Sports

NFL

Today's games

By JOANNE KORTH
Published December 24, 2005

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THE HOT TICKETS

Giants (10-4) at Redskins (8-6), 1 p.m.

LATEST LINE: Redskins by 3, O/U 37

THE SCOOP: The Redskins are among the league's hottest teams, but their season can be divided into three segments: 3-0, 2-6, 3-0. Washington can take the NFC East race to the final day of the season with a victory against first-place New York. The Giants throttled the Redskins 36-0 on Oct. 30 and can clinch the division with a series sweep. So far, running back Tiki Barber has enabled the Giants to overcome quarterback Eli Manning's late-season struggles.

KORTH'S PICK: Redskins 27, Giants 21

Chargers (9-5) at Chiefs (8-6), 1 p.m.

LATEST LINE: Pick 'em, O/U 491/2

THE SCOOP: Coming off a rousing victory at Indy, San Diego takes on AFC West rival Kansas City in what amounts to an elimination game. If the Chargers fail to make the playoffs, a possibility even if they win out to go 11-5, they could become the best team in the Super Bowl era to miss the postseason. Kansas City rarely loses at home in December and has outscored San Diego 232-107 in the past eight meetings at Arrowhead Stadium.

KORTH'S PICK: Chargers 31, Chiefs 28

THE BUCS: Falcons (8-6) at Bucs (9-5), 1 p.m., Ch. 13

LATEST LINE: Bucs by 3, O/U 361/2

THE SCOOP: These teams have a robust dislike for one another, and playoff implications can only add to the intensity level. Michael Vick hung up on members of the bay area media when pressed on his 2-4 record against the Bucs. Coach Jon Gruden hung pictures of athletes with "juice" in the Bucs' locker room as a motivational tactic. And these things occurred Wednesday, proving it's never too soon to pull out the stops in the Bucs-Falcons rivalry.

KORTH'S PICK: Bucs 27, Falcons 24

OTHER MATCHUPS

Cowboys (8-6) at Panthers (10-4), 1 p.m.

LATEST LINE: Panthers by 5, O/U 371/2

THE SCOOP: Maybe Drew Bledsoe wasn't the answer.

KORTH'S PICK: Panthers 24, Cowboys 17

Bills (4-10) at Bengals (11-3), 1 p.m.

LATEST LINE: Bengals by 131/2, O/U 44

THE SCOOP: The Bengals are too new to winning to take anything lightly.

KORTH'S PICK: Bengals 31, Bills 10

Steelers (9-5) at Browns (5-9), 1 p.m.

LATEST LINE: Steelers by 7, O/U 33

THE SCOOP: Pittsburgh is trying to run its way into the playoffs.

KORTH'S PICK: Steelers 28, Browns 6

Jaguars (10-4) at Texans (2-12), 1 p.m.

LATEST LINE: Jags by 6, O/U 371/2

THE SCOOP: After escaping the 49ers, the Jaguars waste no time in Texas.

KORTH'S PICK: Jaguars 35, Texans 13

Titans (4-10) at Dolphins (7-7), 1 p.m.

LATEST LINE: Dolphins by 51/2, O/U 44

THE SCOOP: Miami tries to win five straight for the first time since 1999.

KORTH'S PICK: Dolphins 21, Titans 17

Lions (4-10) vs. Saints (3-11) at San Antonio, Texas, 1 p.m.

LATEST LINE: Saints by 3, O/U 371/2

THE SCOOP: San Antonio would have to be desperate to turn out for this one.

KORTH'S PICK: Saints 17, Lions 10

49ers (2-12) at Rams (5-9), 1 p.m.

LATEST LINE: Rams by 9, O/U 42

THE SCOOP: Maybe the 49ers should have used the No. 1 overall pick on some guy from Harvard.

KORTH'S PICK: Rams 21, 49ers 10

Eagles (6-8) at Cardinals (4-10), 4:05 p.m.

LATEST LINE: Cardinals by 1, O/U 39

THE SCOOP: Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald is eight catches shy of 100.

KORTH'S PICK: Cardinals 23, Eagles 19

Raiders (4-10) at Broncos (11-3), 4:15 p.m.

LATEST LINE: Broncos by 13, O/U 421/2

THE SCOOP: Didn't this used to be a rivalry?

KORTH'S PICK: Broncos 31, Raiders 14

Colts (13-1) at Seahawks (12-2), 4:15, Ch. 10

LATEST LINE: Seahawks by 91/2, O/U 44

THE SCOOP: Are the Colts looking at a losing streak?

KORTH'S PICK: Seahawks 24, Colts 21

Sunday

Bears (10-4) at Packers (3-11), 5 p.m., Ch. 13

Vikings (8-6) at Ravens (5-9), 8:30 p.m., ESPN

MNF: Patriots (9-5) at Jets (3-11)

THE TALLY

LAST WEEK: 10-6.

SEASON: 146-78.

Eleven of 16 games this week have playoff implications.

[Last modified December 24, 2005, 01:10:16]

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