Last week: 9-7 (ouch)
Season total: 106-52
Green Bay 34, Detroit 9
Dallas 30, Oakland 6
New York Giants 31, Denver 19
Buffalo 19, Miami 16
Philadelphia 23, Washington 17
Atlanta 31, Tampa Bay 17
Seattle 38, St. Louis 10
New York Jets 28, Carolina 24
Cincinnati 24, Cleveland 20
Indianapolis 32, Houston 31
San Diego 23, Kansas City 20
Jacksonville 20, San Francisco 16
Minnesota 24, Chicago 21
Tennessee 31, Arizona 28
Baltimore 16, Pittsburgh 13
New Orleans 38, New England 21
Categories: football
Last week: 10-5
Season total: 97-47
Panthers 24, Dolphins 7
Steelers 31, Chiefs 10
Browns 13, Lions 10
Saints 34, Bucs 20
Giants 27, Falcons 16
Jags 20, Bills 14
Redskins 21, Cowboys 17
Vikings 28, Seahawks 16
Packers 21, 49ers 17
Colts 28, Ravens 21
Cardinals 38, Rams 10
Jets 20, Patriots 16
Bengals 35, Raiders 7
Chargers 31, Broncos 17
Eagles 27, Bears 20
Texans 31, Titans 27
Categories: football
Last week: 9-4
Season total: 87-42
Chicago at San Francisco
Both squads bring their A-game. Jay Cutler and Matt Forte turn loose a couple of big plays late to break away.
Bears 30, Niners 28
Detroit at Minnesota
This one turns into the Percy Harvin Expo early on.
Vikings 38, Lions 17
Denver at Washington
Upset special: the Redskins, able to contain the Broncos struggling rushing attack, rattle Kyle Orton and contain Brandon Marshall.
Redskins 20, Broncos 17
Update: Considering the Clinton Portis concussion, I think Denver wins, 17-13.
Atlanta at Carolina
Tough to call. Both teams are looking to come back from tough losses to New Orleans. Carolina is trying to cure DeAngelo Williams of the dropsies. In the end I’ll go with the more bruising running back and psychologically-stable QB.
Falcons 27, Panthers 20
Tampa Bay at Miami
The Bucs are coming off a big win against Green Bay, while the Dolphins attempt to bounce back from a loss against New England. The Bucs’ D was able to pin its ears back and fly at (and into) Aaron Rodgers last week, but they won’t have the same liberty against Miami’s Wildcat.
Dolphins 24, Bucs 13
Jacksonville at New York Jets
This is going to be a season of what-ifs for the Jets, whose defense has felt the loss of larger than life DT Kris Jenkins. Maurice Jones-Drew shreds them, and frustration begins to set in the Big Apple.
Jags 24, Jets 20
New Orleans at St. Louis
This puts the easy in Big Easy.
Saints 49, Rams 14
Buffalo at Tennessee
This Tennessee game-plan of Vince Young doing just enough through the air to keep defenses from sitting on Chris Johnson is working just fine. It’s unlikely, but what if Tennessee actually does run the table the rest of the way? They would have to be the most dramatic playoff entry in recent memory. But let’s not get carried away.
Titans 31, Bills 16
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
Hold the mustard Ochocinco. Mike Tomlin’s team isn’t losing such a crucial divisional game on their home turf in November. Cedric Benson meets reality.
Steelers 31, Bengals 17
Kansas City at Oakland
A lot of dysfunction on the field (and sidelines) for this one.
Chiefs 24, Raiders 23
Dallas at Green Bay
A lot of attention is going to New England-Indy and Cincy-Pittsburgh, but this battle in the Upper Midwest will have much to say about the outcome of the NFC East and North. The Packers can’t afford to fall another game behind Minnesota, plain and simple, while Dallas is trying to establish itself atop the East and in the highest echelon of teams league-wide. Expect a Green Bay effort to hold off the Dallas rush with a lot of Ryan Grant stunt runs.
Packers 30, Cowboys 27
Seattle at Arizona
There is simply no way the Seattle secondary is going to contain Fitz and Co.
Cardinals 35, Seahawks 17
Philadelphia at San Diego
Two of the hottest teams in the league. Two offenses with plenty of weapons. I’ll go with the stronger defense to make a couple more plays down the stretch.
Eagles 28, Chargers 24
New England at Indianapolis
The Colts secondary is depleted. Peyton depletes all secondaries. The Colts will get more pressure on Tom Brady than the Pats can send to Peyton.
Colts 35, Patriots 31
Baltimore at Cleveland
Brady Quinn is back. It’s Monday Night in Cleveland. The Ravens get caught looking ahead just enough to make this game.
Ravens 27, Browns 23
Categories: football
Last week: 7-6
Season total: 78-38
Falcons 27, Redskins 16
Cardinals 28, Bears 23
Ravens 31, Bengals 20
Colts 35, Texans 31
Jaguars 24, Chiefs 20
Patriots 30, Dolphins 17
Packers 34, Buccaneers 9
Saints 31, Panthers 21
Seahawks 24, Lions 21
Giants 30, Chargers 27
Titans 27, 49ers 23
Eagles 24, Cowboys 19
Steelers 28, Broncos 27
Categories: football
Last week’s picks: 8-6
Season total: 61-29
Chicago at Cincinnati
The Bears rebound from a tough loss last week and continue to Cincy’s reality check after their fluke of a start.
Bears 30, Bengals 24
Green Bay at Cleveland
The Browns lost their leading tackler, D’Qwell Jackson, for the year. Theirs is not a defense that can afford such losses.
Packers 30, Browns 9
San Diego at Kansas City
It’s win-or-be-fired in San Diego.
Chargers 24, Chiefs 20
Indianapolis at St. Louis
Another week, another spectacle from Peyton.
Colts 41, Rams 6
Minnesota at Pittsburgh
Adrian Peterson is held off long enough for the Steelers to get by the undefeated Vikes at home.
Steelers 20, Vikings 17
New England at Tampa Bay
There’s probably some pressure on the Patriots to keep their starters on the field for the NFL’s showcase game in London. You know what that means for the Bucs.
New England 45, Tampa Bay 0
San Francisco at Houston
The Texans offense is finding their stride.
Texans 24, 49ers 20
New York Jets at Oakland
There’s no way they win two in a row.
Jets 31, Oakland 6
New Orleans at Miami
The Dolphins have to be wondering what could have been had they signed Drew Brees and not Daunte Culpepper in free agency a few years back. This game will be a painful reminder.
Saints 38, Dolphins 17
Buffalo at Carolina
Should be a quick game, seeing as both teams run so much more effectively than they pass.
Bills 24, Panthers 20
Atlanta at Dallas
Can’t see the Cowboys winning against a team that plays so well in all three phases of the game.
Falcons 34, Cowboys 24
Arizona at New York Giants
The Cards won a game in Jacksonville earlier this year, but their struggles on the East Coast are well-documented.
Giants 30, Cardinals 27
Philadelphia at Washington
Bingo.
Eagles 31, Redskins 13
Last week’s picks (which I failed to post here until now):
Houston 27, Cincinnati 20
Green Bay 37, Detroit 20
St. Louis 24, Jacksonville 23
Minnesota 30, Baltimore 24
New Orleans 34, New York Giants 20
Pittsburgh 27, Cleveland 13
Carolina 24, Tampa Bay 10
Kansas City 17, Washington 14
Philadelphia 28, Oakland 6
Seattle 30, Arizona 20
New England 26, Tennessee 19
New York Jets 23, Buffalo 12
Chicago 31, Atlanta 27
San Diego 26, Denver 20
Categories: football
Last week’s picks: 8-6
Season total: 42-20
Cleveland at Buffalo
Fred Jackson gets his, but the Browns defense keeps Buffalo from giving any reason to have our popcorn ready, notching their first win of the year.
Browns 20, Bills 19
Pittsburgh at Detroit
The Lions make a showing in this one, but the Steelers are able to establish pressure on Matthew Stafford and force him into some costly errors.
Steelers 27, Lions 23
Dallas at Kansas City
Minus Roy Williams and Felix Jones, the Cowboys lean on MB3 and Jason Witten, and they don’t disappoint.
Cowboys 24, Chiefs 16
Minnesota at St. Louis
Letdown game? Not against the hapless Rams.
Vikings 31, Rams 0
Oakland at New York Giants
Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw go wild, combining for 300 yards and three scores.
Giants 41, Raiders 9
Tampa Bay at Philadelphia
This is not a good time to be playing against Donovan McNabb, who will be out to remind everyone why he, not Kevin Kolb or Michel Vick, is the guy in Philly.
Eagles 34, Bucs 14
Washington at Carolina
In a showdown of embattled quarterbacks, Jason Campbell prevails. By default.
Redskins 20, Panthers 17
Cincinnati at Baltimore
And the fluke ends.
Ravens 30, Bengals 17
New England at Denver
And another fluke ends.
Patriots 17, Broncos 9
Houston at Arizona
The Texans’ front seven get to Kurt Warner early and often.
Texans 27, Cardinals 23
Atlanta at San Francisco
The only thing that seems certain about this one is that it will come down to wire and be hard fought.
Falcons 20, 49ers 17
Jacksonville at Seattle
It pays to have Matt Hasselbeck back in the lineup.
Seahawks 30, Jags 24
Indianapolis at Tennessee
Peyton Manning has another MVP-type game. Another best-quarterback-of-all-time-type game.
Colts 31, Titans 27
New York Jets at Miami
Jerricho Cotchery is listed as questionable for this game. His presence, and health, will be a huge factor in the outcome. With an extra day-plus of rest for the Monday night game, I’ll assume he toughs it out.
Jets 27, Dolphins 20
Categories: football
Last week’s picks: 12-4
Season total: 34-14
Detroit at Chicago
The winning streak ends here. Matt Forte pours it on in this one — 120 yards and two scores.
Bears 28, Lions 13
Cincinnati at Cleveland
Two years ago, Derek Anderson came was brought in as starter in a home game against the Bungles and went on to throw for 328 yards and five TDs in a 58-48 win. The difference between then and now? Jamal Lewis’ health, an offensive weapon at tight end, and Braylon Edwards playing respectable football.
Bengals 28, Browns 20
Seattle at Indianapolis
Indy’s offensive firepower is too much for a Seattle defense that is fighting the injury bug. The Hawks will make a game of it, though.
Colts 23, Seahawks 16
New York Giants at Kansas City
Matt Cassel eats grass all afternoon. Eli pads the stats.
Giants 34, Chiefs 6
Baltimore at New England
Such a tough game to call. The Ravens shut down the run, forcing Tom Brady to beat them in the air, and he can’t get it done.
Ravens 17, Patriots 16
Tampa Bay at Washington
Jim Zorn and Jason Campbell live to see another day.
Redskins 24, Bucs 10
Tennessee at Jacksonville
Guess which team is hungrier for a win. The Titans reel in that elusive first “W” with a steady, balanced offensive game.
Titans 27, Jags 19
Oakland at Houston
The Texans know they need to win their winnable games to hang with Indy in the AFC South. They come out firing on all cylinders in this one.
Texans 35, Raiders 7
Dallas at Denver
The Broncos are who we used to think they were.
Cowboys 24, Broncos 17
Buffalo at Miami
Might’ve called for Miami pulling the upset before the Chad Pennington injury. It’s not happening now, but it’s also not going to be a “get your popcorn ready” effort by the Bills, either, who win by default.
Bills 21, Miami 7
New York Jets at New Orleans
Game of the week between the NFL’s two hottest teams. The Revis Effect has kept receivers like Randy Moss and Andre Johnson very quiet against the Jets, but that doesn’t stop Drew Brees, who is an equal-opportunity passer if there ever was one. Saints march in this one.
Saints 37, Jets 21
St. Louis at San Francisco
Rams sneak up on Niners with two deep passes and something — I don’t know what, but something — on special teams.
Rams 17, 49ers 16
San Diego at Pittsburgh
Philip Rivers takes advantage of that Troy Polamalu-shaped hole in the Pittsburgh defense quite a few times, but James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley show signs of life and force Rivers to blow it in the final minutes.
Steelers 23, Chargers 20
Green Bay at Minnesota
This is my big pick of the week: not only does Green Bay win, but they play with poise to the point of near-perfection and crush — yes, crush — the Vikes on their field on national television. Redemption is green and gold.
Packers 38, Vikings 16
Categories: football
Thanks to Eddie Bevens for finding this. Even as a Browns fan I love it.
Last week’s picks: 9-7
Season total: 22-10
Best pick of last week: predicting the Giants by two with a go-ahead score “at the very end.” Called it.
Washington at Detroit
There’s a lot of buzz around the possibility of the Lions snapping their long losing streak here. But the Redskins will show that they’re better than the team that only narrowly defeated St. Louis last week. Jason Campbell shows signs of life in the form of 250 yards and two scores, while Matthew Stafford makes some rookie mistakes down the stretch.
Redskins 24, Lions 19
Green Bay at St. Louis
The Packers can’t block a pass rush, but the Rams don’t have a pass rush. Logic would carry that Aaron Rodgers might have time to set his feet for more than five passes in this one.
Packers 31, Rams 16
San Francisco at Minnesota
It’s conceivable that the Niners could come into Minnesota, dominate time-of-possession with the run game (which is a formidable game plan when you’re not facing Peyton Manning…) and sneak out with a win. Willis and the San Fran linebackers will rattle the Vikes offense, but Frank Gore will have greater struggles against Sota’s front seven.
Vikings 23, 49ers 17
Atlanta at New England
I’d so love to see the Falcons take this one, but the Pats have a lot more to lose here and are going to come out angry.
Patriots 35, Falcons 24
Tennessee at New York Jets
Battle of the backs in this one, as Chris Johnson and Leon Washington trade off big plays in the short passing game. This one is going to come down to the final drive. Rex Ryan’s defense flusters the old vet Kerry Collins into a mistake in crunch time.
Jets 23, Titans 21
Kansas City at Philadelphia
Matt Cassel is not Drew Brees. Philadelphia comes on the field with an eight-quarterback formation, and somewhere Jon Gruden is crouched in front of a TV wetting himself.
Eagles 34, Chiefs 10
New York Giants at Tampa Bay
Who would’ve thought that the Giants were going to be a pass-first team this year?
Giants 35, Bucs 14
Cleveland at Baltimore
Must-see TV if there ever was such a thing…
Ravens 27, Browns 13
Jacksonville at Houston
Matt Schaub to Andre Johnson. Matt Schaub to Andre Johnson. Matt Schaub to Andre Johnson.
Texans 31, Jags 17
New Orleans at Buffalo
At the behest of 31 clubs, Roger Goodell appears at the Ralph during halftime and offers Drew Brees the 2009 MVP award on the condition that Brees relents on his assault of all NFL defenses.
Saints 42, Bills 28
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
The Steelers continue to struggle with the run, making this a bit more exciting, but they make enough plays to avoid a tailspin after last week’s loss to Chicago. Santonio Holmes and Heath Miller come up with big stat games.
Steelers 20, Bengals 15
Miami at San Diego
The Fins, through a series of running plays, field goals, and onside kicks, control the ball for all 60 minutes of this game, sending Philip Rivers into his greatest infantile tantrum of all time. Or the Chargers will on some big Darren Sproles runs. Either way.
Chargers 24, Dolphins 23
Denver at Oakland
The Broncos fail to win a third straight game with an entirely inept offense.
Raiders 16, Broncos 13
Chicago at Seattle
Matt Forte finally gets going. He and Greg Olsen have big days to sneak by Seattle on the road.
Bears 30, Seahawks 24
Indianapolis at Arizona
Should be fun watching the ball get flicked all over the field in this one. Indianapolis wins on a couple of slow, methodical drives in the second half. Vintage Peyton.
Colts 26, Cardinals 20
Carolina at Dallas
Tony Romo’s redemption.
Cowboys 27, Panthers 20
Categories: football
Last week’s picks: 13-3
Season: 13-3
Carolina at Atlanta
Carolina’s passing game is in shambles, as Jake Delhomme continues to reel from last year’s playoff meltdown. DeAngelo Williams hasn’t shown he can win games on his own when teams bring eight men into the box.
Falcons 24, Panthers 10
Minnesota at Detroit
The NFC North race is going to be far too tight for me to believe that Minnesota is overlooking this game and coming into Ford Field on cruise-control. The Lions might continue to move the ball as they did last week against the Saints, but it won’t be enough. Don’t be surprised if, in keeping Adrian Peterson fresh for the long haul, if the Vikes ask Brett Favre to throw 35 times in this contest.
Vikings 34, Lions 17
Cincinnati at Green Bay
Instead of requiring home games to be blacked out on television for markets in which the stadium tickets didn’t sell out, the NFL should punish the fans by making them watch the Bengals.
Packers 38, Bengals 6
St. Louis at Washington
Jim Zorn and Jason Campbell need greater job security. Playing the Rams can help that.
Redskins 30, Rams 20
Arizona at Jacksonville
Have the Cardinals — or any West Coast team, for that matter — learned how to win in the Eastern Time Zone? Kurt Warner didn’t come back to Arizona to sit at home in January. He knows that falling to 0-2 dramatically increases the chances of that. Bombs are going to fly.
Arizona 35, Jacksonville 16
Houston at Tennessee
Both teams are coming in trying to rebound from opening-week losses, though the Titans have to be feeling better about their situation, knowing they went on the road and took the defending Super Bowl champs to overtime. Chris Johnson is the fourth-quarter difference in this game.
Titans 28, Texans 17
Oakland at Kansas City
This is one of the tougher games to call, seeing as the Chiefs’ offense and Raiders’ defense did much to surprise and impress this past week. So I’m going with the team that had an extra day to rest and prepare.
Chiefs 24, Raiders 20
New England at New York Jets
Will the Pats’ green linebacking crew know what to make of Leon Washington, after getting toyed with by Fred Jackson on Monday night? I think not.
Jets 27, Patriots 24
New Orleans at Philadelphia
Donovan McNabb’s injury, regardless of whether he attempts to tough it out Sunday, really hurts Philly’s shot of racking up enough points to keep up with Drew Brees and the Saints’ factory o’ points.
Saints 34, Eagles 16
Pittsburgh at Chicago
So much of this has to do with how the Bears respond to last week’s loss to the Pack in the final minute, as well as the loss of defensive captain Brian Urlacher, who’s out after season-ending wrist surgery. For a second straight week, the Bears front office is going to learn what a mistake they made by not wrangling a top-flight receiver this past offseason.
Steelers 23, Bears 20
Cleveland at Denver
This qualifies as an upset, especially how I see it going down — Brady Quinn finding a rhythm and putting up 300 yards passing in the Mile High city.
Browns 34, Broncos 13
Baltimore at San Diego
The Chargers are going to need to get their act together after near-humiliation against the Raiders. LT will continue to take his good old time proving to us he’s not dead after turning 30, but Philip Rivers will rescue the game through the air.
Chargers 23, Ravens 22
Seattle at San Francisco
This matchup boasts a much higher quality of football than it did a year ago. Expect the Hawks to make the difference in their passing game, continuing to utilize explosive tight end John Carlson.
Seahawks 28, 49ers 20
Tampa Bay at Buffalo
The Bills come back from Monday night’s heartbreaker to take a definitive win in the Ralph. Look for plenty of deep shots to Lee Evans in this one.
Bills 31, Bucs 20
New York Giants at Dallas
Jerry Jones unveils his new digs, which means there’s going to be a ton of excitement as well as pressure on this Cowboys team. Expect Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs to play big in this one, and the Giants will squeak one out at the very end.
Giants 26, Cowboys 24
Indianapolis at Miami
In the christening of Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, and the recently-signed Hank Baskett, the Colts show that they can survive without Anthony Gonzalez. One of the young guys will go for at least eight catches and 100 yards.
Colts 28, Dolphins 19
Categories: football
