Jim Feist

The Denver Broncos are still in the hunt for a Wildcard spot at 6-6 this season and one of the easiest scheduled left in the NFL. The bad news is that Emmanuel Sanders, their star WR, was hurt in practice and is out with a leg injury. The Broncos are ranked 15th in offense and 25th on defense. In fact, the 49ers rank much better on defense, 11th, then Denver. San Francisco isn't far behind in offense either, ranked 17th. Denver hasn't been the favorite all that often, in fact, just three times in the last 10 weeks. With San Francisco, Cleveland, Oakland and the Chargers left on their schedule, a 9-7 or 10-6 season is definitely in the cards. The 49ers return home today after two tough road games where they were outscored 25-70. I really like the 49ers coach and he knows how to get the most out of his teams. I'm taking the points here at home with San Francisco.

It didn't seem that long ago when the Dolphins were 3-0 and went cruising into New England where they took a good old fashioned whipping, 7-38. Since that loss, it's been tough on the Dolphins, with QB Ryan Tannehill hurt and the team going 3-6. They did win last game out at home over Buffalo, 21-17. It was their second cover in a row after a 2-5 ATS string. The Patriots are cruising to another AFC East division title at 9-3. They lead the Dolphins by three games with four to play. The Pats have won two straight games after that loss at Tennessee, 10-34. They beat the Jets and then last week the Vikings, outscoring both teams 51-23. The Pats really have a easy schedule left with Miami, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and the Jets. Their only test will be that game at Pittsburgh which is next week. We might even see a bit of a look ahead spot here today with the Patriots. The home team has really been the play in this series, covering 13 of the last 16 meetings. In addition, New England is 1-5 ATS in their last five trips to Miami. I'm taking the home team here. Play Miami.

A rematch of week one where these two teams put on a offensive explosion won by the Bucs. Now the Saints travel to Tampa and look for redemption after their worst game of the season last week. Tampa has the top ranked offense in the league with New Orleans not far behind at No 5. Problem is with defense, as the Bucs are 27th and the Saints 15th. The Saints lost last week at Dallas, 10-13, only the third time this year that the Saints have scored less than 30 points. Tampa Bay has gone back to Jameis Winston at QB. It's paid off too, with two straight wins over San Francisco and Carolina. In fact, the defense, which was once the worst in the league, has allowed just 27 points the last two weeks. I look for another high scoring game here this week, but I'm taking the home team. Play Tampa Bay.

 An AFC South matchup here between the division leading Houston Texans and the third place Colts. The Colts are still in the AFC Wildcard hunt at 6-6, but every game is important. After today's game, the Colts play at home against Dallas and the Giants and then finish at Tennessee. None of those will be easy wins. The Texans have the Jets, Eagles and Jaguars left - all very winable games. The Colts season is on the line here and after they were shutout last week, 0-6 at Jacksonville, I expect a much better effort today. Take the Colts.

It's been a roller coaster season for the Browns, firing Hue Jackson earlier in the season and having to endure all those OT games. They have won two of their last three games with wins over the Falcons and Bengals. They did lose last week at Houston, 13-29. Now they return home for two of their last four games. They get the reeling Panthers here today. Remember back to week six when the Panthers trailed the Eagles 0-17 in the fourth quarter? Then they rallied to win that game 21-17. It looked like that could be the turnaround of their season. However, since that win, they are 2-4 both S/U and ATS and on a four-game losing streak. The Panthers lost last week to the Buccaneers, 17-24 as 3-point chalks. Now it looks like Carolina is out in the playoff picture with New Orleans twice on the schedule and Atlanta left. Browns have been tough at home and I'm taking them here today against this Panther team that is chasing its own tail at this point. Play Cleveland.