Game of the Week

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES over Washington Redskins (+5½)

At this point, any time two NFC East teams meet, that's our game of the week. Not only does this division feature some of the toughest rivalries, but all four teams are playing great football. So far only Philly features a loss to a non-divisional opponent, but that was sans-Westbrook.

Westbrook should be healthy enough to play this week, Reggie Brown is almost 100% and Kevin Curtis is almost ready to return. DeSean Jackson has provided excitement, though some of it the bad kind. The Eagles' defense is stout against the run, and features play makers in the secondary. Don't be fooled by this team's record of 2-2, they were a better team than the Bears, but lost thanks to some fluke plays and they almost upset Dallas at Texas.

Now, Washington is a team that did upset Dallas at Texas, a feat they accomplished in a large part due to keeping the ball away from the Dallas offense as they won the time of possession battle handedly. I don't think they'll be so lucky against the Philadelphia team, but the game should come down to the final minutes as we have another NFC East classic on our hands.

Monday Night Cheerleader

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (-3½) over Minnesota Vikings

Amanda T. of the New Orleans Saintsations will help lead the cheer against the Minnesota Vikings this Monday night. Amanda is a student at the The School for Film and Television, New York City with a major in Business. Naturally her favorite television show is Friday Night Lights.

I just can't help think about the 2006 Miami Dolphins when considering this Vikings team. Both teams were chic picks by many pundits to win the Super Bowl, but both had their seasons derailed by bad decisions at quarterback. The 2006 Miami Dolphins chose Daunte Culpepper over Drew Brees when they went searching in free agency, while this Vikings team was comfortable enough with Tavaris Jackson and Gus Ferrote rather than taking a chance with someone like Chad Pennington. Daunte Culpepper turned out to be a mistake from the start, while Jackson was given an entire two weeks before the coaching staff lost confidence in him, and then turned the reigns over to Ferrote who has been just as bad, and maybe even worst than Jackson.

Minnesota does hold some hope, as they are getting Bryant McKinney back from suspension this week, and their upcoming schedule eases up. However, they are still a team severely limited at quarterback and even if they are able to sneak into the playoffs neither Jackson nor Ferrote will lead them far.

Lock of the Week

NEW YORK GIANTS (-7½) over Seattle Seahawks

The Giants need to replace the suspended Plaxico Burress this game, a notion not all too unfamiliar to a Seattle team starting no-bodies at receiver the past few weeks thanks to cascading injuries. However, the Seahawks still have a questionable offensive line and a quarterback with back problems, this could very well be another sack happy day for the Giants' defensive front four.

Upset of the Week

DETROIT LIONS (+3½) over Chicago Bears

Call this the "Matt Millen just got canned and Detroit as some hope for the future for the first time in seven years win".

The Rest

GREEN BAY PACKERS over Atlanta Falcons (+7½)

This assumes that Aaron Rogers is healthy enough to play.

San Diego Chargers (-6½) over MIAMI DOLPHINS

What's the chance that both Ronnie Brown and LaDainian Tomlinson throw for touchdowns?

CAROLINA PANTHERS (-9½) over Kansas City Chiefs

Only one upset per month for Herman Edwards

Tennessee Titans (-3½) over BALTIMORE RAVENS

Life's not getting any easier for Joe Flaco as he trades in the Steelers defense for the Titans. At least he never has to face his own defense.

Indianapolis Colts (-3½) over HOUSTON TEXANS

Peyton Manning owns the Texans.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3½) over DENVER BRONCOS

The big play offense verse the big play killing defense.

DALLAS COWBOYS (-15½) over Cincinnati Bengals

And the Ryan Fitzpatrick era begins?

Buffalo Bills (+½) over ARIZONA CARDINALS

How is an undefeated team the underdog against a 2-2 team missing Anquan Boldin? Yea, maybe the Bills have been feasting on lesser competition, but Arizona is more or less the definition of lesser competition.

New England Patriots (-3½) over SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Matt Cassel verse J.T. O'Sullivan, can you say ugly?

Pittsburgh Steelers (+4½) over JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

So the Steelers are down to their third string running back and have no offensive line, Ben can stull pull off the upset.

A Blast from the Past

• Straight Up: 7-6 Last Week, 38-22 for the season
• Vs. Spread: 9-4 last week, 36-24 for the season
• Game of the Week: 2-2 straight, 3-1 spread
• Monday Night Cheerleader: 2-2 straight, 3-1 spread
• Lock of the Week: 3-1 straight, 4-0 spread
• Upset of the Week 2-2 straight, 2-2 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.

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