By by James Parziale
Last week wasn’t a good one for current or former New York kickers. The Bucs’ Matt Bryant, formerly of the Giants, missed a 29-yard chip shot which would have tied his game. The Jets’ Mike Nugent hit on four field goals before his game-winning try fell inches short of the crossbar with 10 seconds left.
And of course there was current Giants kicker Jay Feely, who melted down on national television for all to see. After entering the game with just two misses in 25 attempts, he missed on three attempts from 40, 54 and 45 yards at the end of regulation and overtime. Somewhere, Doug Brien must’ve been giggling.
Picking NFL games is the same. When you’re doing poorly, everyone notices.
GAMES OF THE WEEK
Dallas (7-4) +3 at N.Y. Giants (7-4): These two teams both blew chances to take leads in the division, so the winner here has the inside track to the division title. Despite the devastating loss, the Giants are the better team. Pick: Giants
Cincinnati (8-3) +3.5 at Pittsburgh (7-4): Cincinnati has another chance to dispel its Bungals reputation after losing to the Steelers convincingly on their home turf earlier in the season. The Steelers put up a fight against the Colts, but couldn’t win a big game. Go figure. Your guess is as good as mine. Pick: Steelers
Denver (9-2) -1 at Kansas City (7-4): “No Mistake” Jake Plummer, as Broncos fans call him, errored for the first time in 216 pass attempts by throwing an interception against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. The Broncos should be thankful the Chiefs still don’t have a defense. Pick: Broncos
Atlanta (7-4) +3 at Carolina (8-3): Don’t you just love these ripe AFC South rivalries? Well, not me. The records dictate it’s a heavyweight battle, but the Panthers are much better all-around. Pick: Panthers
THE SLATE
Buffalo (4-7) +4 at Miami (4-7): I’d rather watch an Arena football game. Seriously. Pick: Dolphins
Green Bay (2-9) +7 at Chicago (8-3): Kyle Orton? Adrian Peterson? Who are these Bears? And how about their defense, which is the best in the NFL. Can you name four players of the 11 not named Brian Urlacher? Didn’t think so. Pick: Bears
Houston (1-10) +8 at Baltimore (3-8): Last week Houston wrote the book on how to blow a 21-point lead and lose. This week the Texans will display how to lose by a safety, 2-0. Pick: Texans
Jacksonville (8-3) -3 at Cleveland (4-7): Byron Leftwich’s ankle injury throws a kink in the Jaguars’ playoff drive. But playing Cleveland this week means the Jags could probably bring Randall Cunningham out of retirement and win the game. Pick: Jaguars
Minnesota (6-5) -3 at Detroit (4-7): Who knew all the Vikings needed was for Daunte Culpepper to get hurt to be contenders. Steve Mariucci got axed this week, but the man who brought him in, President and CEO Matt Millen, got another pass. Exhibit A to why the Lions will never succeed. Pick: Vikings
Tampa Bay (7-4) -3.5 at New Orleans (3-8): The Saints beat the Jets last week-which shouldn’t count-because of a missed field goal. We know Bryant’s story. What will happen this week? Pick: Buccaneers
Tennessee (3-8) +15 at Indianapolis (11-0): There’s a reason Peyton Manning has the best quarterback vision in Madden-it’s because he’s the man. I’m rooting for history and the undefeated season. Pick: Colts
Arizona (3-8) -3 at San Francisco (2-9): It’s nice to see Alex Smith’s name reduced to no more than a mention on an injury report. However, the Cardinals new, fiercer logo is quite intimidating (Lame, but I can’t think of any Cards material). Pick: 49ers
Washington (5-6) -3 at St. Louis (5-6): Is Ryan Fitzpatrick the next Kurt Warner? Probably, but he went to Harvard, so unlike Warner, when his football career is over he can fall back on something. Pick: Rams
N.Y. Jets (2-9) +10 at New England (6-5): The last four years the Patriots have been blessed with talent. This year, the AFC looks more like Division II competition. Pick: Patriots
Oakland (4-7) +11 at San Diego (7-4): Randy Moss should lobby to get LaDainian Tomlinson to quarterback the Raiders. He’s thrown two less touchdown passes than Moss has caught. Pick: Chargers
Seattle (9-2) -4 at Philadelphia (5-6): The Seahawks are the best team in the NFC, but they shouldn’t have beaten the Giants last week. Seattle hasn’t won a playoff game since 1984, so talk to me in January. Pick: Eagles