Celebrity/media NFL picks Week 16

By Sal DeFilippo

Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009 | 11:17 a.m.

Ah, the holiday spirit. It’s what allows people to put aside their differences and celebrate togetherness. This is no time for fighting.

Just ask Brett Favre and Brad Childress.

Sure, they got into a heated argument on the sidelines of a nationally televised game. And yeah, they spent countless hours of crisis management with the media explaining their actions. These things happen.

But no doubt that, in the aftermath, the Vikings coach and three-time MVP quarterback certainly regrouped, perhaps sharing a little spiced eggnog, exchanging greeting cards, maybe even with one giving the other a nice fruitcake or something.

What I don’t understand, though, is why so much was made of this in the first place. Childress suggested removing Favre from the game in the fourth quarter, basically to ensure that he wouldn’t need to do the same thing with a spatula after Favre had spent considerable time getting acquainted with the Panthers’ Julius Peppers, and, consequently, being deposited on the grass at Bank of America Stadium.

The coach was looking at the bigger picture -– the playoffs, and the health of Favre, who is 40.

Favre, naturally, wanted to play, because that’s what he loves to do. After all, he’s started somewhere like 8,000 games in a row dating to his rookie season of 1670-whatever. Even at his age, he’s proven to be the most the durable quarterback the game has ever season. Plus, I’m sure he told his coach that he didn’t come out of retirement -– again –- to sit on the sidelines.

So they bickered a little, then told the media about it, and now, everything is hunky-dory. Happy holidays, everyone.

P.S. – If you see them arguing on the sidelines this week, no worries – they’ll just toss on a few party hats, sing a couple of versus of Auld Lang Syne and all will be forgotten.

Sal’s picks: A 1-1-1 week (my version of hanging Christmas lights) has the bah-humbug season mark at 18-24-2. This week, Jets-Colts under 40 ½, Cowboys 6 ½ at Redskins, Vikings-Bears under 41.

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The media/celebrity picks:

Lance Burton, Monte Carlo master magician (25-20)

Chargers +3 at Titans

Falcons -9 vs. Bills

Vikings -7 at Bears

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Anthony Crivello, star of "Phantom -- Las Vegas Spectacular" (22-23)

Eagles -7 vs. Broncos

Cowboys -6½ at Redskins

Vikings -7 at Bears

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Carrot Top, Luxor headliner (26-18-1)

Dolphins -3 vs. Texans

Steelers -2½ vs. Ravens

Colts -5½ vs. Jets

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Terry Fator, Mirage headliner (21-23-1)

Steelers -2½ vs. Ravens

Dolphins -3 vs. Texans

Colts -5½ vs. Jets

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Oscar Goodman, mayor of Las Vegas (24-20-2)

Chargers +3 at Titans

Giants -6½ vs. Panthers

Colts -5½ vs. Jets

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Ryan Greene, Las Vegas Sun sports writer (19-24-2)

Steelers -2½ vs. Ravens

Bengals -13½ vs. Chiefs

Bears +7 vs. Vikings

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Alicia Jacobs, KVBC entertainment reporter (23-20-2)

Saints -14½ vs. Buccaneers

Ravens +2½ at Steelers

Vikings -7½ at Bears

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Kevin Janison, KVBC meteorologist (17-27-1)

Titans -3 vs. Chargers

Ravens +2½ at Steelers

Colts -5½ vs. Jets

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Christine Killimayer, Greenspun Interactive sports reporter (19-26)

Jaguars +7½ at Patriots

Steelers -2½ vs. Ravens

Bears +7 vs. Vikings

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Wayne Newton, "Mr. Las Vegas" (20-23-2)

Ravens +2 ½ at Steelers

Colts -5 ½ vs. Jets

Bears +7 vs. Vikings

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Frank Caliendo’s Fantasy Studs of the Week

Kurt Warner, St. Louis, and Ricky Williams, Miami

To think a decade ago the greatest show on turf was Edward Jones Dome. Now it’s Tiger Woods’ front lawn. Kurt Warner makes the best return to St. Louis since Lucky Lindbergh.

Most said he could never do it, but Ricky Williams has kept his NOSE clean. He should get some BROWNIE points for the way he’s carried the ball on GRASS. In a must in, Ricky SMOKES the Texans, as he runs right over them or as he refers to it – getting a contact HIGH.

Last week’s rating:

TOUCHDOWN. Kyle Orton had impressive numbers against the Raiders, with 278 passing yards, a touchdown and no picks, and Jamaal Charles -- even though he was overshadowed in the same game by Jerome Harrison’s near-record day for the Browns -- still was exceptional in his own right, running for 154 yards and a score.