Cohen's Week 16 Selections

There is not much left to say about this 2008 season. It has been very special; we have seen a lot of upstarts, like the Dolphins and Falcons, and we have seen the old guard teams, like the Colts and Patriots, stumble out of the gate but still find a way back into post season play. Now let the REAL games begin.

DOLPHINS (9-5) @ CHIEFS (2-12): The suddenly mighty Fish have been winning games by the skin of their teeth this season. Two points over Seattle and Oakland, four points over St. Louis and five points over San Francisco. A bounce here and there and the Dolphins could be 5-9 and not 9-5. Still, you have to give credit to Chad Pennington for finding a way to lead a bunch of no-names and never-will-be's to this very point. They are two wins away from a division title, and with the Jets falling all over themselves, Miami can taste the booze.

But don't get too ahead of yourselves. The Chiefs have played tight games all year, losing most of them. Kansas City has lost six games by seven points or less, and quarterback Tyler Thigpen, ever since breaking out in a 28-24 loss to the Jets in October, has been playing well. This game will be closer than the experts think and it could go either way. PICK: DOLPHINS 24, CHIEFS 17

FALCONS (9-5) @ VIKINGS (9-5): Practically a playoff game before the playoffs even start. The Falcons have been impressive all season led by rookie coach Mike Smith and rookie quarterback Matt Ryan. Still, the dirty birds will need to win out and get some help if they are to make it to the post season party. They will need losses by the Buccaneers and Cowboys to even sniff the post season as a wild card.

As for the Vikings, they might be the hottest team in the NFL, not named the Indianapolis Colts. Adrain Peterson has been getting better as the year has worn on, rushing for over 1500 yards, leading the NFL in that statistic. Also, quarterback Travis Jackson was impressive in a 35-14 win in Arizona, throwing for a career high four touchdowns in a game. The Vikings also boast the NFL's eighth best defense in the league, and it will interesting to see how they do against Atlanta's Michael Turner. PICK: VIKINGS 27, FALCONS 24.

JETS (9-5) @ SEAHAWKS (3-11): The Jets are a hard team to figure out. They should have lost last week to Buffalo, but a bad play call by Dick Jaroun gift-wrapped the Jets a victory 12 days before Christmas. Now, the Jets will have to fly out west one more time. The Jets are 0-3 out west and have not played a game in Seattle since the opening game of the 1997 season, a game the Jets won 41-3. The Jets hope that this trip will be that easy, but chances are it won't be.

Brett Favre has been madly inconsistent and looks more and more like a 40-year-old man then the hop - skip and jump Favre we have been used to seeing for years. Coach Mike Holmgren is used to seeing that Favre too and will hope that his former quarterback will deliver him a wonderful Christmas, going away present. A couple of interceptions could be in the works for this one.

Still, the Seahawks have their own problems. Matt Hasslebeck is out and Seneca Wallace will start at quarterback. He should be under a heavy blitz because the Seahawks are starting an offensive line that is off the scrap heap. It should be intersting to watch the Seahawks 32nd rank pass offense against the Jets 31st ranked pass defense. Something has got to give. PICK: JETS 21, SEAHAWKS 20.

STEELERS (11-3) @ TITANS (12-2): Now the match-up we have been waiting for all season. The Titans have had the best record in the AFC, but the fact remains that the Titans have no offense. Kerry Collins is ... well l... Kerry Collins, and the receiving corps doesn't exactly scare anyone; in fact, a group of beer-bellied old men could do a good job covering the Titans receivers. The Titans have taken advantage of easy schedule, and now find themselves facing a team that is really good in the Steelers.

The Steelers are 11-3 and have accomplished this against the toughest schedule in the NF; in fact, their schedule was the toughest in decades for any team. It is hard to imagine that the Steelers will shrink under pressure if they are trailing at any point in this game. Expect the Steelers to take advantage of a Titans defense that is missing the oft-injured Albert Haynesworth due to knee problems. This one won't even be close. PICK: STEELERS 34, TITANS 16.

PANTHERS (11-3) @ GIANTS (11-3): All week the Giants have heard people question their mental toughness, question whether they have peaked too early, and question if they are good enough now to make it to the Super Bowl. All of those questions are legitimate, but for at least one more night the Giants will look like defending champs. Expect Big Blue to get a heavy pass rush on quarterback Jake Delhomme and force him to make mistakes.

The key for the Giants will be stopping running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. If the Panthers run wild in this one, they should win the game and a ticket to home-field in the NFC. If the Giants can contain them, they should be able to squeak it out. Should be a lot of fun. By the way, the winner of this game is not guaranteed a trip to Tampa Bay; these two teams will likely meet again before January comes to a close. PICK: GIANTS 29, PANTHERS 24.