NFL Week 15: Redemption!

It’s going to be an interesting NFL weekend. Not only are several teams locked in races for playoff byes and Wild Card spots, but several very likely playoff teams are off terrific beatings. You don’t want to be playing your worst football this time of the year.

"We took a bad beating," said Bill Parcells. "We got beat every way possible. I can't think of anything we did well." The Tuna wasn’t happy, of course, with the way his team was flattened at home on national TV by the Saints, 42-17. It was the second-most points given up by the Cowboys since Parcells took over in 2003 and his third-worst defeat during that time. Cowboys fans began heading for the exits at the end of the third quarter! The Cowboys (8-5) would be the fourth seed if the playoffs started today, trailing the Seattle Seahawks (8-5). They get a chance at redemption Sunday at Atlanta, though the Falcons are alive for a playoff spot and won’t pack it in, presumably. “They beat us all over the field," QB Tony Romo said. "We'll see what we are made of now."

The Patriots will still win the AFC East, but they missed a golden opportunity to pick up ground for the No. 2 seed (and a playoff bye) by losing 21-0 at Miami. “We took one on the chin,” said Pats defensive end Richard Seymour. “Bottom line.” The Patriots get a chance at redemption at home against the Texans, a team that has nothing to play for. It’s also Houston's 6th road game over the last 8 games, as they play the schedule from hell. New England has a lot of injuries which has exposed their lack of depth, plus a turnover prone offense, two huge weaknesses.

The Jay Cutler era has begun in Denver, but folks are still stunned at the Broncos collapse, starting 7-2 but on an 0-4 SU/ATS run. Sunday was the low point, a 48-20 loss at San Diego. Cutler wasn't bad, completing 17-of-30 passes for 188 yards with no interceptions and two touchdowns and will have an easier time against the Cardinals this weekend. However, the bigger concern is the Denver defense, which went from dominant in the first half of the season to disabled. Like the Patriots, injuries have taken a toll.

The Colts have a big showdown with the surging Bengals in the best game of the weekend, appropriately on Monday night. The Colts are off a completely embarrassing performance, giving up 372 rush yards to Jacksonville in a 44-17 defeat. It was made even tougher because they have lost 3 of their past 4 games, falling behind San Diego in the chase for the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed, and WR Brandon Stokley was lost for the season. On the plus side, the Colts have yet to lose at home this season at 6-0 SU, 4-2 ATS. The teams met last season on this same field as the Colts won a 38-31 shootout that sailed over the total. The Bengals are on a 4-0 SU/ATS run and also need the game to stay in the postseason hunt. Happy hunting to all! If you are looking for my TOP RATED selections go to and pay only after you win!

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