I’ve been traveling this week and missed getting my picks out the door in time for Thursday night’s game, but I did throw out a pick on Dallas-Chicago last night via Twitter. And as you’ll see below, I got it right.
As for the rest, these are interesting times. The teams on the playoff bubble — and there are a lot — are looking like John Boyega in the Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer. To wit:
Yep, it’s panic time. Specifically: Dallas (which took care of business), Philly, Detroit, Atlanta, New Orleans, Arizona, Seattle, San Francisco, Buffalo, Miami, the entire AFC North, Houston, San Diego and Kansas City. You all have a shot of going to the playoffs, but you all have to pick up your game. Time to make the Kessel Run in under 12 parsecs — every Sunday.
Now, on with the picks! (Winners in italics)
Dallas at Chicago: Nailed it.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati: I have a bad feeling about this pick. Could go either way.
St. Louis at Washington: Easy. Just like when you used to bullseye womp-rats in your T-16 back home.
N.Y. Giants at Tennessee: How many Bothans must die before the Giants get another win? Should be here, but…I thought Jacksonville was a gimme.
Carolina at New Orleans: Welcome to the NFC South — the Jar-Jar Binks division.
N.Y. Jets at Minnesota: All too easy.
Baltimore at Miami: The Force is strong with Miami…but they are not Jedi yet.
Indianapolis at Cleveland: Always looking away to the future, Manziel is. Never his mind on where he is, hm? On what he is doing.
Tampa Bay at Detroit: This is most definitely the opponent Detroit is looking for.
Houston at Jacksonville: We will be watching your career with great interest, Blake Bortles.
Buffalo at Denver: That’s no team. That’s a battle station.
Kansas City at Arizona: Control! Control! You must learn control! (Applicable to either team.)
Seattle at Philadelphia: To those who still write off Seattle…I find your lack of faith disturbing.
San Francisco at Oakland: Oakland seems to be made to suffer. It’s their lot in life.
New England at San Diego: The Chargers are strong with the Force. For the Pats, it could be an Ackbar moment — “It’s a trap!” — but…not likely.
Atlanta at Green Bay: Traveling to Green Bay ain’t like dusting crops, Atlanta.
Last week’s record: 8-7 (Somehow, I forgot to include New England-Green Bay. My bad.)
Season record: 123-67
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Michael J. Martinez 