Week 7 Pick 'em

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner

Well, it was by no means a good weekend, but I didn’t have a loosing record this week, which I guess kind of makes up for me getting my ask kicked by a team that hadn’t won a game to that point. After Monday night’s beat down on behalf of the Tennessee Titans I finished 7-7 missing some tough games like the Pats over the Ravens and Texans over Chiefs. But the ones that really got me were the games I felt most confident about, like the Chargers going down to the Rams and the Raiders loosing to the Niners. Oh well, you can’t win them all but it sure would be cool. This week features a lot of teams at the crossroads of their season. A win or a loss can be the difference of making the playoffs or watching them at Applebee’s. I’m expecting some really great games but not too many upsets as we head towards the half way point of the season. Wow, can you believe it’s almost half way over.

Browns @ Saints: It’s not an easy few weeks to be a rookie, third-string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. Colt McCoy started his NFL career up against the best defense in the league in the Pittsburgh Steelers and now he has to face a historically opportunistic team in the Saints. Not only is it another tough matchup but Josh Cribbs and Mohammed Massoquois both sustained head injuries last weekend and may not be eligible for the game. If they can’t play expect the Browns to go with a heavy dose of workhorse Peyton Hillis sprinkled with a dash of Mike Bell. The ground game is much safer for them against the Saints but New Orleans will still create opportunities to change the game. Drew Brees is always a must start but I’m going to dub Robert Meachem his favorite receiver for the rest of the year. Not just because he is on my team and I need him to play well, but the last two weeks he has scored a touchdown and averaged 12.4 fantasy points, better than Randy Moss and about the same as Roddy White. Also watch out for Chris Ivory as he will have another good game against a weak defense. Saints win, 28-10.

Steelers @ Dolphins: The Dolphins are one of those enigma teams that I can’t quite figure out. Like the Texans or Bears they seem to be improving to the point of winning their division but lapses in judgment and poor play at times cost them key wins. They pulled out a good one against a depleted Packers team last week but I don’t believe they can do that against the Steelers. Pittsburgh does look like the Super Bowl team from two years ago and they just got Ben Roethlisberger back. The Dolphins have a decent rush and will try to pressure Big Ben into making mistakes. Watch for Ben to get the ball out of his hand early to Heath Miller to avoid sacks. Rashard Mendenhall is playing very well and will continue the same trend this week. For the Fins, look for Davone Bess to have a good game as the Steelers will surely attempt to contain Brandon Marshall. While this will be a good defenses match we will be surprised by the offense as well. Steelers win 20-14

Redskins @ Bears: Neither of these teams has shown a solid identity so far this season. You have the Reskins: high expectations with a hall-of-fame additions at quarterback and head coach and young, solid defensive players like Brian Orakpo. But so far this year the Skins are one of the worst (oh wait, the worst) defenses in the league. They are still adjusting to a new system and offensively they’re experiencing some of the same growing pains. But Chicago is having some pains of their own. While Jay Cutler continues to get beat up in the pocket, the Bears look a little uncomfortable atop the division. Against such a weak defense lets hope the Bears attempt to run a little more. Although it’s a long shot maybe Matt Forte will get at least half as many touches as Cutler throws. I'm not sold on either team at this point, but I think the growing pains are tougher in for the Redskins. They give up a ton of passing yards per game as they are ranked 31st in that category. Bears win 21-17

Bengals @ Falcons: My expectations of the Falcons had increased greatly over the last four weeks and I had a lot of faith in them until the crumbled on national television against the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. Matt Ryan has some of the best weapons in the league yet continues his inconsistent play. This will be an offensive game as Carson Palmer gets a little better off the bye week and T.O. continues to shine. Cedric Benson will work hard for his yardage and will struggle to get in the endzone. Roddy White should have a better game than last week’s 83 yard performance and the return of Michael Jenkins really opens things up for the offense. In the end, I believe the Falcons are a better team. Atlanta wins 23-14.

Eagles @ Titans: The Eagles will greatly miss Desean Jackson as he recovers from the hit that NFL leaders think is to dirty for a contact sport. I mean seriously, I know it was a big hit but that is football, quit breast feeding each other and let the boys play. Anyway, Brent Celek should step up big for Philly as Kevin KolbChris Johnson seems to be hitting his stride and will unleash an assault on the Eagles. Kerry Collins will manage the game well and limit mistakes and sacks. These are two very good teams and I think the Eagles are moving in the right direction. But the Titans are a real contenders and I think they pull it out. Titans win 28-17.

49ers @ Panthers: Congratulations San Francisco, you’re about to experience your first winning streak of the year. It’s safer to bet the Panthers will loose every game this year than to bet they will at least win one. I am a huge Panthers fan and I still can admit the truth; that the Panthers are the worst team in the NFL this year (worse than the Lions or even the Bills). Frank Gore will have a field day and Michael Crabtree will continue to get on track with another TD catch. Matt Moore is back at the helm for Carolina and this culture of switching back and forth is detrimental to a teams chemistry, and it will show come Sunday. Niners win 24-10

Rams @ Bucs: These are two of the most improved teams in the NFL through six weeks. I have been impressed with the Rams all season, particularly the play of rookie Sam Bradford. Steven Jackson is looking like his old self again running well and even getting in the end zone. Tampa Bay will struggle a bit offensively as they have lost all the depth in their back field to injuries. Cadillac Williams is not running well and Earnest Graham isn’t getting enough touches. Mike Williams will play well and is the only Bucs’ players worth starting consideration. I think the Rams defense will play well again causing a few key mistakes for Tampa Bay’s offense. Rams win 17-10

Bills @ Ravens: The Ravens have had struggles against playoff contenders but play well against the lower level teams. The Bills have improved throughout the year and Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown at least 2 touchdowns in each of the last three games. Look for Steve Johnson nice catches when the Bills run three-wide sets. He is benefiting greatly from his demotion to the #3 receiver. In the end, Joe Flacco is a better quarterback, Ray Rice and company a better backfield, Anquan Boldin the best receiver on the field and the Ravens certainly have the better defense. Too much for the Bills, although they will score more than expected. Ravens win 31-24

Jaguars @ Chiefs: This was has big rushing yards written all over it. Although their defense isn’t elite, Rashean Mathis is enough to deter Matt Cassel from throwing his way often. However, they Chiefs have the best rushing attack in the NFL with the one-two punch of Jamal Charles and Thomas Jones. The will have very good games this week and Jamal Charles will break 100 yards and go for at least one touchdown. On the other side, Maurice Jones-Drew will have to fight for his yards against a very tough defense. MJD will cross the goal line but don’t expect huge yards from him, although the Chiefs did give up some key runs to Arian Foster last week. The Jaguars are missing two of the key ingredients for winning football games in the NFL: defense and a quarterback. Chiefs win to avoid a 3-game loosing streak, 31-20

Cardinals @ Seahawks: The Cardinals are coming off a well-needed bye and the Seahawks are coming off a big win against Chicago. The Cardinals look nothing like the team they went to the Super Bowl with 2 years ago as their defense has struggled against the pass and Kurt Warner is no where in sight. In Seattle there’s a revival of sorts happening with Pete Carroll changing the culture of that team. Matt Hasselback makes a lot of mistakes but he has the potential to be an elite signal-caller again. The addition of Marshawn Lynch gave their backfield new life last week and he and Justin Forsett will continue to be a great duo against Arizona. Mike Williams had a huge game last week but it’s Deon Butler who will have his time to shine. Seattle’s defense will make some key stops and don’t forget about Leon Washington on special teams. Seahawks put the nail in the Cardinals seasonal coffin, 24-10.

Raiders @ Broncos: This would have been a really good game if it was played about two weeks ago. The Raiders were looking very solid with Gradkowski at quarterback and the defense was playing excellent. But now they face the most effective passing attack in the NFL with nobody to help them keep pace if Denver gets ahead. The Raiders coaching staff refuses to us their two very good backs more and instead try to make Darius Heyward-Bay not look like the worst draft pick of this decade (sorry, Ryan Leaf was last decade). Kyle Orton should have a very good day going for at least 200 yards and 2 touchdowns given ample opportunities to Brandon Lloyd and Jabar Gaffney. The Broncos have too many weapons, Denver wins 24-13.

Patriots @ Chargers: What has happened to the San Diego Chargers? The defense hasn’t been able to make the big stop and the offense hasn’t been able to make the big play. Which is bad because they are seemingly always in a tight game regardless of the opponent. The Patriots are playing well above expectation and the emergence of such offensive threats as Aaron Hernandez, Danny Woodhead and Brandon Tate are making Tom Brady’s life a lot easier. Don’t expect much out of “the Law Firm” BenJarvis Green-Ellis as the Chargers will do well against the rushing attack. If you have Deon Branch get him in your starting lineup as he hasn’t lost a step with Brady and looks rejuvenated. Phillip Rivers will rebound from his worst game of the year and put up his usual numbers but he’ll have to work harder as Malcolm Floyd will likely be out and Antonio Gates isn’t 100%. Patrick Crayton should be a great sleeper pick this week. The Chargers will continue to struggle this week and the game will look eerily similar to the Pats game against the Dolphins a few weeks ago. Patriots win 28-24.

Vikings @ Packers: Favre returns to Green Bay yet again but this time it doesn’t look so good. Amid a very public sex scandal and a slumping offense Brett Favre looks older (and creepier) than ever. The Packers are trying to recovering from a plethora of injuries as well as a two game skid. The Vikings got a solid win against the Cowboys last week but I’m afraid it stops there. Unless the defense can stop the high-powered attack of Aaron Rodgers they will not stand a chance. Adrian Peterson will have a big day going for over 100yards and a touchdown. Don’t expect a lot out of Randy Moss until he shows you something. Donald Driver and Greg Jennings should always get starting consideration, but with the absence of JerMichael Finley for the remainder of the season, their chances of success increase. These two teams were trendy Super Bowl picks in the preseason, and now the one with the better record will stand alone. Packers win 20-14.

Giants @ Cowboys (MNF): There’s nothing better than a great divisional matchup on Monday Night Football. This week the Giants take on the Cowboys in Dallas as the Boys are in desperate need of a win. The Cowboys have one of the most potent offenses in the league but penalties and careless mistakes have caused them to slump to 1-4. The Cowboys average 80 yards in penalties per game, tied for the worst in the league. At some point you have to point to the coach as the common denominator for a team’s problems. Sorry Wade but it’s true. The Giants are playing great defense and Osi Umenyora looks to be back to form. Both quarterbacks will spend more time on the ground then normal with both teams presenting a strong pass rush. Defense will rule this one, but Miles Austin and Hakeem Nicks are superstars of the game, and stars play great in big games. Watch out for Ahmad Bradshaw; he’s been playing well but the Dallas front is one of the best in the game and they will slow him down unless he can get outside. The Giants look like they have new life and the Cowboys seem to be on their last breath. My friends call it "the gift of desperation", and the Cowboys have it. I originally picked the Giants to win this one but I have to agree with everyone else that eventually the Cowboys have to stop shooting themselves in the foot and what better time than against a bitter division rival. What the hell...Cowboys win a close one in the fourth quarter 27-24