STONE COLD LEAD PIPE DOCKS

With the NFL regular season almost over, this week is going to be really important to a bunch of teams. Hopefully we can use this to our advantage in this weekend's matchups, and pick some winners. I'm also praying that the Falcons can somehow upset the Vikings so that my Bears hopes to make the playoffs stay alive. Anyways, here are our picks for this week. Gluck...

IP's Pix:
(Last pix 2-3)
(Season 29-30-1)

San Diego at Tampa - (Chargers +3) - A very important game for both teams. San Diego needs a win and help to make the last week of the season relevant for them. Tampa needs a win to stay pace with the rest of the wild card teams. Looks for Tampa's defense to take away the run and continue to frustrate LT (disappointing all year). The issue with Tampa is the Qb situation...dunno how healthy Jeff Garcia is. So I gotta go with the tie-breaker...Phillip rivers. Boy was snubbed a Pro Bowl birth when he has been the only lifeline on that team. Phillip will carry the Chargers to a huge win against a fading Bucs team. Chargers 24-20.

Atlanta at Minnesota - (Falcons +3) - Ohh the implications to this game..........Vikings win they wrap up the division... if they lose they leave the door open for the bears in the division....Atlanta gets this win they are a shoe-in for the playoffs as a wild card. I don't trust Tavaris jackson and feel he is not ready to step up in the big game. Matt Ryan and Michael Turner have been consistent all year and I expect them to continue that trend. Look for the Falcons to win the game by a touch 27-20.

Cincy at Cleveland (Bengals +3) - In-state rivalry of two very disappointing teams. Both teams are a mess and are looking for the year to come to an end. I like the Bengals in this one though...don't like em by much but I like em. Bengals 21-20

Panthers at Giants - (Giants -3) - The Sunday night matchup of the NFC's top teams. Giants are in a bit of a slump and the Panthers are playing lights out football. they have a solid running game and are playing very good d. But don't bet against Eli on a big stage. Look for the giants to control the clock and put a lot of pressure on Delhomme. Take the Giants to cover. Giants 28-20

Steelers at Titans (Steelers pk) - Ben Ben Ben.....the man just wins. The Titans have locked up the division and a first round bye but if they dont step up the wont have home field throughout. With Haynesworth out the compexion of the game changes completely...look fro the Steelers to control the trenches. I like the Steelers in this one cause Big Ben is a winner period. Steelers 23-17.

Vik's Pix:
(Last week 2-2-1)
(Season 38-27-4)

Will have my picks up by 11:30am central time...

Steelers at Titans (Steelers pk) - Everytime I have picked against Pitt this year, they have proved me wrong. Time and time again, I thought they would lose, but they have always come through. Then I get 49959 emails and comments from my friend Cohin, who is a big Steelers fan, saying how I an an idiot and don't know anything, etc. So this week, I am going to try something new. I'm going to pick the Steelers to win this game straight up. I know they are on the road and Tenn is a really tough place to play, but I just think without Haynes and Vanden B, that this is a totally different Titans team. They rely on their physical Dline to control the games they play. Now I know their backups are actually good players too, but I don't see them having the same kinda impact as Haynes and Vanden B. Their absence should open up the running game and short pass game for Big Ben, allowing him to strike deep later in the game off of the play action. Oh, and did I mention the Steelers have the BEST defense in the game? Every week I always think this will be the week they get torched or give up big plays, but it never happens. Big Ben is also one of the most clutch players in football, so I got to give him his due. 5 come back winning drives this year, and counting. Anyways, I'm going with the Steelers in this one, so let's see how it goes.

Chargers at Bucs (Bucs -3) - And the Chargers are back in my weekly post. As you all probably know by now, since I have said this a 100 times, fade the Chargers to win some $$$. They have been one of my biggest cash cows all year long, so I will keep betting against them (especially since everytime my buddy IP bets on them,they loose anyways!). No, but honestly just because the Chargers won the past two games, doesn't change the fact that they are just a really bad team this year. They needed a miracle comeback last weekend vs the Chiefs, to even win that game as huge favorites. That won't happen this weekend. And, their D is terrible and has been all season long. The Bucs on the other hand, are amazing at home. Their defense is also great, and I look for them to put the clamps on Rivers and co. in this one. Garcia is also playing in this game, and he is huge for that team. The spread is just low because of the Chargers W last weekend and the Bucs struggling in their last couple of outings. Don't worry about that, and give the three in this one. The Bucs will win at home in this must win kind of game.

Texans at Raiders (Texans -7) - The Texans really scare me for the Bears in that last weekend matchup. They have been playing really great football over their last 10 games, and Schaub has been the difference in the past couple of weeks. But their two mainstays on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, have been Slaton and Super Mario Williams. I look for both of them to again have monster games in this one, and for them to carry the Texans to a two td win. These two teams also have a completely different look to them. The Raiders do look like they have packed it in this year, while the Texans definitely look like they are having fun and are playing for pride. There are also a lot of players who are playing for their jobs on the Texans, since changes will be made after this year. I just think that the Texans D will be the difference in this game, and I look for Super Mario to have a big game. I will give the td...

Niners at Rams (Niners -3) - The Niners are playing great football in their past six games. Shaun Hill has been the catalyst, and I like him in this matchup in the dome. Even without Gore, Foster should be able to pick up the slack in this running game vs this terrible Rams run defense. Look for the Niners to put up some pts in this game, and to win this one big. Samurai Mike has the squad playing hard and having fun every single week since he has taken over. The Rams on the other hand are really struggling, and have definitely looked like another team that has packed it in. I will take Shaun Hill indoors to be the xfactor in this game. Niners by at least 10...

Bills at Broncos (Broncos -4) - I know the Broncos have been up and down this year, but I really like them in this spot. The Bills have started out well, but have lost 7 out of their last 8 games. Seems like things got out of control after Edwards went down early. Lynch is also hurting, and he is the key to this team. They also have a ton of Cb's and Olineman happen, and that will be huge in this game. They also looked like they have given up on the season, so with that and a ton of backups playing, and with the Broncos facing a must win, I love the Broncos in this spot. The Bills pass D is also suspect, and I think Cutler will torch them today,especially with the short passing game. The Broncos also get back The CHAMP TODAY and that is huge!!! He will do fine vs Lee Evans, and the Broncos will stack the box to stop the Bills running game. Look for Cutler and Marshall to have huge games, and look out for PJ POPE! The Bears had him on their practice squad, and the kid is a sick player. I saw him have a monster game in pre season, and I said we should keep this player for sure. He will surprise you with his speed, and he will definitely be a big factor in this game as well. Take the Broncos to the bank!!! Gluck everyone $$$