Atlanta Falcons (-4) at Carolina Panthers

Atlanta hasn't lost since week five. At the moment, they are playing as well as any team in the league. Vick is one of the most exciting play-makers in the game. On the other end of the spectrum, we find the Carolina Panthers. After blazing to a 3-0 record, they have limped to a 3-7 mark. The return of Rodney Peete has not produced great results either (although he did have more than 46 passing yards against the Bucs). The Panthers defense will keep this fairly close, but Carolina will see their 8th straight loss.

The pick: Atlanta 21-14.

San Diego Chargers (+3) at Miami Dolphins

The Chargers just might have saved their season last week with a victory over the 49ers. Of course, they got a little help from Jose Cortez, but a win is a win. They still have a murderers row coming up (Denver, Oakland, Buffalo, and Kansas City) so the playoffs are far from a sure bet. Ray Lucas' version of the Miami offense finally produced last week against the Ravens. This contest could be a bit of a snorefest as both teams will likely feature their running game. The better defense will get the win.

The pick: Miami 21-17.

Buffalo Bills (+3) at New York Jets

The Buffalo offense played the first half of the season like men possessed as they averaged a whopping 30 points per game. However, over the last two games, they've scored a total of 23. With the state of their defense, 11.5 points per game won't come close to getting the win. Meanwhile, the Jets are starting to light up scoreboards with an extremely efficient offense. Even better, after a 1-4 start, the Jets are currently sitting at .500. Expect lots of action in this contest as the AFC East standings are a bit tight (one game separates all four teams).

The pick: Jets 27-20.

Tennessee Titans (-2.5) at Baltimore Ravens

Last week, I wrote that Tennessee wasn't talented enough to win five straight. That was obviously wrong as they have done exactly that. Are they talented enough to win six straight? I'm starting to believe, but they couldn't do this against quality competition. Lucky for them, their opponent's offense just isn't getting it done. Baltimore shows flashes of excellence but usually flames out quickly. Simply put, the Ravens lack enough talent to win consistently. What's amazing is they're only 1.5 games out of first in the AFC North. Expects lots of running in this one.

The pick: Tennessee 23-20.

Cincinnati Bengals (+10.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers

Oh my, the Bengals. The offense is getting better, but the team is still bad. Pittsburgh is a good team, but they'll be without Tommy Maddox for what looks like a couple of weeks. They also haven't won since week nine. That will change this week as the Bengals will offer little resistance. Even Stewart will shine in this game.

The pick: Pittsburgh 31-20.

Kansas City Chiefs (-4) at Seattle Seahawks

Kansas City hasn't had an easy week all season. All five of their losses have been by a touchdown or less. Conversely, Seattle has been an easy week for a few teams. They've been blown out (double digit loss) five times already this year. Their three wins came against poor teams (Minnesota, Dallas, and Arizona). The Chiefs are definitely not a poor team. If you are a Holmes owner, enjoy this one as Seattle is horrible against the run. Holmes should post excellent numbers.

The pick: Kansas City 26-10.

Cleveland Browns (+6.5) at New Orleans Saints

Cleveland is trying to find a little consistency lately (3-1 over the last four weeks). As evidence, Green almost rushed for 100 yards last week (against the Bengals, but still). Granted, having a RB "almost" get 100 yards shouldn't be noteworthy, but this is the Cleveland ground game we're talking about. New Orleans has been one of the surprisingly successful teams this season, but they've struggled a bit lately in dropping two of their last three. The Saints will most likely be without their stud back (McAllister) this week so look for Brooks and Horn to carry the offensive load (with help from Carney).

The pick: New Orleans 30-28.

Oakland Raiders (-8.5) at Arizona Cardinals

Did I miss something? Did these Raiders really lose four straight game a few weeks ago? The last two weeks they have certainly righted their ship. Speaking of righting a ship, Arizona has hit a floating mine and all but abandoned their boat. After starting off with a 4-2 record, the Cardinals have dropped four straight. They aren't even losing close games any more (all four defeats were by 10+ points). They simply are not a good football team right now. The Raiders are a good team and will beat them senseless.

The pick: Oakland 33-14.

Detroit Lions (+5.5) at Chicago Bears

The Lions just aren't producing much on offense. To make up for this shortcoming, they aren't stopping much on defense. That said, they own a win over these Bears (week seven). Not that beating Chicago is anything to brag about as the Bears have dropped eight consecutive. The most amazing thought here is that these teams are fighting with the Vikings for second place in the NFC North. What a strong division this is.

The pick: Chicago 26-19.

New York Giants (-6.5) at Houston Texans

The Giants have quietly put together a little three-game win streak. The reason? The offense has picked up noticeably since Jim Fassel took over play-calling duties. Their upcoming schedule could easily push the Giants into the playoffs (especially with Donovan McNabb being out for 6-8 weeks). Houston, meanwhile, is looking like an expansion team. Barber and Shockey could help carry your team this week. The Giants defense is also a great play.

The pick: Giants 21-13.

Green Bay Packers (+3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Packers missed a chance at eight straight wins last week in Minnesota. In the four games prior, this team was looking like they were the class of the league. A setback on the road (in a dome) is nothing to fret over though. Tampa Bay has picked up it's offense lately to go with what is easily the best defense in the NFL. This defense will be trying to keep Favre winless in Raymond James Stadium. This game smacks of a defensive struggle that is sprinkled with a handful of big plays. Whichever team gets the last of these game-changing plays will get the win and own the best record in the league.

The pick: Tampa Bay 23-21.

St. Louis Rams (-4.5) at Washington Redskins

You know you had a rough start win your 5th straight win just gets you back to .500. That's where the Rams finally sit. The jury is still out on this team as they aren't exactly pour on the points. The jury has returned a verdict of "try again next year" on the Redskins offense. Over the last three weeks, Washington is average a shade under 13 points per game. That's not the Fun-and-Gun Steve Spurrier envisioned. It probably won't get too fun this week either with Danny Wuerffel behind center so the Rams look like a great play. Of course the big news here is Faulk being a game-time decision. It's hard to imagine him sitting out two in a row. The almost-as-big news is the return of Warner. He'll be a bit rusty, but you have to like his potential.

The pick: St. Louis 24-17.

Jacksonville Jaguars (-3) at Dallas Cowboys

Just when the Jaguars appeared to be completely lifeless, they have ticked off a couple of wins and evened their record at 5-5. Still, this is not a good team. They are better than Dallas right now though (which isn't saying too much). The Cowboys have scored more than 20 points exactly once this season. That's atrocious. This will be a brutal game to sit through. I'm getting sleepy just thinking about it.

The pick: Jacksonville 14-10.

Indianapolis Colts (+6.5) at Denver Broncos

Hello Colts' passing attack. The Manning to Harrison connection is definitely alive and well as Indianapolis has bumped their record to 6-4. The only problem keeping this offense from returning to it's old explosive self is the lack of a consistent ground game. James simply isn't playing as he did before his injury. Denver's offense has been able to crank out some quality production this season. Apart from the Manning/Harrison combo, the big play here is Portis as the Colts run defense is soft at best.

The pick: Denver 24-21.

Minnesota Vikings (+7.5) at New England Patriots

The Vikings surprised the Packers last week but my not win another game until week 17 as they will face the likes of Atlanta, Green Bay, New Orleans, and Miami before closing with the Lions. New England dropped their "tuck rule" rematch with Oakland last week and fell to 5-5. Look for the Patriots to get back on the winning side here as Brady will pass almost at will.

The pick: New England 31-24.

Philadelphia Eagles (+7) at San Francisco 49ers

The Eagles have been near the top of these rankings for most of the season and would continue to be highly rated if not for the loss of Donovan McNabb for the next several weeks. Koy Detmer simply doesn't possess nearly the same ability as McNabb. Very few do. He is an extraordinarily talented individual. The 49ers have to a little disappointed with their recent play (even though they are 7-3). They are getting beat in 4th quarters and haven't been able to deliver the proverbial knockout blows to their opponents.

With Donovan McNabb, this would be an extremely close contest that the Eagles would probably be able to take. Without McNabb, the defense will keep things close, but Philadelphia just doesn't have enough to overcome the 49ers.

The pick: San Francisco 21-17.