Phil's NFL Picks
When did this turn into a strictly NFL blog? I am gonna have to read some Maureen Dowd to get fired up.

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Bears (5-7) @ Redskins (5-7)
Memo to Joe Gibbs: It's always been illegal to call back to back timeouts before a field goal attempt or any other play for that matter.
PICK: REDSKINS
Zach's thought: Thursday night games typically favor the home team.

SUNDAY GAMES
Dolphins (0-12) @ Bills (6-6)
Miami is four games away from making the wrong kind of history.
PICK: BILLS
Zach's thought: This is actually a huge game for Buffalo. Don't forget, it beat Miami by 3. Bills.

Rams (3-9) @ Bengals (4-8)
Another non-winning season for Cincinnati.
PICK: BENGALS
Zach's thought: Word is Bengals players are already planning their offseason crime sprees. Bengals.

Cowboys (11-1) @ Lions (6-6)
So much for that 6-2 start for the Lions.
PICK: COWBOYS
Zach's thought: You have to wonder if Detroit will win again this year. Cowboys.

Raiders (4-8) @ Packers (10-2)
If Brett Favre has to miss any time, Aaron Rogers played well enough last Thursday to avoid any major crisis.
PICK: PACKERS
Zach's thought: Lane Kiffin is getting interest from colleges. Why would he want to leave such a prime job? Packers.

Chargers (7-5) @ Titans (7-5)
If Tomlinson gets running room, it could be a long day for Tennessee, even with Haynesworth back.
PICK: CHARGERS
Zach's thought: Chargers look to be rolling. Chargers.

Giants (8-4) @ Eagles (5-7)
Looks like AJ Feeley is not the answer to Philadelphia's QB position after all.
PICK: GIANTS
Zach's thought: Giants have some tough games to close the season. This may not be one of them. Giants.

Panthers (5-7) @ Jaguars (8-4)
Carolina just doesn't have the manpower to handle Jacksonville's defense.
PICK: JAGUARS
Zach's thought: Jags get to beat up on another mediocre team. Jaguars.

Buccaneers (8-4) @ Texans (5-7)
Is it safe to say that Tampa Bay is for real this year?
PICK: BUCCANEERS
Zach's thought: Still not sold. Texans.

Vikings (6-6) @ 49ers (3-9)
Smart money says San Francisco wishes they had their 2008 first round pick back from the Patriots.
PICK: VIKINGS
Zach's thought:Smart money says spend your money elsewhere. Vikings.

Cardinals (6-6) @ Seahawks (8-4)
Too many injuries on Arizona's defense to win a tough divisional game on the road.
PICK: SEAHAWKS
Zach's thoughtz;Cardinals will need another generous performance from their opponent to win again. Seahawks.

Chiefs (4-8) @ Broncos (5-7)
I'm begging Cox Cable to please not put this game on local TV.
PICK: BRONCOS
Zach's thought: Who is worse? Broncos win.

Steelers (9-3) @ Patriots (12-0)
Upset Special: The streak ends here.
PICK: STEELERS
Zach's thought: Time for our long national nightmare to be over. Steelers.

Browns (7-5) @ Jets (3-9)
Fast Fact: Cleveland has not lost back to back games yet this year.
PICK: BROWNS
Zach's thought: Most important Browns game since 1994. Browns.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Colts (10-2) @ Ravens (4-8)
Wasn't the point of flex scheduling to bring good games to Sunday night?
PICK: COLTS
Zach's thought: I think I've seen just about enough of the Ravens in primetime. Colts.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Saints (5-7) @ Falcons (3-9)
In the spotlight are two of the lower teams in the arguably worst division in the NFL. Can't wait.
PICK: SAINTS
Zach's thought: For those of you who don't want to miss Heroes ... Saints.

LAST WEEK: 10-6 Z: 11-5
OVERALL: 124-68 Z: 120-72

PLAYOFF UPDATE

NFC
1. Cowboys - clinched a playoff birth

AFC
1. Patriots - clinched the AFC East