GAME OF THE WEEK – Miami Dolphins (5-3) at Detroit Lions (6-2), DET by 2.5 – Both of these teams play a very similar brand of football. Outstanding pass rush and play from their front 7s, questionable secondary play, offense that comes and goes. This is going to be a tough, bruising football game and I’m not really sure who I trust more to win this game. So when in doubt, go with the home team. Lions 24, Dolphins 20
THURSDAY NIGHT – Cleveland Browns (5-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-2-1), CIN by 6 – This is going to be another tough game, most likely. The Browns are definitely going to challenge the Bengals, who haven’t looked particularly impressive in recent weeks but have still managed to snag a couple consecutive wins. But it’s another one of those years where nobody wins divisional games on the road in the AFC North, so I’ve got to go with Cincy. Bengals 27, Browns 21
Dallas Cowboys (6-3) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8) in London, DAL by 5.5 – You never really know what to expect when both teams have so far to travel, but the Cowboys are a significantly more talented team and should be able to win, Romo or no Romo. Cowboys 27, Jaguars 13
Kansas City Chiefs (5-3) at Buffalo Bills (5-3), KC by 2 – Really tough to predict. The Chiefs have been on fire over the last month and have really flown under the radar. The Bills are also flying under the radar, but their quality of victory hasn’t been quite as strong as the Chiefs’. Buffalo is certainly not an easy place to play so I’m on the fence, but I’ve just been more impressed by the Chiefs so far this season, so I’ve got to go with them here. Chiefs 30, Bills 20
San Francisco 49ers (4-4) at New Orleans Saints (4-4), NO by 4.5 – San Francisco needs this game way more than New Orleans does which adds an interesting element to this game, but the Saints are playing much better football right now and are really, REALLY difficult to beat at home. I’ve got to go with the team that has the momentum right now. Saints 34, 49ers 17
Tennessee Titans (2-6) at Baltimore Ravens (5-4), BAL by 9.5 – A date with the Titans is just what the doctor ordered for Baltimore after an embarrassing performance against their arch nemeses in Pittsburgh. Ravens 31, Titans 10
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) at New York Jets (1-8), PIT by 4.5 - Lol. Steelers 30, Jets 10
Atlanta Falcons (2-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-7), ATL by 1 – I need to pick a couple upsets, and with as shitty as both of these teams have been playing I may as well take Tampa at home. UPSET! – Bucs 20, Falcons 16
Denver Broncos (6-2) at Oakland Raiders (0-8), DEN by 11.5 – Lol. Broncos 41, Raiders 9
St. Louis Rams (3-5) at Arizona Cardinals (7-1), ARZ by 7 – The Rams play their divisional opponents really well, but I don’t see them sneaking up on teams two weeks in a row. The Cardinals will pull this one out and maintain the NFL’s best record. Cardinals 24, Rams 7
New York Giants (3-5) at Seattle Seahawks (5-3), SEA by 9 – The Seahawks aren’t losing to this Giants team at home. Not a chance in hell. Seahawks 31, Giants 13
Chicago Bears (3-5) at Green Bay Packers (5-3), GB by 7.5 – Both teams are well-rested and coming off byes after frustrating losses. However, the Packers have it together way more than Chicago, and playing at home under the lights I don’t really see there being much of a chance of them blowing this one. This should basically put the nail in Chicago’s coffin this year. Packers 34, Bears 20
Carolina Panthers (3-5-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (6-2), PHI by 6 – Despite how poorly the Panthers have played in recent weeks, my gut is telling me not to count them out of this game. I’m going to go with the safe pick here, but I think Carolina will make it a close, hard-fought contest. Eagles 27, Panthers 24
BYES: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins
