Merry Christmas, everybody! For this week’s picks, I’ve decided to present each one in the form of a mini Christmas carol, so that once again you can spend some quality time with the family instead of staring at your phone or laptop.

 

Netflix Christmas Day Games

12:00 PM: Chiefs @ Steelers

On a cold Christmas night, Netflix rolls out the show,
The Chiefs and Steelers clash, under lights all aglow.
Mahomes with his magic, his ankle’s just fine,
The AFC’s top seed, the Chiefs will enshrine.

The Steelers hold tight, their hopes in the air,
But one slip could gift Baltimore the share.
So cheer for the gridiron, a holiday treat,
A joyous clinch for the Chiefs, oh so sweet!

Prediction: 27-23 Chiefs

 

3:00 PM: Ravens @ Texans 

The Texans give thanks for a division so light,
A cloak for their struggles, hidden from sight.
But here come the Ravens, so strong and so bold,
With Lamar at the helm, their story is told.

Bully ball thrives, fewer runs take the day,
Houston’s just dreaming, their stars far away.
Injuries and talent, the gap’s much too wide,
Baltimore triumphs with power and pride.

Prediction: 28-20 Ravens

 

Thursday Night Football: Seahawks @ Bears 7:15PM (Prime)

The Bears face their woes, a season so grim,
Caleb Williams stands tall, no picks from him.
But the defense has vanished, the O-line’s a sieve,
Chicago’s struggles, so hard to forgive.

The Seahawks come in, just middling they stay,
Yet tough as the Vikings learned on their day.
If Geno stays sharp, avoids a mistake,
An ugly win’s theirs, for the playoffs they stake.

Prediction: 23-16 Seahawks

 

NFL Network Saturday Slate 

12:00 PM: Chargers @ Patriots

The Patriots battled, gave Buffalo a scare,
Outplaying the Bills, but mistakes lingered there.
A victory slipped through, the wounds self-made,
As Buffalo escaped, their triumph displayed.

The Chargers showed grit, a comeback so sweet,
Against Denver’s defense, they refused defeat.
The six seed awaits, just a few games to go,
Prepping for playoffs, their momentum will grow.

Prediction: 23-13 Chargers

 

3:30 PM: Broncos @ Bengals

The Broncos ride high, their offense ablaze,
Scoring with ease, in these recent days.
A playoff berth’s near, the Bengals they’ll face,
But their defense must tighten, to keep up the pace.

The Bengals can score, on any who try,
Though their win last week, was a hard-fought sigh.
In Cincinnati’s den, the challenge is set,
Denver’s D must step up, for playoffs to bet.

Prediction: 24-21 Broncos

 

7:00 PM: Cardinals @ Rams

The Cardinals are out, their hopes set adrift,
Last week’s Panthers loss gave the playoffs a shift.
Intrigue now lingers, the West’s still in play,
If the Seahawks should falter on Thursday’s display.

The Rams have the skill, their offense can shine,
A playoff run’s possible, their talent’s the sign.
But consistency’s lacking, week-to-week they stray,
Their fate in the postseason remains hard to say.

Prediction: 23-20 Rams

 

Sunday Noon Window

Jets @ Bills (CBS)

The Bills faced the Pats, their effort was fine,
Against the Jets too, they’ve crossed the line.
With Ravens and Chiefs, their plans could adjust,
Starters may rest, if playoff seeding’s a must.

For Jets fans, the wait for hope’s reset,
Two games away, but not there yet.
Western New York will hand them defeat,
A holiday spread that’s tough to beat.

Prediction: 27-17 Bills

 

Raiders @ Saints (FOX)

With Derek Carr out, the thrill’s gone away,
What’s left is a matchup of draft picks in play.
Aiden O’Connell, a backup in line,
Outdueled Mac Jones, but his star doesn’t shine.

The Raiders excel in games that bore,
Winning ugly, with a lowly score.
Another dull contest, they’ll find a way,
To grind out a victory, in their own gray way.

Prediction: 17-13 Raiders

 

Colts @ Giants (FOX)

The Colts have a path, though fragile it seems,
Win out and pray for the Broncos’ lost dreams.
A playoff berth waits, the seventh seed’s call,
To face Chiefs or Bills, and likely to fall.

The Giants, oh dear, their story’s gone sour,
Daboll may leave for a new coaching hour.
If the Colts stay sharp, don’t fumble their way,
Another win’s theirs, to keep hopes in play.

Prediction: 24-10 Colts

 

Cowboys @ Eagles (FOX)

Cooper Rush has risen, a backup so bright,
Leading the Cowboys with wins in their sight.
A triumph last week, against Tampa Bay,
But now the Eagles come to play.

The Eagles are angry, their loss left a sting,
Even with Hurts out, they let the game slip through the ring.
Dallas needs turnovers, to make it their day,
But Saquon’s a beast, standing in their way.

It’ll be a tough battle, one that’s hard to call,
But the Eagles will likely stand tall.

Prediction: 28-21 Eagles

 

Panthers @ Buccaneers (CBS)

Tampa Bay’s hopes took a hit with the loss,
Now they need wins and a Falcons slip, no less a cost.
The Panthers, once weak, now stand tall and strong,
With their new starter, they’ve been proving them wrong.

This game will come down to the big, bold plays,
And who can hold on through the football maze.
The Bucs will push deep, with bombs in the air,
But turnovers could let the Panthers prepare.

It’ll be a close one, but Tampa’s edge will show,
If they can clean up, and let their offense flow.

Prediction: 30-24 Buccaneers

 

Titans @ Jaguars (CBS)

A game for the brave, or those who can’t sleep,
Two teams so bad, the competition’s deep.
Who will show up, without chaos and mess?
Like that one uncle, who causes distress.

Mason Rudolph’s leading, and scoring so bold,
While Mac Jones stumbles, the Jags can’t take hold.
So with power bestowed, by NewsDakota’s might,
The Titans will win, in this awful fight.

Prediction: 21-17 Titans

 

Sunday Afternoon Window

Dolphins @ Browns (CBS)

The Dolphins press on, through a season of “what-ifs,”
Hope for next year still shines, despite the rifts.
They’re not quite dead, but the climb’s too steep,
Two teams to leap, and the playoffs they’ll keep.

The Browns’ woes are too deep to mend,
Eliminated now, their playoff hopes end.
Stefanki’s brilliance, still hard to deny,
But doubts about future still linger high.

Reserves may play, as the season concludes,
But both teams are looking at next year’s moods.

Prediction: 27-20 Dolphins

 

Packers @ Vikings (FOX)

The Vikings march on, with the NFC North in sight,
A possible winner-takes-all clash in Week 18’s fight.
Justin Jefferson’s brilliance, the best in the game,
While Sam Darnold’s proving he’s worthy of fame.

The Packers still searching for that signature win,
Against playoff teams, their record’s been thin.
0-3 versus the Vikings and Lions they’ve faced,
To be a true threat, they must prove their place.

The Packers have talent, they just need to show,
They can beat the best, and make their playoff glow.

Prediction: 27-24 Vikings

 

Sunday Night Football: Falcons @ Commanders 7:20 PM (NBC)

The Commanders came up big, with a win over the Birds,
Jayden Daniels shined, with five TDs, no words.
Now Washington faces the Falcons new and bright,
With Michael Penix starting, and the game feeling right.

Expect a lot of Bijan, as Atlanta takes aim,
They need to keep ahead, to keep the South’s claim.
No slip-ups allowed, or Tampa might steal,
Like the Grinch with Christmas, making it real.

The Falcons must stay sharp, to keep their lead,
Or the Bucs might come in, with playoff speed.

Prediction: 31-24 Commanders

 

Monday Night Football: Lions @ 49ers 7:15 (ESPN/ABC)

The Lions unleashed fury on the hapless Bears,
Kept their grip on the North, showing no cares.
Clawing towards the top seed in the NFC fight,
Their season’s been one of power and might.

But now the 49ers are out of the race,
Nothing left but reserves to take the place.
On paper, the Lions are poised for the win,
Another easy victory within their spin.

All roads point to Week 18’s showdown with the Vikes,
For the top seed, and playoff hopes that ignite.

Prediction: 35-17 Lions

 

Overall Record: 168-72 (Last Week 11-5)