Benster and D Pick Your Games -- NFL and Emergency Bowl Game Edition

Old dude, I'm feeling the HYYYYYPPPPPEEE! We are less than three days away from the biggest sporting event in history!

Wait, what?

That's right, Geritol Fan! It's the Belk Bowl! Check it out!

The Hub of Fashion in the Carolinas. Get it.

That is exciting. But don't we have a few games to pick in the meantime.

Yes, but I want to set the stage. Check out that happening line art! That's some kick-butt advertising right there, old dude!

I'm pretty sure it was all the rage back in the day.

Not my day. Now watch me work!

Bear Down Chicago da Bearz (+3) vs. Tampa Bay Winstons. This game is a bigger dog than a St. Bernard on steroids. We're only bothering with this because (a) Gino would complain if we don't address it, and (b) we want to consider the exciting running back duel between Matt Forte and Doug Martin. Unless you play fantasy football, don't even bother watching this game. Unless you're Gino. If you're Gino, go right ahead. Creamsicles 70, da Bearz 0.

So I take it that you're favoring Doug Martin, then. The Bears have had their moments, but at this point they are probably better off losing games and getting a better draft pick. They still have needs to address and I'm pretty sure they'll have multiple scouts in attendance at the Belk Bowl. Bucs 24, Bears 21.

New York Football Giants (+6) vs. Minnesota Vikings. By the time this game starts, the Giants could be eliminated from the playoffs. That's not a bad thing, because no one want to see this again:

Might want a little ointment there, Frosty Face

The Vikings, on the other hand, are pretty much guaranteed a spot in the playoffs and they will have a chance to win the division next week at Lambeau. However, they have to take care of business. They catch a break because Odell Beckham Jr. decided to go full ninja last week and is now suspended for the game, which means the Giants will be going with Phil McConkey or someone like that at receiver. This is a game the Vikings should win. Giants 24, Vikings 21.

Wow. Uh, no. If the Vikings can't win this game, they don't deserve to be in the playoffs. The Giants are a tough team to read this year and they've been up and down all season. The one thing I wonder about is whether Teddy Bridgewater can handle the cold, since the forecast indicates a dip in temperatures for tomorrow night. As long as he handles it better than Tom Coughlin, the Vikings should be okay. Vikings 31, Giants 24.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (+4) vs. Arizona Cardinals. This game is a critical one. If the Cardinals win, they lock up the #2 seed and get a bye. If the Packers win, they could be the #2 seed if they take care of business at Lambeau. The issue is that the Cardinals are really, really, really, really good. They have an outstanding offense and a disciplined defense and they have played well all year long. The Packers have been shaky, but they have won three in a row, so that makes for an interesting question -- if the Packers get off to a hot start, how many Packers fans are going to make noise? There will be a lot of Green and Gold in the building, since the Cardinals always have plenty of opposing fans at their games. Packers 41, Raising Arizona 38.

That would be great. I don't see it. The Packers need to play defense to win this game, because I don't see the offense scoring 41 points against anyone this year. It's going to take their best effort. I wouldn't be surprised if we see it, but I'm skeptical that they will win. Cardinals 31, Packers 28.

Emergency Bowl Game Edition -- Quick Lane Bowl, at Detroit -- Minnesota Golden Gophers (-4) vs. Central Michigan Chippewas. Now, this ain't the Belk Bowl, but we are obligated to pick this game. The Gophers got into this game because, well, somebody had to and the Quick Lane Bowl officials were concerned that Macalester wouldn't sell enough tickets. The Gophers should win, but Central Michigan is a good MAC team. Gophers 7, Chips 0.

Sounds like a scintillating matchup. It's a good deal for the Gophers because they were able to get some extra practices in and that will help them next season, but let's face it -- a 5-7 team really shouldn't be in a bowl game. Of course, they are in Detroit, so that's punishment enough. I predict the winning team will throw a Hail Mary to win. Gophers 27, Chippewas 23.

There are way too many bowl games. ESPN needs some sort of programming and thank the Lord that Skip Bayless is not doing play-by-play for any of them. I understand that, for this week only, Skip has been locked in a fitting room at a Belk store someplace in the Carolinas. Ben out!