Apart from that, this is still a very odd set of matchups because it features a bunch of teams for whom the results matter extreme amounts playing against other playoff teams, who may or may not decide to play starters. The Patriots and Bengals are still fighting for the three-seed, but neither has indicated if they are going to play their starters for the entire game. It will certainly make for some interesting games, and make you very happy you didn't have to play fantasy football this week.

A lot of games are off the board, but I will find a spread somewhere and use it.

Last week: 5-11
Season: 112-122-4
Lock of the week: 8-7 (I forgot to pick a lock last week, I blame Christmas)

Home team in CAPS (Picks after the jump)

This is one of those games that is off the board most everywhere. No one knows what Colts are playing, people aren't sure which QB is playing for the Bills, just a complete crapshoot. So I'm taking the points. 

Saints (+7) over PANTHERS 

Similarly off the board, but I feel like the Saints are going to try to right the ship and play their starters for the majority of this game. 

Jaguars (+1.5) over BROWNS 

I know, the Browns have won three straight games. Great. But the last two were over the Chiefs and Raiders. Have they improved? Certainly. Do they have an answer for MJD? No, not at all. 

Bears (-3) over LIONS 

The Lions are not good, no other way around that statement. Without Stafford they have looked even worse. 

Patriots (+8) over TEXANS 

I think the Pats will play all their starters. It's not like they don't have anything to play for. People seem to disregard the fact that the three seed is better than the four seed. Let's say Cincy and New England both manage second round upsets and meet in the AFC Championship, all of the sudden this game against the Texans becomes very important. 

Steelers (-3) over DOLPHINS 

Not sure if Troy Polamalu or Ricky Williams are playing in this game, so that could make a difference, but I still get the feeling that the Steelers are gonna somehow end up in the playoffs. 

VIKINGS (-9) over Giants 

For all their struggles, the Vikings are still very good at home. 

49ers (-7) over RAMS 

Mike Singletary will make this team want this game and an 8-8 record. The Rams are already thinking about the offseason. 

Falcons (-2.5) over BUCCANEERS 

Neither team has anything tangible to play for, but both have reasons to play hard. The Falcons want to have back to back winning season for the first time in franchise history and show that, if not for injuries, they'd have been in the hunt. The Bucs are looking to build on two straight wins and give Raheem Morris more reasons to keep his job. 

CARDINALS (-3) over Packers 

This will likely be a first round rematch, but the Cardinals do at least have some chance for a first round bye, whereas the game has almost no bearing on the Packers. If the Vikings do in fact beat the Giants, then this game has no bearing on either team and they will see each other the next week. 

BRONCOS (-13) over Chiefs 

The Broncos can (but won't) make the playoffs. But they will blow out the Chiefs. 

Ravens (-10.5) over RAIDERS 

No way the Raiders can beat the Steelers, Bengals, and Ravens...right? If the Ravens don't blow out the Raiders they don't deserve to be in the playoffs. Ray Lewis may or may not have been yelling since the end of last week's game. 

CHARGERS (-4) over Redskins 

Only favored by four, huh? As someone who attended the last two Redskins games, I can say with confidence that it doesn't matter if they are playing backups or third stringers, they will not come anywhere close to winning this game. LOCK OF THE WEEK. 

I don't know which team has looked more pathetic the last two weeks, Seattle or Washington. Be assured Chris Johnson will break Marshall Faulk's yards from scrimmage record and get to 2,000 rushing yards.

Eagles (+3) over COWBOYS 

When in doubt, take the points. Both teams have been playing well as of late, but both teams have obvious issues as well. 

Bengals (+10) over JETS 

This is probably the strangest game of all this week. If the Pats win, the Bengals come in with essentially nothing to play for and a very interesting scenario. If they lose, they'll play the Jets again next week, but if they win they may get the Steelers or Ravens. I know that no one ever loses a game on purpose, but wouldn't you much rather play the Jets in the playoffs than either of those two division rivals?