Last Regular Season Predictions

We're gonna be hoping to close out the regular season better than the 9-7 record we accumulated in Week 16. 161-78-1 record on the season.

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
People who hate the idea of a team under .500 making the playoffs will somehow hope the NFL changes its rules in the next few days because the winner of this game will not only make the playoffs, but will also get a home game as the NFC South champion. Atlanta was able to stave off elimination by completing a season sweep of the Saints while Carolina got past the Cleveland Browns in what was an ugly affair, but one in which Cam Newton showed as much with his feet as he had all season long. The Panthers will be looking to not only win a division on the road, but also to avenge a Week 11 home loss. To be honest, I really have no idea who wins this one. I'll take the Falcons since I trust their offense more.
My Call: Falcons 27, Panthers 23

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens
At this point in time, it's extremely questionable as to whether or not Brian Hoyer will suit up and play in this game for the Browns. If he's unable to go, they will turn to undrafted rookie Connor Shaw out of South Carolina. As for Baltimore, they just need to win this game in order to keep playoff hopes alive. They need to win this game and hope the Chargers lose in Kansas City. Well, the Ravens do their part. Joe Flacco won't cost his team this one like he did in Houston. But it'll be ugly.
My Call: Ravens 17, Browns 10

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
Playoff football will be back in Dallas for the first time in five years as they clinched the NFC East by pounding the Colts, which coupled with Philadelphia's loss to this very Washington team. Hard to say how seriously they'll take this game given that they're most likely locked into the number three spot in the playoffs, but my guess is revenge (they lost to Washington at home earlier in the season) and wanting momentum going into postseason play will have them taking this one seriously. As far as the Redskins go, there's no doubt in my mind this will be their Super Bowl. They have a chance to sweep their long time rivals this season which could somewhat salvage what's been an otherwise very disappointing 2014 for them. I'll take the Cowboys by a field goal.
My Call: Cowboys 30, Redskins 27

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans
Awful performance by the Colts in Arlington last week. As AFC South champs but nowhere to move, they're locked into the number four seed regardless of what goes on with them and throughout the rest of the league this week. Hard to say how motivated they'll be, but facing an awful Titans team, I think they'll get back in the win column.
My Call: Colts 23, Titans 13

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
Believe it or not, I actually think the Jags have a shot at hanging in with Houston and possibly even winning outright. No, I'm not gonna be picking that to happen, but if Blake Bortles can avoid making the same mistakes Joe Flacco made a few days ago, I don't see a Texans team with Case Keenum under center blowing them out. Nothing against Case Keenum, he was a terrific college QB, but is just not quite a pro level caliber QB. The Texans need Baltimore and San Diego to lose in addition to winning this one to get to the playoffs. They do their part.
My Call: Texans 19, Jaguars 16

San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
All but one spot in the AFC playoffs have been clinched. San Diego has the easiest path to that spot, just win this game and they're in. My guess is the Chargers will carry the momentum from that tremendous come from behind victory against the 49ers and find a way to win this game, avenging a home loss from earlier in the season. The Chargers defense should be fine against a team that hasn't thrown a TD pass to a wide receiver all season long, and I'm putting my faith in Philip Rivers, even with his nagging injury concerns.
My Call: Chargers 24, Chiefs 21

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins
Tough spot for the Dolphins here as their playoff hopes are done and this is the last game of the season. It'll most likely be the end for Jets coach Rex Ryan as well; a 3-12 season up to this point which will lead to four straight playoff-less seasons regardless of the result of this one seems to be the end for his tenure in New York. His players like him, so I do expect they'll show up and play hard, but in spite of the fact that I'm not sure how up Miami will be for this one, the Jets most likely won't come with the same intensity for this game as they did against the Pats. That leads me to taking Miami in a close slugfest.
My Call: Dolphins 20, Jets 14

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
Jay Cutler is back under center for the Bears only due to Jimmy Clausen suffering a concussion last week. Chicago has been going south and may soon see a major overhaul. Minnesota, although they suffered a heartbreaking loss to Miami, have been playing pretty well of late and are certainly looking a hell of a lot better than the Bears. That should continue here.
My Call: Vikings 27, Bears 13

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots
Sounds as though Tom Brady and the New England offense will play in this one even though they could choose to rest everyone with homefield advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs all wrapped up. They weren't happy with their performance in a sloppy 17-16 win over the Jets. Buffalo is coming off a loss to Oakland. My guess is the Bills will probably be more "up" for this one than they were for the Raiders, but it won't matter. Facing an angry New England team, they can't keep up.My Call: Patriots 31, Bills 17

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
Despite another disappointing season, the Giants have finished out the string strong, winning their last three coming into this one. Things have fallen completely apart for the Eagles; losing their last three and falling out of the playoff picture entirely. Gotta wonder where they're going to find their motivation. New York has certainly found theirs and they shouldn't have much of a problem getting up for a division rival to close out the year. Big Blue feels like the right side here.
My Call: Giants 27, Eagles 20

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Good news for the Saints is they'll be on the road for this game... bad news is a second loss to the Falcons squashed their playoff hopes for this year. Hard to say how motivated they'll be for this game, but it may not matter given how awful Tampa Bay has been this season. Plus the Bucs have the number one overall pick to play for with a loss. That means they'd get their choice of Marcus Mariotta or Jameis Winston come the 2015 Draft. My guess is the Buccaneers will take that over a win in what is otherwise a winnable game here.
My Call: Saints 24, Buccaneers 20

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers has been limited in practice this week for Green Bay due to a calf injury suffered in the last game, but don't think for a second he won't be playing in this game. He'll be under center barring an unforeseen shocking death. I just don't believe in the Lions at all. I don't think they're that good; pretenders. We'll see, they certainly have a chance to prove me wrong.. but in this one, give me Rodgers and the Packers in Lambeau all day long.
My Call: Packers 34, Lions 24

Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos
Disappointing loss to Cincinnati took away any hope the Broncos had at the AFC's number one seed. They have to recover though for this rivalry game in order to lock up the number two seed. My guess is that is exactly what will happen. The Raiders may treat this one as another "Super Bowl", but there's a big difference between playing at home and playing on the road. Peyton Manning bounces back after a four interception performance.
My Call: Broncos 30, Raiders 13

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
Cardinals QB Drew Stanton is at this point, an "85 percent chance" to be good to go for the playoffs. Whether that's true or not, the Cardinals will have to do without him in this one. Ryan Lindley will get the starting nod for the second straight week. He's looking to bounce back after a subpar performance in that blowout loss to Seattle. It was thought Arizona would go with rookie Logan Thomas, but that plan has been scrapped. Meanwhile, the 49ers are one of the league's biggest disappointments this season and will just be playing out the string here. This will most likely be the last game for Jim Harbaugh as the head coach of the Niners. I wouldn't be flat out shocked if this turns into one of those 9-6 type of games given that Lindley is terrible while the 49er offense has struggled quite a bit this season and has to deal with what should be an angry Cardinals defense. I'm only taking the Niners because this one's in their stadium and I have no faith in Lindley at all. Although it wouldn't surprise me to see San Francisco check out and decide they want to lose this game in order to make division rival Seattle earn the NFC West and homefield throughout.
My Call: 49ers 12, Cardinals 10

St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks
Win and the Seahawks will be the number one seed in the NFC Playoffs, have homefield throughout. That seemed quite unlikely a few weeks ago when they were sitting 6-4 after a loss in Kansas City, but a team meeting and a home win over then first place Arizona turned the ship around and they're as hot as anyone. St. Louis tends to play the Seahawks tough, they already beat Seattle at home this year. However, at this point, I just think Seattle is playing too well and the Rams won't have enough on the offensive side of the ball to pull it off. They'll play hard and tough, though.
My Call: Seahawks 24, Rams 14

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC North title on the line here. The loser will still make the playoffs, but would have to open up on the road in the first round, possibly with a rematch here or in Indianapolis against the Colts. The Steelers took the first meeting between these two teams in Cincinnati, as they ran away in the 4th quarter en route to a three touchdown victory. My guess is this game will be considerably closer, but it's hard not to take Ben Roethlisberger over Andy Dalton.
My Call: Steelers 27, Bengals 24