The Fat Guy Five: Week 16

This week's games are going to have one omission because the Colts are resting a lot of their players. The Seattle and Indianapolis match up could be a Super Bowl preview, but due to the circumstances, it is not worth picking this week.

5. Pittsburgh @ Cleveland: The Steelers have been playing much better the past two weeks, and they can still get a wild card birth if they win out. They pounded the Chicago Bears in a snow storm two weeks ago, and last week they went indoors and put on a defensive display against the Vikings. This week they travel to Cleveland where they take on a Browns team that plays hard every week. The Browns scared the Bengals two weeks ago, and they would like nothing more than to take the Steelers out of playoff contention. This is the type of game that Jerome Bettis strives for, and considering that this may be the last time he ever plays the Browns, I would look for him to have a good day on the ground. The Browns may keep this game close with their defense, but the Steelers are too tough mentally to drop a game that means so much.
PITT 20 CLE 10

4. Atlanta @ Tampa Bay: Both of these teams are coming off of bad performances last week. Tampa Bay was dominated by New England 28-0, and Atlanta was handled by Chicago 16-3. Michael Vick must do a better job of throwing the football if he wants to be considered one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Tampa Bay has the defensive speed to shut down Vick, and if Atlanta cannot get their running game going they will be in trouble. This game should be a low scoring affair, and I would look for both teams to attempt to get their ground attacks established early and often. Cadillac Williams should have a good game especially after his 14 carry 23 yard display last week. Williams and Joey Galloway should make enough plays to put the Buccaneers over the top.
TB 24 ATL 16
3. Dallas @ Carolina: The Cowboys are on the outside looking in when it comes to the NFC playoff picture. If there was ever a must win game, this is it. Drew Bledsoe has looked bad lately, and nothing should change this week as he faces a team that is very good at getting after the quarterback. Carolina has been inconsistent all year, but they should be fine facing off against an overmatched Dallas team. Steve Smith could have a big day going against a secondary that has been susceptible to big plays all year. Dallas will be eliminated from the playoffs this week as Carolina rolls on.
CAR 27 DAL 17
2. New York Giants @ Washington: The Redskins have been hot as of late. They rolled Dallas last week 35-7, and their remaining two games are against division rivals. Clinton Portis has been playing as well as he ever has in a Washington uniform rushing for over 100 yards in each of his last three games. He should go over the century mark again going against a team that allowed Larry Johnson to rush for 167 yards last week. The Giants lead the NFC East, but they must get better play out of Eli Manning who has two touchdowns and six interceptions in his last three games. That will be a tall order for him against a Washington defense that has been stingy all year. Tiki Barber continues to shine, and his name is at the top of many MVP discussions. The Giants will need another big game from Barber if they want to win this one. I would look for Washington to avenge their 36-0 loss to the Giants earlier in the year.
WAS 21 NYG 17
1. San Diego @ Kansas City: This game should be a classic AFC West shootout with two of the league's most explosive offenses squaring off against one another. Larry Johnson has been the best running back in the league as of late. He has rushed for over 100 yards in seven straight games, but in order to make it eight, he will have to figure out the #1 rushing defense in the NFL. The Chargers must win out and receive some help in order to reach the playoffs. They are coming an emotional win against Indianapolis, and they must reach down and summon the intensity it will take to win in Arrowhead. Ladanian Tomlinson should have a big day going against a Chiefs defense that could not tackle Tiki Barber last week. The Chiefs have not lost a home game in December since 1996, but the Chargers showed last week that they do not care much for streaks. Last week they ended Indy's perfect season, and this week they will put an end to Kansas City's December home dominance. This will happen as long as Marty Schottenheimer does not find a way to blow another game which is very possible.
SD 31 KC 21

Last Week: 1-4

Season to Date: 12-12.