NFL week 15 open thread

And then there was one.  Who would have guessed that the Saints would lose their first game before the Colts?  Indy has played so many games from behind that almost every week sportswriters have begun writing in fourth quarters about Peyton’s first stumble, only to delete the lead and rewrite it.  The Cowboys managed to solve New Orleans, and maybe give some hope to the Minnesota Vikings that they can gain the NFC home-field advantage in the playoffs this year.

Unfortunately, my Steelers are almost certainly out of the post-season, although Indy helped a bit by outlasting Jacksonville on Thursday.  Green Bay comes to Pittsburgh today, and they’re improving while the Steelers are … well, not.  I’m sticking with the Steelers at home, but they’d better find a way to get to Aaron Rodgers today if they want to win.  Steelers win at home, 17-10.

Last week I went 5-1, but I wound up jinxing the Giants again.  I’m now 53-25 for the season.  Here are my picks for this week:

• Minnesota at Carolina – Minnesota is perfect at home, but they’re also 4-2 on the road.  The Panthers are 3-3 at home.  Vikings over Panthers, 31-17.
• Cincinnati at San Diego – This should be a good game between two playoff-bound teams.  Cincinnati came up short last week against Minnesota, and they’re going to have trouble with the Chargers, who are playing excellent football now.  San Diego should win at home, 28-24.
• Miami at Tennessee – This should be another good game.  Vince Young is dinged up, and Miami still has a shot at the playoffs.  Miami can counter the Titan running game, and should beat them, 35-24.
• Giants at Washington – The Giants have played poorly at night, and the Redskins are playing at home.  This may come down to which team makes the fewest mistakes.  I’ll have to pick the Redskins, 23-17, which of course means I’m rooting for the Giants, if you believe Jazz Shaw’s jinx talk.
• Atlanta at the Jets – A hmmmm game.  Atlanta’s a poor road team, but the Jets are only .500 at home.  They’re getting Sanchez back this week, and that should lift them to a 26-21 win and keep their playoff hopes alive.