Oof. Last week saw me sink to 8-5, which puts my season record at 70-33.
This week:
Sunday at 1:00pm ET -
Indianapolis (0-7) @ Tennessee (3-3)
New Orleans (5-2) @ St. Louis (0-6)
Miami (0-6) @ NY Giants (4-2)
Minnesota (1-6) @ Carolina (2-5)
Arizona (1-5) @ Baltimore (4-2)
Jacksonville (2-5) @ Houston (4-3)
Sunday at 4:00pm ET -
Washington (3-3) @ Buffalo (4-2)
Detroit (5-2) @ Denver (2-4)
Cincinnati (4-2) @ Seattle (2-4)
Cleveland (3-3) @ San Francisco (5-1)
New England (5-1) @ Pittsburgh (5-2)
Sunday Night -
Dallas (3-3) @ Philadelphia (2-4)
Monday Night -
San Diego (4-2) @ Kansas City (3-3)
Byes -
Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, NY Jets, Oakland, Tampa Bay
After seven weeks of play, right now I would predict, for the fourth week, Green Bay over New England in Super Bowl XLVI.
For our early games, well, how can you pick for any of the three winless teams in these matchups? I think all of them have a shot at going winless and joining the '08 Lions, with the Colts looking the most hapless of the bunch. The Rams will squeeze one out eventually, but the Dolphins might not, just due to living in the AFC East. It's possible the Bad Giants will come out to play and the Fins take one here, but I'm not picking it, nor do I think the Colts find sudden mojo against a Titans team that took a beating last week - both have things to prove. Does anyone else think that Caldwell is out of his league as a coach? He inherited a stacked team from Dungy, one that I felt coached itself. Now that the talent pool is dwindling (that's not Caldwell's fault, of course), they just seem uninspired, unmotivated and plain bad. Maybe it's time for Peyton Manning to become the first player-coach in NFL history?
The Vikings/Panthers game could go either way and merits watching to me - both are starting quality rookie quarterbacks that I want to watch. Yes, I believe in Ponder, although I think he may grow up to be more of a Trent Dilfer type of QB - which is okay, as long as he has AP behind him. That's a run-first team and as long as the Vikes stick to that, they'll be okay in the future. Anyway, I still like the Panthers at home in this one. The Vikes defense isn't exactly top-notch anymore and I think they won't be able to scheme completely against Cam Newton. Baltimore has to be steaming after their embarrassing Monday Night loss... they have to beat Arizona here or I'm pushing the panic button on them; I think they keep going for now. As for Jacksonville... enjoy that win, because the euphoria will wear off once Houston slams 'em.
I'm picking the Lions to win this week because they have to - two losses in a row and we're seeing an ugly Lions team come out, one that gets into unnecessary fights and seems to amp itself up by acting like bullies, at least on defense. Meanwhile, the offense looks completely lost. They have to beat Denver, or I'm pushing the panic button here. But the offense will have to roll to do it - I expect Tebow's pocket mobility to inflict some damage on their Wide-9 defense, which has been susceptible to the run. By no means is this a confident Lions pick - it's their first must-win game of the year and if they lose it, possibly their only one. Odd to say about a 5-2 team, but if you saw the Atlanta game last week, I think you'd agree. This team is one loss away from coming apart at the seams.
Cincy/Seattle is an interesting matchup - normally, I'd take Seattle at home, but I like how the Bengals have been playing lately, and coming off of a bye... sure. The Bills should roll a Redskins team that's having an identity crisis, but I'm least confident of all of that pick - the Redskins need to win that game, or they go into a tailspin, too. As for what will almost certainly be a nationally-televised Patriots/Steelers game... it's Patriots, and I'm not even questioning it. Brady owns the Steelers and the Pats are simply the better team this year. And I'm buying the 49ers 100% right now, so they'll beat the Browns.
For Sunday Night, I like neither the Cowboys or Eagles, but someone has to win. I'll take the Eagles at home, coming off a bye over a Cowboys team I don't trust - but this game could go either way and be honest, both teams need to win it. Even if both teams are mediocre teams (they are), this should be an entertaining game. For Monday Night, well, it's not as easy as it looks. San Diego has wins, looks good on paper, but still seems to find ways to lose. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are a tougher opponent at home than you'd think and are rolling hot right now. I still like a better Chargers team, but anything could happen in this one.
So much for liking Oakland or Baltimore last week in survival, but who knew the Raiders would lose Run DMC early and have to try and air it out with Kyle Boller and a rusty Carson Palmer? Oh well.
This week, I like San Francisco, Tennessee and the Giants as obvious picks. I like the 49ers the most of them all. Alternatively, play it safe with Houston.
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