9202180161 DETROIT FREE PRESS 921226 Saturday, December 26, 1992 METRO FINAL

SPT

5B MITCH ALBOM The picks Copyright (c) 1992, Detroit Free Press BACKSEATS FOR LIONS, MONTANA * SAN FRANCISCO 20, LIONS 10: If the Lions really want to bug Joe Montana, they should yell across the line: "Hey! Aren't you the guy who backs up Steve Young? Tough gig, huh?" * NEW ORLEANS 21, NY JETS 6: The Saints sent their entire starting linebacker corps to the Pro Bowl. The whole set? Is that allowed? * WASHING TON 28, LA RAIDERS 9: So this is what we've come to: The Skins have to pray to make the playoffs. Next thing you know, we'll have a Democrat in the White House. . . . * INDIANAPOLIS 20, CINCINNATI 16: . . . We DID? * PITTSBURGH 10, CLEVELAND 7: The Steelers haven't scored an offensive touchdown in two weeks. Great way to head into the playoffs. * KANSAS CITY 21, DENVER 20: Winner makes the playoffs; loser goes home. I have a better idea. Why not let them both go home? * GREEN BAY 16, MINNESOTA 13: If the Packers make the playoffs with this one, we'll really have to change the pronunciation of Brett Favre's last name. I mean, regular season is one thing. But we're talking national audience now. You know, "Hooked on Phonics" people. * MIAMI 30, NEW ENGLAND 10: The Pats are in the chase for the No. 1 draft pick. If they get a chance at a game-winning field goal, they might point the kicker backward. * PHILADELPHIA 13, NY GIANTS 7: Close the door on your way out, Ray. * DALLAS 20, CHICAGO 12: Mike Ditka once worked for the Cowboys, as an assistant coach. Now he wishes he had that position. * LA RAMS 78, ATLANTA 73: Two worst defenses in the league. * SAN DIEGO 14, SEATTLE 0: Did I see Dan Fouts trying to arrange a tryout last week? * PHOENIX 20, TAMPA BAY 10: Answer: A couple of dozen. Question: How many people show up for this one? * BUFFALO 13, HOUSTON 12: Last chance, Buffalo. You sure you want to go back to another Super Bowl? * BEST PICK LAST WEEK: Green Bay 28, Los Angeles Rams 14 (Packers won, 28-13). * WORST PICK LAST WEEK: Kansas City 23, New York Giants 9 (Giants won, 35-21). * RECORD LAST WEEK: 9-5. RECORD VS. SPREAD: 8-6 * SEASON RECORD: 135-75. * SEASON RECORD VS. SPREAD: 95-109-5.