Top pick

1. Denver Broncos (-7) vs. Ind – The Colts are playing on house money in the 2nd round. They can’t run the ball nor defense the run very well, and beat an undermanned Bengals team to get here. Their season will end this weekend. Denver is well rested, gets some key members back on D (LB Brandon Marshall), and will destroy Indy’s defense with its run / pass attack. Look for the Broncos to easily cover the point spread.

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2. Seattle Seahawks (-10.5) vs. Car – These teams have met each of the last two seasons and each contest has been close. Each contest has also been in Carolina. This one moves to Seattle. Look for the Seahawks D to bear down on Newton all evening and force mistakes while limiting points. Seattle will win by more than two TDs.

3. Baltimore Ravens (+7) vs. NE – The Patriots will win this game. The success Baltimore had against New England in the playoffs came before the Patriots went out and got a legit D. They have one now and CB Revis lets Belichick do a lot of things. But Baltimore matches up well against the Patriots strengths and this should come down to the wire again.

4. Green Bay Packers (-5.5) vs. Dal – The only way this should remain close is if Aaron Rodgers injury is worse than the team is letting on. Otherwise, this is a mismatch. The Packers offense will dominate the Cowboys D and control the clock. On the other side of the ball while the Cowboys will have success on the ground, Green Bay’s D is opportunistic – especially at home, and will force one or two key turnovers.

Top Pick

1. Minnesota Vikings (-6) vs. Chi – The turn back to Jay Cutler means nothing. Chicago is in a state of turmoil and can’t wait to get the season over with. Minnesota has grown under 1st year HC Mike Zimmer and will finish out the season with a bang at home. Look for the Vikings to win by 10 and cover the point spread.

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2. Green Bay Packers (-7.5) vs. Det – Some may call last week a trap game for the Lions, but not us. That’s typical Matt Stafford being unable to capitalize on things given to him. The Packers will be ready in a game with a ton of meaning and look for a double digit win.

3. New York Giants (-3) vs. Phi – The Eagles three-game losing streak knocked them out of playoff contention and means this game has little meaning. Well, it has more for the Giants who are playing a number of young players on their three-game winning streak. Look for that to move to four as the Odell Beckham Jr. show continues against a horrendous secondary.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (+3.5) vs. Pit – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Carolina Panthers (+4) vs. Atl – This will be close but Cam Newton will be the difference.

San Diego Chargers (+3) vs. KC – Win and they’re in. Look for the Chargers to beat their rival.

Dallas Cowboys (-5.5) vs. Was – Dallas needs to win first and then get a lot of help for a No. 1 or 2 seed. There will not be a letdown here.

Money Line Bet

Cincinnati Bengals (+170) vs. Pit – The Steelers are very talented on offense but erratic. This is a game which could catch them by surprise. The Bengals move to RB Jeremy Hill as the starter has been a boon to the offense and they will continue to ride their young horse Sunday. Everything else feeds off of this. The Bengals D is also much improved since their last contest after getting a few guys back.

Detroit Lions (-8.5) vs. Chi – The complete implosion in Chicago makes this the top pick of the day. QB Jimmy Claussen will start in Jay Cutler’s place and the Lions D will be ALL over him. Detroit will blowout the Bears and easily cover the point spread.

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Carolina Panthers (-3) vs. Cle – Sorry Johnny, it’s a steep learning curve in the NFL. The rookie QB will struggle again mightily against a subpar D.

Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5) vs. Was – RGIII is a welcome sight for an Eagles team reeling after two losses. The Eagles will win by double digits.

Indianapolis Colts (+3.5) vs. Dal – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Seattle Seahawks (-7.5) vs. Arz – Bruce Arians can only pull so many rabbits out of his hat. Ryan Lindley vs. a HOT Seattle defense is a scary proposition.

Denver Broncos (-3.5) vs. Cin – The Bengals have been embarrassed in primetime the entire year.

Oakland Raiders (+7) vs. Buf – Crazy things happen in the black hole. Expect the Raiders to play better than many expect.

Money Line Bet

Indianapolis Colts (+164) vs. Dal – The Cowboys are coming home after an emotional win against the Eagles. Home has not been their friend. On top of things, DeMarco Murray now has a broken hand and his ability to play is to be determined. Look for Andrew Luck and Co. to come into Dallas and win a high scoring game. The Cowboys D will have their hands full with the Colts passing game.

Must Start

Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck and Matthew Stafford

Tier 1

Ben Roethlisbger vs. Atl – Roethlisberger and Co. will light up the Falcons secondary.

Tom Brady vs. Mia – Brady will top 250 yards with 2-3 TDs.

Aaron Rodgers vs. Buf – This is a trickier matchup. The Bills D is tough – especially at home.

Philip Rivers vs. Den – Expect 22-25 FFL points vs. the Broncos.

Tony Romo vs. Phi – Look for a bounce back from the last performance against the Eagles.

Cam Newton vs. TB – Newton is coming off a monster performance and faces a healthy matchup here.

Drew Brees vs. Chi – Brees threw in a stinker in Week 14. The Bears D is poor.

Jay Cutler vs. No – Only because the Saints D is just as bad.

Tier 2

Eli Manning vs. Was -Manning will hit 13-17 FFL points against the Skins.

Mark Sanchez vs. Dal – The Cowboys D is winded. Sanchez will put up 3 TDs and 225 yards against this unit.

Russell Wilson vs. SF – The 49ers are done. Expect Wilson to put up between 15-17 points.

Bust

Ryan Tannehill vs. NE – The Patriots D will force a few turnovers.

Fantasy Sleeper

Joe Flacco vs. Jax – Jacksonville’s D is ripe to give up a lot of pass yards.

1. Green Bay Packers (-13) vs. Atl – Until the Patriots, the Packers were putting up an insane amount of points at home and blowing teams out. That will happen on Monday Night. Look for Green Bay to put up 40+.

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2. New England Patriots (-3.5) vs. SD – The Pats have been on fire before meeting Aaron Rodgers and Co. a week ago. They still had a chance to pull that out in the end too. Look for New England to head into San Diego and win by a TD. Their D is playing very well and offensively, Brady and Co. will prove too much for the Chargers.

3. Denver Broncos (-10) vs. Buf – Mile High is a very difficult place to play and it won’t be any easier for a Kyle Orton led team.

4. Baltimore Ravens (+2.5) vs. Mia – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Cincinnati Bengals (-3) vs. Pit – The Steelers struggle on the road and are catching Cincinnati as they get healthy on D.

New Orleans Saints (-10) vs. Car – Brees and Co. will run it up on their division foe.

Detroit Lions (-10) vs. TB – The Lions have been very tough at home.

Money Line Bet

Baltimore Ravens (+125) vs. Mia – The Fins come off a short week in which they pulled out an underwhelming win over the Jets. They catch a break with DT Haloti Ngata out but the Ravens match up well against Miami and will eek out the close win.

Must Start

Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Andrew Luck and Aaron Rodgers

Tier 1

Tony Romo vs. Chi – Romo will bounce back from an awful Thanksgiving performance.

Matthew Stafford vs. TB – With a healthy Calvin Johnson the Lions QB is now a 22-25 FFL point candidate.

Tom Brady vs. SD – Expect 300 yards and 3 TDs in SD.

Jay Cutler vs. Dal – The Cowboys D is suddenly tired and showing signs of wear and tear.

Russell Wilson vs. Phi – His maneuverability will be good for 20+ FFL points in Philly.

Tier 2

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Cin – Roethlisberger’s numbers are down on the road and Cincy’s D is tough at home.

Philip Rivers vs. NE – The tough Patriots pass D brings Rivers down a notch.

Fantasy Sleeper

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Jax – Don’t expect 6 TDs but is a fantasy football sleeper against the Jags.

Bust

Mark Sanchez vs. Sea – Chip Kelly’s innovative offense will have its hands full with the Seahawks.

Top Pick

1. Baltimore Ravens (-6) vs. SD – Baltimore is a very difficult place to play after Thanksgiving.

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2. Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) vs. TB – The Bengals defense is getting healthier and they’ve put the clamps down on the Saints and Texans respectively. They’ll do so again against a reeling Bucs unit.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (-4.5) vs. NO – The Saints have lost three in a row (all at home) and are an average outdoor team.

4. New England Patriots (+3) vs. GB – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Denver Broncos (-2) vs. KC – Last week’s loss against the Raiders for the Chiefs was a trap game, but they’re missing the requisite firepower to knock off the Broncos.

Atlanta Falcons (+2) vs. Arz – The Cardinals have gotten everything out of its talent and are trying to win with QB Drew Stanton the rest of the way. This will be a tougher game than many realize.

Oakland Raiders (+7) vs. Stl. – The Rams D has stepped up considerably but there are still major issues on offense. Look for Oakland to keep this close throughout.

Money Line Bet

New England Patriots (+140) vs. GB – The Packers have whipped opponents recently at home, putting up 50+ respectively against the Eagles and Bears. The Patriots are an interesting team because they can beat opponents multiple ways and their D is set up to stop the pass. Look for a close game which New England pulls out.

Must Start

Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Andrew Luck

Tier 1

Aaron Rodgers vs. NE – This is his toughest test of the season.

Tony Romo vs. Phi – The Eagles will be forced to commit more against the run which will open up the passing games.

Ben Roethlisberger vs. NO – It’s been light and day Roethlisberger when playing at home or the road. He’s home this week.

Drew Brees vs. Pit – He’ll be firing and the Steelers D is a bit limited. But Brees struggles on grass surfaces away from home.

Matt Stafford vs. Chi – Nothing like the Bears D to get Stafford back on track.

Ryan Tannehill vs. NYJ – Jets are midpack stopping the pass.

Eli Manning vs. Jax – The Eli to ODB connection should be on display against a giving Jaguars D. Eli is a low No. 1.

Tier 2

Mark Sanchez vs. Dal – Dallas ranks 19th vs. the pass and Philly will be throwing all afternoon. Expect 17-20 points.

Cam Newton vs. Min – Newton will put 14-17 FFL points at Minnesota.

Andy Dalton vs. TB – This is another strong play for Dalton. Bucs bottom 25.

Russell Wilson vs. SF – The 49ers run a strong D, so look for Wilson to pick up points with his legs.

Matt Ryan vs. Arz – The Cards rank at the bottom 3rd of the league against the pass.

Bust

Jay Cutler vs. Det – The Lions aggressive D will be all over Cutler on Thursday.

Fantasy Sleeper

Drew Stanton vs. Atl – The Falcons pass D ranks dead last. Look for Stanton to put up 17-20 FFL points.

Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Andrew Luck

Tier 1

Tony Romo vs. NYG – He’ll feast on a Giants D that is depleted and struggling in coverage.

Tom Brady vs. Det – The Lions present a big challenge, but this is in NE and Brady is on fire.

Mark Sanchez vs. Ten – This offense suits him well.

Tier 2

Eli Manning vs. Dal – Look for Manning to top 20 FFL points against the Boys.

Colin Kaepernick vs. Was – He’ll be a threat running as well as passing.

Andy Dalton vs. Hou – Dalton will put up 15-18 FFL points.

Jay Cutler vs. TB – He will probably toss a couple of picks but he’s in line for a big afternoon.

Ryan Tannehill vs. Den – Expect 15-18 FFL points against a tough Broncos D.

Philip Rivers vs. Stl. – Rivers enjoys a solid match up here.

Fantasy Sleeper

Josh McCown vs. Chi – Expect McCown to put on a solid showing against his old compatriots.

Bust

Matt Stafford vs. NE – The Pats secondary is its strength.

Must Start

Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Matt Stafford

Tier 1

Andrew Luck vs. NE – You’re starting him but the Pats are very good against the pass.

Philip Rivers vs. Oak – This is one of the few easy remaining opponents. Rivers will put up 300 yards with a 3 TDs.

Tom Brady vs. Ind – Brady is on fire and will put up 30 FFL points in a high scoring game.

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Ten – They overlooked NYJ. Roethlisberger will top 300 yards with 2-3 TDs on MNF.

Cam Newton vs. Atl – Newton will top 25 FFL points against a porous Falcons D.

Tier 2

Matt Ryan vs. Car – The Panthers pathetic D means Ryan is still a borderline No. 1 this week.

Jay Cutler vs. Min – He’ll turn the ball over a few times but also find the end zone twice.

RGIII vs. TB – RGIII will put up 17-20 against a defensively challenged Bucs team.

Bust

Russell Wilson vs. KC – Wilson is struggling tremendously now outside of what he is doing with his legs. He’ll find Kansas City a very tough place to play.

Fantasy Sleeper

Josh McCown vs. Was – He’ll top 18-20 FFL points against a generous Skins D.