Sunday Week 15 by Chris Schultz

[Lukester]

1:00 PM Sunday, December 20, 2009
New England (-7.0) Buffalo:
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Schultz Picks: New England

The Patriots are regressing as a football team; Randy Moss and others are sent home for being late, three turnovers against Carolina kept that game close and there just seems to be tension as opposed to confidence coming out of New England. But now the Patriots play the Bills, a team they have beaten 17 of the last 18 times. Game One for Buffalo was there best game of the year, a 25-24 loss to New England that created optimism that the Bills could have and excellent year. False confidence in that the Bills are 5-8 and have no playoff hopes. I think all the tension in New England will create a new focus, with Buffalo, Jacksonville and Houston; New England still can be 11-5, the same as last year but winners in the Division. New England covers.



1:00 PM Sunday, December 20, 2009
Arizona (-12.0) Detroit:
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Schultz Picks: Arizona

If Baltimore can score 48, then Arizona should be able to score at least 30. If Baltimore can hold Detroit to three, then Arizona should be able to hold the Lions to 15 and therefore cover. Also, the Cardinals have not lost two games in a row yet this season, a sign of a very good team. Also, I look for Kurt Warner to rebound and play well. After five great games, last week against the Niners on Monday night was his most difficult performance in a long time. But then again, the seven turnovers destroyed the Cardinals' chances for a win. Arizona rebounds and covers.



1:00 PM Sunday, December 20, 2009
Miami Tennessee (-3.0):
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Schultz Picks: Miami

What was a weakness has now become a strength for the Dolphins. For the second week in a row, the Dolphins had a fourth quarter shutout on defence. Significant because previously the Dolphins imploded in the fourth quarter and do not have a come-from-behind type of offence. Miami does not have to dominate Chris Johnson for Tennessee, just control him. Johnson is only 374 yards away from 2,000 and also lead the Titans in receiving with 42 catches. Miami did an excellent job on Maurice Jones-Drew last week in Jacksonville; 83 yards on 20 carries. They just might do it again. This is a risky pick because Miami is due for a loss – but not yet. Dolphins.



1:00 PM Sunday, December 20, 2009
Cleveland Kansas City (-2.0):
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Schultz Picks: Cleveland

One of the biggest upsets this year in the NFL was last Thursday; Browns 13, Steelers 6. When you consider that the only other win by the Browns was 6-3 over Buffalo in Week 5, perhaps Cleveland has improved. This is a critical time for Brady Quinn. He can establish himself as a starter and make the Cleveland Browns hesitate on drafting a quarterback early, or signing an expensive free agent. And although Quinn doesn't have excellent beep ball accuracy, he has played four games in a row without throwing an interception. With Joshua Cribbs, Cleveland has a good shot at a win. In the two games against Denver and last week against Buffalo, 445 rushing yards allowed by Kansas City. Cleveland.



1:00 PM Sunday, December 20, 2009
Houston (-9.5) St. Louis:
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Schultz Picks: Houston

Boy, do the Rams have a long way to go. At 1-12, the only win they have this year is over Detroit, and it is only Detroit that has allowed more points than St. Louis - Detroit at 406 and St. Louis at 361. But, Detroit has scored more points, while St. Louis has scored the fewest in the NFL at 146. Best draft pick in the first round of NFL football in 2009? You can make an argument it is Houston linebacker Brian Cushing. He has earned a starting position and has played well all year. Houston.



1:00 PM Sunday, December 20, 2009
Atlanta NY Jets (-3.5):
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Schultz Picks: NY Jets

I look for the Jets to keep it simple and physical. Last week in Tampa Bay, 42 run plays and 24 pass plays. Whether it is Kellen Clemens or Mark Sanchez; when you run that many times and pass that few, you're not asking your quarterback to win - you're asking your offensive line to win. Good strategy at this point of the season by head coach Rex Ryan. Atlanta has to be very careful how they handle the toe injury to Matt Ryan. A hyper-extended toe can cripple a career and as much as a good quarterback play is about arm accuracy and velocity, it begins with perfect footwork. Jets.



1:00 PM Sunday, December 20, 2009
San Francisco Philadelphia (-8.5):
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Schultz Picks: Philadelphia

Did San Francisco beat Arizona or did Arizona beat themselves? Probably a bit of both, as the 49ers really benefited from Arizona's inability to hold on to the ball. The Eagles exploded offensively last week, scoring 45 points on the Giants. Only the Saints have scored more than the Eagles. The Eagles have won their last four in a row and are in control of the NFC East. With Dallas playing in New Orleans and the Giants playing in Washington, the Eagles could win the division by January 3. The Niners do compete well and the combination of Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree has really helped Alex Smith, but first home game in two weeks for Philly. Eagles.



1:00 PM Sunday, December 20, 2009
Chicago Baltimore (-11.0):
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Schultz Picks: Baltimore

Your Pick:
Chicago
Baltimore
You have to give the Ravens some credit. Going into Week 15, they still have a shot at a ten-win season. The only teams that the Ravens have lost to are good teams:

At New England: 27-21
Cincinnati: 17-14
Minnesota: 33-31
At Cleveland: 17-6
Indianapolis: 17-15
At Green Bay: 27-14

And the majority of the six losses have been by very close scores. It shows that a tough schedule makes a big difference. Now, they play a Bears team that in five of the last eight games have run for 70 or fewer yards and have a quarterback that has thrown 22 interceptions. Baltimore.



4:05 PM Sunday, December 20, 2009
Cincinnati San Diego (-6.5):
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Schultz Picks: Cincinnati

The big unknown is how the Bengals will react to the absence of Chris Henry. It's totally unpredictable but usually it brings a team closer for the common purpose of playing their personal best. The Chargers also know this and I guarantee you Norv Turner will address the subject with compassion and professionalism. The Chargers are the better team, the Bengals have become complacent after beating Pittsburgh twice, Baltimore twice, and winning the division. It will be a long and quiet charter flight from Cincinnati to San Diego on Saturday. The Bengals players will have a long time to reflect and get themselves emotionally ready. San Diego wins, but the Bengals cover.



4:05 PM Sunday, December 20, 2009
Oakland Denver (-14.0):
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Schultz Picks: Denver

The one point of optimism for Oakland was the play of quarterback Bruce Gradkowski. Although he was not a dominate quarterback, he was better than JaMarcus Russell in both percentage of completions and touchdown to interception ratio. And head coach Tom Cable has not committed to Russell, and the Raiders may start Charlie Frye. Brandon Marshall is coming off a career game; 21 catches for 200 yards. If I was Oakland, you have to do anything you can to keep his opportunities limited. I can't see Oakland moving the ball effectively on Denver, but I can see the opposite. The first game in Week 3 was an easy 23-13 win for Denver and it could be the same given the quarterback situation for Oakland. Denver.



4:15 PM Sunday, December 20, 2009
Green Bay Pittsburgh (-1.0):
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Schultz Picks: Green Bay

The Packers are a hot team, the Steelers are not. The Packers have won five in a row and what is disturbing is in two of the losses – Cleveland, Oakland, Kansas City – the combined win/loss total is 9-30. They have lost to some bad teams. Green Bay is not a bad team and the biggest reason is improved pass protection. Green Bay is 9-0 when Aaron Rodgers is sacked fewer than six times. Without Troy Polamalu, they can reach that goal again in Pittsburgh. Packers.



4:15 PM Sunday, December 20, 2009
Tampa Bay Seattle (-7.0):
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Schultz Picks: Seattle

The Seahawks have a good chance to win because first, they're at home and second, Tampa Bay can score points. Seattle is 3-12 on the road in the last two seasons and defensively has given up 30 points a game on the road. Of the Seahawks' five wins this year, four have been at home and although Josh Freeman may have an NFL career ahead of him, right now he is learning and adapting. Seattle has scored 3, 6, 17 and 7 over the last four games. Long flight from Tampa to Seattle, and with a rookie quarterback... Seattle covers.



8:20 PM Sunday, December 20, 2009
Minnesota (-9.0) Carolina:
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Schultz Picks: Carolina

I don't think Carolina can score enough points to win. Their highest points total all year was 34, but that was Week 8 when Kurt Warner threw five interceptions and a fumble. Even against Tampa Bay, on 16 points scores. For Minnesota, it's the exact opposite; 30 or more in three of the last four games and only 10 allowed to Carson Palmer and the Bengals last week. Without a running game, Carolina struggles. And Minnesota does have and excellent run defense, if the Vikings can control the run with their front four and double up on Steve Smith, it should be an easy win. But nine points may be too much. Minnesota wins but Carolina covers.

[Slammer]

I haven't been following him, does Chris Schultz know what he is talking about?

[Lukester]

Originally Posted by Slammer

I haven't been following him, does Chris Schultz know what he is talking about?

He normally does great in the last few weeks.

LW: 12-4 (but the W before that was pretty bad)
TW: 1-0 so far
YTD: 116-91-2

Only thing I don't like in his capping is that he always brings back LW and he knows full well that every team's D or O-line, playbook, etc gets re-adjusted to the new opponent every week.

He's much better at the CFL for a number of reasons but he's good to go the last 4 weeks of the NFL.

I only post this for the extra info in case anybody needs it.