by George Stranz

Created on: December 22, 2011

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (+5 ½)

The Houston Texans should be able to pummel the Indianapolis Colts with their running game and strong defense. Arian Foster and Ben Tate are averaging 153.9 rushing yards per game while the Colts defense is giving up almost 139 rushing yards per game. Indianapolis quarterback Dan Orlovsky is awful. He got his first career win last week despite his 11-for-17, 82 yard-performance. Expect Houston’s second-ranked defense to handle him and the Colts offense with ease.

Pick: Houston

Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals (-4)

The Arizona Cardinals have won four straight games, but their offense hasn’t played very well these past few weeks. Quarterback John Skelton, who’s gotten a lot of credit for the Cardinals wins, has played poorly. He’s thrown four touchdowns to eight interceptions over his past four games. Running back Beanie Wells has also struggled recently, averaging just 48.3 rushing yards over his past three games. Don’t expect either player to have much success against a solid Cincinnati Bengals defense that’s allowing 314.1 yards and 20.2 points per game.

Pick: Cincinnati

New York Giants at New York Jets (-2 ½)

Rex Ryan may not want to hear this, but his New York Jets will play the little brother this week. The New York Giants have the better quarterback in Eli Manning, the better receivers in Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, and the better pass rushers in Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora. Jets running back Shonn Greene has out-performed Ahmad Bradshaw to this point, but that should change this week. The Jets run defense has been subpar this season, allowing 112.9 rushing yards per game and four yards per carry. If Ryan has his defense focus on the pass, Bradshaw should be able to break some runs and open up the play-action pass for Manning.

Pick: New York Giants

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-11)

The Miami Dolphins have played well and they should continue to play well against a flawed New England Patriots team. Quarterback Matt Moore has been efficient and effective, completing 60.8 percent of his passes while averaging 7.4 yards per pass attempt. Running back Reggie Bush has been shredding defenses, rushing for 467 yards over his past four games. The Dolphins defenders have been getting it done, too. Cornerback Vontae Davis has grabbed four interceptions since his November benching and linebacker Kevin Burnett has contributed 26 tackles, one sack, and one pick over the team’s last four games.

Pick: Miami

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (-13)

Some analysts, pundits, and so-called journalists are quick to proclaim the Green Bay Packers as a team in trouble. After all, they just lost their first game of the year. Furthermore, these bloggers, scribes, and writers have shown a sudden concern over the Packers’ ever-growing list of injuries. However, none of that really matters this week. Green Bay’s immediate goal is to secure a number one playoff seed and their leaders, Aaron Rodgers and Charles Woodson, certainly won’t let the lowly Chicago Bears stand in their way.

The Bears are just awful and they are in no state to compete with Green Bay. Their offense has stalled with Caleb Hanie under center and wide receiver Johnny Knox, the team’s only true deep threat, was lost for the season after suffering a back injury. Chicago’s secondary isn’t much better. They gave up a number of big pass plays to Seattle last week and they’ll be without safety Chris Conte, who was lost for the year after suffering a severe foot sprain.

Pick: Green Bay

Season Record to Date: 37-35-3

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