Washington versus Miami (from Madrid, Spain) - Another overseas game, although I believe that this will be the last one for this particular season. It pits the Miami Dolphins "hosting" the Washington Commanders. Neither team has enjoyed a particularly impressive season thus far. Both the Fins and Commanders enter this game with identical - and rather abysmal - 3-7 records. However, it is how they got there that counts. Miami started the season off miserably, but have played better in recent weeks, beating both the Falcons and the Bills in blowout fashion. Meanwhile, Washington not only went to the playoffs last season, but enjoyed a run that took them to the NFC Championship. It was the first time in over three decades for the franchise. So hopes were high for them entering this season. And they did not look bad at first. However, they started losing at one point and have not stopped yet. Entering this game, they have now lost five straight. You have to figure that both teams look at this game as winnable and, frankly, they are both right. When you have teams that are this bad, it makes it difficult to feel too good about your pick, since both teams have a recent history of letting down expectations. But since I have to make a pick, it will be with the team that at least looks a bit more impressive at this point in the season. My pick: Miami
Green Bay at NY Giants - The Giants just cannot catch a break. They go from one tough opponent to another, week after week. The law of averages would suggest that the G-Men might catch a break here or there. Yet, it seems like they have a tough opponent every single week. This week, it is the Packers. If the Giants can pull off another major upset like they did earlier this season against the Chargers, this might be the time to do it. They are at home against the Packers, a team which feels like it is reeling at the moment. Also, I admittedly am quite suspect of the Packers. It felt like they got off to probably too hot of a start. Lately, they have been cooling off. Still, the Giants have one of the worst records in the league for a reason. Even if they get a decent lead, you cannot truth them to hang onto that lead and earn the win. Until that changes, I do not feel safe picking the G-Men to win, especially against a quality opponent. My pick: Green Bay
Houston at Tennessee - The Texans quickly fell to 0-3 this season. Since then, they have been trying to dig themselves out of that hole, but keep losing just as they are about to finally break even. This game offers them the best opportunity yet to get back to even, and bring their record back to .500. That might not sound great, but the Texans will take it. Playing the lowly Titans, it seems like there is little reason to doubt that the Texans will do it. My pick: Houston
LA Chargers at Jacksonville - This should be an interesting game. The Jaguars looked promising earlier this season, but have started to make losing a habit after a fast start. The Chargers, meanwhile, also have had an up and down season. But it they are to make a leap to become a serious contender, they need to win precisely games like the one they face today. And you know what? I think that they will. My pick: LA Chargers
Chicago at Minnesota - Da Bears are threatening to be a very serious team right now. They are 6-3, tied with the Lions for first place in the NFC North, and half a game ahead of the Packers. Meanwhile, the Vikings are grasping, trying to stay relevant and not fall hopelessly behind. Minnesota really cannot afford a loss in this game, because then the division is out of reach. Even the playoffs would look very unlikely. So this is a must win for the Vikings. Meanwhile, the Bears would love revenge for the early season loss to these same Vikings, when they dug themselves in an 0-2 hole. They have gone 6-1 since, and feel like a surging team. My pick: Chicago
Carolina at Atlanta - The Panthers have been an up and down team all season. Meanwhile, the Falcons have been a mostly down team. Yet, the Falcons have been disappointing. Yet, they can be surprisingly tough at home. Still, they got absolutely wiped out in the last meeting between these two clubs, when the Panthers shut them out, 30-0. That means that the Falcons will have revenge on their minds. Still, the Panthers might just be the better team. Hard to say. My pick: Carolina
Tampa Bay at Buffalo - Wow! What a game this one should be. Both of these teams seemed to be title contenders early, yet they both have cooled off a bit, raising questions and concerns. Both teams are also coming off losses last weekend, so they both want to return to winning form. The Bucs will have to travel to Los Angeles for their next game to take on the Rams, which also will not be an easy challenge. So a win here is imperative, lest they potentially drop three in a row. As for the Bills, the loss in Miami sucked, but it may have been one hiccup in what has been an impressive return to form following their bye week. A win today puts them back in that more solid frame of mind, and will keep them nipping at the heels of the first place Pats. They play this one at home in chilly and windy Orchard Park, which should help matters as well. My pick: Buffalo
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh - The Steelers raced out of the gate and started to look like they just might be a serious title contender this season. Now, they have cooled off significantly. In fact, they are hanging on to a narrow lead in the division race, with the Ravens breathing down their necks. So every game is significant for them. They cannot overlook any opponent. And this game is particularly significant, because it is a divisional game, and they lost the first meeting to the Bengals. Should the Steelers fall in this one, they will have been swept, and likely will have not one but two teams breathing down their necks. However, the Bengals have struggled. Flacco brings a bit more stability at quarterback, yet it is not a consistent thing. So my pick is with the team that I still believe is the better of these two teams. My pick: Pittsburgh
Seattle at LA Rams - This feels like the biggest showdown this weekend. These are two hot teams, tied for first in their division. The winner of this particular contests might just get a major boost in the NFC West race. So this is huge. It could go either way. The way the Seahawks are playing, they look really good. With a win on the road at Los Angeles, and another showdown where the Seahawks will host in the Emerald City, a win for the Seahawks could really significantly boost their chances for taking the division. However, my suspicion is that the Rams will do just enough to get by in this one. My pick: LA Rams
San Francisco at Arizona - The other NFC West showdown pits the banged up 49ers against the struggling Cardinals. Indeed, Arizona won a couple of weekends ago in Dallas to snap a massive losing streak. However, they just look very weak this season so far. Hard to see any reason why they actually could pull this one off. The 49ers should come in with a sense of urgency, because they really need this win in order not to fall too far behind in the NFC West race.My pick; San Francisco
Kansas City at Denver - What a huge game this is! A divisional showdown. With a win, the Broncos can almost put the AFC West title out of reach for the Chiefs. Meanwhile, KC has gone 5-2 following an 0-2 start to the season. So they look to continue that trend and pull off a win that will keep them relevant in the playoff race, and even keep them within striking distance in the AFC West race. This is the kind of crucial game you expect in November. A huge source of concern has been the inconsistent production of the Broncos offense. They can look hot one week, then inept and struggling the next week. My suspicion is that the experienced Chiefs will know how to take advantage of that weakness. My pick: Kansas City
Baltimore at Cleveland - This season was spiraling out of control at points for both of these franchises. To their credit, however, the Ravens dug themselves out of a seemingly disastrous 1-5 start and now look ready to make a push for the playoffs. By contrast, the season continues to be a nightmare for the Browns, who have looked simply inept. The way things are going for both teams, it is difficult to see how the Browns can win. My pick: Baltimore
Sunday Night Football - Detroit at Philadelphia - Another huge game. A potential preview of the NFC Championship. Two of the better teams in the entire league in recent seasons, and two seemingly viable contenders. This one is tough to pick. Either team could play extremely well and win, but both teams also have vulnerabilities and issues which could come back to bite them. In the end, I suspect home field will be a real advantage for the Eagles. My pick: Philadelphia
Monday Night Football - Dallas at Las Vegas - Both of these teams have serious issues. Neither team appears headed for the playoffs. The questions is whether the Cowboys will at least put it together enough to make some semblance of a push for the playoffs, or whether their season ends here and now, for all intents and purposes. The Raiders can be tough on defense, but that Cowboys offense is dangerous. Should be a good match. Not certain that home field as much of an advantage in this one, as the Raiders are 1-3 at home. Then again, the 'Boys are 1-4 on thre road, so maybe. My pick: Dallas
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