome: Saints 30 Chiefs 20 - Pierre Thomas steps up for Saints.

Minnesota Vikings (5-4) @ Tampa Bay Bucs (6-3)

Pick: Bucs

Vikings fans could really use this to keep the pressure on Aaron Rogers and the Packers. But the Vikings are a bad road team and the Bucs are undefeated at home.

Outcome: Bucs 19 Vikings 13 - Garcia outplays Peterson.

St Louis Rams (2-7) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-7)

Pick: Rams

Shots Heard predicts that the winner of this game will keep their interim coach beyond this season.

49ers 35 Rams 16 - Niners snap six game losing streak with help from lowly Rams.

Arizona Cardinals (6-3) @ Seattle Seahawks (2-7)

Pick: Cardinals

Kurt Warner for MVP? We'll see.

Outcome: Cardinals 26 Seahawks 20 - Cardinals continue to beat up division foes.

Tennessee Titans (9-0) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5)

Pick: Titans

The Jags have been downgraded to 'sell.'

Outcome: Titans 24 Jags 14 - Ten games, ten wins for Titans.

San Diego Chargers (4-5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)

Pick: Steelers

Another week on the razor's edge for the Chargers.

Outcome: Steelers 11 Chargers 10 - First 11-10 score in NFL history.

Dallas Cowboys (5-4) @ Washington Redskins (6-3)

Pick: Redskins

Anybody else tired of hearing about how the Cowboys cannot win a game? Please Redskins, stick a fork in them so that we can move on.

Outcome: Cowboys 14 Redskins 10 - Cowboys win lackluster affair.

Cleveland Browns (3-6) @ Buffalo Bills (5-4)

Pick: Bills

The Bills will may beat another weak team and pretend to be a playoff eligible team for another week.

Outcome: Browns 29 Bills 27 - Bills no longer beating up the bad teams either.

Picture: Badlands, South Dakota

NFL: 2008 Week 10 Predictions

Week 9 Record: 10-4
Overall Record: 71-59

Tennessee Titans (7-0) @ Chicago Bears (5-3)

Pick: Titans

Sexy Rexi is so unreliable. Eessh.

Outcome: Titans 21 Bears 14 - Titans win despite negative five yards rushing in the first half.

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4) @ Detroit Lions (0-8)

Pick: Jaguars

There is an entire generations of Lions fans that has yet to witness a winner, yet expansion teams like Jacksonville have came within a game of getting to the Super Bowl.

Outcome: Jags 38 Lions 14 - Lions woes deepen; Mediocre Jags blow out Lions.

Seattle Seahawks (2-6) @ Miami Dolphins (4-4)

Pick: Dolphins

The Seahawks enjoy warmer climate games, but it's the Dolphins who have the biggest need to leave it all on the field.

Outcome: Dolphins 21 Seahawks 19 - Dolphins win on batted down two point conversion.

Buffalo Bills (5-3) @ New England Patriots (5-3)

Pick: Patriots

The Pats are 3-1 at home, although their one home loss was by 25 to the in division rival, Dolphins.

Outcome: Patriots 20 Bills 10 - Bills on shaky ground.

New Orleans Saints (4-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (5-3)

Pick: Falcons

The Falcons shut out the Raiders and now its time for more of a challenge, taking on the Saints high throttle offense.

Outcome: Falcons 34 Saints 20 - Saints lose on Drew Brees's inept performance.

Denver Broncos (4-4) @ Cleveland Browns (3-5)

Pick: Broncos

Broncos would appear to be the safe pick.

Outcome: Broncos 34 Browns 30 - Cutler throws for 447 yards.

Green Bay Packers (4-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (4-4)

Pick: Vikings

The Packers looked like a much better team in their Week 1 match-up with the Vikings at Lambeau. But now it is the Vikings to turn the tables at the Dome.

Outcome: Vikings 28 Packers 27 - Peterson rushes for 192 yards.

Baltimore Ravens (5-3) @ Houston Texans (3-5)

Pick: Texans

The Ravens probably have a false sense of accomplishment following wins over the Raiders and Browns.

Outcome: Ravens 41 Texans 13 - Flacco poised in Ravens fourth straight win.

St Louis Rams (2-6) @ New York Jets (5-3)

Pick: Jets

The Jets pulled the reigns too tightly on Favre with the many screen passes and short routes. Teams will tighten the bolts if Favre goes for the 20 plus yard strike not very often.

Outcome: Jets 47 Rams 3 - Jets win extremely lopsided game.

Carolina Panthers (6-2) @ Oakland Raiders (2-6)

Pick: Panthers

The Panthers are quietly handling their business each week.

Outcome: Panthers 17 Raiders 6 - Panthers avoid 'long plane ride home.'

Kansas City Chiefs (1-7) @ San Diego Chargers (3-5)

Pick: Chargers

The last two weeks, the Chiefs barely lost to two possible playoff teams, the Jets and Bucs. Could they get over the hump and effectively end the Chargers playoffs aspirations? The smart money is still on the Chiefs.

Outcome: Chargers 20 Chiefs 19 - Bolts have Hart.

Indianapolis Colts (6-2) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (4-4)

Pick: Steelers

Byron Leftwich does not realize that he is effectively a system quarterback. The system is that the quarterback need not win the game, merely not lose the game for them. Still, Leftwich should get the job done.

Outcome: Colts 24 Steelers 20 - Colts end 40 victory drought in Pittsburgh.

New York Giants (7-1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (5-3)

Pick: Giants

The Giants are reminscient of 90's NFC teams like the Giants, 49ers and Cowboys who stuck out as the cream of the crop.

Outcome: Giants 36 Eagles 31 - Westbrook comes up short on 4th and one.

San Francisco 49ers (2-6) @ Arizona Cardinals (5-3)

Pick: Cardinals

The 49ers are riding a five game losing streak.

Outcome: Cardinals 29 49ers 24 - Bad coaching effectively costs the 49ers a chance at playoffs.

Pictured: Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers Wide Receiver

NFL: 2008 Week 8 Predictions

Week 8 Performance: 8-6
Overall Performance: 55-48

Atlanta Falcons (4-2) @ Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)

Pick: Falcons

The Falcons have looked more solid lately, but that is not saying anything this year or in this league. Certainly, the Eagles could win this one at home.

Outcome: Eagles 27 Falcons 14 - Westbrook rushes for 167 yards, 2 TDs

Washington Redskins (5-1) @ Detroit Lions (0-6)

Pick: Redskins

The Lions have an almost unprecedented run of poor management. If not for Barry Sanders, they would be the worst sports franchise in all of sports over the last two decades. How appropriate that they play at a place called Ford Field.

Outcome: Redskins 25 Lions 17 - Santana Moss shows up

Arizona Cardinals (4-2) @ Carolina Panthers (5-2)

Pick: Panthers

The Cardinals creamed the woeful Cowboys, 34-7. But this is a new week and a new team.

Outcome: Panthers 27 Cardinals 23 - Two former NFL castoffs shine

Buffalo Bills (5-2)@ Miami Dolphins (3-4)

Pick: Dolphins

Remember in the early 90's when this was one of the 'great rivalries'? Shots Heard is glad to have moved on too.

Outcome: Dolphins 25 Bills 16 - Bills lose third time in last four games

San Diego Chargers (3-4) @ New Orleans Saints (3-4)(Wembley Stadium - London, England)

Pick: Chargers

Drew Brees would love to make the Chargers regret going on the cheap and not signing him because Phillip Rivers was 'good enough.' But in an offense they have basically adapted to get the most out of Reggie Bush; it hurts not to have him in the line-up.

Outcome: Saints 37 Chargers 32 - Saints win battle for Britain, Brees wins grudge match against Rivers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2) @ Dallas Cowboys (4-3)

Pick: Buccaneers

How the Cowboys think they are good enough to let Romo sit out with a pinkie injury, is hard to figure.

Outcome: Cowboys 13 Bucs 9 - Brad Johnson, Cowboys win ugly game

Oakland Raiders (2-4)@ Baltimore Ravens (3-3)

Pick: Ravens

No 'bounty' riding on this game; just a victory.

Outcome: Ravens 29 Raiders 10 - Raiders go back to their losing ways

St. Louis Rams (2-4) @ New England Patriots (4-2)

Pick: Patriots

The Rams beat up on the Redskins and Cowboys who are better than the Patriots, therefore the Rams should win right? Nah. They just got lucky with the timing. The Rams are still a dark horse team at best. Meanwhile, the Patriots are the true dark horse team. Just dark enough to make it to the first round of the playoffs and lose.

Outcome: Patriots 23 Rams 16 - Late 4th quarter TD gives Pats victory

Kansas City Chiefs (1-5) @ New York Jets (3-3)

Pick: Jets

Brett Favre and his former Packers put on a clinic against the Raiders last year. Last week against the Raiders, the Jets were just not good enough to make their lay-ups though. They should at least be making them against the shameful Chiefs.

Outcome: Jets 28 Chiefs 24 - Jets beat lowly Chiefs despite three Favre INTs

Cleveland Browns (2-4) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)

Pick: Jaguars

There are teams that I'd rather watch warm-up.

Outcome: Browns 23 Jags 17 - Ball bounces Browns' way

Cincinnati Bengals (0-7) @ Houston Texans (2-4)

Pick: Texans

No need to ever pick the Bengals or Chiefs.

Outcome: Texans 35 Bengals 6 - Bengals get halfway to potential winless season in blowout fashion

Seattle Seahawks (2-4) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-5)

Pick: 49ers

49ers Running back, Frank Gore is dreadfully inconsistent, but the Seahawks have been dreadful all year long.

Outcome: Seahawks 34 49ers 13 - Mike Singletary crushed in coaching debut

New York Giants (5-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1)

Pick: Steelers

Alert: Possible Super Bowl preview. Let us hope not.

Outcome: Giants 21 Steelers 14 - Steelers and Giants grind it out in possible Super Bowl preview


Indianapolis Colts (3-3) @ Tennessee Titans (6-0)

Pick: Colts

The Titans are the biggest proof of how the sports media does not want to look at any empirical data. The Titans are undefeated causing many rumblings about how 'maybe' they are the best team. Here's the reality to check to that 'great d' they have: The Titans average 160 yards in the air and Kerry Collins and Vince Young have a combined four thrown touch down passes. The Colts might not pull this one out after looking pathetic last week in Lambeau. But Titan losses are on the way.

Outcome: Titans 31 Colts 21 - Titans avoid Monday night letdown and stay undefeated

Picture: Houston Texans cheerleaders