Last week, I was 8-5, narrowly bettering Mr. Silver’s 7-6.
Sunday
Vikings at Bears
I know I started the season pretty high on the Bears, but I’m going on record as saying that they have no chance of winning their division or capturing a wild card spot. That being said, after their embarrassing losses to the Patriots and Packers, if they can’t muster some pride and turn in a good enough effort to beat the Vikings this Sunday, then heads are going to have to roll. Winner: Bears
Texans at Browns
I was leaning towards the Browns in this one anyway; with Arian Foster not practicing due to a groin injury, I’m all-in on Cleveland. Winner: Browns
Seahawks at Chiefs
KC keeps finding ways to win. I expect this to be a low-scoring, rush-heavy game, only in this case, it’s the Chiefs who have the advantage of an extremely loud home crowd behind them. Winner: Chiefs
Falcons at Panthers
I expected Cam Newton to work some Monday night magic against the Eagles, but, what with the way he’s obviously hurting, he’d have difficulty managing a simple card trick. I have a hard time picking the Falcons on the road, but Carolina looks so bloody awful. Winner: Falcons
Bengals at Saints
How the mighty have fallen; oft-maligned Andy Dalton is coming off one of the worst QB performances I’ve ever watched, and the Bengals currently are the only team in the AFC North with a negative point differential. Meanwhile, the Saints are coming off a close home loss, and will be primed to make sure not to have a repeat. Winner: Saints
Buccaneers at Washington
There’s nothing really at stake in this game. Washington is slightly better, and are playing at home. Winner: Washington
Broncos at Rams
Young, exciting Austin Davis commits a couple of turnovers against a really good Arizona defence, and St. Louis switches back to the horrendous Shaun Hill at QB. Go home, Jeff Fisher; you’re drunk. Winner: Broncos
49ers at Giants
I’m not mentioning any assholes who are coming back from suspension this week, mostly because I believe that the suspension was too light. I hope that the Giants win this one, even though I don’t think they’re good enough. Prove me wrong, Coughlin. Please. Winner: 49ers
Raiders at Chargers
The bye came at a good time for the injury-plagued Chargers, losers of three straight. They should bounce back nicely against the Raiders. Winner: Chargers
Eagles at Packers
In the top-heavy NFC, this is a huge matchup with major playoff implications. The Eagles played well this past Monday night, but I’m not picking Mark Sanchez over Aaron Rodgers, especially not at Lambeau. Winner: Packers
Lions at Cardinals
Another big game; two division leaders, a really tough pick. Both defences rely heavily on getting pressure on the QB. Both QBs are likely to be rushed, and will make mistakes. I like Matthew Stafford’s competitiveness, but he makes mistakes, the type that Arizona’s top-notch secondary will exploit. Winner: Cardinals
Patriots at Colts
I’m definitely looking forward to this prime time clash; two first place teams, two high-powered offences, both well-rested after their bye week. The Pats have been on a torrid scoring pace, but the Colts can match anyone score for score. I think it’s New England’s defence that makes the difference here, especially the secondary; since Brandon Browner came back from his suspension, he’s gotten better every week, and the whole unit is really starting to gel. Winner: Patriots
Monday Night
Steelers at Titans
This season’s version of the Steelers seems to be one of those teams that plays up (or down) to the level of its competition. Often, they look like world beaters; occasionally, they stink up the joint, like losing to the Bucs and Jets. Make no mistake, the Titans are not a good team. If Pittsburgh lays another egg this Monday night, they might find themselves watching the playoffs instead of playing in them. Winner: Steelers
Mr. Silver’s Picks
Vikings
Browns
Seahawks
Falcons
Saints
Buccaneers
Rams
Giants
Raiders
Packers
Lions
Colts
Steelers
Sunday
Vikings at Bears
I know I started the season pretty high on the Bears, but I’m going on record as saying that they have no chance of winning their division or capturing a wild card spot. That being said, after their embarrassing losses to the Patriots and Packers, if they can’t muster some pride and turn in a good enough effort to beat the Vikings this Sunday, then heads are going to have to roll. Winner: Bears
Texans at Browns
I was leaning towards the Browns in this one anyway; with Arian Foster not practicing due to a groin injury, I’m all-in on Cleveland. Winner: Browns
Seahawks at Chiefs
KC keeps finding ways to win. I expect this to be a low-scoring, rush-heavy game, only in this case, it’s the Chiefs who have the advantage of an extremely loud home crowd behind them. Winner: Chiefs
Falcons at Panthers
I expected Cam Newton to work some Monday night magic against the Eagles, but, what with the way he’s obviously hurting, he’d have difficulty managing a simple card trick. I have a hard time picking the Falcons on the road, but Carolina looks so bloody awful. Winner: Falcons
Bengals at Saints
How the mighty have fallen; oft-maligned Andy Dalton is coming off one of the worst QB performances I’ve ever watched, and the Bengals currently are the only team in the AFC North with a negative point differential. Meanwhile, the Saints are coming off a close home loss, and will be primed to make sure not to have a repeat. Winner: Saints
Buccaneers at Washington
There’s nothing really at stake in this game. Washington is slightly better, and are playing at home. Winner: Washington
Broncos at Rams
Young, exciting Austin Davis commits a couple of turnovers against a really good Arizona defence, and St. Louis switches back to the horrendous Shaun Hill at QB. Go home, Jeff Fisher; you’re drunk. Winner: Broncos
49ers at Giants
I’m not mentioning any assholes who are coming back from suspension this week, mostly because I believe that the suspension was too light. I hope that the Giants win this one, even though I don’t think they’re good enough. Prove me wrong, Coughlin. Please. Winner: 49ers
Raiders at Chargers
The bye came at a good time for the injury-plagued Chargers, losers of three straight. They should bounce back nicely against the Raiders. Winner: Chargers
Eagles at Packers
In the top-heavy NFC, this is a huge matchup with major playoff implications. The Eagles played well this past Monday night, but I’m not picking Mark Sanchez over Aaron Rodgers, especially not at Lambeau. Winner: Packers
Lions at Cardinals
Another big game; two division leaders, a really tough pick. Both defences rely heavily on getting pressure on the QB. Both QBs are likely to be rushed, and will make mistakes. I like Matthew Stafford’s competitiveness, but he makes mistakes, the type that Arizona’s top-notch secondary will exploit. Winner: Cardinals
Patriots at Colts
I’m definitely looking forward to this prime time clash; two first place teams, two high-powered offences, both well-rested after their bye week. The Pats have been on a torrid scoring pace, but the Colts can match anyone score for score. I think it’s New England’s defence that makes the difference here, especially the secondary; since Brandon Browner came back from his suspension, he’s gotten better every week, and the whole unit is really starting to gel. Winner: Patriots
Monday Night
Steelers at Titans
This season’s version of the Steelers seems to be one of those teams that plays up (or down) to the level of its competition. Often, they look like world beaters; occasionally, they stink up the joint, like losing to the Bucs and Jets. Make no mistake, the Titans are not a good team. If Pittsburgh lays another egg this Monday night, they might find themselves watching the playoffs instead of playing in them. Winner: Steelers
Mr. Silver’s Picks
Vikings
Browns
Seahawks
Falcons
Saints
Buccaneers
Rams
Giants
Raiders
Packers
Lions
Colts
Steelers