This week’s NFL Prediction Six-Pack

“Right after the game, say as little as possible.”  Tom Landry

We miss you Tom, and your tight ass.

Red was off for Thanksgiving last week.  For Week 12 it was a pathetic 2-4.  For the season 24-30.  Not even close.

Your Silence is Golden Pick of the Week.

Lions over Buccaneers.  Tampa Bay will be an interesting team to watch – next year.  The only reason to watch this year is to see Mike Evans continue his march towards Rookie of the Year.  Lions are the biggest surprise to Red this season as he picked them to be watching the playoffs in January.  Some team is going 10-6 or possibly even 11-5 and missing the post-season.   Lions need win to keep pace in the surprisingly competitive NFC wildcard race. .    Detroit 20 Tampa Bay 13.

Your Silence of the Lambs Pick of the Week

Texans over Jaguars.   Will wonders never cease?  Ryan Fitzpatrick actually looked like an NFL starting quarterback last week against the hapless Titans.  Meanwhile, DeAndre Hopkins and J. J. Watt keep confirming that their deals are real.  The Texans have the talent to win games, but most weeks they have the mentality of losers.  The good news for Fitz and Crew is that bigger losers are coming to town on Sunday.  Houston 36 Jacksonville 20.

You’re the Less Said the Better Pick of the Week.

Bengals over Stealers.   There you have it.  Cincinnati 32 Pittsburgh 20.

Your Hipsters in Fedoras Pick of the Week.

Chargers over Patriots.   Another big match-up this week as the Patriots attempt to overcome the reverse triple time zone/Mediterranean climate shift hex when they travel to face the Chargers for their second Sunday night match up in a row.  Brady and crew looked beatable for most of the Packers game until making it close before collapsing under pressure in the frigid Wisconsin night.  Weather is not a factor this week, but playing the Chargers is a puzzle.  Which Chargers team shows up this week?  The one that lost to Dolphins 37-0 or the one that beat the Seahawks by 9.  Chargers have been mostly eking out wins over the decent teams they have played and would be happy with one more eke this week.   San Diego 27 New England 24.

Your Silent Predators Pick of the Week.

Eagles over Seahawks.  I don’t have this as a Superb Owl matchup, but it wouldn’t surprise Red to see these two wily avian predators playing in February.  Eagles were at their best in dismantling the Cowboys on Thanksgiving.  The Legion was just fine in shutting down the Cardinals last week, but the Hawks offense has begun to sputter.   No sputtering allowed against the high-flying Eagles. You don’t need to score that many to beat the Seahawks lately.    Philadelphia 30 Seattle 17.

Your Silencio Pick of the Week.

Titans over Giants.  When reading about the bullfights in the paper the next day, the one word you don’t want to see is “silencio.”  That means the crowd rewarded an especially deficient performance with silence.  Red has seen that happen at Texans’ games on a number of occasions when there were about 1437 fans left in the stands at the end of the game.  It’s kind of sad what has happened to the Titans since Bud Adams died as attested to by their repeated appearances in the weekly Shit Bowl.  Last week’s debacle against the Texans was a new low point.  Well, this is the Titan’s week as they face a Giants team that comes to Nashville on 7 game losing streak to set up a contender for Shit Bowl of the Year.  Don’t clean your Ruger while watching this dreadful dung duel lest ye be tempted to put a big hole in that brand new 52 incher hanging on the living room wall.   Tennessee 13 New Jersey 11.

Red’s Bonus Early Final Four Prediction

At the beginning  of the season Red picked: Baylor, Alabama, Oregon and Michigan State (should have paid more attention to the schedule)

At this point it looks like: TCU, Alabama, Oregon and Wisconsin/Florida State

It should be an interesting weekend.