Cowboys +3 @ Giants
We start with the weekend's most important game, the NFC East title matchup between the Cowboys and Giants. New York scored an improbable win over Dallas a couple weeks ago as they rallied from 12 points down late. In that game, Dallas was the better team for roughly 58 minutes. Although the better team doesn't always win it's rare that they lose twice in a row. Give me Romo and the 'Boys to pull off the mild upset which shouldn't be an upset. Cowboys 31, Giants 17.
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Chiefs +3.5 @ Broncos
Lots of intrigue in this one as it's revenge day for Kyle Orton, who was unceremoniously dumped by the Broncos. Orton can claim the ultimate victory by keeping his former mates including one Tim Tebow out of the playoffs with a victory in the very town that turned on him.
This is type of drama for which movies are made.
Unfortunately for Orton, the only movie star is the good-looking, All-American, non-neck beard wearing boy next door Tim Tebow and he plays for the better team and is equally as motivated. Think of the embarrassment to Tebow if the guy he replaced went to a last-place team and then beat him at home. That simply will not happen. Broncos 24, Chiefs 13.
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Chargers +3 @ Raiders
The yin to the Broncos yang is the Oakland Raiders who can slide into an AFC West title by taking care of business against San Diego and hoping for an Orton miracle. Do you trust the Raiders in a big game? About as much as you trust Norv Turner in a big game, but Turner's Chargers are out so this isn't a big game. Chargers 34, Raiders 14.
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Colts +4 @ Jaguars
A win is a loss and a loss is a win for both teams in this one. The Colts will get Andrew Luck if they lose this game and the Jaguars could keep them from getting him if they lose. That doesn't mean anything to the players that will ultimately decide this one. Either team is perfectly capable of losing to the other without there being any "tanking." That said, the Jaguars organization is cursed as Josh Scobee connects from 59 yards at the gun. Jaguars 16, Colts 14.
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Redskins +8 @ Eagles
The good news for Redskins fans is that the Rex Grossman era ends on Sunday. The bad news for Eagles fans is that Andy Reid lives to coach another season. Eagles 41, Redskins 21.
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49ers -11 @ Rams
San Francisco needs this game to secure the number two seed in the NFC. They will get the win, but not without a fight from the Rams in Steve Spagnuolo's final game as head coach. 49ers 20, Rams 14.
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Bears +1.5 @ Vikings
Joe Webb is playing for a job somewhere in the NFL and he's playing much better than Vikings starter Christian Ponder. The Bears have rode the Hanie and McCown train to it's only destination and that's the golf course for January. Vikings 27, Bears 14.
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Lions -4 @ Packers
It's unlikely that Aaron Rodgers plays much, if at all for the Packers. At the same time, Detroit needs to win to clinch the fifth-seed to avoid playing in New Orleans next weekend. Lions 31, Packers 21.
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Panthers +8 @ Saints
The Saints may call off the dogs early in this one, depending on the score of the San Francisco game. This will allow the Panthers to finish on a very high note as Cam Newton will have another highlight-filled afternoon. Panthers 31, Saints 28.
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Titans -2 @ Texans
The Houston Texans do not want to limp into the postseason losers of three consecutive games. Even without Matt Schaub, Houston is the superior team and they will stifle the Titans. Texans 24, Titans 13.
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Jets +3 @ Dolphins
The Jets have a glimmer of playoff hope remaining and they must win to keep that glimmer alive. They will do their part. Jets 24, Dolphins 20
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Bills +10.5 @ Patriots
A win gives the Pats home field advantage throughout the postseason. They will win, but their defense will allow the Bills the "backdoor cover." Pats 30, Bills 21.
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Buccaneers +10.5 @ Falcons
Tampa locked the doors and packed the bags about two and a half months ago and they've lost the keys. Atlanta needs to win this game for any hope of sliding up into the fifth-seed. Falcons 35, Bucs 14.
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Ravens -3 @ Bengals
Everyone's chic pick this week is the Bengals over the Ravens, but remind me which good teams that Cincy has defeated this year. Exactly. Baltimore needs this game to secure their first home playoff game in years and they will get it. Ravens 24, Bengals 17.
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Steelers -7 @ Browns
A Charlie Batch vs. Seneca Wallace classic that's only destined the Tuesday's NFL Replay on the NFL Network. Cleveland will play tough for a while before the damn breaks. Steelers 20, Browns 10.
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Seahawks +3 @ Cardinals
As long as Seattle doesn't punt to Patrick Peterson they will be okay. Seahawks 24, Cardinals 20.
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Last week: 13-3
Season: 129-101-8
Charlie Bernstein is the NFL Insider for ESPNFlorida.com and ESPN 1080 and 1040 in Orlando/Tampa and Editor-in-Chief of Sports Media Interactive, covering the National Football League, NCAA, and National Basketball Association. Charlie covers the Jacksonville Jaguars for FoxSports and has been featured on the NFL Network and Sirius NFL Radio. Charlie is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. You can follow Charlie on Twitter @nflcharlie
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