LCB NFL Picks: Week Sixteen

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots @ 1:00 on CBS:
This game has playoff implications for both teams, which would appear to make it an important game. If the Jaguars win, they keep their glim hopes alive. If the Patriots win, they clinch their division.  But if, somehow, both teams manage to make it in to the playoffs, should we care? The Patriots will most likely host the wild-card round, but if they win they would be forced to go on the road where they are 2-5 on the year. Making their chances at actually making a difference in the playoffs lower than they have been in over a decade. The Jaguars have been inconsistent all year, and like the Patriots they stink on the road (2-4). If they managed to sneak into the playoffs, they would be on the road in the wild-card round in what would almost certainly be a loss. So should we care about this game based on playoff implications between two teams who will eventually lose anyways?  I say nay. But since I have to make a pick, I like the Patriots to end the Jaguars chances this weekend with a 35 to 21 victory.

Denver Broncos vs. Philadelphia Eagles @ 4:15 on CBS:
The Bronco's were, at one point, 5-1. They are now 8-6. I've said this a million times and I'll say it again; watching the Broncos go from contenders to failures is one of the most enjoyable things in sports. It's akin to Christmas morning, but every Sunday. Eagles 42- Broncos 28.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins @ 8:20 on NBC SNF:
For Redskins fans, this dismal season from their favorite team has given them almost nothing to look forward to (apart from the weekly song from Chris Paul and the offseason) and that is something I can identify with as a follower of the Raiders. No matter how many idiotic signings these two owners make, we come back for more punishment, fully knowing they may never learn from their past mistakes. So why do we do it? Why do we emotionally invest in teams with owners that lack the foresight to realize their many failures are theirs and theirs alone? I don't know. But I do know, even after another long mistake filled season, we will all be back next season asking for more. Dallas 35- Washington 14.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears @ 8:30 on ESPN MNF:
Last week, the QB that is constantly celebrated for being "just like a kid out there" proved that kids can sometime act like brats. Defying his coaches pleas like a 10 year-old refusing to eat his spinach. He then shared his defiance with the media, taking away the focus of a miserable loss and placing it on this rift between QB and coach. The melodrama in Minnesota is said to be over, but that shouldn't be the focus in the first place. The question should be "Why was he trying to bench him in a 7-6 game?" The Vikings haven't clinched a first round bye yet. Making many wonder, why a quarter of rest would be more important than getting an entire week off? I don't know what Brad Chilldress was thinking when trying to pull Favre, but I know it was a terrible idea. I also don't know why Favre felt compelled to share this argument with the media. Was he trying to save face from his face plant on national TV? I don't know, I just can't wait for this rift to become a full-on hate fest. Minny 28, Chi-town 24.