So that's two weeks in a row where I haven't gotten any picks correct in the late Sunday games.  So what...who cares?  (Apparently I care.)  This week is a big week for a lot of teams.  Depending on the outcome of some of these games, we might know right now which teams are going to be in the playoffs.  I'll give my picks, but I suggest that you pick against them.


Washington Redskins vs. Atlanta Falcons (-10.0)
Well the Saints got another favorable call last week in their win over the Falcons.  Regardless though, the Falcons are the #2 team in the NFC South and are on course for a Wild Card berth.  The Redskins are coming off of their Bye, but this isn't an ideal match-up.  Washington might hang around for a bit, but I'll take Atlanta and the ten point spread.
Confidence Points: 12


Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears (-3.0)
It looks like Arizona is going to stay in first place in the NFC West, even though both the 49ers and Seahawks aren't too far behind.  This team is very volatile.  After a great game on the road against the Giants, they got beat down by the Panthers.  The Bears are another team that I have questions about.  They beat the teams they're supposed to and lose against the good teams.  This is a game between two evenly matched teams in my opinion, but I think Arizona is due for another good game so I'm picking the Cardinals.
Confidence Points: 8


Baltimore Ravens (-3.0) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
This is an odd spread for me to understand.  A few weeks ago the Bengals beat the Ravens in Baltimore.  Wouldn't you then think that they would be the favorite at home?  I guess this is due to the Ravens' defense looking a lot better last week when they beat the previously undefeated Broncos.  Cincinnati had their Bye last week after destroying the Bears, so I don't know why people are down on them.  I think the winner of this game is heading to the playoffs and I've been impressed with the Bengals this season so I'm going with them.
Confidence Points: 1


Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts (-9.0)
The Texans are 5-3 and are in second place in the AFC South...second to Indy.  The Colts looked a little off last week hosting the 49ers, scoring their only touchdown on a halfback option pass.  After a shaky start, the Texans are looking better.  I don't think that they can beat the Colts on the road, but I think 9 points is a little too much, especially after last week for the Colts.  I'll probably be proved wrong and the Colts will romp, but I'm taking the Texans to lose, but by less than 9.
Confidence Points: 2


Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots (-10.5)
The Dolphins had TWO 100-yard kickoff returns for a touchdown last week against the Jets, and still barely won.  The Dolphins' Wild Cat looked good last year against the Pats, but with the Patriots coming off of their Bye I'm sure they spent a lot of time on defense working against it.  I'm also sure the Dolphins will show some new looks, but New England playing too good right now.  It's a lot of points, but I like the Patriots to cover (as long as they can play good kickoff return defense).
Confidence Points: 6


Green Bay Packers (-9.5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This game is known as the Battle of the Bays.  Although "battle" might not be the correct term for this game.  The Packers lost a tough game at home against Brett Favre last week, but now that's over there isn't a better bounce-back team than the Bucs.  People have said that the UFL's Florida Tuskers could beat the Bucs head-to-head and I'd agree with that.  This team has a good chance of going winless.  The 9.5 points are a joke to me.  Green Bay will be up by more than that halfway through the first quarter.  The Packers win big in Tampa.
Confidence Points: 13


Kansas City Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (-6.5)
Remember when the Jags were favored by like 10 points hosting the Rams after they lost 41-0 the week before against the Seahawks?  Yeah...I didn't think so.  Well it happened and the Rams lost in overtime.  Here we are again, with the Jags favored at home after getting blown out by the previously winless Titans.  WTF!?  Just based on that, I take Kansas City.
Confidence Points: 4


Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints (-13.5)
The Panthers salvaged whatever is left of their season with an impressive win in Arizona last weekend.  The Saints (as noted before) again got a little help from the zebras.  This could be a trap game for New Orleans and dare I say the Panthers pull off the upset in New Orleans?  Oops, that's italicized, so I doubt it.  The Saints having to win by two touchdowns tempts me to pick Carolina, but I've been burned by not picking New Orleans almost every week, so I pick the Saints to cover.
Confidence Points: 9


Detroit Lions vs. Seattle Seahawks (-10.0)
This might be another bore-fest between two pretty bad teams.  Detroit comes off losing to a team that hadn't won a game in over a full calender year.  The Seahawks laid an egg (get it) in Dallas last week, when I thought they were a little better than that.  Since Seattle is a home, and they are better than the Lions, I'll take the Seahawks, even with the 10 point spread.
Confidence Points: 10


San Diego Chargers vs. New York Giants (-4.5)
This is a big game for both teams.  If San Diego loses, I can't see them getting into the playoffs this season.  If the Giants lose, it'll be really tough for them to get in.  I think the Giants could still get it because they have games against Atlanta, Dallas, and Philly.  But if the Giants lose this game then they'll go into their Bye on a four game losing streak and basically telling everyone that they are a mediocre team at best.  In my mind this is going to be a close game, and the Giants have proven to win close games.  Based on that, I'm taking New York, but on the other hand, if it's a close game, they might not cover.  Just some food for thought.
Confidence Points: 5


Tennessee Titans vs. San Fransisco 49ers (-4.0)
Well the Titans got their first win last week against the Jags under previously suicidal quarterback Vince Young.  Now they head to San Fransisco, a team that's been close in a few games, but hasn't gotten the victory in their last few games.  This is a must win for the 49ers if they want to stay close with the Cardinals and I think San Fransisco sends Mr. Young back to the psych ward.
Confidence Points: 11


Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-3.0)
This is the battle for the NFC East.  A lot of people left both of these teams for dead a few weeks ago and crowned the Giants the division champions.  Well that was premature ejaculation.  The Eagles destroyed the Cowboys in the season finale last season, sending the Eagles to the playoffs and knocking out the Cowboys.  A lot of people think that this is a revenge game for Big D.  I think it's going to be a trend game.  Philly loses games in November while Dallas wins.  Then in December Dallas loses while Philly wins.  Therefore, I pick Dallas and predict the Eagles get revenge later in the season.
Confidence Points: 3


Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.0) vs. Denver Broncos
The Broncos got handled last week in Baltimore.  I said I was on the Broncos bandwagon until they lost, and now I think I'm jumping off and switching to the Steelers'.  Pittsburgh is coming off its Bye and is ready for a smash-mouth football game, which I think this will be.  Denver can afford to lose another game and still be in control in the AFC West, whereas Pittsburgh has to worry about Baltimore and the Bengals.  Three points on the road isn't enough to sway me from going with the Steelers.
Confidence Points: 7