Last week’s picks: 12-4
Season total: 94-52
I’m running late again this week, so I’ll just dive right into the picks:
Panthers at Lions
It’ll be interesting to see how Cam Newton handles the crowd noise in Detroit this week. Carolina isn’t good enough to take advantage of the Lions’ weaknesses (which I have comprehensively documented in previous weeks). Detroit had just better not get caught looking ahead to their game against the Packers on Thursday, or Newton will burn them. Winner: Lions
Bills at Dolphins
I’d really like to pick Miami to win their third straight this week. The Dolphins have been competitive all year, and in the past couple of weeks really seem to have started to get into a good groove. Matt Moore has settled into the starter’s role. Meanwhile, I have watched Buffalo play really awful football the past two weeks. Their offence seems to have no direction, and their coaching and preparation has been terrible. You know what? This is my column. I should do what I like. Winner: Dolphins
Raiders at Vikings
This is a winnable game that Oakland has to have. Minnesota’s pass rush will do everything it can to disrupt Carson Palmer, but he should be able to take advantage of the Vikings’ injury-depleted secondary. Michael Bush has really stepped up and played well as the starting running back for Oakland. The Raiders know that they can’t falter, because no one knows when (if?) the Tebow bubble will burst. Winner: Raiders
Cowboys at ‘skins
These two teams always play each other tough, but this time around, it’s simply a matter of Dallas being much, much better than Washington. Winner: Cowboys
Buccaneers at Packers
Tampa Bay? Nope. Not a chance. Green Bay simply does not have let-downs. The Ravens should pay attention. Winner: Packers
Jaguars at Browns
Two of the league’s worst offences meet to see who can actually score. Why would anyone watch this game? I don’t even want to pick a team. “Colts Hangover” (the Jags only managed 17 points against Indy) versus “Madden Curse.” Peyton Hillis is out again this week, so... Winner: Browns
Bengals at Ravens
This should be a good one. Cincinnati should be feeling confident after their strong showing against Pittsburgh last week. However, this could work to their disadvantage, because now Baltimore will not take them lightly, which seems to be the Ravens’ Achilles’ heel this season. Baltimore should be especially motivated, because although they have beaten Pittsburgh twice this season, the Steelers still occupy first place in the division, and the Ravens have no one to blame but themselves. The Bengals always give the Ravens a hard time, but key injuries on offence (A.J. Green) and defence (Leon Hall, speaking of Achilles), will be too much in a game where Cincinnati will need every edge it can get. Winner: Ravens
Seahawks at Rams
Seattle is coming off a huge upset of Baltimore. In St. Louis, it’s mostly the fans who are upset. Winner: Seahawks
Cardinals at 49ers
Here we have a matchup between the team I picked to win the NFC West and the team I picked to finish last. Boy would I like to have that one back. Has San Francisco clinched yet? They must be close. Winner: 49ers
Titans at Falcons
Tennessee, a team that looked like it had no hope as recently as two weeks ago, has seen a couple of rays of sunshine. The first was Matt Schaub’s potentially season-ending injury, which makes Houston look vulnerable once again. The second was Chris Johnson finally ending his holdout and playing last week. (What’s that? He played in all of the other Titans’ games this season? Really?) Atlanta is reeling after losing to New Orleans last week on an absolutely stupid call on fourth-and-one deep in their own end in overtime (And I don’t care how many stat-heads come out of the woodwork and say that it was the right call; it was DUMB!) to fall two games behind the Saints in the NFC South. I smell an upset here. Winner: Titans
Chargers at Bears
Chicago is on a roll, and is looking better with each passing week. San Diego is on a roll too: downhill. Both teams will continue with their respective rolls this week. Winner: Bears
Eagles at Giants
I’m at the point now where I just start laughing at the mere mention of the Eagles. New York lost to a good team last week, San Francisco, and will be extra-motivated to deliver another crushing blow to Philadelphia’s nightmare season. Good luck, Vince Young; you’re going to need it. Winner: Giants
Monday Night
Chiefs at Patriots
I get the feeling that Tom Brady vs. Tyler Palko was not the marquee matchup that the NFL and ESPN were looking forward to when this game was scheduled. With the way New England’s secondary has played this season, the kid might throw for 400 yards. Winner: Patriots
Season total: 94-52
I’m running late again this week, so I’ll just dive right into the picks:
Panthers at Lions
It’ll be interesting to see how Cam Newton handles the crowd noise in Detroit this week. Carolina isn’t good enough to take advantage of the Lions’ weaknesses (which I have comprehensively documented in previous weeks). Detroit had just better not get caught looking ahead to their game against the Packers on Thursday, or Newton will burn them. Winner: Lions
Bills at Dolphins
I’d really like to pick Miami to win their third straight this week. The Dolphins have been competitive all year, and in the past couple of weeks really seem to have started to get into a good groove. Matt Moore has settled into the starter’s role. Meanwhile, I have watched Buffalo play really awful football the past two weeks. Their offence seems to have no direction, and their coaching and preparation has been terrible. You know what? This is my column. I should do what I like. Winner: Dolphins
Raiders at Vikings
This is a winnable game that Oakland has to have. Minnesota’s pass rush will do everything it can to disrupt Carson Palmer, but he should be able to take advantage of the Vikings’ injury-depleted secondary. Michael Bush has really stepped up and played well as the starting running back for Oakland. The Raiders know that they can’t falter, because no one knows when (if?) the Tebow bubble will burst. Winner: Raiders
Cowboys at ‘skins
These two teams always play each other tough, but this time around, it’s simply a matter of Dallas being much, much better than Washington. Winner: Cowboys
Buccaneers at Packers
Tampa Bay? Nope. Not a chance. Green Bay simply does not have let-downs. The Ravens should pay attention. Winner: Packers
Jaguars at Browns
Two of the league’s worst offences meet to see who can actually score. Why would anyone watch this game? I don’t even want to pick a team. “Colts Hangover” (the Jags only managed 17 points against Indy) versus “Madden Curse.” Peyton Hillis is out again this week, so... Winner: Browns
Bengals at Ravens
This should be a good one. Cincinnati should be feeling confident after their strong showing against Pittsburgh last week. However, this could work to their disadvantage, because now Baltimore will not take them lightly, which seems to be the Ravens’ Achilles’ heel this season. Baltimore should be especially motivated, because although they have beaten Pittsburgh twice this season, the Steelers still occupy first place in the division, and the Ravens have no one to blame but themselves. The Bengals always give the Ravens a hard time, but key injuries on offence (A.J. Green) and defence (Leon Hall, speaking of Achilles), will be too much in a game where Cincinnati will need every edge it can get. Winner: Ravens
Seahawks at Rams
Seattle is coming off a huge upset of Baltimore. In St. Louis, it’s mostly the fans who are upset. Winner: Seahawks
Cardinals at 49ers
Here we have a matchup between the team I picked to win the NFC West and the team I picked to finish last. Boy would I like to have that one back. Has San Francisco clinched yet? They must be close. Winner: 49ers
Titans at Falcons
Tennessee, a team that looked like it had no hope as recently as two weeks ago, has seen a couple of rays of sunshine. The first was Matt Schaub’s potentially season-ending injury, which makes Houston look vulnerable once again. The second was Chris Johnson finally ending his holdout and playing last week. (What’s that? He played in all of the other Titans’ games this season? Really?) Atlanta is reeling after losing to New Orleans last week on an absolutely stupid call on fourth-and-one deep in their own end in overtime (And I don’t care how many stat-heads come out of the woodwork and say that it was the right call; it was DUMB!) to fall two games behind the Saints in the NFC South. I smell an upset here. Winner: Titans
Chargers at Bears
Chicago is on a roll, and is looking better with each passing week. San Diego is on a roll too: downhill. Both teams will continue with their respective rolls this week. Winner: Bears
Eagles at Giants
I’m at the point now where I just start laughing at the mere mention of the Eagles. New York lost to a good team last week, San Francisco, and will be extra-motivated to deliver another crushing blow to Philadelphia’s nightmare season. Good luck, Vince Young; you’re going to need it. Winner: Giants
Monday Night
Chiefs at Patriots
I get the feeling that Tom Brady vs. Tyler Palko was not the marquee matchup that the NFL and ESPN were looking forward to when this game was scheduled. With the way New England’s secondary has played this season, the kid might throw for 400 yards. Winner: Patriots
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