CRAIG'S LIST
It's a good thing we handed out our Christmas presents a week early. The Panthers liked their Johnny Manziel chew toy and the Eagles will have an extra week to heal after tripping over their Redskins doormat and fracturing Chip Kelly's genius bone. Now, we move on to our New Year's resolutions:
CHI +6 at MIN
Vikings 28, Bears 21
The Bears want to quit smoking, lose weight and stop giving $126 million to quarterbacks with one playoff win.
CIN +3½ at PIT
Steelers by 7
The Bengals want to be less patient and more certain about giving $115 million to a QB with fewer playoff wins than Jay Cutler.
DET +7½ at GB
Packers by 3
The Lions and the Democratic Party vow to eventually win a competition held in Wisconsin.
JAX +9½ at HOU
Texans by 7
Sorry, J.J., but MVPs don't go to even great defensive players on 8-7 teams.
IND -7 at TEN
Colts by 3
The Colts would like enough amnesia to forget their 5-5 record outside the AFC South.
CLE +9 at BAL
Ravens by 14
Mike Pettine vows to experience a possible franchise-record 365th day on the job as Browns coach.
BUF +4½ at NE
Patriots by 7
Buffalo would like to be better than New England by the time Bill Belichick turns 70 and/or Tom Brady turns 50.
NYJ +6 at MIA
Dolphins by 10
Rex Ryan wants to shed more weight, starting with his title of Jets head coach.
SD +3 at KC
Chargers by 6
Philip Rivers wants a long, happy retirement ASAP. For Peyton Manning.
PHI +2 ½ at NYG
Eagles by 6
Chip Kelly wants even more offensive snaps, preferably ones that don't result in a league-high 35 turnovers.
DAL -5 ½ at WAS
Cowboys by 14
The Cowboys want to experience faith in what they can't humanly comprehend, starting with Tony Romo in the postseason.
NO -4 at TB
Buccaneers by 7
To those who get too excited about the offseason: ability to remember that Tampa Bay won free agency in 2014.
STL +12½ at SEA
Seahawks by 21
Percy Harvin wants serenity, starting with a quiet place to watch Seattle defend its Super Bowl title.
ARI +6 at SF
49ers by 3
San Francisco wants enough spin to make it sound like dumping Jim Harbaugh is a good thing.
OAK +14 at DEN
Broncos by 17
Oakland wants to be more thankful, starting with the delay in Roger Goodell's plans for an 18-game season.
UPSET SPECIAL
Panthers +3½ at Falcons
Panthers 24, Falcons 17
The winner asks for the patience not to fire its head coach before next week's playoff game.
Record
Last week/overall: 10-5/ 134-86-1
vs. spread: 12-3/ 116-105
Vikings picks: 11-4
Upset special picks: 5-11.