Chip Shots: Butkus D. Dogg's Friday Fearless Forecast (Week 18)

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I'm Chip Ramsey a career broadcaster who has been a sports radio program director in Milwaukee and Nashville and now in Mobile, AL. I've covered everything from high school and college sports (including the SEC, Big Ten, MVC and OVC) to Major League Baseball, The NFL and the NHL. I have a few things to say, and when I want to say them, I say them here.

I mostly talk about my teams, which would be the White Sox, Bears, and Blackhawks, but I do talk about other things as well. Thanks for dropping by. I hope you will bookmark this site and visit often!

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Chip Shots: Butkus D. Dogg's Friday Fearless Forecast (Week 18)

Butkus D. Dogg's Friday Fearless Forecast (Week 18)

I hope you had a nice Christmas. Usually, the Bald Guy is around on Christmas and treats the Fat Dog and me to some fillet. This year he was nowhere to be seen. The only people we saw on Christmas day were a bunch of hooligans who came to Grandma's house, made a huge mess and then left. We were locked up on the porch and didn't participate, but it probably was a good thing too because I'm sure the Fat Dog wanted a piece of somebody.

Speaking of the Bald Guy, we heard his puppy is going to get married. Maybe Mama should have got him defib paddles for Christmas instead of cookbooks.

We're heading toward New Year's day on Tuesday, but I doubt they will let us out to watch football. I really wish we knew where the Bald Guy disappears to so we could go with him. It's got to be better than living on this porch. On the other hand, I heard something about house arrest, so maybe it's not such a good idea after all.

Can you tell I get depressed around the holidays?

Last week I was a putrid 2-3, my first losing week of the year. I'm still doing pretty well at 103-43. You can follow my bowl predictions here. I may need a little help getting to 146 wins like I did last year, but I am confident I am up to the task.

Five pro, straight up. Here's hoping my last picks of 2012 get 'er done:

Green Bay vs. Minnesota: Green Bay is playing to secure a first round bye which they really need while Minnesota is trying to get in to the playoffs. A Packer win gives them the number two seed in the playoffs, a Vikings win gets them into the playoffs. Adrian Peterson is injured (again) and may not be at 100% for the Vikings. I also think Aaron Rodgers has their number. Take Green Bay
Chicago vs. Detroit: The Bears MUST WIN to get into the playoffs and hope that the Packers knock of the Vikings. That's right, folks, the Bald Guy is going to have to cheer for the Packers this week. Maybe the Mayans were right and just got the date wrong because the Bald Guy cheering for the Packers is surely one of the signs of the Apocalypse. Given that, the Lions are probably thinking about their tee times by now. Take Chicago.
Philadelphia vs. New York Giants: The Giants must win and hope Chicago, Minnesota and Dallas all lose so they can make the playoffs. Good luck. But they have to do it one step at a time and that first step is to beat the Eagles in the conclusion of the Andy Reid farewell tour. Take the Giants.
New Orleans vs. Carolina: Two teams that were supposed to be a lot better square off in a game that means absolutely nothing. The Saints inconsistent defense takes on Cam Newton and the Panthers, who have won four of their last five including an impressive double digit win over Atlanta. The Panthers also are trying to save coach Ron Rivera's job, while the Saints are awaiting the probable return of Sean Payton. Bottom line, the Saints defense fools no one. Take Carolina.
Dallas vs. Washington: This is the big domino game of the weekend. Dallas needs to beat Washington to get into the playoffs. Dallas can still sneak in the playoffs if Chicago, Minnesota and the Giants all lose. A big game for the boys, and a big game for Jason Garrett who could be replaced as Cowboys coach if Dallas doesn't go to the playoffs. For some reason, I get the feeling RG III will not have a good week and that Dallas can take care of Kurt Cousins. Take Dallas.