The Accuscore and Vegas Picks systems led the way in week 15, expanding their lead on all other systems after another solid weekend of picks, despite the tremendous number of upsets that derailed some of the other systems. Not that I'm going to mention any names, but their initials are Creative Misfortune. Man, I hate being sick...
Thursday Night Result:
San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers (Actual ~ San Diego, 34-7)
Creative Misfortune's Pick: San Diego, 31-17. Both teams are playing for a chance to take their division crown, but the Chargers are a far superior team.
Scottie V's Pick: San Diego, 28-13. The Super-Chargers are red hot and they'll win the No-Cal vs. So-Cal matchup.
Vegas Lines Pick: San Diego, 28-17. San Diego by 9, Over/Under 44.5.
Accuscore Pick: San Diego, 31-7. San Diego 83% win confidence
What If Sports Pick: San Diego, 21-12. San Diego won 4 of 5 simulations.
Best Record Wins Pick: San Diego, 20-17. San Diego better at 7-6.
Home Team Wins Pick: San Diego, 20-17
The Chargers won easily as expected and kept their playoff hopes alive.
Sunday Game Results:
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals (Actual ~ Cincinnati, 19-17)
Creative Misfortune's Pick: Cleveland, 27-24. Neither team is very good, so I won't have to watch this on TV. Whoo. Dodged a bullet there.
Scottie V's Pick: Cleveland, 23-13. Cincy is at the height of their dysfunction and the Browns play some cohesive ball.
Vegas Lines Pick: Cincinnati, 23-17. Cincinnati by 2, Over/Under 40.
Accuscore Pick: Cleveland, 20-17. Cleveland 55% win confidence
What If Sports Pick: Cleveland, 21-20. Cleveland won 3 of 5 simulations.
Best Record Wins Pick: Cleveland, 20-17. Cleveland better at 5-8.
Home Team Wins Pick: Cincinnati, 20-17
The Bengals finally win a game, barely, and gain some measure of respect against the weakest of their division rivals. Cleveland continues to stumble and once again lost a game they should have won.
Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys (Actual ~ Dallas, 33-30)
Creative Misfortune's Pick: Dallas, 28-20. Their seasons may be over, but Dallas can still inspire their fans for next year with a nice victory over their hated division rival.
Scottie V's Pick: Dallas, 27-14. Let's hear it for Jason Garrett! He's turned a hapless Kitna-led Cowboys squad to respectability... Meanwhile, in Washington...
Vegas Lines Pick: Dallas, 27-20. Dallas by 6, Over/Under 46.
Accuscore Pick: Dallas, 23-14. Dallas 63% win confidence
What If Sports Pick: Dallas, 24-23. Dallas won 3 of 5 simulations.
Best Record Wins Pick: Washington, 20-17. Washington better at 5-8.
Home Team Wins Pick: Dallas, 20-17
Rex Grossman tossed four impressive touchdowns and led quite the rally as Dallas nearly had a Giant-esque collapse of their own against their hated division rival. Both teams, safely out of the playoff race, continue to jockey for draft positioning. The Cowboys won the game in the end, but that's about all that is worth saying about their victory.
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans (Actual ~ Tennessee, 31-17)
Creative Misfortune's Pick: Houston, 34-27. Both teams will likely be eliminated this week, regardless of the outcome of this game, but Houston is still playing with a lot of fire. Tennessee is mailing it in just waiting for Coach Fisher to resign or be fired at the end of the season.
Scottie V's Pick: Houston, 24-10. The Texans will take out their pent-up aggression over a lost season on this suddenly fractured Titan team.
Vegas Lines Pick: Tennessee, 26-23. Tennessee by 1.5, Over/Under 47.5.
Accuscore Pick: Tennessee, 17-16. Tennessee 51% win confidence
What If Sports Pick: Houston, 24-23. Houston won 3 of 5 simulations.
Best Record Wins Pick: Tennessee, 20-17. Both teams at 5-8, advantage home.
Home Team Wins Pick: Tennessee, 20-17
Arian Foster had a terrible game and ruined the playoff hopes of many a fantasy football franchise as the Titans suddenly look like a dominate team and put the final nail in Houston's playoff coffin. The victory keeps Tennessee's faint playoff hopes alive.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts (Actual ~ Indianapolis, 34-24)
Creative Misfortune's Pick: Indianapolis, 24-21. The Jaguars always seem to play Indianapolis hard, but Manning and crew aren't yet ready to relinquish their hold of the AFC South title.
Scottie V's Pick: Indianapolis, 27-24. Jacksonville will provide all Peyton can handle, but I just can't believe the Colts are ready to ride off into the sunset.
Vegas Lines Pick: Indianapolis, 28-21. Indianapolis by 5, Over/Under 48.5.
Accuscore Pick: Indianapolis, 23-14. Indianapolis 62% win confidence
What If Sports Pick: Indianapolis, 26-17. Indianapolis won 4 of 5 simulations.
Best Record Wins Pick: Jacksonville, 20-17. Jacksonville better at 8-5.
Home Team Wins Pick: Indianapolis, 20-17
The Colts do not go quietly into the night! Once again they wrest control of the division away from the Jaguars and now control their own playoff destiny with two games to play. Manning plays solid against a team that has given him fits in the past, but the real story of the game is Austin Collie. After scoring two touchdowns early and gaining nearly 100 yards receiving, another hard hit sent him to the bench with his third concussion of the season. Even if he comes back this year, how many snaps will he be good for before another hit sends him down for a fourth time?
Kansas City Chiefs at St. Louis Rams (Actual ~ Kansas City, 27-13)
Creative Misfortune's Pick: St. Louis, 24-14. With Cassel still questionable for Sunday's game, the Rams will climb back to .500 and maintain their lead in the NFC West.
Scottie V's Pick: Kansas City, 24-21. Will Cassell play? If so, he surely won't be 100%... Even still, I think the Chiefs have enough going for them to get a much-needed victory in St. Louis.
Vegas Lines Pick: St. Louis, 23-20. St. Louis by 2, Over/Under 42.5.
Accuscore Pick: Kansas City, 20-17. Kansas City 55% win confidence
What If Sports Pick: Kansas City, 27-13. Kansas City won 4 of 5 simulations.
Best Record Wins Pick: Kansas City, 20-17. Kansas City better at 8-5.
Home Team Wins Pick: St. Louis, 20-17
What If Sports - the oft-maligned pick system that has yet to have a solid week of picking winners - finally nets its first ever perfect pick with the outcome of this contest. Kansas City, on the strength of a weakened Matt Cassel, dominates the "best team" in the NFC West for an easy victory to stay one game ahead of the Chargers with two yet to play. Just when you think the Rams might be on to something, they go out and play a terrible game like this. Yet, even at 6-8, they still hold the inside track to their division title. How sad is that?
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins (Actual ~ Buffalo, 17-14)
Creative Misfortune's Pick: Miami, 24-17. In a game featuring the also-rans of the AFC East, Miami will gain a bit of traction in their difficult quest for a Wild Card spot.
Scottie V's Pick: Buffalo, 23-20. Suddenly I find myself rooting for the Bills... They're a feisty bunch... And they will take their talents out on South Beach.
Vegas Lines Pick: Miami, 23-17. Miami by 5.5, Over/Under 40.
Accuscore Pick: Miami, 27-10. Miami 74% win confidence
What If Sports Pick: Miami, 21-16. Miami won 3 of 5 simulations.
Best Record Wins Pick: Miami, 20-17. Miami better at 7-6.
Home Team Wins Pick: Miami, 20-17
Buffalo ends Miami's season by getting a solid road win in South Florida over the floundering Dolphins. Miami just cannot win a game at home. Why? Who knows, but it doesn't matter any more, because their season is over.
Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Actual ~ Detroit, 23-20 (OT))
Creative Misfortune's Pick: Tampa Bay, 17-13. The Buccaneers beat teams with losing records, but the game will be close.
Scottie V's Pick: Tampa Bay, 24-16. Much as I'd like to pick Detroit (a likeable bunch a-la the Bills), but I think Tampa will play inspired ball at home.
Vegas Lines Pick: Tampa Bay, 26-17. Tampa Bay by 6, Over/Under 43.
Accuscore Pick: Tampa Bay, 27-9. Tampa Bay 75% win confidence
What If Sports Pick: Tampa Bay, 23-17. Tampa Bay won all 5 simulations.
Best Record Wins Pick: Tampa Bay, 20-17. Tampa Bay better at 8-5.
Home Team Wins Pick: Tampa Bay, 20-17
So much for the Buccaneers finishing the season a perfect 10-0 against teams without winning records. Detroit, fresh off their surprising defeat of the Green Bay Packers last week, where they ended their 19-game losing streak to division opponents, snapped another variation of their famous losing streaks by ending their road-skid at 26 games. Could the Lions finally be turning a corner?
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers (Actual ~ Carolina, 19-12)
Creative Misfortune's Pick: Arizona, 34-24. Arizona figured a few things out last week and Carolina just added a few more players to injured reserve. Plus, in the NFC West, Arizona still has something to play for.
Scottie V's Pick: Carolina, 20-14. Wow. This is about as hideous a matchup as you could get. Think Carolina may play just a little less awful at home.
Vegas Lines Pick: Carolina, 21-17. Carolina by 2.5, Over/Under 38.
Accuscore Pick: Carolina, 21-16. Carolina 59% win confidence
What If Sports Pick: Carolina, 24-13. Carolina won all 5 simulations.
Best Record Wins Pick: Arizona, 20-17. Arizona better at 4-9.
Home Team Wins Pick: Carolina, 20-17
19-12? Sounds about right for these bumbling franchises. Arizona, with the loss, is finally eliminated from playoff contention. Even in the NFC West, 6-10 just won't be good enough for them to move on.
New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens (Actual ~ Baltimore, 30-24)
Creative Misfortune's Pick: New Orleans, 21-17. The Saints learned something very important from Baltimore's collapse on Monday night - the Ravens defense ain't what it used to be.
Scottie V's Pick: New Orleans, 24-16. The Saints play their grittiest game of the year getting a big win in Baltimore.
Vegas Lines Pick: Baltimore, 23-21. Baltimore by 1, Over/Under 43.5.
Accuscore Pick: Baltimore, 20-17. Baltimore 53% win confidence
What If Sports Pick: Baltimore, 17-10. Baltimore won 4 of 5 simulations.
Best Record Wins Pick: New Orleans, 20-17. New Orleans better at 10-3.
Home Team Wins Pick: Baltimore, 20-17
Both the Ravens and the Saints have solid playoff positioning, but whereas Baltimore moved closer to their division title with the win, New Orleans fell further behind the Falcons in the NFC South. The Saints now need to win out and hope the Falcons lose out, otherwise they will be looking to take a trip to either St. Louis or Seattle for a Wild Card date with one of the worst division champions in NFL history.
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (Actual ~ Philadelphia, 38-31)
Creative Misfortune's Pick: New York, 37-31. The defensive line of the Giants will contain Vick just enough to turn him into a pocket passer. Without the big play, Philadelphia will not be able to win.
Scottie V's Pick: New York, 27-20. This should be a fun game... I'll give the Giants the nod at home.
Vegas Lines Pick: New York, 26-21. New York by 3, Over/Under 46.5.
Accuscore Pick: Philadelphia, 17-16. Philadelphia 51% win confidence
What If Sports Pick: New York, 21-10. New York won all 5 simulations.
Best Record Wins Pick: New York, 20-17. Both teams at 9-4, advantage home.
Home Team Wins Pick: New York, 20-17
The debacle in New York. The Giants collapsed in epic fashion as the high-flying Eagles continue to amaze people with their ability to make something out of nothing. As great as the comeback was for the Eagles, and as devastating as it potentially could be for the Giants, can we all please agree on one thing - Giants Punter Matt Dodge was NOT the reason the Giants lost this game. Yes, his line-drive punt led to the deciding points in the final seconds of the game, but there were ten other Giant defenders on the field who failed to keep their lanes.
Not only that, but last time I checked... Matt Dodge wasn't responsible for covering Eagles Tight End Brent Celek on that 65-yard touchdown... Matt Dodge wasn't one of the Giants special team blockers that turned early and allowed the Eagles an easy onside-kick recovery... Matt Dodge didn't lose contain on Michael Vick's impressive 35-yard scramble that led to another 4-yard touchdown run for the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year... Matt Dodge wasn't playing defense when the Eagles marched 88 yards down the field to tie the game at 31-31 in just under two minutes...
Had the Giants run the ball three straight times and taken all the time off the clock when they got the ball back with just over a minute to play, instead of having Manning go Pass Incomplete - Pass Incomplete - Sack - TIMEOUT - the Giants wouldn't have needed to punt and quite possibly would have won 34-31 in overtime. All the Giants - from Coughlin on down - are to blame for the embarrassing collapse on Sunday - not the punter, who had but one small part to play in the fiasco.
Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks (Actual ~ Atlanta, 34-18)
Creative Misfortune's Pick: Atlanta, 27-10. The Falcons cannot afford to have any letdowns before the Saints come to town next week.
Scottie V's Pick: Atlanta, 28-17. It's Week 15 and the Falcons are still gettin' it done... Maybe I need to buy in... Don't think the Seahawks are the team to halt this train.
Vegas Lines Pick: Atlanta, 28-20. Atlanta by 7, Over/Under 45.5.
Accuscore Pick: Atlanta, 24-14. Atlanta 64% win confidence
What If Sports Pick: Atlanta, 27-26. Atlanta won 3 of 5 simulations.
Best Record Wins Pick: Atlanta, 20-17. Atlanta better at 11-2.
Home Team Wins Pick: Seattle, 20-17
The Falcons are one win away from clinching home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Seahawks are, quite possibly, one win away from becoming the worst division champion in NFL history.
New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers (Actual ~ New York, 22-17)
Creative Misfortune's Pick: Pittsburgh, 20-7. Pittsburgh will level some good old smash-mouth football on the Jets and shut them up for good.
Scottie V's Pick: Pittsburgh, 28-13. I can't wait for this game! Better hope that no Jet's coach tries to trip Troy Polamalu... He'll come at them like a spider-monkey!
Vegas Lines Pick: Pittsburgh, 23-14. Pittsburgh by 6, Over/Under 36.
Accuscore Pick: Pittsburgh, 28-9. Pittsburgh 77% win confidence
What If Sports Pick: Pittsburgh, 21-14. Pittsburgh won 4 of 5 simulations.
Best Record Wins Pick: Pittsburgh, 20-17. Pittsburgh better at 10-3.
Home Team Wins Pick: Pittsburgh, 20-17
Just when you think the Jets are dead and buried, they go and pull off a dramatic upset like this and make you re-evaluate everything you hold near and dear. New York soldifies their Wild Card status with the victory, while Pittsburgh, surprisingly enough, clinches a playoff spot with their loss. The Steelers should be able to hold on and win the division, but no matter where they fall, they have punched a ticket to the post-season.
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders (Actual ~ Oakland, 39-23)
Creative Misfortune's Pick: Oakland, 35-14. The Broncos are rapidly becoming an embarrassment and the Raiders will have no problem humiliating them further.
Scottie V's Pick: Oakland, 27-17. I can't believe that Oakland is respectable and I keep picking them to win... Has Hell frozen over? Has Al Davis left the 1980's??
Vegas Lines Pick: Oakland, 27-17. Oakland by 7, Over/Under 43.5.
Accuscore Pick: Oakland, 24-14. Oakland 64% win confidence
What If Sports Pick: Oakland, 23-13. Oakland won all 5 simulations.
Best Record Wins Pick: Oakland, 20-17. Oakland better at 6-7.
Home Team Wins Pick: Oakland, 20-17
TIM TEBOW! Granted, the Raiders won easily going away by 16 points, but... TIM TEBOW!!!!!
Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots (Actual ~ New England, 31-27)
Creative Misfortune's Pick: New England, 31-17. Whether the weather is good or bad, Matt Flynn will not be able to keep pace with Brady and the explosive Patriots offense in New England.
Scottie V's Pick: New England, 34-20. This game might be a lot more interesting with a healthy Aaron Rodgers, but let's be honest, even that might not stop the machine that is the New England Patriots.
Vegas Lines Pick: New England, 30-13. New England by 13.5, Over/Under 43.
Accuscore Pick: New England, 27-10. New England 73% win confidence
What If Sports Pick: New England, 20-17. New England won 3 of 5 simulations.
Best Record Wins Pick: New England, 20-17. New England better at 11-2.
Home Team Wins Pick: New England, 20-17
Stat line of the game- Matt Flynn (251 yards, 3 TDs) vs Tom Brady (163 yards, 2 TDs). The Packers surprised everybody by nearly knocking off the Patriots at home, but Flynn's solid performance is undermined by confusion on the final 4th-and-1 play of the game. The Patriots clinched a playoff spot with the win and are one win away from clinching home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. And how about that Dan Connolly? Talk about rumblin', bumblin', stumblin' for the greatest kickoff return by an offensive lineman in NFL history.
Come back tomorrow to laugh at Creative Misfortune's terrible prognostication for week 15 when the final prediction standings following the Monday Night Game are posted and to view the Conference Championship playoff results for Creative Misfortune's "If Real Football Used Fantasy Scoring..." season.
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