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Cincinnati at NY Jets - The Jets have had some big wins historically against the Bengals. That includes two playoff wins against them, in 1982 and in 2009, and both were in Cincinnati. Yes, Gang Green has enjoyed some decent success against Cincy in the past, but this is not the same Jets team, nor the same Bengals team. Cincy are favored, and should be heavily favored, frankly. They look like they are really taking off and enjoying a breakout season. Meanwhile, the Jets are still in the doldrums, and struggling on numerous fronts. All of which would make it madness to pick them for this win. Upsets happen, of course. But I just do not see it entering this weekend, at least not in this game. My pick: Cincinnati
Philadelphia at Detroit - The Lions are the last remaining winless team in the league this season. They have played well enough to win some games, but luck just has not been on their side. They have a home game against a weak, vulnerable team this weekend, though, which should help. And that is why I am picking them to finally notch their first "W" of this season. My pick: Detroit
Miami at Buffalo - The Bills suffered a tremendous disappointment in their last game, losing to the Titans just when it seemed that the consensus thinking was that they were emerging as the league's best team. Then, they lost that heartbreaker. But they have had two weeks off, are playing at home, and doing so against not just a weak opponent, but a familiar one, to boot. Eventually, the Fins will win another game. Just not this one. My pick: Buffalo
Tennessee at Indianapolis - The Titans are one of the hottest teams in the league. Yet, as funny as this might sound, it feels like a dangerous time for a team to get hot. The Bills were hot, and they were beaten by this Titans team. The Ravens were hot, and they got crushed at home last weekend. The Cardinals were hot, and they just lost a few days ago. Now, the Titans are hot, and entering this game, without home field advantage and with a tremendous amount on the line, and against a familiar opponent that is getting hot itself, it will be a challenge, to say the least. Yes, the Colts are starting to come on, but I suspect that they feel that a win here would truly be a statement, and potentially the most symbolic win of their turnaround. And that is why they are my choice to win it. My pick: Indianapolis
Carolina at Atlanta - These two teams are going in opposite directions. The Panthers started off this season looking incredible while racing off to an impressive 3-0 start, but they have not won a game since. Meanwhile, the Falcons saw their season spiraling out of control, seemingly. Then, they started to get hot, and have won three of their last four. They have momentum, and home field advantage. And while both teams are familiar with each other, my suspicion is that the Falcons are really feeling it right now, and that this should build up their confidence. No obvious reason here not to pick the home team in this one. My pick: Atlanta
Pittsburgh at Cleveland - These two teams meet for the first time since their huge payoff meeting, in which the Browns exacted a measure of revenge for years of torment at the hands of the Steelers to shock them in Pittsburgh. These two teams are not exactly in the same place now, however. Back then, Pittsburgh was watching a once promising season, complete with a franchise best 11-0 start, completely unravel, as they lost four of their final regular season games, and then lost that one and only playoff game to the Browns. But the Steelers have seen the opposite happen this year, as a season that got off to a very rocky start now seems full of promise. For the Browns, it has been the opposite. They started off this season full of promise and with a ton of momentum, then suffered injuries and two losses in a row. Yes, they beat Denver last weekend, but hardly played their best in so doing. However, they do have home field advantage, and they also have Baker Mayfield back at the helm, and all of that should make this very interesting. But my suspicion is that the hotter team will emerge with the win, and that is the road team in this one. My pick: Pittsburgh
LA Rams at Houston - Some of the games this weekend are frankly tough to make a pick for, because it feels like two worthy opponents, each with a serious chance to win. Then, there is this game. Yes, the Texans have home field advantage. But that feels like pretty much the only advantage that they have entering this one. The Rams have a very tough defense, a potentially explosive offense at least when they want to be), and they are looking supremely good this season, and they want to take advantage of this game with a weak opponent, especially since the loss by the Cardinals gives them their first chance since losing to the Cardinals to get back into at least a first place tie with Arizona. You bet that they are my choice to win this one. My pick: LA Rams
San Francisco at Chicago - These two teams are hard to figure out. I had assumed that they might both be playoff contenders. So far, apparently, neither team looks like they are heading to the playoffs, at least not based on how they have played thus far in the season. One of these teams can turn it around, but this game will probably be key if one of them actually will turn it around. Not sure if either will. But in this game, it feels like a close call, and that makes it hard to pick. If I have to, then my pick will be for the team that I still have to assume is the overall better of these two teams. My pick: San Francisco
Jacksonville at Seattle - The Jaguars earned their first (and so far only) win of the season recently, which has to be satisfying. However, the Seahawks, who won the NFC South last season and figured to be a playoff contender this year, are suffering through a dreadful losing streak that has them seemingly on the brink of de facto elimination already, even though we are only really approaching the midseason point. Look for the 'Hawks to end that here with a dominant home win. My pick: Seattle
New England at LA Chargers - For years and years, the Pats tormented the Chargers. Yes, during the Philip Rivers era, the Chargers probably would have at least made one Super Bowl appearance if not for New England. Perhaps this is a chance for some measure of revenge. However, I still suspect that Belichick is building another winner in Foxboro, and that they seem to be putting it together now, which will make them tough. Tough enough, in fact, that this will be my upset special for this weekend. My pick: New England
Tampa Bay at New Orleans - Big game! Huge ramifications for the NFC South. The Bucs have enjoyed some success down in New Orleans in recent seasons, and Brady should be a handful for that Saints defense. This will be a tough game, and don't expect a blowout, one way or the other. In the end, the better team should emerge, and it will be an opportunity to virtually lock up the NFC South. My pick: Tampa Bay
Washington at Denver - These two teams used to make regular appearances in the Super Bowl. In fact, they met in one, years and years ago. But those days are now long gone. Now, both are sporting losing records and active losing streaks. One should be able to snap out of that in this game, and I have to figure that it will be the home team, because they just also feel like the better of these two teams. my pick: Denver
SNF: Dallas at Minnesota - The Cowboys are hot. And they should be well-rested. The Vikings are kind of an up and down team, but they should be tough to beat up in Minnesota. That makes this an interesting game, as the Cowboys already seem to have a de facto lock on the NFC East, and thus will try not to lose ground against the Rams, Cards, Bucs, and Pack in what might already be the race for first place in the NFC. They are the better team, and should be able to edge the Vikings here. My pick: Dallas
MNF: NY Giants at Kansas City - I am glad that the G-Men earned their first win last weekend, because it does not look good for this weekend. Struggles on offense, injuries, and now a date at Arrowhead against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs? Maybe KC is not what they were in the past few seasons, but they are still good enough to take this one. My pick: KC Chiefs
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