Over the past couple of weeks, I have forgotten to post my overall records for the week and my overall season record. This past week I went 11-2 and with that, my record stands at 89-44-1 on the season. Two out of every three games we're picking, we're getting them right. We're hoping to keep that up this coming week.
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
Things appear to have turned back around for the Bengals after a three game winless streak which included two losses and a tie. Getting back home helped them. They're still at home this week in this divisional as well as Ohio rivalry with the Cleveland Browns. My thoughts on this one are pretty similar to the ones I had on the Jaguars/Bengals game this past weekend... it may not always be a work of art, but the Bengals are tough at home and I don't see an upset brewing here.
My Call: Bengals 27, Browns 20
Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills
These are two pretty similar squads, except one team has a weapon like Jamaal Charles and the other one doesn't. Plus Alex Smith just isn't the type of player who makes mistakes. We're taking the Chiefs in a slug it out type affair.
My Call: Chiefs 19, Bills 16
Miami Dolphins at Detroit Lions
Two of the top defenses in the NFL go at it in Detroit. I could pretty much take my analysis of the Chiefs/Bills game minus Alex Smith and Jamaal Charles and apply it here. Except this time around, I'll roll with the home team.
My Call: Lions 21, Dolphins 20
Dallas Cowboys vs Jacksonville Jaguars (at Wembley Stadium in London, England)
Under a lot of circumstances, I wouldn't pick a team that has Brandon Weeden under center. That may well be the case for the Cowboys again this Sunday in London. However, the Jaguars suck so much that I'm not sure it'll matter so much. It won't always be pretty for the Cowboys, but they get it done in the United Kingdom.
My Call: Cowboys 24, Jaguars 17
San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints
Between last week's bad home loss to the Rams and rumors about Jim Harbaugh leaving the 49ers to go back to coaching college that even former Niner great Jerry Rice seems to be buying into, it's quite possible this one has blowout written all over it. Wouldn't shock me, but for some reason, I just have a hunch that for some reason that cannot be explained, San Francisco will make a game out of this one. I'm still picking the Saints because they're at home, but I haven't fully given up on the Niners to turn their fortunes around. It just doesn't happen fully in this game.
My Call: Saints 28, 49ers 27
Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens
Perfect remedy for the Ravens after being blown out in Pittsburgh is going back home to face a bad, bad team. Their defense should get back on track against a rookie QB.
My Call: Ravens 24, Titans 13
Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
I know the title of my blog is based on how underrated Ben Roethlisberger is/has been over the years. So no matter what happens here, I'll still believe that way. However, after a couple of emotional dominating home victories over the Colts and Ravens, he and the Steelers have a chance at a letdown against a 1-8 Jets squad. I can't see how the focus will be nearly as high as it was in the previous two games. However, I also don't think the Jets are the team that will take advantage of this. It'll be more of a struggle for Big Ben and the Steelers, but they'll grind out a road victory and smile about it.
My Call: Steelers 21, Jets 13
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Taking the Buccaneers at home against a bad team a couple weeks back proved to be a poor pick, but I guess I'm a glutton for punishment seeing that I'm gonna be doing it again here. If this game were in Atlanta, it'd be a no-brainer. But it's not and the Falcons just suck on the road (they suck period, but moreso on the road). Plus I think the Bucs should want to show some pride after losing earlier in the season to the Falcons by what seemed like a thousand points.
My Call: Buccaneers 27, Falcons 24
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders
Peyton Manning said he stunk after Denver's blowout loss to New England and needs to perform better. When someone of his caliber says such a thing, I expect a bounce back performance. Unfortunately for the winless Oakland Raiders, they'll be the victims of it.
My Call: Broncos 35, Raiders 17
St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals
All year long, I'll be sticking to my guns that Cardinals QB Carson Palmer will cost the team big down the line when they'll need him in a big game that's close towards the end. However, against a Rams offense that won't muster much of anything against a very strong defense, that shouldn't happen in this game. The front seven will be in the face of Rams QB Austin Davis all game long and he'll make a couple mistakes which turn into points for Arizona. The rest takes care of itself.
My Call: Cardinals 28, Rams 13
New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks
Certainly if the Raiders were able to make a game of it in Seattle against the Seahawks, certainly the Giants can too, right? Possibly, but I hate them in a spot where they have to fly all the way across the country after taking it on the chin from the Colts on Monday Night Football. Although Seattle may not jump out to a three touchdown lead here, they do a better job of closing and get a relatively stress free victory.
My Call: Seahawks 27, Giants 17
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
Inconsistent team on both sides of the ball against Aaron Rodgers in Lambeau Field. Pretty easy pick for me to make.
My Call: Packers 38, Bears 27
Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles
Mark Sanchez will be making his first start in an Eagles uniform as regular starter Nick Foles suffered a broken collarbone in the team's road win in Houston. Although I'd consider that an issue against quite a few other teams, I don't consider it a huge one against a Carolina team that struggles as much offensively as they do. I kind of expect Philadelphia could have a few offensive issues themselves with this guy under center, but not enough of them to lose the game. Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy should make life easier for Sanchez and although the Eagles defense in general isn't fantastic, they'll be able to contain Carolina's offense.
My Call: Eagles 23, Panthers 14
