In high school I was assigned to read the book Catch 22, but I only got around to reading half of it, and I was probably watching sports most of the time I was reading it. So I didn't really read it. I only remember a few things about it- the main guy had a sweet name, Yossarian, and it takes place in a war in Italy.

But I did get something big away from it. There's no phrase in the world I use more than Catch-22. And in this case, I think New York sports fans- at least until spring training- are starting to get that feeling when looking at their local teams. The Jets, a.k.a. The Rexecutioners (remember when Jets fans were already on Orbitz looking up airfares to get to the Super Bowl after they beat the Titans week 3? And remember when 1050 spent two hours coming up with nicknames for the Jets' defense after they beat the Patriots week 2? I do! I do!) are still at least a year or two away. The 2009 Giants are one of the biggest head-scratchers in recent memory (hey Osi, attack the QB, whenever you're ready). The Knicks have stunk for the past eight years, and the Nets set a record for stinking this year. And the hockey teams...well, Chris Drury is on the Rangers' fourth line, nobody cares about the Devils, and the Islanders might be in Kansas City in three years. It's tough times outside Yankee Stadium in the Big Apple.

And looking at the other options (Knicks, Nets, hockey), there's not much to pick from aside from the Devils (who couldn't get 13,000 people to come to their game Wednesday night despite currently being the only successful pro team in the Tri-State. Do I have to say it again? No one cares about the Devils.)

And yes, I do love parentheses. Here's your week 15 picks:

Dallas at New Orleans (-7), 8:30 Saturday

Let me say this loud and clear. I have an unjust love for Tony Romo. He's a very good quarterback. He makes good throws (duh), better reads, and he's better than people think at escaping the rush and making plays (remember this? Wasn't his fault they lost!)

I don't understand why everybody roots against Dallas. Yes, I get it from your perspective, Giants fans. But America seems to want to see 'America's team' fail. ESPN, in all their misery, love to drum up specials about the Cowboys blowing it the past few years. Did anyone see Wade Phillips' presser last week where a local reporter asked Philips if he thought his team was a bunch of losers? Seriously? I don't think you could even expect a local reporter here in New York to ask Jerry Manuel if he thought his team was a bunch of losers even though the Mets blew it in September two years running!

Anyways, back to the game. Everyone, rightfully, expects Dallas to lose this game and continue to be awful down the stretch. My head says the same, but my heart, pounding with love for Tony, says otherwise. My attempt at logic, to override my head: New Orleans has little to play for, they should have lost to Washington two weeks ago and barely beat a mediocre Falcon team last week, and they'll finally slip up against a more worthy opponent this week. Hug don't hate. Cowboys by 3.

Dallas 24, New Orleans 21 (upset special)

Sunday

Atlanta at New York Jets (-4.5), 1:00

The Jets and their D-Rex will be back for win number four in a row. Reports have Mark Sanchez playing Sunday, and it could be snowing and very windy. too. A guy from LA who tries too hard in a wind tunnel and snow will be the only thing keeping the Jets from staying alive on Sunday.

Looks like no Michael Turner or Matt Ryan for Atlanta. This Atlanta team is not very good, they didn't even bother to show up for a key showdown against the Eagles two weeks ago, and they're banged up, to say the least. Did I mention they have a slew of injuries? Expect a gushing Conor Reilly blog post Monday.

Jets 23, Falcons 10

Miami at Tennessee  (-3), 1:00

The Jets need Vince Young to come up big Sunday and take down The Other Chad (Henne). Miami's as streaky as they come, but they do seem to show up for big games (New England last week, almost beating New Orleans back in October, and of course, beating the Jets twice). I think highly of Tony Sparano, and not just because he's from Connecticut and his coaching staff (namely Paul Pasqualoni) have the best tans in the NFL, but they've made a lot of out a team that is, at best, a middle of the pack squad on paper.

Tennessee has been fantastic recently, losing only once, away to Indy, since Vince came back under center. But this is a big test for Vince and company, and I just think Miami will find a way as they generally seem to do. Sorry Jet fans.

Miami 17, Tennessee 14

Cincinnati at San Diego (-6.5), 4:05

Wide receiver Chris Henry's tragic death this week is unquestionably going to play a significant factor in the outcome of this game. Deaths like Henry's never come at a good time, but this one hits the Bengals especially rough. The notoriously futile Bengals are in the midst of one of their most promising seasons in over a decade, and Henry's death will almost certainly create a fork in the road that distinguishes this season from either a promising start with a tragic end or a hugely successful one inspired by the death of a teammate.

Unfortunately, history and logic work against Cincy under these circumstances. The 2007 Washington Redskins lost Sean Taylor in November of that season, and they lost the next three games following his loss. They eventually recovered to make the playoffs, but they would go on to be destroyed by 21 in the first game of the postseason. Losing a teammate certainly brings out loads of emotion, on and off the field. But during the stretch run in a key road game against a conference rival, emotions will already by sky-high; the Bengals will simply be over-emotional on Sunday. It's inevitable. And of course, many teammates may have minds elsewhere.

As much as it'd be nice to see Cincy pull one out in San Diego, it's tough to see anything but a San Diego team, especially one playing such great football on both sides of the ball right now, blow out the Bengals.

San Diego 38, Cincinnati 17

Oakland at Denver (-14), 4:15

So the Raiders will be missing Bruce "your name is not JaMarcus" Gradkowski this week. Charlie Frye gets the call, so this game is a bit of a wild-card. A quarterback who has started one game in the past three years, an inconsistent Broncos offense and the rivalry game leveling factor makes this one a little more interesting, but it's still a very bad Oakland team against a very good Denver team.

Denver spanked Oakland by 20 way back in week 2, but JaSuckus Russell accounted for at least ten of those Bronco points. I think Denver covers here by a smidge- the Broncos' defense is ranked #3 in the NFL and for Chuck Frye, playing on the road and having to throw against Champ Bailey and the highly underrated Andre Goodman is not the exactly ideal starting point.

Denver 21, Oakland 6

New York Giants (-3) at Washington, MNF

This is a total toss-up for me. Washington is playing well thanks to a good defense, their offense has improved from bad to mediocre, and this is going to be their Super Bowl this year- at home, against the rival Giants. But the Giants come in absolutely having to win this game, and you have to think Tom Coughlin will have have his group fired up.

I don't think the Skins have a good matchup here. The Redskins don't throw the ball well down the field, and defending the deep pass, as every Giant fan knows, has been their Achilles heel. This game comes down to Jason Campbell for me. If he can expose the Giants' awful secondary like the rest of the NFL has been doing the past two months, then Washington might steal this one. I just don't see it happening though; Eli keeps the Giants alive.

New York 24, Washington 17

So there you have it, a couple New York victories, annoying cries of playoff hopes on local sports talk radio for until the following Sunday, and New Yorkers get to avoid the Knicks and that sport Canada really likes for yet another week. Enjoy the games everyone!