1) Patriots (7-3) @ Saints (10-0)
The Saints have been practically been begging for their first lost. They'll get it Monday. Patriots winners, Saints losers.
2) Steelers (6-4) @ Ravens (5-5)
No Big Ben, no win for Steel City. Ravens winners, Steelers losers.
3) Colts (10-0) @ Texans (5-5)
Bottom line: The Texans don't win big games. This is another big game and they're probably gonna flop again. Colts winners, Texans losers.
4) Cardinals (7-3) @ Titans (4-6)
5) Bears (4-6) @ Vikings (9-1)
I feel bad for Jay Cutler, he's surrounded by scrubs on offense. Vikings winners, Bears losers.
6) Jaguars (6-4) @ 49ers (4-6)
I like Mike Singletary and I like the 49ers, but at this point they're a sinking ship and I'm not gonna continue picking them and going down. Jaguars winners, 49ers losers.
7) Dolphins (5-5) @ Bills (3-7)
T.O. had a HUGE game last week... and the Bills still found a way to lose. They're good at that, and they'll do it again. Dolphins winners, Bills losers.
8) Panthers (4-6) @ Jets (4-6)
The battle of the interception! Mark Sanchez (the artist formerly known as Sanchize) in one corner, Jake Delhomme (the artist formerly known as a respectable QB) in the other. This game is gonna come down to turnovers. Panthers winners, Jets losers.
9) Redskins (3-7) @ Eagles (6-4)
This game isn't a gimme like it was when they played in Washington a few weeks ago. The Eagles are still gonna win, it just won't be as easy as it was before. Eagles winners, Redskins losers.
10) Chiefs (3-7) @ Chargers (7-3)
The Chiefs won 2 straight. They won't make it 3. Chargers winners, Chiefs losers.
11) Browns (1-9) @ Bengals (7-3)
The Bengals lost to the Raiders, there's no way they lose to the Browns the next week. Bengals winners, Browns losers.
12) Buccaneers (1-9) @ Falcons (5-5)
Falcons should jump back in the playoff race with a win today. Falcons winners, Bucs losers.
13) Seahawks (3-7) @ Rams (1-9)
This should be a terrible game. Then again, Lions-Browns was supposed to be terrible last week and it was high scoring and high flying. Either way, I'm gonna take the Rams at home. Rams winners, Seahawks losers.
Thursday Games
1) Raiders (3-7) @ Cowboys (7-3)
There has been a lot made of the Cowboys only scoring 7 points in each of their last 2 games, but I don't see a need to panic. If you think the Cowboys are gonna continue scoring 7 or less for the rest of the season you're crazy. The solution is simple: Don't throw to Roy Williams! I don't think its a coincidence that whenever the Cowboys actively try to get him involved the offense struggles. I watched every snap of the past 2 games, and on both of the touchdown drive, Miles Austin was being utilized for the first times of the game. I don't think that's a coincidence either, when we get the ball to Miles we move, when we get the ball to Roy we stall. Its simple. Now its just a matter of removing Roy from the equation and focusing on Miles, and Crayton, and Hurd.
On the Raiders side of things, its funny the difference a competent QB can make, isn't it?? Yeah it was only 1 game, and yeah if Andre Caldwell doesn't fumble the Bengals probably win, but if Russell was playing the Raiders most likely would've been getting blown out. This stat says it all: in 1 start Bruce Gradkowski had 2 passing TDs, in 9 starts JaMarcus Russell had 2 passing TDs. Dammit, that just makes me pissed JaMarcus isn't starting today!
I'm not too worried about Gradkowski because we've seen him before on Thanksgiving. Back in 2006, Gradkowski lead his then Tampa Bay Buccaneers into Texas Stadium for a 38-10 loss. He was 10/20 for 120 yards and 2 picks.
The one thing that does scare me about this game is Greg Ellis. Greg knows the Cowboys' defense and he played against Tony Romo and the offense every day in practice ever since Tony has been in the league. I just have to hope there wasn't enough time for him to tell many of our secrets in this short week. Cowboys winners, Raiders losers.
2) Giants (6-4) @ Broncos (6-4)
Remember last week we talked about how the Dolphins and Panthers seasons had mirrored each other thus far?? Well the Giants and Broncos are probably as close to that as you're gonna get this late in the season. The Giants won their first 5 and the Broncos won their first 6 before both dropped 4 straight. Close enough.
Anyway, it'd probably be wise to pick the Broncos here, but I don't know how healthy Kyle Orton is at this point therefore I can't trust this Broncos offense. Giants winners, Broncos losers.
3) Packers (6-4) @ Lions (2-8)
I didn't write anything on this game, but I did tweet my pick back before the game started Packers winners, Lions losers.
Last Week: 11-4 (.733)
Overall Record: 113-62 (.646)
This Week: 10-6 (.625)
