Atlanta at Indianapolis - Another overseas game, this one in Berlin. So no one gets the clear cut home field advantage. The Colts got a wakeup call against the Steelers last weekend. As I understand it, their schedule will be tough the rest of the way. However, the Falcons should be a relatively manageable game for them. Expect them to earn a decent win at home against the Falcons. My pick: Indy
Cleveland at NY Jets - The Jets are no longer winless. However, they still are not very good. Then again, neither are the Browns. My guess is that relatively few people go to attend this game, which could go either way. When you get two teams this inept, you just cannot count on one to pull through without concerns regarding all of the issues that both teams have revealed consistently throughout this season. In a tight one, I will pick the home team. My pick: NY Jets
NY Giants at Chicago - The G-Men seem to be improving and may have a bright future. But they still are struggling to this point. This season feels like it was realistically done a while ago. Meanwhile, the Bears are enjoying a breakout season, and clearly want to keep it going. The playoffs are a realistic goal for this franchise this season. On what should be a chilly and soggy day in the Windy City, look for Da Bears to come up with the win. My pick: Chicago
New England at Tampa Bay - Now this is one of the best match-ups of the weekend. Two elite looking teams at this point in the season, both in first place in their respective divisions. The Bucs should be well rested, coming off a bye week. However, the Pats are riding the high of a six game winning streak and look to stay ahead of the Bills in the AFC East race. It could be a really interesting game. The Pats have won some games handily, but largely against weak teams. The Panthers and the Bills are the two solid teams which New England has earned victories over, while the Bucs have been in some tough battles against good teams this year. That experience, plus home field advantage, gives the Bucs the edge. My pick: Tampa Bay
Buffalo at Miami - The Dolphins really have struggled this year. And they have struggled in recent seasons against the Bills, who have won seven straight against the Fins in recent seasons. These two teams are at opposite ends of the spectrums this season. The Bills rank among the elites, having won two impressive games in a row at Carolina and against KC last week. Meanwhile, the Dolphins are 2-7 and on the verge of elimination from contention. Should be a great opportunity for the Bills to either keep pace with the Pats or, if the Bucs beat New England, for the Bills to even take back first place in the AFC East. My pick: Buffalo
New Orleans at Carolina - The Panthers have not always been consistent this season. However, it is clear that they are an improved team, and that they seem to be going in the right direction. Meanwhile, the Saints have been consistent, but for all the wrong reasons. At 1-8, they have just looked awful. Shouldn't be too tough for the Panthers to earn a win at home in this one. My pick: Carolina
Jacksonville at Houston - This should be a good game. The Jaguars finally won last weekend to snap their losing streak. Yet, they looked vulnerable. Meanwhile, it feels like the Texans have been trying to recover from that disastrous 0-3 start all season long, but keep suffering setbacks before pulling even. Still, expect the home town team to pull off a win in a tough game in this one. My pick: Houston
Baltimore at Minnesota - The battle between purple and gold teams. The Ravens are starting to look like they are roaring to life after that awful, almost inexplicable 1-5 start. It feels like they might finally have found their rhythm. Yet the Vikings are unpredictable. At times, they look awesome, like when they beat the Lions in Detroit last week. Other times, however....well, not so much. This should be an intriguing game, but I still feel that the Ravens are playing better overall, and so should get the win. My pick: Baltimore
Arizona at Seattle - The Cardinals finally snapped that dreadful five game losing streak at Dallas. However, playing the Cowboys and playing the Seahawks are two different things. Right now, the Seahawks look like the kind of team where everything is falling into place. Plus, they have one of the toughest homes for visiting teams to have to play in. All of that adds up to the Seahawks being sizable favorites to win this one. My pick: Seattle
Detroit at Washington - The Lions need to win this one after that loss to the Vikings last weekend. Then again, the Commanders need to win, also, in order to end this horrible losing streak. So this is a must win for both teams, but only one can come away with it. Overall, I like the Lions simply because they are the better team, and Washington just feels like nothing is going right for them at the moment. My pick: Detroit
LA Rams at San Francisco - The Rams are looking fantastic this year. They are tied with the Seahawks atop the NFC West at this point in the season. Many feel that they rank among the elites. However, I have my doubts, and the major doubt is how the 49ers always seem to shine against the Rams. Not sure why, but the Rams really always struggle against SF. They lost the first meeting at home in LA earlier this season. This will be a tough test for them, although they can exact a measure of revenge for that earlier loss. Still, my expectations are for the home team to pull it off. My pick: San Francisco
Sunday Night Football: Pittsburgh at LA Chargers - An interesting game. The Steelers have been one of the better teams all season, and the top team (so far) in the AFC North. Similarly, the Chargers also have been one of the better teams, although they have fallen behind Denver in the AFC West, and are struggling to stay ahead of KC. So both teams need to win this one. It could go either way, and something tells me that the Steelers will play very tough and have a good shot at pulling this one off. But they are evenly matched, and home field should be an advantage for the Chargers. My pick: LA Chargers
Monday Night Football: Philadelphia at Green Bay - What a game to close this weekend out, eh? The defending champion Eagles visit the Packers, one of the elites (so far) in the NFC. It will be cold at Lambeau Field on Monday night, although that should not bother the Eagles, who are of course a cold weather team themselves. The better team should be able to take this one, and I still feel that means the champions should take it. Still, should be close. My pick: Philadelphia
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