Significant improvement over last week: I went 11-2 last week and now sit at 54-33 overall. YAY!
I can now say, with confidence, that the AFC is mediocre. Three teams with a winning record right now. Teams 1 and 2 faced off and team 2 left without its head. The NFC is a much tougher neighborhood right now. The NFC North looks like it is the place to avoid.
On to the Picks!
Tampa Bay (2-4) at Minnesota (5-2) – Lost at Sea at Plundering Hordes
Thursday games are bad. This game has a bad team travelling to meet a surprising one. If this was on a Sunday then I might be more inclined to say the Bucs, but the Vikings are a good team and playing well. Pick: Vikings
Carolina (1-5) at Chicago (5-1) – Not super Kitties at Marauding Maulers
MISMATCH! Not so Super Cam is heading to Chicago to meet Briggs & Co. This one could get ugly, but the Bears have to keep Jay standing upright. Pick: Bears
San Diego (3-3) at Cleveland (1-6) – Standstill Surfers at Just Plain Bad
Let me be upfront: I don’t trust Rivers, but the Chargers are a better team than the Browns. Even after the Chargers sleepwalk through the first half, they will eek out a win in the second half. Pick: Chargers
Seattle (4-3) at Detroit (2-4) – Northwest Mayhem at Clueless Kitties
Rookie Russell and his merry band head to maybe the most dysfunctional team in the league. I don’t think the Lions have an identity. They did a good job of limiting the Bears O last week, but the Lions O had bad turnovers at key times. The Seahawks play D and can do a number on Megatron. Pick: Seahawks
Jacksonville (1-5) at Green Bay (4-3) – Terrible and UnLucky at Resurgent Powerhouse
MISMATCH II! The Jags will be without MJD and that could spell DOOM! Then again, they are bad with or without him. The Pack Attack is Back! This is good because they sit in third in their division. They look like they are making a move. Pick: Packers
New England (4-3) at St. Louis (3-4) – the Empire at Rebuilding Nicely (In London)
Rule Britannia! That is what the Sith would like. I have a new theory about the Empire’s issues. Dark Lord wanna be, McDaniels has the O out of sync because he is trying to prove his genius. The Rams aren’t the Republic or even the Rebel Alliance; maybe a merry band of smugglers. London might be where the Empire gets some mojo going. Pick: Empire
Miami (3-3) at NY Jets (3-4) –Surprise! at Media Hos
This is a battle for the playoffs already. If the Jets lose they’re in a hole. If the Dolphins lose they are behind, but not dead. The Jets have been feisty of late, but the ‘Phins are showing a tremendous amount of grit. The Dolphins should have won in Miami so I’ll give them this one. Pick: Dolphins
Atlanta (6-0) at Philadelphia (3-3) –Unbeaten at Heads will ROLL!
This could be fun! The Eagles are on notice! The Falcons have played dangerously of late. Desperate teams can do some interesting things. Pick: Eagles
Washington (3-4) at Pittsburgh (3-3) –Wonderboy at Old & Rusty
RG3 is awesome. The Steelers are OLD. It’s like grandpa babysitting; he will be worn out by the end of the first hour. What does worry me is the Redskins D being able to stop the Steelers at all. Despite everything I’ve said, the Steelers can feel the division coming back to them. Pick: Steelers
Indianapolis (3-3) at Tennessee (3-4) - Ahead of Schedule at Who Knows?
Battle for second place in the AFC South. Winner might be in the playoff hunt, loser might still be in the playoff hunt. Division title is not in play for them. Luck is doing a decent Peyton imitation. Locker may not start again this season. As much as I don’t want to do this… Pick: Titans
Oakland (2-4) at Kansas City (1-5) – Black Hole at A Big Ol’ Mess
No one cares! I saw this game and sighed. It is a basement game in a division where .500 might win again. No. One. CARES. Pick: Do I have to? Fine! Raiders!
NY Giants (5-2) at Dallas (3-3) – The Champs at Egomaniacs
The Giants can end the Cowboys misery with a win. Jerry will have a complete cow and a housecleaning will ensue. PLEASE make this happen. The Boys just lost one of their best defenders and their starting RB is out. I want to see Jerry’s head explode! Pick: Giants
New Orleans (2-4) at Denver (3-3) – Not This Year at Peyton’s Place
Now this could be fun. The Saints are finding a groove. The Broncos are also finding a groove. The Broncos have a D and the Saints have 11 guys that are on that side of the ball; wouldn’t call it a D though. Fantasy owners rejoice with points all around! Pick: Broncos
San Francisco (5-2) at Arizona (4-3) –We will beat you Down! At Returning to Normal
The Cardinals were a good story and still are if you like triage for QBs. Worst job in the NFL right now is being a Cardinal QB. I wonder if there are odds how long Skelton lasts against the Niners in the game. I’m inclined to say through the third quarter. I don’t see this ending well. Pick: 49ers
Bye: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Houston