As the Steve Miller Band sang, "Time keeps slipping into the future." We have arrived at the part of the season where we don't know if certain teams will be giving their all. We saw some HUGE injuries to Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons. Just like them, I might be done for the year.

Last Week

• Straight Up: 9-7
• Against the Spread (ATS):  7-9
• Over/Under: 9-7

For the Season

• Straight Up: 133-86 (60.74%)
• Against the Spread (ATS): 103-119 (46.40%)
• Over/Under: 106-114 (48.19%)

I'm tired of going .500, but that's the way it's been all year. I'd do just as good if I literally flipped a coin to make my picks. I'm not going to tell you if that is what I did or not this week.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18

Rams (11-3) at Seahawks (11-3) — 8:15 PM

Spread: SEA –1.5 | Total: 42.5

These are the two best teams in the NFL going at it and I am befuddled. I am befuddled because I feel there is something wrong with the Rams' defense and Seattle's offense. It isn't on the level of Mahomes and Parson, but Davante Adams appeared to pull his hamstring pretty bad last week and won't be available. That could be a huge blow for the Rams.

Prediction: Rams 26, Seahawks 23. Take the RAMS and the OVER.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20

Eagles (9-5) at Commanders (4-10) — 5:00 PM

Spread: PHI –7 | Total: 44.5

Philadelphia got back on the winning track last week after losing three in a row. Playing the Raiders will do that to ya. The Commanders snapped an eight-game losing streak with a convincing win on the road against the Giants.

Prediction: Eagles 30, Commanders 17. Take the EAGLES and the OVER.

Packers (9-4-1) at Bears (10-4) — 8:20 PM

Spread: GB –1.5 | Total: 46.5

These two teams played just two weeks ago in Green Bay with the Packers winning, 28-21. The Bears got back on the winning track last week, as well, though. Playing the Browns will do that to ya. The Packers lost a surprisingly high scoring affair in Denver, 34-26. More importantly, they lost Micah Parsons for the year with a torn ACL in his left knee.

Prediction: Bears 26, Packers 23. Take the BEARS and the OVER.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21

1:00 PM GAMES

Chargers (10-4) at Cowboys (6-7-1)

Spread: DAL –1.5 | Total: 49.5

The Chargers ended any hope of the Chiefs making the playoffs, while the Cowboys may be out of the playoffs by game time, if the Eagles win on Saturday. The Cowboys put themselves in that spot by not taking care of business at home against the Vikings.

Prediction: Cowboys 27, Chargers 24. Take the COWBOYS and the OVER.

Chiefs (6-8) at Titans (2-12)

Spread: KC –3 | Total: 37.5

If ever the Titans had a chance of beating the Chiefs, it would be now. It still won't happen.

Prediction: Chiefs 24, Titans 17. Take the CHIEFS and the OVER.

Bengals (4-10) at Dolphins (6-8)

Spread: CIN –4.5 | Total: 47.5

The Dolphins have been officially eliminated from the playoffs so they have decided to bench starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. They want to take a look at rookie Quinn Ewers, who they drafted in the 7th round this year. The Bengals should win this one, but you have to question their mindset after getting shut out last week. They are too talented on offense for that to happen.

Prediction: Bengals 24, Dolphins 20. Take the DOLPHINS and the UNDER.

Jets (3-11) at Saints (4-10)

Spread: NO –5.5 | Total: 40.5

Hey, it is time we give Saints head coach, Kellen Moore, his flowers. There are other first-year head coaches getting a lot of accolades this year, but you don't hear Moore's name mentioned much, if at all. He has his Saints playing hard. The same cannot be said for the Jets and Aaron Glenn.

Prediction: Saints 20, Jets 14. Take the SAINTS and the UNDER.

Vikings (6-8) at Giants (2-12)

Spread: MIN –3 | Total: 43.5

We've already mentioned the Vikings and the Giants earlier – the Vikings in a good way, and the Giants not-so-much. The Giants may be in tank mode and the Vikings are still trying to see what they got in their young quarterback.

Prediction: Vikings 23, Giants 17. Take the VIKINGS and the UNDER.

Bills (10-4) at Browns (3-11)

Spread: BUF –10.5| Total: 41.5

The Buffalo Bills bought themselves some breathing room with a huge come-from-behind win against the Patriots. The Browns may have to go back to the drawing board in their search for a QB.

Prediction: Bills 27, Browns 13. Take the BILLS and the UNDER.

Buccaneers (7-7) at Panthers (7-7)

Spread: TB –3 | Total: 45.5

The Buccaneers have me speechless. They blew a 14-point lead in a loss to the Falcons last week after losing to the New Orleans Saints the week before. There was no excuses last week as they had all their offensive weapons back for the first time. Carolina is coming off a bye. They have a chance to seize control of the NFC South.

Prediction: Buccaneers 27, Panthers 20. Take the BUCCANEERS and the OVER.

4:05 PM GAMES

Jaguars (10-4) at Broncos (12-2)

Spread: DEN –3 | Total: 46.5

The Jaguars just keep on winning. So do the Broncos. Something has to give.

Prediction: Jaguars 27, Broncos 26. Take the JAGUARS and the OVER.

Falcons (5-9) at Cardinals (3-11)

Spread: ATL –3 | Total: 48.5

The Cardinals are one of those teams that has already packed it in. Kirk Cousins is showing he may have a little something in the tank. He's not going to play dead. He has something to prove.

Prediction: Falcons 26, Cardinals 19. Take the FALCONS and the UNDER.

4:25 PM GAMES

Steelers (8-6) at Lions (8-6)

Spread: DET –7 | Total: 51.5

Detroit is in a situation where they may have to win out to make the playoffs. The Steelers are surprising many by staving off the Ravens this late into the season. I think the Lions come out roaring in this one.

Prediction: Lions 35, Steelers 24. Take the LIONS and the OVER.

Raiders (2-12) at Texans (9-5)

Spread: HOU –14.5 | Total: 37.5

The Texans are rolling. The Raiders are rolling dead.

Prediction: Texans 37, Raiders 10. Take the TEXANS and the OVER.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL — 8:20 PM

Patriots (11-3) at Ravens (7-7)

Spread: BAL –3 | Total: 48.5

This is gut-check time for the Patriots. How do they respond to squandering a golden opportunity to clinch the AFC East last week? The Ravens need to win to keep up with Pittsburgh.

Prediction: Patriots 31, Ravens 24. Take the PATRIOTS and the OVER.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 22 — 8:15 PM

49ers (10-4) at Colts (8-6)

Spread: SF –6 | Total: 46.5

Bettors can thank Philip Rivers for keeping it close, and almost beating the Seahawks last week. I don't get how San Francisco is only a 6-point favorite in this one. THANK YOU! (This might not age well)

Prediction: 49ers 28, Colts 17. Take the 49ers and the UNDER.