Last week I was 9-5 and am 37-23 for the season. There were some close games and some teams need to get it in gear if they want to stay in the playoff hunt.
Trends so far this season tends to be the high powered offenses having issues staying powered for extended periods of time. The NFC West has some killer D’s so far. The biggest power outage right now looks to be the NFC North. Detroit and Green Bay are out of synch and their records show it. So far both South Divisions are in contention for worst in the league. They are also home to the last two unbeaten teams.
The Picks are in:
Pittsburgh (2-2) at Tennessee (1-4) – Old and Rusty at Can We Get a Do-over?
The Steelers are old, but they can play. The Titans are a mess. It is a short week and I would pick the home team, except they’re BAD. Pick: Steelers
Cincinnati (3-2) at Cleveland (0-5) – Not so Super Sophs at Terrible
I think a team got full of themselves and overlooked an opponent last week. The Bengals aren’t that good yet. I pity the Browns. There was hope – HOPE – for an epic upset last week. And then the wheels fell off. Pick: Bengals
St. Louis (3-2) at Miami (2-3) – St. Louis Surprise at Maybe not Cursed
The Rams had some time this week to prep and the Dolphins earned a hard fought win. Rams lost a main offensive target and that hurts. I’m thinking both teams come out off this with an even record. Pick: Dolphins
Indianapolis (2-2) at NY Jets (2-3) – Would you look at this? at Just about Done
WHAT have we here? Andrew Luck is ahead of schedule. It will gall Jets fans to no end to see a star QB in the making – still a rookie – and the Sanchize struggling. Do the Jets have the weapons to mount a sustained offensive attack? Against all my instincts I am going to say the Colts have a letdown and the Jets pull together some mojo. Pick: Jets
Detroit (1-3) at Philadelphia (3-2) – The Housecats at Grounded Birds
Did a week off help the Lions? Will Vick stop turning the ball over? Will the Lions’ D show up? Will Shady McCoy be featured more? I have questions and no answers. The Lions are a mess and the Eagles are a huge self-inflicted wound. Pick: Eagles
Kansas City (1-4) at Tampa Bay (1-3) – Overcooked BBQ at Not Sure What to Think
Several sites rate the games based on many factors. I would guess this is a one star or half star game on a five star rating scale. Is anyone going watch this game? It has some Fantasy value and maybe a Brady Quinn sighting…but really? Pick: Buccaneers
Dallas (2-2) at Baltimore (4-1) – Egomaniacs at The Contenders
When last we checked in with the ‘Boys, Romo was giving away possessions like crazy. Now they travel to the Ravens’ Den after they had a very pedestrian/lackluster effort against the Chiefs. Yeah, good luck with this one. I still don’t see what people see in the Cowboys. Pick: Ravens
New England (3-2) at Seattle (3-2) - The Empire at Rollercoaster riders
The great Sith Lord, Darth Belichick, will not be amused that one of his minions got lippy this week. To the Spice Mines of Kessel he shall be banished soon. In other news, the Seahawks are a tough out at home. That Green Bay ‘win’ doesn’t count for much to me right now. The Empire is coming and not sure that Rookie Russell is ready. Pick: The Empire
Buffalo (1-4) at Arizona (4-1) – OVERRATED at Over-performing
Going into the season, if I had to pick, I might have said these records would be reversed. Those of us who saw Mario Williams play for the Texans laughed when he got his payday. His vanishing act is legendary. The Cardinals O-line is beyond abysmal. I don’t think the QBs there give good Christmas presents. Pick: Cardinals
Minnesota (4-1) at Washington (2-3) – The Marauders at the Not so Wonderboys
At this rate RG3 won’t last long. The Vikings are raiding and pillaging their way across the NFL. They are coming to the nation’s capital to sack it- and the Redskin QBs. Much bounty they will claim and keep atop the NFC North. Pick: Vikings
NY Giants (3-2) at San Francisco (4-1) – The Champs at We will EAT you!
Eli is probably hoping to get through this game with his bones intact. The Niners are a vicious lot, especially after the Vikings got the drop on them. This is a payback game. Pick: 49ers
Green Bay (2-3) at Houston (5-0) – Dazed and Confused at Great Expectations
The Packers are out of it; they look lost. The Texans lost Cushing, but Watt is a mega beast up front. The Texans slept walked through most of the game with the Jets. This is Houston’s first appearance on Sunday Night Football. I will take Houston’s O over Green Bay’s D and Houston’s D at holding GB’s O in check. Pick: Texans
Denver (2-3) at San Diego (3-2) – Dangerous at Meh, Not Buying
The battle for first place in the AFC West. The Broncos need to get in games earlier and the Chargers – I am in permanent SELL mode. Peyton has had enough and will lay claim to this division. Pick: Broncos
EDIT - Oops this one didn't make it from my original sheet.
Oakland (1-3) at Atlanta (5-0) Bay Area non-Bombers at Show me in the Post-season
The Raiders are a mess. The Falcons are flirting with disaster a bit more than I would like. Still this is one of those ugly games. Pick: Falcons
Bye: Chicago, New Orleans, Carolina, Jacksonville