Pigskin Picks NFL Week 18

Welcome back from your holiday breaks. So we've been off since December 20th and I remembered to do Pigskin Picks NFL Week 16. 2-1 record for that weekend. Naturally the Eagles, who I literally flipped a coin on, didn't cover. But then 10 days into vacation and 3 kids running around, I forgot to do Pigskin Picks for week 17. Maybe that is a good reset to the segment and we can get on a run from now through the Super Bowl. I'm going to do the normal 3 picks this week and I'll stick to the games that matter. Then next week, through the Super Bowl I'll do every game. Why not! As always Pigskin Picks is brought to you by Parx Casino and Sportsbook – this is how you win – must be 21 – gambling problem call 1-800-gambler.

Week 16 Record: 2-1. Overall Record: 30-25

Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins MIA -3

This one has major playoff implications. The AFC East remains up for grabs. Miami is in, but they're fighting for the 2 seed. Buffalo is not in yet and are fighting for their playoff lives. if Buffalo wins they clinch the AFC East and a home playoff game. If Buffalo loses, the Steelers beat the Ravens backups and the Jags lose to the flailing Titans then the Bills are out. Since the loss to the Eagles, the Bills have won 4 straight and look like a dangerous team come next week... They just have to get in. Bills cover the 3 against a banged up Dolphins team. Wouldn't be surprised to see a home Bills playoff game after Sunday Night's game.

Pick - Buffalo

Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts HOU -1

AFC South on the line in this game. Whoever wins this game can pair that win with a Jacksonville loss they clinch the AFC South. For both Houston and Indianapolis, it's a "win and in" playoff clinching scenario if they can't get the South title. I love me some Minshew Mania, and as an Eagles fan I miss Shane Steichen's offense. I'm not sure that's enough against CJ Stroud and this Houston team. This one will be tight, but if the Texans can keep CJ Stroud clean I think he takes the Texans to the playoffs in his rookie season.

Pick - Houston

Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants PHI -5 1/2

Ok, I honestly have no feel for this Eagles team. My coin flip in week 16 against this Giants team had no feel for them either. The Eagles are a mess. Offensively it's ugly, but they continue to put up 30+ points a game. The defense can't stop anyone. It's so bad that this was a layup for someone on Twitter.

With that said, if the Eagles can get a lead early, the Giants may pack it in for a better draft pick. The Giants currently hold the 5th overall pick. A win could drop them all the way to 10th, depending on what the teams behind them do this weekend. I'll take the Eagles, because they need this more than the Giants do. I'm not confident, because how could anyone have any confidence in this defense?

Pick - Eagles

Go Birds?!?!

You may be looking for the top sports bars in Philadelphia to watch the Eagles play.

Sometimes it's not enough to spend your Sunday on the couch. Sometimes, when the team is good, you want to watch amongst many other rowdy Philly fans with a pitcher of beer in front of you. You want good food and drink, not made by you, for once.

That's what sports bars are for! Your kind surrounds you, each excited about the same thing at once. Jalen Hurts floats a pass 51 yards to A.J. Brown in the end zone. The entire bar goes wild. Jake Elliott attempts and MAKES a 61-yard field goal. The drinks start flowing if they weren't already. Big Play Slay intercepts the ball, running it back 30 yards for a game-winning Pick 6. The bar breaks out in the fight song, with a subsequent "E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!" chant.

It's not enough to celebrate those big plays at home sometimes. You want to be with other fans, cheering in a beautiful, harmonious collective. That's what being a Philadelphia fan is all about. So, have we sold you on watching games at a sports bar? Or, did you not even need to be sold?

Whatever the answer is, we know that now, you're likely enticed to find a sports bar where you can watch next Sunday's game. We have you covered. this is strictly based on my personal opinion, as well as deals I've taken advantage of! So here ya go...

This one is a no-brainer. Not only is it one of Philly’s oldest bars, it’s also a notable place to watch the game. There are plenty of TVs inside, including a high-definition projector. So, there’s really not a bad seat in the house at McGillin's. Fans can purchase an Eagles Super Mug for $5 and get $2 refills of Bud Light every game all season long; there are always additional specials, too.

Again, you knew this one. But we had to include it. I mean, even PLAYERS party at Xfinity Live! You gotta go for a game at least once in your lifetime as a Philly sports fan.

Don't count Cav's out. It fulfills a key requirement for game-day viewing: wherever you are, you can see a screen (and they’re high enough up that crowds at the bar won’t disturb your sightline). They have 24 TVs and an 11-foot-high media wall. Sunday goes big with five-can buckets ($20 for Bud Light), giveaways, and DJ entertainment during commercial breaks. Try the Go Birds Bloody Maria made with St. George’s green-chile vodka, house-made tomatillo mix, and garnished with celery, pickle, and jalapeño. You can even make game-day reservations on their website.

Around the corner from Mifflin Tavern, you'll find a shrine to the most iconic play in Birds history. The "Philly Philly" mural, complete with all the X’s and O’s that ended with Nick Foles waltzing into the end zone in Super Bowl LII, is a three-story reminder of the last time the Lombardi Trophy made its way down Broad Street. After paying your respects, walk around the corner to Mifflin Tavern, order the Fly Eagles Fly cocktail, and watch the game with hopes of a new mural soon.

This is a family-friendly spot, which is a rare find! Craft Hall is lined with TV screens for watching the game. The place is located inside a 35,000-square-foot warehouse, so there isn't a square foot in the joint where you can't see a TV. They have a massive pirate-ship playground, old-school Nintendo games, and tabletop shuffleboard. Game-day specials include the $60 Game Day Board that’s loaded with enough goodies for three to four people.

AMERICA! RAHHHH! (That was supposed to be an eagle screech...) Founding Fathers on South Street is named after the most notable part of Philadelphia's history. The fact that we basically birthed the whole dang country. So, if you're feeling hella patriotic and ready to watch The Birds dominate, head over to this game-day staple. With more than a dozen TVs lining the walls, and 20 different draft lines for a great beer selection, you'll have a good game day here. Their special Philly Mule adds Midori to the traditional ginger-lime drink.