***SWAMPY CLAUS HOLIDAY - MUCK 5 - WEEK 16***
***SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ CLEVELAND BROWNS***
Going back to the well one more time here, insanity at its' finest I know. Cleveland Head Coach Hue Jackson wants nothing more than to avoid going winless in his first season leading the Browns and there is no doubt about it, this team is as bad as it gets. They are just plain undermanned in so many areas but do have enough talent to put together a win if the right situation arises. Today just may be that day! At home, hosting a West Coast team in the San Diego Chargers, who have nothing to play for and are severely banged up all over the place. As good of a QB as we know Phillip Rivers is, we also know how he can be prone to turning the ball over, and lately he seems to be in a funk of doing so. I expect the Browns to give everything they got today for the fans and attempt to gift them with a win for Christmas. They owe whatever amount of the Dawg Pound faithful willing to venture out today that much. QB Robert Griffin III will now be starting his third game and it has been a rough two starts previously for him but I believe it is only natural for him to now be shaking some rust off and getting more comfortable in the pocket. He will certainly be under siege as the Chargers defensive front led by Rookie DE Joey Bosa is a beast, but that's when he can utilize his best asset in his legs. I think the Browns will pound the rock with RB Isaiah Crowell and it will help open up things through the air for RG3 to get it going with WRs Terrell Pryor and Rookie Corey Coleman. The Chargers will still be without their stud RB in Melvin Gordon and have shown that they are limited in the running game without him. The Brownies make some magic today and play their best game for Hue and the fans here and keep this one close and possibly win outright. BROWNS+5
***WASHINGTON REDSKINS @ CHICAGO BEARS***
It was a brutal outing on MNF for the Redskins when the Panthers caught them sleeping and absolutely destroyed them in both the passing and running game, beating them outright and ruining the Redskins' chances of controlling their own destiny which has now put their playoff hopes in the hands of others around the NFL. Needless to say it has now been the shortest of weeks for Washington as they travel to Chicago to take on an extremely gritty Bears team with nothing to lose and competing hard in every match. I think the Bears will be in the Holiday spirit and come to play once again today at home for the fans with an attempt to upset and finish off the Redskins for good. The pressure is on now for Washington more than ever before and I like the way Chicago's defense is playing, and surprisingly their offense as well. Behind their third string QB Matt Barkley they have seemed to of found a spark and now with WR Alshon Jeffery back and continuing to pound the rock old school style with Rookie RB Jordan Howard, they can definitely take it to this wounded and vulnerable Redskins defense. I like da Bears to smell blood here and get it done to end their season on a good note and give their fans something to look forward to for next year. BEARS+3
***ATLANTA FALCONS @ CAROLINA PANTHERS***
As previously mentioned above, the Panthers have woken up and looked more like last year's Super Bowl runner up on MNF last week when they took it to Washington. RB Jonathan Stewart turned back the clocks and ran with authority which had a domino effect into QB Cam Newton playing at his best, picking apart the Redskins secondary. The Falcons have been coasting playing some cupcakes the past two weeks in the Rams and 49ers. They know deep down that Carolina is a serious threat and can feel the heat of the Tampa Bay Bucs nipping at their heels for the Division title. The pressure is on for Atlanta and the last time these two teams met it was a high scoring affair and WR Julio Jones absolutely destroyed the Panthers secondary having a career 300 yard day. Since then, Carolina's young secondary has been playing much better and I think will be motivated to continue to play spoiler the rest of the season with games against both Atlanta and Tampa left. At home today I like the Cats to carry the momentum from Monday Night's win and get some revenge on the Falcons here. I believe they will try to use the same recipe as last game, run the ball and kill the clock to keep QB Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense on the sideline and out of rhythm. The Panthers know they have been a huge disappointment this year and I believe they will finish strong to paint a brighter picture moving forward with a big home win and upset today. PANTHERS+3
***ARIZONA CARDINALS @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS***
As usual, Seattle has been a monster at home this season but the last time they played Arizona it ended in an ugly 6-6 tie. With nothing to lose, I like Arizona to rally here and play another close game against their division rival. I believe they will rely on the run game behind their stud RB David Johnson and QB Carson Palmer will be able to pick his spots in this secondary with the absence of Seahawks safety Earl Thomas. On the reverse side of things I think Arizona's front will get after QB Russell Wilson and make things difficult for him and this offense to really take off with any sort of big lead. I anticipate a hard fought divisional battle here and like Arizona Head Coach Bruce Arians to motivate his guys to keep this game tight. CARDINALS+8
***TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS***
The last time these two division rivals met it was in a thriller two weeks ago when the Bucs were able to fend off the Saints and pull out a home win. Today they head into a very tough environment with the Saints looking for revenge and hopes of putting a damper on Tampa's playoff hopes. QB Drew Brees is a freak and has the potential to take it to any defense, especially at home. All the pressure is on the young Bucs QB Jameis Winston here to go toe to toe once more with the old veteran to keep their team's playoff hopes alive. Coming off a big loss last week in Dallas on SNF that ended their 5 game winning streak, I think the Bucs confidence might be shaken and the air taken out of them a bit. I am against the clock here so I will just end it with this, I like Brees at home to get a Xmas upset for New Orleans and make week 17 between Atlanta and Tampa that much juicier. SAINTS-3
