Jacksonville at Cincinnati - Both of these teams are 2-1 and locked in for a battle for their respective division titles. you have to figure that Cincy has a tougher road, as all three of the other teams in their division look decent at this point in the season. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have to worry about the Texans, but they are winless right now. Otherwise the Colts may be tough, but they also are struggling. And the Titans are awful. So Jacksonville does not even have to be great in order to make the playoffs or even win their division. All of that translates to a greater sense of urgency for the home team. Look for the Bengals to bounce back from a disappointing loss last weekend and take this win. My pick: Cincy
New England at Buffalo - Two teams figuring to be prominent playoff powers meet up in Foxboro. I liked how both teams played last season. So far this season, the Pats look stronger and better to me. Plus, with home field advantage, it seems like the Pats should be able to win a second in a row in this one. My pick: Buffalo
Dallas at Houston - This is the battle of Texas. both teams have gotten off to disappointing starts. The 'Boys are 1-2 after that loss to the Ravens in Rio last weekend. Still feel it's surprising that they are playing the very next Sunday after that game. But the Texans are far more disappointing, having gotten off to another disastrous 0-3 start. It's October again, and again Houston is looking for their first "W" of their season. Figure that they have to win a game at some point, and this feels like a winnable game for them. My pick: Houston
LA Rams at Philadelphia - Quite the intriguing matchup here. The Rams are struggling and already need to play with a sense of urgency, not wanting to fall even farther behind Seattle or especially undefeated San Francisco. Meanwhile, Philly looked great at 2-0, but that loss last weekend to the Bears was humbling. Frankly, the Eagles looked bad all around. This is as a big game with a lot riding on it for both teams. Figure the Rams will find a way. My pick: LA Rams
Tennessee at Baltimore - The Ravens came from behind to earn a huge win in Rio last week against the Cowboys. Had assumed that they would get more rest, that this might be their bye week. Apparently not. Still, I expect them to get past their fatigue enough to beat the Titans in this game.. My pick: Baltimore
Green Bay at Tampa Bay - Yes, I am thinking that the winless Bucs will pull off the upset in this one. Why? Because both of these teams have serious issues which they need to iron out. But Tampa Bay cannot afford to remain winless. Sooner or later they are going to win, and it feels like this week, against an also compromising Packers team, could be a good opportunity. My pick: Tampa Bay
Miami at Minnesota- So let me just say right off the bat that I do not think that the Vikings will remain undefeated for too long. That said, it is also very difficult imagining them losing to the Dolphins at this point. The Fins are winless for a reason. Plus, this game will be played at Minnesota, so that would be even more difficult for Miami. Look for the Vikings to win this one convincingly. My pick: Minnesota
Kansas City at Las Vegas - The battle of the unbeatens. Who would have imagined that this would be the game between two undefeated, 3-0 teams. I mean, the Chiefs are hardly a surprise. But the Raiders, on the other hand, are a shock. However, the Silver & Black also have not played anyone on the caliber of the Chiefs yet. Believe it or not, I expect this to be relatively close, but for the superior experience and poise of KC wo win out in the end. My pick: Kansas City
Denver at San Francisco - The Niners look like quite possibly the best team in the league to this point. They are running on all cylinders and, at least right now, own sole possession of first in the NFC West. Meanwhile, the Broncos are looking good at 2-1, but already behind not one but two teams in the AFC West. So there will be some urgency with them this weekend. Still, San Francisco just seems like the better overall team in this one. My pick: San Francisco
LA Chargers at Seattle - Seattle finally proved that they are human last week in the loss at Washington. However, they return home to host the still winless, 0-3 Chargers. The Bolts certainly should be better than they have been to this point in the season. But it looks like a disastrous start will compromise their chances for recovery. Sooner or later, they will earn some wins this season. But it does not seem likely to happen on the road in Seattle, a notoriously difficult place for road teams to play. My pick: Seattle
Sunday Night Football: Detroit at Carolina - While I believe that the Lions are the better overall team in this one, it is not an easy game. Home field advantage should help to provide the Panthers with a real chance at earning the "W." Yet, as already mentioned, it seems to me that the Lions are the better overall team and, thus, should escape with a narrow win. My pick: Detroit
Monday Night Football: Atlanta at New Orleans - The Falcons earned a big, convincing win over the Packers last weekend. Plus, they should be well rested. That is enough to give them a shot here in this game. However, the Saints feel better than their 1-2 record suggests. This is the game where they begin to prove that, and start maybe taking over the NFC West. My pick: New Orleans
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