Green Bay Packers (-1.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars: Green Bay suffered back-to-back brutal losses at home the past two weeks. Their depleted defense is allowing more people to run right by them than a group of poorly-trained border guards. But at least Green Bay is still trying to win. The same sadly does not look like it can be stated about Jacksonville. Saying the Jaguars are going through the motions is like saying Joel Osteen is religious. Jacksonville has lost four straight games, all by double-digit amounts. The Jags have not scored more than 17 points or allowed less than 23 points in any of those contests. Look for Aaron Rodgers to throw for a couple touchdowns while Jacksonville throws in the towel. Prediction: Green Bay 26, Jacksonville 17.
San Francisco 49ers (+ 5.5) at Miami Dolphins: Let’s take a look at recent history. Miami needed a last-second field goal to beat an embarrassingly bad Oakland team and a late defensive stand to stave off a 2-11 Seattle squad at home. Meanwhile, San Fran has won three of its last four games under interim coach/amateur exhibitionist Mike Singletary and played Dallas real tough in its only defeat. San Francisco’s below-average pass defense tightened up big time against Brett Favre and the New York Jets last week, and Chad Pennington and the Dolphins do not have as good of an aerial attack. Miami finds ways to win and probably will again here, but it should be another nail biter. Prediction: Miami 20, San Francisco 17.
San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (+ 5): Here we go again. Just like two weeks ago when San Diego was installed as a five-point favorite over a much better Atlanta team, the Chargers are a five-point favorite once more. Just because San Diego throttled Oakland last Thursday night does not mean that suddenly head coach Norv Turner is Vince Lombardi and LaDainian Tomlinson is LaDainian Tomlinson circa 2006. Kansas City has lost four straight games at home, but Tyler Thigpen keeps his Chiefs in games (only lost in Denver last week by seven), and Larry Johnson has been running well since his spit-related suspension. San Diego has one road win all year, a 10-point "victory" over, you guessed it, Oakland. Prediction: Kansas City 27, San Diego 21.
Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles (-14): Philadelphia loves blitzing as much as Joanie loves Chachi. Philly loves blitzing third-string quarterbacks even more. Ken Dorsey is a veteran journeyman who has been around the block, but this guy has about as much of a chance of surviving this game unscathed as someone breaking into Joey Porter’s house. Now that the Eagles have a legitimate chance to make the NFC playoffs as a wild card, the home crowd is going to be so hyped up you’ll think it’s Free Cheese Steak Night at the stadium. Jamal Lewis runs for 10 yards, Braylon Edwards drops 10 passes, Donte Stallworth lasts 10 plays before pulling a hamstring and the Eagles sack Dorsey 10 times. Prediction: Philadelphia 30, Cleveland 10.
