JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Each week I'll give a brief preview of every game. I'll make my picks and keep a running tally as the season progresses to see how well(or terrible) I'm doing. Anyone who would like to email me their picks is more than welcome. For all those interested in submitting their picks, please email patrick.mckenna@afncr.af.mil by Sunday at noon.
Houston @ Buffalo - While there is no debating that Houston has a far superior passing attack to Buffalo, the weather and Andre Johnson's iffy health status may make it a non factor. If the weather forces this game to become a battle of running games, Buffalo has the edge.
Pick: Bills
Cleveland @ Chicago - The Bears are coming off a humiliating loss to the Bengals and should bounce back at home and thrash the struggling Browns.
Pick: Bears
Seattle @ Dallas - The Dallas team that defeated the Falcons last week is the team Cowboys fans have been waiting for all season. Tony Romo must think Christmas has come early with the emergence of Miles Austin as a bona fide go-to receiver. Look for Dallas to build on last week's success and for DeMarcus Ware to make Matt Hasselbeck miserable all game.
Pick: Cowboys
St. Louis @ Detroit - Instead of watching this game, Rams fans should perhaps check out some old games circa 1999 with Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk and the rest of the "greatest show on turf." Lions fans should watch some old games featuring.....umm, on second thought, perhaps the Red Wings are playing an early game Sunday?
Pick: Rams
San Francisco @ Indianapolis - The 49ers made a big time second-half comeback last week behind former top pick Alex Smith only to fall short against Houston. If the 49ers think they can dig themselves out of a 21-0 hole against the Colts they are sadly mistaken. They need to play a tough four quarters to even have a shot at upsetting the Colts. Unfortunately for 49ers fans, the Colts are coming off a bye and will have their sights set on being 7-0.
Pick: Colts
Miami @ New York Jets - These teams have very similar offensive strategies. They run early and often in an attempt to take pressure off their young quarterbacks. The Jets, however, have the edge in that if they are forced to pass the ball they have experienced receivers like Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery to help Mark Sanchez. If the Jets don't let the Dolphins use the Wildcat formation to pound the ball down their throats they should win this one at home.
Pick: Jets
New York Giants @ Philadelphia - Neither of these teams played particularly well last week, but while the Giants lost at home to Arizona, the Eagles were fortunate enough to be playing the Redskins and managed to sneak out a victory. Eli Manning has thrown four interceptions in the Giants two losses. If he gives the explosive Eagles offense a short field by turning the ball over, the Giants' chances takes a big hit.
Pick: Eagles
Denver @ Baltimore - Both teams are coming off a bye so they will both be as healthy as possible at this point in the season. Baltimore has the better running back and quarterback while Denver has better wide receivers and a slightly better defense. This will be an extremely tight game, but Denver might be due for a letdown after so many tough victories this season.
Pick: Ravens
Jacksonville @ Tennessee - The Titans are coming off a bye and may very well have Vince Young under center. The week off had to have done them some good, right?
Pick: Titans
Carolina @ Arizona - The Panthers are having an extremely disappointing season following last year's playoff berth. If they want any shot at winning this game they will run DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart until they beg for mercy. That strategy might still not be enough considering Arizona only yields 67.5 rushing yards a game. Arizona's offense is one of the most potent in the NFL, and they should score early and often enough to force Carolina to throw the ball, which should make Panthers fans cringe.
Pick: Cardinals
Oakland @ San Diego - Oakland is a team without an identity. Two weeks ago they shocked most NFL fans by defeating the Eagles, and they followed it up last week by getting demolished 38-0 by the Jets. The Chargers are clicking on offense, averaging nearly 27 points per game and have too many weapons for Oakland to handle.
Pick: Chargers
Minnesota @ Green Bay - Minnesota deserved to lose last week to Pittsburgh with the ridiculous offensive play calling they had. Brett Favre threw the ball 51 times while Adrian Peterson ran it only 18. Look for Minnesota to not make that mistake this week against Green Bay. The Packers offensive line is a mess, and the Vikings will be in Aaron Rodgers face all day.
Pick: Vikings
Atlanta @ New Orleans - Atlanta is 26th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game. New Orleans has been the most explosive team in the NFL thus far and there's no reason to think they won't light up the scoreboard on Monday Night Football.
Pick: Saints
Last week's record: 9-4
Season record to date: 65-37