Carolina Panthers @ Cleveland Browns
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Gerry: Carolina
None: Cleveland
Rice: Carolina

None: Both teams are as unpredictable as they can get. Cleveland's only 2 wins have come in last second form, and I'm going to take a risk. I think Carolina's a team they can hang close with for 58 minutes, and hopefully Tim Couch will win it for them in the last two minutes... I dunno why, but I say upset.

Gerry: 2 in a row for the Browns? Not likely.

Rice: Carolina seems to follow some kind of a lose one week, win the next pattern. They lost last week to the St. Louis juggernauts, so they'll beat the scum sucking Browns, who are improving, but still far from elite.
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  vs 
Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers
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Gerry: Green Bay
None: Detroit
Rice: Green Bay

None: Last week's debacle at Dallas showed how bad this Green Bay team really is. The Lions lost last week in Arizona 23-19 after a couple of questionable 2-point conversions that Bobby Ross called for. If the Lions want to challenge the Rams for the home field throughout the playoffs, they need to win. They will.

Gerry: Favre has to show he's not a bust this season, especially to the home crowd fans.

Rice: Well, one day, Favre will have to pull his disoriented team together. The only time they've lost at Lambeau is against the Seahawks. That's only because Mike Holmgren knows the Packers like the back of his hand. Brett Favre was literally raised under his wing. Against the division rivals Detroit Lions, watch for the GB defense to step up.
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  vs 
New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins
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Gerry: New England
None: New England
Rice: New England

None: The Patriot's loss against the Jets on MNF only enhances the importance of this game. The Patrtiots are 4th in the East, while the Dolphins remain in first. A win by the Patriots really turns this division upside down, and the Patriots are in a must win situation. While Bledsoe and co. have never had that much success against the Fish, this one has huge playoff implications - without Marino.

Gerry: The Pats are disappointing people around the league, except for me. I expected them to be one dimensional.

Rice: Yeah, so they lost to the Jets. It's Parcells, what can you expect? Let's not forget Drew Bledsoe is the best quarterback this season. Stats-wise, of course. Miami is missing Marino and now Cecil Collins. Too bad their defense can't score. If the Patriots can run Terry Allen, they will open up the receivers.
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   vs 
Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets
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Gerry: NY Jets
None: Buffalo
Rice: Buffalo

None: The Jets will play the role of spoiler for hte rest of the season, and with all their meetings with the AFC East teams, what they do will make a huge impact. The Bills are high after their wins against the Redskins and Dolphins, and I think they're finally back on track. Look for them to keep winning.

Gerry: The Jets are on a roll w/ Lucas at the helm. No one's better at milking their players than Parcells.

Rice: No matter how well the Jets are playing, I for sure ain't goin' against muh Bills. They're on a roll baby, and Bruce Smith will eat up Ray Lucas. If Holecek and Cowart can stuff Martin, then it's win #8 for Buffalo.
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  vs 
Indianapolis Colts @ Philadelphia Eagles
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Gerry: Indianapolis
None: Indianapolis
Rice: Indianapolis

None: Mark my words: Indy's the toughest team to beat in the AFC East. While their youth will probably haunt them in the playoffs, Manning is just on a roll. They keep scoring and scoring, and have a good defense. Look for the Eagles to come down after a nice win against the no-defense Redskins.

Gerry: This one's a cinch. Even in his bad games Peyton still throws 250 yards and a couple TDs.

Rice: As much as I want Indy to lose (so Buffalo can get more ground on that #1 in the AFC East), they won't. Philly's surprising, and inconsistent, but that never beats out straight consistency... something you are seeing from Manning and Edgarrin James.
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  vs 
Seattle Seahawks @ Kansas City Chiefs
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Gerry: Seattle
None: Kansas City
Rice: Kansas City

None: This is it: the AFC West matchup that could determine who wins the division. As good as Seattle has proven themselves, no one can question how good Kansas City's defense is at home. Hmmm.... the Chiefs' vets know how important this game is, and Seattle...well, they're young. Experience at home.

Gerry: I'm a believer now. Kitna can play, and Galloway's not the dud I thought he'd be. KC can't hang.

Rice: Arrowhead is one of the hardest places to win at, right up there with Texas Stadium. Time for Seattle to come back to earth. They're good, but it won't be next season until they truly make their presence known. Grbac is nice and consistent w/ those short pansy passes. Don't turn the ball over + manage the clock well = Chiefs victory.
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  vs 
Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Bucaneers
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Gerry: Tampa Bay
None: Tampa Bay
Rice: Tampa Bay

None: Atlanta sucks. Tampa Bay has a great defense. The Falcons' don't have enough to take advantage of the Bucs' lackluster offense... take TB at home.

Gerry: Not a cinch here, but the Bucs' D will single-handedly win games. I swear, stick some of those guys on offense!

Rice: Damn, how the hell did Dilfer pull off two good games in a row? Luck, I suppose, or fear of losing his job to a more athletically superior Zeier. He saw how well Zeier threw those passes against Detroit. It was just against logic for them to lose agains the Lions. Oh well, Atlanta belongs somewhere in the junk heap. The Bucs will keep on rolling.
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  vs 
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tennessee Titans
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Gerry: Pittsburgh
None: Tennessee
Rice: Tennessee

None: Last week's loss to the Browns was more important to the Steeler's playoff hopes than they'll ever realize. They could have come into this game, heads held high, ready to take on the Titans. Could have.... instead, Tim Couch engineered a stunning comeback against them... This loss in Tennessee effectively ends the Steeler's chance at the playoffs.

Gerry: This game nags me. These two teams are very similar. Whichever QB is better will determine who wins.

Rice: I'm itching to choose Pittsburgh, but the Titans have ol' reliable Eddie George. He may not get his yards, but he's consistent and will pound it in there for the 4 yards or so each down. McNair will get back into his groove now that he's experienced some pigskin action after his long injury.
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  vs 
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals
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Gerry: Baltimore
None: Baltimore
Rice: Baltimore

None: Best bet in the NFL: Whoever plays the Bengals.

Gerry: The Ravens' D is solid. They're O is oh so atrocious. But hey, it's Cincy right? They're cure for all ailments.

Rice: Who can lose to the Bengals? I defy you to answer that question by naming a team in the NFL.
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  vs 
Dallas Cowboys @ Arizona Cardinals
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Gerry: Dallas
None: Dallas
Rice: Arizona

None: Arizona won against the Lions last week, but didn't prove much. It was a game that Detriot should have won. On the flip coin, the Cowboys turned out a very gutty win against the Packers without their big three. I don't think the Cardianls can take advantage of the Cowboys' weaknesses....close win for the Boys.

Gerry: Still haven't gone against the Dallas. Don't think Rice has gone against the Bills yet either. Pig-headedly loyal we are.

Rice: Dallas can win at home against anyone, but can't beat anyone on the road. Especially w/out its star players who are out legitimately this time, not for being busted w/ coke again. =)
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  vs 

None: San Diego's defense is just too frustrated now. Starting at 4-1 gave them a great chance at the playoffs, but their offense couldn't score about 10 points a game to win anything for them. Now, instead, the team is divided, in chaos, and the season is practically over. In fact, Ryan Leaf might be back soon, it's that bad! And to top it all off, the Bears are going to come in and beat them.

Gerry: Marcus Robinson can't keep this up. Jim Miller will come back down to earth vs. the Chargers' D.

Rice: These Bears are tough man. Just like grizzly's. SD's got nuthin' at all. Maybe Seau should try QB.
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  vs 
St. Louis Rams @ San Francisco 49ers
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Gerry: St. Louis
None: St. Louis
Rice: St. Louis

None: St. Louis' defense actually did some good last week, and they easily beat 28-10. This week, they play that infamous 49ers secondary. Warner and his corps should have some fun running it up, but early playoff warning: The Rams are vulnerable as well. The two close games they have played against quality opponents, they have lost.

Gerry: The Niners have basically canned the season to get the #1 pick in the draft. Pretty smart.

Rice: Oughta be childsplay for the Rams, who are so used to losing the Niners this decade. How bitterly ironic for San Francisco, eh?
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  vs 
New York Giants @ Washington Redskins
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Gerry: Washington
None: Washington
Rice: Washington

None: As dissapointing as the Redskins have been in the last two weeks, and as much as their defense has failed them (37 & 35 points to the Bills & Eagles), and as many turnovers as they commited (6) just last week, I still can't bet against them. While they have absolutely no defense, Brad Johnson still leads probably the most explosive offense in the league. Take them in a close one.

Gerry: The Giants can't hang in the evitable shootout that will ensue. Westbrook is out though. Might change things.

Rice: 'Skins are at home, and they're pissed at losing a shootout against the pathetic Eagles. Stephan Davis will play a big role in this game, seeing how Westbrook is doubtful this week.
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  vs 
N.O. Saints @ Jacksonville Jaguars
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Gerry: Jacksonville
None: Jacksonville
Rice: Jacksonville

None: First, I don't think the Saints can win in Jacksonville... however, I still think the AFC best 8-1 Jags are very vulnerable in the playoffs. They literally have no offense, and while their defense is the best in the league, they won't win against Tennessee, Buffalo, Indy, Miami, etc... scoring 6 points. So take the Jags in this one, but be forewarned: Without an offense, they're prone to an upset in January.

Gerry: The Haguars looked horrible last week. They're probably the unhappiest 8-1 team in history.

Rice: Jags got the best punter in football, and the most versatile running back. So the game against the Ravens was ugly. Blame it on poor preparation. The defense will stuff Ricky Williams, who is way too overrated. Once Ron Dayne hits the NFL, watch out. That guy can play.
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  vs 
Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos
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Gerry: Oakland
None: Oakland
Rice: Denver

None: Although this game is being played in Mile High, this means more to the Raiders than to the Broncos. Being 5-4, with four teams in the AFC East with better records than they have, the Raiders must win out if they want a chance at the playoffs. They probably won't do it, but this week I think they'll win.

Gerry: The Raiders will win because they'll want it more. It's all about desire, and Rich Gannon's scrambling.

Rice: If Brian Griese was playing for sure, I'd take Denver in a heartbeat. However, since he's still questionable, I hesitated before typing out the Broncos as my pick. Yeah, we know how Oakland needs this game bad, but Denver's at home, and Mile-High is tough. Upset special. Broncos as big time spoilers.
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