Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons (24-17)
If Tampa Bay is really a postseason caliber team they need to win this game. The two Quality opponents they’ve played-Pittsburgh and New Orleans-blew the Bucs out by a combined 69-17. Meanwhile the combined record of all the teams they have defeated is 13-24, with the only semi-decent opponent being the St. Louis Rams (not a misprint, I swear). They haven’t once blown out an inferior opponent which is a pretty good sign they aren’t an elite team, anyway…the picture will clear up Sunday. Atlanta has lost one home game since Matt Ryan has been quarterback…something which doesn’t bode well for Tampa. The Buc’s have the worst rush defense in the NFL according to the football outsiders so look for Michael Turner to have a big day, and Ryan to play as well as ever.
Chicago Bears @ Buffalo Bills (23-13)
The Bills gave the Patriots, Chiefs, and Ravens everything they could handle. Something’s got to give…and I think it will against a Bears team that couldn’t block a Pop Warner defensive line.
New England Patriots @ Cleveland Browns (20-10)
This looks like a potential trap game for the Pat’s as they face two very tough contests upcoming when they play Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. But New England has always been good at taking it one week at a time, so I like for their balanced offensive attack to be too much for the Browns to handle. Plus, the Browns have been winning and staying close in games because of turnovers…something the Patriots don’t do very often.
New York Jets @ Detroit Lions (27-20)
I can see Detroit getting a surprise win but Ryan and company have to be a little furious after their embarrassing loss to Green Bay last week, right? Look for them to take their anger out on the Lions…
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers (31-10)
Carolina played the Saints really tough when they last met several weeks ago, but this is a much different Saints team with a reinvigorated defense and a better Drew Brees. I don’t see how Carolina wins…though I didn’t think I’d ever see Brees throw four picks in a game either…
Miami Dolphins @ Baltimore Ravens (23-20)
Miami is on the road so that automatically means they will play well…but Baltimore is coming off a bye. Hmmmm…is this case of an overvalued team in Baltimore hosting a way undervalued team in the Dolphins…maybe. I think Miami is finally coming together, so I like them to win a close win against the Ravens and claw back into the AFC playoff picture.
San Diego Chargers @ Houston Texans (34-27)
Toughest game of the week to pick. Here is my reasoning: The Texans are home, Andre Johnson is probable in the injury report, they’re due for a really good game to convince everyone that they’re contenders, and it looks like Antonio Gates won’t play which means Rivers will be throwing to his 23rd string receivers (or something like that).
Arizona Cardinals @ Minnesota Vikings (28-7)
Minnesota is in complete disarray as Chilly seems to be doing his best work to try to get fired. Luckily for them, the QB-less Cardinals are coming to town…and it shouldn’t be pretty. Look for Minnesota’s vaunted defensive line to have some solid production and the Vikings to win big.
New York Giants @ Seattle Seahawks (27-9)
Seattle looks like a completely different team at home than on the road, but this week will be they’re toughest home contest yet. They won’t be able to block the Giant’s fearsome front four, which means Charlie Whitehurst will see more turf than open field in his first start…welcome to the NFL Charlie!!!
Indianapolis Colts @ Philadelphia Eagles (31-24)
I don’t care who Peyton Manning has around him…he makes anyone look good. No matter how much instinct tells me to go with the Eagles coming off they’re bye with a healthy DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick I can’t do it because Peyton Manning scares me that much.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Oakland Raiders (17-10)
Oakland isn’t really that good…everyone needs to calm down. They beat a terrible Denver team that turns out isn’t actually good, and hosted a Seahawks team that is just awful on the road. The Chiefs will administer a dose of reality (sorry you had to read that).
Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers (27-13)
My affair with the Dallas Cowboys is over…OVER!!! I will never pick them to win another football game…The Packers should be able to take care of business against a lost looking Wade Phillips who is doing everything but wearing a sweater that says “Fire me Jerry Jones!”…
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals (21-10)
I’m on to you Carson Palmer! Look for Palmer to throw three picks on Sunday, and Polamalu to return one to the endzone. Steelers win big…
Last Week: 10-3
Overall: 61-40
Upset of the Week: Miami Dolphins OVER Baltimore Ravens
Pounding of the Week: New Orleans Saints OVER Carolina Panthers
Lock of the Week: Kansas City Chiefs OVER Oakland Raiders
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