New York Giants

New York Giants

New York Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 02: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants runs the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium on October 02, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The month of December is upon us, and in the NFL it is the month of now or never. And in the case of the New York Giants and Jets, both are very much in the mix for some serious December games with postseason implications.

It all starts Sunday when the Giants host the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. The Giants are 7-4, the Commanders, a surprising 7-5. The winner of this game would be in the catbird seat for one of the remaining Wild Card slots out of the NFC. The loser, will have an uphill climb.

To say the least, this is a HUGE game for the Giants. Big Blue is coming off two straight losses to the Lions and Cowboys, and must get back on track, especially with games against Philadelphia and Minnesota scheduled for the stretch drive.

The Giants have been beaten up by injuries of late, but they might be getting back tight end Daniel Bellinger (eye), Outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari (calf), offensive tackle Evan Neal (knee), and left guard Ben Bredeson (knee).

Big Blue needs all the help it can get, especially with so much reliance on Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones to spark the unit.

Meanwhile the Jets go flying into Minnesota on Sunday afternoon for what could easily be the Game of the Week. The Jets are riding high on Mike White’s right arm, and many fans are hoping that he can come close to duplicating his efforts last week against Chicago. It will be interesting to see how he and the Jets attack Minnesota’s 32nd ranked passing defense.

It will be even more fascinating to see how the Jets secondary guards against super star receiver Justin Jefferson.

A win for the Jets on Sunday, and they will at the very least be in full control of their destiny for a wild card spot.

Now … let’s make picks!

  • Washington Commanders (7-5) (-2.0) @ NY Giants (7-4)

    Taylor Heinicke Washington Commanders

    INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 30: Taylor Heinicke #4 of the Washington Commanders celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

    This is such a tricky spot for both of these teams. The Commanders are riding a four game winning streak; the Giants a two game losing streak. Something has to give. The Giants could get Evan Neal back from injury, which would be huge. Saquon Barkley had two poor games the past two weeks. The Giants need Barkley to carry the load if they stand a chance week in and week out.

    On the flip side it will be fascinating to see how the Giants defense does against Taylor Heinicke. While Heinicke isn’t a flashy quarterback, all he does when he starts for Washington is win. The Giants defense could use a bounce back game, but it won’t come easy against this quarterback.
    PICK: GIANTS 24 – COMMANDERS 19

  • NY Jets (7-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (9-2) (-3.0)

    Mike White Jets

    EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 27: Mike White #5 of the New York Jets throws a pass in the first half of a game against the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium on November 27, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

    This is a very interesting spot the Jets find themselves in. If Mike White delivers the goods again, or finds a way to get the Jets a victory over a very, very good Minnesota Vikings team, one could pretty safely say we won’t see Zach Wilson under center again for the Jets for a long time.

    Maybe. If the Jets lose, and/or White struggles, the Zach Wilson truthers will be ready to scream from the mountain tops.

    Here’s the thing, the Jets players love playing with White. It showed last season during his brief tenure starting, and it shows now. He oozes swag.

    As mentioned before, the Vikings pass defense is very suspect, and it could play into the Jets hands, especially with Garret Wilson and Elijah Moore at wide out.

    However the match-up to watch will be the Jets defense against Minnesota’s offense. How will Kirk Cousins handle the Jets pass rush? Will Sauce Gardner match-up with Justin Jefferson? And if so, who wins that match-up. If Jefferson is making acrobatic catches on Sunday, it will be a long day for Gang Green.

    Expect a high-scoring slug-fest.

    PICK: VIKINGS 31 – JETS 27.

  • Tennesee Titans (7-4) @ Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) (-4.5)

    Jalen Hurts Eagles

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 26: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to throw the ball during the first half against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

    Another incredible match-up this weekend is the Eagles-Titans game. The Eagles boast one of the best defenses in the NFL, ranked 2nd overall, and they go up against the human wrecking ball himself in Titans running back Derrick Henry. Henry has rushed for 1,087 yards and ten touchdowns this year.

    How Henry does against the Eagles front seven will be a key point in the game. As will Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ match-up with the Titans defense. Tennessee boasts the 2nd ranked run defense in the NFL. How will they do against Hurts, who set a franchise record 157 yards rushing by a quarterback last week against Green Bay?

    Not to mention Hurts has been dynamic as a thrower, tossing for 2,560 yards, 17 touchdowns and three picks.

    Whichever big superstar has a big day, will determine the winner.

    PICK: Eagles 27 – TITANS 21

  • Miami Dolphins (8-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (7-4) (-4.5)

    Jimmy G 49ers

    SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 27: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass the ball against the New Orleans Saints at Levi’s Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

    The Miami Dolphins have been riding high for a while, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been getting MVP consideration since coming back from that scary concussion he suffered earlier this year. But Miami is entering the teeth of their schedule, starting this week in San Francisco.

    As hot as Miami has been, the 49ers have won four in a row, and Jimmy G and the offense are clicking. Not to mention the Niners defense hasn’t given up more than 16 points in a game in about a month.

    PICK: 49ers 23 – DOLPHINS 17

  • Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) (-2.5) @ Cincinati Bengals (7-4)

    Bengals Chiefs

    KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 30: Quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals eludes the tackle of defensive end Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 30, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

    A rematch of last season’s AFC Title Game that saw the Bengals pull out the upset victory on the road at Arrowhead. It was one of two victories the Bengals enjoyed against the Chiefs last year. Of course Kansas City hasn’t forgotten it.

    Revenge is a dish served up cold, and the Chiefs are starting to play their best ball of the year. Patrick Mahomes, of course has been on fire, and the Chiefs may have found a weapon in former Rutgers standout running back Isiah Pacheco, who averages 4.7 yards per carry.

    The Bengals have plenty of fire power themselves. They are expecting Joe Burrow’s favorite target, Ja’Mar Chase back in the lineup this week.

    Expect a fun and wild game, but with KC getting some needed vengeance.

    PICK: CHIEFS 34 – BENGALS 27

  • Indianapols Colts (4-7-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (8-3)

    Micah Parsons Cowboys

    ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 11: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys rushes the passer against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

    Ummm, yeah. So Jeff Saturday leads his Colts into Big D against a Cowboys team that is really clicking of late, and a Cowboys team that had extra rest thanks to playing on Thanksgiving. The Colts are coming off a short week having played on Monday night. Already, Indy is a disadvantage just on that.

    Expect to see a lot of Micah Parsons in the face of Matt Ryan all night long.

    PICK: COWBOYS 38 – COLTS 10

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