Week 12 – Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone… In honor of the Missouri-Kansas football game, which is basically an opening round playoff game, I thought I’d highlight some games which are similar to opening round playoff games! Granted, it’s hard to say any of the games this week are worthy of Manwich status, but these 3 games are critical games.

Manwich Mini-games of the Week

Opening Round, NFL Playoffs, Game 1
Houston @ Cleveland- I wonder what the odds would have been that a 6-4 Browns vs. 5-5 Texans matchup would take place and would be a critical matchup for determining the AFC playoffs? To get an AFC wildcard this year, there could be more than two 10-6 teams, so this game is very critical in terms of tiebreakers and in terms of just getting enough wins. Now that the Browns had something go their way last week with the odd field goal going through and then bouncing back onto the field and the refs changing their mind, there’s no reason to stop now with the good luck. The most incredible thing about the Browns offense? They make up for the fact that the Browns defense have letup the most points in the entire NFL… and the offense is good enough to produce a winning record!
Pick: Cleveland

Opening Round, NFL Playoffs, Game 2
New Orleans @ CAR – The Saints are a thorn in my side this season. I think I’ve gotten maybe 2 of their games right. Both of these teams are 4-6, so it really is an elimination game out in the NFC.
Pick: New Orleans

Opening Round, NFL Playoffs, Game 3
Baltimore @ San Diego- Both teams are sinking, and the Ravens probably have to win out to make the playoffs. I like the Chargers, especially at home where they are 4-1. The Chargers need to win to keep pace with the Broncos, because the wildcard is probably out of reach for San Diego.
Pick: San Diego

Upset of the Week
Washington @ Tampa- Interesting game, because Tampa is still only 2 games up in (arguably) the worst division. I like the Redskins, because they actually are 4-2 vs. non-division opponents, while the Bucs are a sloppy 3-4 out of the division.
Pick: Washington

Green Bay @ Detroit – I’m not putting this as an opening round game… odds are the Packers will make the playoffs, and the Lions could lose this game and still make the playoffs because of the weak NFC.
Pick: Green Bay

Jets @ Dallas – Okay, so maybe Coach Mangina does have something left in the tank, after a shocking win over the Steelers. Only 3% of Yahoo users got that! No way Mangina does it twice in a row.
Pick: Dallas

Indy @ Atl- The Peyton vs. Vick NFL Network game didn’t really work out. At least for one week, not having the NFL Network is not much of a problem.
Pick: Indy

Denver @ Chicago- Denver is so strange. They are the only AFC team at .500 with a losing record against the NFC. Granted, they did lose by a coin-toss to the Packers that one week. Nonetheless, I really see no reason to go with Rex Grossman still.
Pick: Denver

Tennessee @ Cincy- The Bengals still can’t stop anyone…
Pick: Tennesee

Buff @ Jacksonville- This could be an interesting game. If the Bills somehow are competitive or even pull this out, watch out!
Pick: Jacksonville

Oakland @ KC – The Raiders have lost like 28 divisional games in a row.
Pick: KC

Seattle @ St. Louis- Hasselbeck is dinged up, but I still think the Seahawks can get a win.
Pick: Seattle

Minnesota @ Giants- The Vikings still have time to make a playoff push. Granted, I don’t think it’s happening this week in New York.
Pick: Giants

San Fran @ Arizona – No one beats the Whiz in November in Arizona! (they are 1-0 so far, with a win over Detroit)
Pick: Arizona

Philly @ New England – I can’t think of any other NFL team that was ever as relentless as the Pats. In past weeks, I wasn’t as shocked at the Pats. But last week, I witnessed the Pats going for it on 4th down repeatedly, instead of settling for field goals. You’d think this will catch up with them at some point… I’m just scared it may not catch up to them until next season.
Pick: New England

Miami @ Pitt – The Dolphins are coming to Pittsburgh! Dave Wannstedt better be there.
Pick: Pitt

Last Week: 12-4
Season: 102-58
Manwich: 8-3 (The Jaguars are keeping me above the Theismann line of mediocrity.)
Upset of the Week: 6-5 (Culpepper played well, but the Raiders gave up a whopping 160 yards to Chester Taylor).