Talk about an average week for the last ten days, as Thanksgiving through Monday Night Football was an 8-8 result, starting off with the Cowboys meltdown at the end of their loss to the Saints, as they truly had defeat snatched from the jaws of victory! This week we started off good with the Eagles win over the Texans, so let's keep it going. Of course the only game that really matters to get correct is Sunday evening's prime time slugfest between the Baltimore Ravens and the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, which we will pick tomorrow morning.
Saints over Bengals: While the addition of TO has helped Cincinnati's passing game, it certainly hasn't helped their record, as they sit in the basement of the AFC North and will remain there as they get blasted by a New Orleans team focused on repeating as Super Bowl Champs.
Dolphins over Browns: I was tempted to go with Cleveland here, as Peyton Hillis is the real deal and no one has seemed to be able to slow him down. However, I like Miami at home despite their road record being better.
Jaguars over Titans: According to oddsmakers, Jacksonville is an underdog and there one of my two "Upset Special Picks of the Week" although they have the better record. The mess in Tennessee with Jeff Fisher, Vince Young, Randy Moss and who is their starting QB should propel the Jags onto victory and stay atop the AFC South - for now.
Giants over Redskins: New York wants to stay close to the Eagles in the NFC East and beating a division rival is a good way, as Washington is as curious a team as any, hot and cold each game, although expecting it to be real cold in New Jersey Sunday afternoon.
Bears over Lions: Also though about this game being an upset but the way Chicago has looked lately, they appear to be on their way to the post season and if so, certainly let a Detroit team get in their way.
Vikings over Bills: The old man in Minnesota might still have a bit left in the tank after his last win and now they get a chance to make it two in a row with a hard-luck Buffalo team that always finds a way to lose each week.
Packers over 49ers: A good win for San Francisco last week but off a short week to have to fly halfway across the country and go onto the "Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field" to face a tough Green Bay team is a sure loss about to happen.
Chiefs over Broncos: Kansas City stays out front in the AFC West and Denver continues it annual late season nosedive.
Chargers over Raiders: As noted above, San Diego needs to keep winning to catch the Chiefs and Phil Rivers should be able to pass his team all over a hurting Oakland one.
Seahawks over Panthers As bad a Seattle has looked this season, they still have a chance to make the playoffs in the NFC Worst West. Carolina, on the other hand, is just trying to put eleven healthy players on the field at one time.
Buccaneers over Falcons: This is a legitimate upset and my other "Upset Special Pick of the Week," as I like Tampa Bay to rebound at home while as good as Atlanta has been at home, they've only been a bit more than average (3-2) on the road and I can see them faltering in a tough division rematch that they won in a close game at home.
Rams over Cardinals: Amazing to see a St. Louis team with a rookie QB being a road favorite over an Arizona team that just fell off the edge of the earth after losing all of their decent QB's to retirement and releasing.
Colts over Cowboys: Indy will not lose twice in a row at home now, as Dallas has its own problems and Peyton Manning will keep his team close to the top of the AFC South and ultimately win that division.
Patriots over Jets (Monday Night Football): Between this game and the on between the Ravens and Steelers, the NFL schedue makers certainly got it right this week for the best two prime time games in a long time Both games have "must-win" written all over them for the lead in their respective divisions and this one should be a great one. I like New England at home and the way Tom Brady has been playing, how can you take a New York team that has pulled victories out of their behinds over the past month? Brady should be able to pick apart a Jets team that is now without their starting safety and has been inconsistent on offense and put some distance between them in the battle for a frt round bye and home field advantage in the playoffs.
Last week: 8-8
Season record: 105-69