NFL Lines – Some NFL Teams Will Be Left Out in the Cold
What do Pittsburgh and New England have in common besides cold weather climates in the NFL? They have outstanding regular season records in December since 2003.
Most importantly, both AFC teams made the Super Bowl four of the past five years, winning three times.
The Patriots won back-to-back championships in ’03-04 and lost last year to the New York Giants, the first NFC team to win it all since Tampa Bay in ’02. The Steelers won the big one in ’05.
New England is an amazing 21-2 in December the past five years. Ironically, both losses were to Miami in ’06 and ’04 while the Patriots won last year and in ’03. The teams split this season.
New England and Miami are wild-card contenders, but each has a chance to win the AFC East. The Patriots have an easy 12th month despite playing on the road three times: Seattle, on Sunday; Oakland, Dec. 14; and Buffalo, Dec. 28. The trio has only 11 victories between them. On Dec. 21, the Patriots host Arizona, leading the NFC West with a 7-5 record.
The New York Jets, on top in the AFC East, is 12-11 in December during the past five years. After splitting with New England this sports betting season, the Jets hope to make it two in a row against Buffalo on Dec. 14 and Miami on Dec. 28.
In December since ’03, New York is 2-2 against the Dolphins and 1-2 against the Bills. The Dolphins are 2-1 against New York and 2-2 vs. Buffalo.
Miami, 8-10 during December, must capture all four remaining contests to finish on top, including Buffalo away on Sunday, hosting San Francisco Dec. 14 and visiting Kansas City on Dec. 21.
The Steelers, leading the AFC North, have done real well in December since ’03 going 17-6. But their nemesis is Baltimore. During the past five years, the Ravens whipped Pittsburgh three of four years while going 15-10.
Baltimore, a wild-card contender, hosts the Steelers on Dec. 14, aiming to avenge a 23-20 loss at Pittsburgh. The remaining schedule is difficult: home against Washington on Sunday and against Jacksonville on Dec. 28 while traveling to Dallas on Dec. 20.
Meanwhile, the Giants during their championship season didn’t do particularly well, going 3-2. New York lost to the Redskins for the fourth time in five seasons, during a five-year 9-14 record.
The Super Bowl champs don’t have an easy December starting Sunday hosting Philadelphia, 15-7 since ’03. The Eagles, with an outside shot at the playoffs, are 3-0 against Washington, away on Dec. 21, and 4-0 against Dallas, at home on Dec 28.
The Giants also play three teams with an excellent chance of making the playoffs: at Dallas, Dec. 14; home against Carolina, Dec. 21; and at Minnesota, Dec. 28.
Dallas, who plays the Steelers on Sunday, is 8-13 in December. Carolina, chasing NFC South leader Tampa Bay, is 13-12 and play the Bucs Monday night. The Panthers have a 2-1 edge over Tampa Bay while going 8-13 since ’03. The Vikings, leading the NFC North, are 10-14 overall in the final month of the year.
