Last week’s 2-3 record places the season mark at 38-29. I need some wins and let’s hope that some home-cooking will be the recipe for success this week. We’ve got six games picked and I’m going with the home team for all. Last week the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers took expected victories, but in statement games I was off the mark as the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings got it done over the New York Giants and the Cincinnati Bengals, respectively. The Miami Dolphins kept their wild card hopes alive by knocking off the Jacksonville Jaguars, who currently hold a wild card spot.

The Colts perfect record will take a hit on Thursday. Peyton Manning probably won’t play much, it’s a home game for Jacksonville (who needs to get back in winning mode) and it’s a night game out in the elements (not in a warm, comfy, sometimes covered Indianapolis enclave).

The Dolphins have been winning lately, but the Tennessee Titans (winners of 6 of last 7) still have an outside chance to snatch a wild card spot. Titans = home team = victory.

The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints close last Sunday (even with their back-up QB), but the New York Jets are at home and have a better chance of nabbing a wild card spot with a victory. Last week the Falcons played indoors; this week they’re outside. Go with the Jets.

After taking care of the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night, the San Francisco 49ers still have an outside chance of making the playoffs, but they need to continue to win and a bunch of teams need to start losing. Too bad the 49ers run into Philadelphia in Philly this weekend and will lose.

The Dallas Cowboys’ December swoon will continue this weekend as they run into a happy homecoming for the Saints in New Orleans. This one could get ugly and could knock Dallas out of the wild card spot if the Giants beat the Washington Redskins on Monday night.

The Bengals did not grab the opportunity to take a great step forward last week with a loss to the Vikings. They travel again this week to the west coast to take on the Chargers who are in the midst of an 8-game winning streak. That streak should increase to nine with this one.