Hackenberg's picks

12/19/2004

Blade NFL sports writer Dave Hackenberg's picks for Week 15:

Minnesota at Detroit (+3): Daunte Culpepper against Joey Harrington is not a fair fight. Pick: VIKINGS.

San Diego at Cleveland (+10): Can Browns win? Cover? Heck, they just hope to have enough players to finish game. Pick: CHARGERS.

Buffalo (+1 1/2) at Cincinnati: Believe it or not, Buffalo is making a playoff run in tough AFC. Pick: BILLS.

Seattle (+6) at N.Y. Jets: This game will show the great disparity between the two conferences. Pick: JETS.

Dallas (+12) at Philadelphia: Julius Jones won't be enough as Cowboys are in way over their heads. Pick: EAGLES.

Jacksonville (+3 1/2) at Green Bay: Decent matchup, but the tundra will freeze out the boys from Florida. Pick: PACKERS.

Houston (+1) at Chicago: Weather could play a factor here, too, which is about the only reason to like Bears. Pick: BEARS.

New Orleans (+7 1/2) at Tampa Bay: It's too many points to give a team that actually plays better on the road. Pick: SAINTS.

St. Louis at Arizona (+3): Do-or-die game for Rams if they have any playoff hopes. Pick: RAMS.

Denver at Kansas City (+1): Broncos will surely score 30, and they're 59-2 under Mike Shanahan when doing so. Pick: BRONCOS.

Tennessee (+2) at Oakland: Swami likes Billy Volek, but Titans defense just can't finish the job lately. Pick: RAIDERS.

Baltimore (+8) at Indianapolis: Manning goes for Marino's TD mark as Colts' indoor speed negates Ravens' vaunted defense. Pick: COLTS.

New England at Miami (+9): Beware the home 'dog? Not when it's a real barkin' dog. Pick: PATRIOTS.

Last week: 9-7. Yesterday: 1-2. t Season: 117-93.