Gant “Expert” Challenge – Week 15

12/15-12/17 Games	Jay Siegel	Rusty McCracken	Chris Morelli	Dave Glass	Dustin Parks
Nevada-Arizona	Arizona	Arizona	Arizona	Arizona	Arizona
Steelers-Cowboys	Cowboys	Steelers	Cowboys	Steelers	Steelers
Giants-Falcons	Giants	Giants	Falcons	Giants	Giants
Packers-Bears	Packers	Packers	Packers	Packers	Packers
Redskins-Browns	Browns	Redskins	Redskins	Browns	Browns
Broncos-Ravens	Broncos	Broncos	Broncos	Broncos	Broncos
Panthers-Chargers	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers	Panthers
Seahawks-Bills	Seahawks	Seahawks	Seahawks	Bills	Seahawks
Colts-Texans	Texans	Texans	Texans	Texans	Texans
Bucs-Saints	Saints	Saints	Saints	Saints	Saints
49ers-Pats	Pats	Pats	Pats	49ers	49ers
Jets-Titans	Jets	Titans	Titans	Titans	Jets
Last Week	10-2	7-5	5-7	7-5	4-8
Year-to-date	119-49	114-54	109-59	108-60	102-66

 

The Last Word

Dustin: “Whew, doozies this week to pick. My eye is certainly gonna be fixated on the San Francisco-New England game. That is going to be a dandy, especially with how good the 49ers have been despite the change in quarterback. I’m picking them because, well, I’m not a Pats fan (which makes my friend Amanda crazy). Aside from that, pretty tough competition this week.”

Dave: “With so many division races decided early, many of these matchups are just ‘for show’, especially since home-field advantage in the playoffs means a lot less than it used to. Like Dustin, I’m going to watch that 49ers-Pats game very carefully – if the Pats can manhandle the 9ers like they pounded the Texans, they will be established as the clear favorite to win it all. San Francisco has more on the line, though – Seattle is suddenly nipping at their heels. Lost in a lot of the discussion about the Steelers is the simple fact that even when Ben has played, the offense has been well below-average by NFL standards. However, they seem to lose when we expect them to win and win when we expect them to lose, so anything is possible against a similarly Jekyll-and-Hyde Dallas team.”

Chris: “I have given up on the Steelers. They’ve now lost to the Titans, Raiders, Browns and Chargers. I just can’t see them making this push down the stretch to claim the sixth and final wild card spot. The offense lacks a solid ground game and the receivers can’t hold on to the football. Based on what we’ve seen this season, it might be time to gut the team and start over. I expect the Steelers to lose 2 of 3 down the stretch and miss the postseason for the second time under coach Mike Tomlin.”

Rusty: “Jay seems to have the golden touch right now. I have to think the Steelers have a good shot at winning and need it badly. I still think the Ravens are on the skid – go Broncos. Redskins and Packers are regrouping well. Giants still rolling. And, the Texans will regroup to get the job done against the Colts. Jay, can I borrow your crystal ball if this week doesn’t work out?”

Jay: “Wish I had some grand thing to say about my picks – I just call ‘em as I see ‘em. Alot of schizophrenic teams in the NFL this year – Cowboys, Steelers, Giants, etc – make these games hard to pick even without the Vegas lines.”

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