By Kim J. Harmon

Something has got to be done about the officials in the National Football League.

I know the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should be chastised for not holding on to a 21-point lead with less than five minutes left to play in the game, but how do the officials come off making that unsportsmanlike call on Simeon Rice in overtime?

What in heaven’s name were they looking at? Rice jumped up to try and get a piece of the ball and came down on a teammate’s back … but well after the kick had already sailed over the line of scrimmage. Still, the flag came down and the Colts – who had missed the kick – got a chance to do it all over again.

Why does it seem like the officials are always making these blunders that decide games? I guess this is why the National Hockey League officials have a reputation for swallowing their whistles in the third period, just so they are not the ones deciding the game.

Oh well, on to the picks –

Giants (+3) over Patriots

Bucs (-3) over Redskins

Browns (-3) over Raiders

Colts (-2) over Panthers

Chiefs (+2) over Packers

Texans (+10) over Titans

Dolphins (-3) over Jaguars

Saints (-5.5) over Bears

Eagles (-1) over Cowboys

Jets (+3) over Bills

Denver (-7) over Steelers

Ravens (-5.5) over Cardinals

49ers (+3.5) over Seahawks

Falcons (+11) over Rams

Last week           6-7-1

Total     42-28-4