We’ve reached the Final Four and perhaps more refreshingly, two of the league’s three offensive sideshows have been put to rest. The Saints and Packers and their circus-like attack will be home watching three teams at least built in large part on defense, while the one dragon left to slay resides in Foxborough. The Ravens and Giants are built to win on the road, but in championship weekend history, only twice have both road teams won  (1992 and 1997). Still, from 1997-2005 at least one...

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Chris Berman calls this the best weekend in all of sports, the divisional round of the playoffs. The big four are coming off their byes, a week after all four home teams won in the wild card round for just the third time in 22 years since the NFL went to a 12-team playoff format. However, all four teams have not won in the divisional round since 2004. However you slice it, there figures to be a surprise or two this weekend and some exceptional football. Though Metlife Stadium and Invesco Fiel...

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Hard to believe a season that almost never was is almost over. While most of the playoff spots have been locked up there is still some drama remaining, including the NFC East showdown between Dallas and the Giants and the final AFC wild card spot. 16 divisional games are on the docket, which certainly isn't a foolproof solution to fixing some of these so-called meaningless games, but nevertheless we are in for another fun finish.

Last week: 8-8

Season: 110-121-9

Buffalo at New England (-1...

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All eyes will be on Lambeau Field Sunday afternoon, as the Green Bay Packers' march to 16-0 continues against Oakland. In the evening they will turn to Jerry World, where the Giants and Cowboys will face off in the first of two meetings in the season's final four weeks to decide the NFC East. As for me, I need a miracle to finish over .500. My chances are about as good as that of the Bills - as in non-existent.

Last week: 7-9
Season: 86-98-8

Atlanta (-3) at Carolina

Analysis:            Carol...

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Another Thursday loss means another uphill climb come Sunday for me. Bengals-Ravens highlights Week 11, as does Part 6 of the Jay Cutler-Philip Rivers saga. The Packers' chase for perfection collides with the reeling Bucs, while the Colts jaunt towards imperfection takes a hiatus with a much-needed bye.

Last week: 6-10
Season: 66-74-6
 

Buffalo at Miami (-1)

Analysis:            Does anybody want more redemption in this game than Dan Carpenter? The normally-reliable Dolphins kicker missed a career...

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            With my big Week 7 surge, I have officially moved over .500 for the year. What an accomplishment considering the Dolphins-like start I had to my season. There are five double-digit spreads among the six early games, so if you live on the West Coast like me, you can probably sleep in until the late games start this week. Then again, could we have an upset or two in store?

 

Week 7:            9-3-1

Season:            49-48-6

 

Arizona at Baltim...

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Finally, a week to be proud of. 8-4-1 (I guess the bye weeks are helping me out) and now 3-3 on upset specials for the year. Did I say upset special? Jim Schwartz was especially upset after Jim Harbaugh’s overly-excited postgame handshake. That means only the 6-0 Packers remain unbeaten. Will they remain so in Week 7? Let’s take a look at the 13 games on tap: 

Last week: 8-4-1
Season: 40-45-5

Atlanta at Detroit (-3.5)

Analysis:            Okay, so the Lions are human after all. At 5-1, t...

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I wasn't exactly on point last week, going 5-9-2, although the late games brought me back a bit (thanks for showboating, Jesse Holley). The aerial assaults and scoring barrages continue, a trend that looks like it's here to stay. Week 3 features several perennial also-rans playing in big games looking to show they are for real (see: Detroit, Buffalo, Houston). 2-0 is great for those teams, but stepping up to a real challenge is what truly makes believers. And now, a breakdown of the games:

La...

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