GAME OF THE WEEK – San Francisco 49ers (4-2) at Denver Broncos (4-1), DEN by 6.5 – According to our year long picks, this is likely to be the Super Bowl matchup for this season (for what it’s worth, heh). Going to be an interesting matchup for sure. San Francisco has the ability to frustrate Peyton with their defense, but I’m not sure I’m quite as big of a believer in this team as I have been in the past few years. I’m going to say the Broncos win by a field goal. Broncos 27, 49ers 24
THURSDAY NIGHT – New York Jets (1-5) at New England Patriots (4-2), NE by 9.5 – The Jets have an absolutely nasty front 7, and it’s not at all unlikely that they’ll get in Brady’s face all night. That being said, their offense is pathetic, and that will be the difference. Patriots 20, Jets 10
Cincinnati Bengals (3-1-1) at Indianapolis Colts (4-2), IND by 3 – The Bengals are having a lot of issues defensively, especially when you compare their output to last year’s squad. The Colts have been on fire lately and playing in a big game at home like this I trust them a lot more than Cincinnati to get the job done, especially considering the Bengals may be without AJ Green yet again. Colts 30, Bengals 20
Tennessee Titans (2-4) at Washington Redskins (1-5), WAS by 5.5 – This is the stinker of the week. The Titans only have two wins because they got to play the Jaguars last week. The Redskins have been bad, but at least have looked competitive in matchups against good teams. I’m going to hold my nose and pick Washington. Redskins 27, Titans 17
Miami Dolphins (2-3) at Chicago Bears (3-3), CHI by 3.5 – Hard to know what to make out of this matchup. This is exactly the kind of defense that Cutler is likely to struggle against, but the Dolphins are playing on the road after an emotionally draining loss at home. Given the circumstances, I think the Bears are more likely to win, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Dolphins pick this one up. Bears 24, Dolphins 20
Cleveland Browns (3-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-6), CLE by 5 – When was the last time the Browns were 4-2? The answer is soon going to be the 2014 NFL season. Browns 33, Jaguars 14
Seattle Seahawks (3-2) at St. Louis Rams (1-4), SEA by 6.5 – I do NOT envy the Rams this week, having to take on the defending champs after they were shocked in their own home. This could get ugly. Seahawks 41, Rams 10
Carolina Panthers (3-2-1) at Green Bay Packers (4-2), GB by 7 – Cam Newton is going to give the Packers’ defense fits, especially considering all the struggles they’ve had with similar style QBs over the last few years. But the Panthers’ defense is playing pathetically right now, and on the road in Green Bay against Aaron Rodgers who is in legitimate MVP form, I don’t like their odds. Packers 30, Panthers 20
Atlanta Falcons (2-4) at Baltimore Ravens (4-2), BAL by 7 – The Falcons can’t play on the road and the Ravens are hot. This could be disastrous. Ravens 27, Falcons 10
Minnesota Vikings (2-4) at Buffalo Bills (3-3), BUF by 5 – The Bills will get a challenge from the Vikings, but in the end they’re simply the better team. Unless Teddy Bridgewater can recreate his performance of a few weeks ago, this one goes to Buffalo. Bills 23, Vikings 16
New Orleans Saints (2-3) at Detroit Lions (4-2), DET by 3 – A lot of teams are sleeping on the Saints right now, especially after the loss of Jimmy Graham. But I’m not giving up on them yet. I think they’ll pull a surprise out of their hats and steal one on the road from Detroit, despite their road woes. The Lions’ D will get after Brees to be sure, but this one will end in a thriller for the Saints. UPSET! – Saints 30, Lions 27
Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) at San Diego Chargers (5-1), SD by 4 – If you ask me, the Chargers are ripe for an upset, and the Chiefs are exactly the kind of team capable of pulling it off. No real reasoning behind this one other than an instinct. UPSET! – Chiefs 24, Chargers 21
New York Giants (3-3) at Dallas Cowboys (5-1), DAL by 6 – The Giants looked absolutely awful, but this team is still capable of coming out and pulling a fast one on Dallas. Granted, with the way Dallas controls the ball with that running game, I don’t see that happening. Cowboys 23, Giants 14
Arizona Cardinals (4-1) at Oakland Raiders (0-5), ARZ by 3.5 – Your Arizona Cardinals are currently the sole leaders of the NFC West, and they’re playing one of the worst teams in the league this week. While the Raiders sure put up a fight against Philip Rivers’s Chargers, I don’t see them being that much of a problem for the Cardinals this week. Cardinals 20, Raiders 13
Houston Texans (3-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3), PIT by 3.5 – This is perhaps the toughest game of the week for me to pick. I’m not a believer in either of these teams making the playoffs at this point, but dammit, I picked the Steelers to win the division so I’m going to go down with the ship. Steelers 24, Texans 20
