Game of the Week
TENNESSEE TITANS (-3½) over Minnesota Vikings
This is such a crappy slate of games that the game of the week comes down to Kerry Collins against Gus Ferotte. I wouldn't expect much offense, as the Titans feature perhaps the most dominant defense in the league, and that's with Albert Haynesworth playing below 100%. When he returns to full health that defense will be even scarier.
That said, the Vikings defense can hold their own, at least against the run. They are still suspect against the pass, as Jared Allen hasn't been everything that was advertised. I'm thinking that we'll see a lot of Chris Johnson this game, particularly spread out and in motion as Jeff Fisher works to create mismatches against the defense.
Monday Night Cheerleader
Baltimore Ravens (+7½) over PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Now I'm changing around the cheerleader of the week. Rather than randomly searching through NFL teams for the cheerleader, I'm going to take a look at just the two Monday night teams and select the winner based on the team featuring the most professional, aka hottest, cheerleader. There will be some weeks like this week, where a team doesn't even have a cheerleading squad. This just leads me to the conclusion that the Steelers have no chance this Monday night.
Meaghan S. of the Baltimore Ravens is our Monday Night Cheerleader. She is a three year veteran to the squad and an alumni of Montgomery College. Meaghan's favorite movie is Superbad and she enjoys Deal or No Deal, Dancing With the Stars and The Bachelor on television. Her best characteristic is giving and having a big heart.
Football-wise, I don't think the Steelers lose much, if anything with Willie Parker's injury. Parker has a boom-or-bust style of running that is very conducive to creating second and nine or third and seven situations. Rashard Mendenhall is far more talented at this point, and it's amazing how little he's been utilized so far this season.
That said, the Steelers still feature a sore-shouldered Ben Roethlisberger, not to mention the most porous offensive lines in the league. The Ravens have a talented enough defense to pull off a repeat of the Eagles' dismantling of Roethlisberger last Sunday.
Lock of the Week
Buffalo Bills (-8½) over ST. LOUIS RAMS
It's pretty clear now that these Rams are on their way to become a historically bad team. Their defense never developed, their offensive line is terrible, Steven Jackson has never regained his pre-injury form, Tory Holt is a shell of his former self and the team now hopes for something by handing over the reigns of the offense to Trent Green.
The Bills on the other hand are starting to look pretty damn good, and yet much of that is diception created by one of the weakest schedules in the league that has the Bills facing teams like these very Rams.
Upset of the Week
San Francisco 49ers (+6½) over NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Can any quarterback get luckier than J.T. O'Sullivan? The weak after he faces the Detroit "defense" he is handed the New Orleans Saints. Pretty soon we might get tricked into thinking he's actually good or something.
The Rest
Cleveland Browns (+3½) over CINCINNATI BENGALS
Brady Quinn will see snaps this game.
DENVER BRONCOS (-9½) over Kansas City Chiefs
The only reason this game is not the lock of the week is that the football gods will get back at Denver for the gift it handed them in their win over San Diego. I'm not saying it will be this game, but I'm not saying it won't either. Now that's a prediction…
NEW YORK JETS (-2½) over Arizona Cardinals
The Jets started moving the ball pretty well on San Diego when they decided to screw the run game, split everyone out and let Favre do his thing. Granted, much of that was during garbage time, but maybe that's an offense the Jets should utilize more this season, especially against a green defense like Arizona's.
Green Bay Packers (+1½) over TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Any team will look bad against the Cowboys in September. Green Bay will get right back on the saddle with a dominant win over Tampa Bay.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (-7½) over Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan on the road. Michael Turner will be held to under 70 yards.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS over Houston Texans (+7½)
Houston has some fight still left in them. Not enough to win, but enough to give Jacksonville problems. More fans will know the name Steve Slaton after this game.
San Diego Chargers (-7½) over OAKLAND RAIDERS
As long as Phillip Rivers stays away from Nnamdi Asomugha San Diego will be fine.
DALLAS COWBOYS over Washington Redskins (+11½)
I'm seeing Santana Moss beet Adam Jones deep on a pass where Jones goes for the interception rather than coverage and fails.
Philadelphia Eagles (-3½) over CHICAGO BEARS
Kyle Orton against a secondary featuring Asante Samuel, what's the over/under for interceptions, 3?
A Blast from the Past
- Straight Up: 11-5 Last Week, 31-16 for the season
- Vs. Spread: 9-7 last week, 27-20 for the season
- Game of the Week: 1-2 straight, 2-1 spread
- Monday Night Cheerleader: 2-1 straight, 2-1 spread
- Lock of the Week: 2-1 straight, 3-0 spread
- Upset of the Week 2-1 straight, 2-1 spread
The Ground Rules
Home team in CAPS, spread in ( paren ). If the spread is listed after the victor, then they will cover. If the spread is listed after the loser, then it will not be covered.
Spreads are taken from ESPN.com. I don't do lines.
You can follow my picks be either adding the "nfl-picks-of-the-week" tag to your watchlist, or add this feed to your reader.