Green Bay (-10.5) at Tampa Bay
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The Packers just haven’t been the same team away from Lambeau Field, as apparent in their Week 15 loss to the Bills. They did not play well and Aaron Rodgers had his worst game of the season. Can the game’s greatest quarterback play two bad ones in a row? No shot. Gerald McCoy, the Bucs best defender, injured his knee last week in Carolina and may miss the game. The Pack cannot afford to lose this game as they could conceivably fall out of the playoff picture with a bad loss down in Florida. Pack rolls.
THE PICK: Packers (-10.5)
Detroit (-7.5) at Chicago
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Chicago is starting Jimmy Clausen this weekend. The Lions have Ndamukong Suh. That is all.
THE PICK: Lions (-7.5)
Atlanta at New Orleans (-6)
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About four months ago the Falcons beat the rival Saints in Atlanta. Now is the time for some revenge. The Saints and Drew Brees got their swagger back last week in a beatdown of the Bears. A win this week will all but put the sorry NFC South division crown in their pocket. Julio Jones will be a gametime decision. If he can’t go, the Falcons will be in big trouble.
THE PICK: Saints (-6)
New England (-10) at N.Y. Jets
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The first meeting between these two teams was too close for comfort as the Jets took advantage of a lackluster Thursday night performance by the Patriots and almost stole one if not for a late blocked field goal. New England won’t fool around with this one. They’ve won the AFC East, but are determined to make the playoffs go through Foxboro. Rex Ryan always has the right scheme to slow down New England defensively but they are on too much of a roll right now.