Alright, back to square one. After a 5-9 Week 6, I’m back at an even .500 (43-43-2) on the year. All I can say is that if the Rams can win a game, then I can come up with a big week.

Before looking at the picks, let’s all visualize the unbeaten Titans and try to block out the negative energy of teams like the Bengals and Lions who have combined for an 0-11 start to the year. OK, that’s enough visualizing. It’s go time!

San Diego Chargers (PK) at Buffalo Bills
At 3-3, the Chargers appear to have turned a corner. Just ask the Patriots. QB Philip Rivers may not be the most liked guy on the field on any given Sunday, but he is certainly one of the most passionate. Look for San Diego to keep riding Rivers’ hot hand as they try to make an early statement against a tough Bills D.

Buffalo is more than a defensive ball club, and with QB Trent Edwards back in the lineup, the Bills should be able to stretch the field. It’s almost foolish to go against a good team, good defense and a home field advantage. That being said …
Pick: San Diego Chargers  PK

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears (-3)
The Vikings are somewhat of an enigma. The two areas Minnesota were set at coming into the year were the defense - especially with the addition of DE Jared Allen- and the running game behind stud back Adrian Peterson.  Both have been inconsistent to this point, while the questionable passing game has come to life with WR Bernard Berrian hauling in 5+ catches, 110+ yards, and a TD in each of the last two games.

Chicago has had a few surprises themselves, namely QB Kyle Orton who has put on a show over the first six weeks. One of the reasons for Orton’s early season success has been the emergence of Devin Hester as a wide receiver. Hester is looking like a legitimate go-to guy, learning quickly on the job and stepping up his game in the absence of injured Brandon Lloyd.
Pick: Chicago Bears -3

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers (-3)
Inconsistency is the name of this game. The Saints are sitting at 3-3 despite averaging 29 points per game. This week, they go on the road where they are 0-2 and allowing 32 ppg. QB Drew Brees has got to be wondering what else he can do to will his team to victory.

The Panthers are on the better end of the inconsistent stick this week. In three road games, Carolina is only managing 13 PPG, but are doubling that number at home. Now, if only they can but last week’s beating behind them.
Pick: New Orleans Saints +3

Pittsburgh Steelers (-9.5) at Cincinnati Bengals
A much needed bye week for the Steelers as a pair of battered stars had a chance to rest. Big Ben is ready to go and should have a field day against this Bengals defense. The bad news for Pittsburgh is they may NEED him to throw all day. RB Willie Parker was supposed to return this week, but suffered a setback and is likely to sit.

Division rivalry or not, this is a mismatch. Cincinnati will rally behind backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick while Carson Palmer continues to rest his sore elbow. With the Bengals staring a 0-7 start in the face, don’t expect Palmer to come back until he is 100 percent. Even then, it’s going to be an uphill climb to respectability.
Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers -9.5

Tennessee Titans (-7.5) at Kansas City Chiefs
The Titans are still undefeated, and it doesn’t look like that will change after this week. Tennessee comes into Arrowhead Stadium with the league’s top ranked scoring defense and will probably pad those numbers against a bad, bad Kansas City Chiefs team.

What can you say about the Chiefs, other than “at least they aren’t the Bengals”? By holding onto TE Tony Gonzalez at the trade deadline, K.C. let another piece to the rebuilding puzzle slip away. To make matters worse, Pro Bowl RB Larry Johnson was suspended by the team for this game, and in an unrelated case, could be suspended by the league for a simple assault charge.
Pick: Tennessee Titans -7.5

Baltimore Ravens  at  Miami Dolphins (-3)
After a hot start, the Ravens and rookie QB Joe Flacco have come back to reality. They find themselves in the midst of a three-game losing streak, over which they have averaged just 11 points per game. Baltimore’s defense will need to be on point this week to deal with the surprisingly dangerous Dolphins’ offense.

Speaking of Miami’s offense, there’s a lot to love about the Wildcat formation. With everyone assuming the gimmick would stay in college, opposing defensive coordinators have been unprepared and thoroughly burnt to this point. Look for the Dolphins to add a new wrinkle to the formation as they look to keep a hungry Ravens’ D off balance.
Pick: Miami Dolphins -3

San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants (-10.5)
The poor Niners just cannot catch a break. After putting a nice scare into the Eagles last week, they ultimately lost the game. Worse yet, they failed to cover the spread. They still have the talent on both sides of the ball to be a factor every week, but it’s becoming more difficult to pick them. This week is no better.

After taking a pounding in the Dawg Pound, Tom Coughlin will have his team ready to play a complete game this week. With QB Eli Manning’s chest hurting, the Giants may have to reel it in a little, but that shouldn’t be a problem. Expect the run game to play a huge role.
Pick: San Francisco +10.5

Dallas Cowboys (-6.5) at St. Louis Rams
Let’s recap the Cowboys’ week: A loss in historic fashion to Arizona … QB Tony Romo out for a month with a broken pinky … Pacman suspended (again) … WR Roy Williams acquired from the Lions … oh, and of course there is the call from Brett Favre to Romo, after which Romo declared himself ready to play. What is happening in Big D?

After treating their new coach to a win in his first game, the Rams head back home with more confidence than they have had all year. While it was an impressive win, there was still one thing missing … offense. RB Steven Jackson looked pedestrian at best, and QB Marc Bulger still has not learned that Torry Holt is not going to be open every play.
Pick: Dallas Cowboys -6.5

Detroit Lions at Houston Texans (-8.5)
Things are bad in Detroit. How bad you ask? They are an 8.5 point underdog to the Texans. After being placed on the Injured Reserve, in his eyes unjustly, QB Jon Kitna is now an overpaid benchwarmer. Dan Orlovsky will start in his place, but will have one less weapon with WR Roy Williams heading to Dallas. I understand the meaning of “Any Given Sunday”, but at 0-5, the Lions may be faced with the only winnable game remaining on their schedule.
 
The Texans finally got on the board with a last second win over Miami in Week 6. QB Matt Schaub actually scored the game-winning touchdown, which may have saved his job for another week. Schaub has disappointed to this point, so much so that fans are calling for Sage Rosenfelds, even after blowing a Week 5 win versus the Colts.
Pick: Houston Texans -8.5

Indianapolis Colts (-1) at Green Bay Packers
What a difference one game can make. With everyone, including myself, saying this year’s Colts were not the same team from years past, Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison hooked up for two TDs for the first time since Christmas Eve 2000. With RB Joseph Addai out for up to four weeks, Indy will need all of the help they can get in this one.

QB Aaron Rodgers has shown he can play through the pain of his injured shoulder, but can he continue to win without a running game? Take away two early runs equaling 24 yards and RB Ryan Grant had 31 carries for a whopping 66 yards. I am actually looking for a big day out of Grant against the Colts front seven, but will it be enough?
Pick: Indianapolis Colts -1

New York Jets (-3) at Oakland Raiders
The Jets pulled one out last week, finding a way to come out on top against the Bengals. Don’t expect them to fall into that trap again. Thomas Jones should have another big day as the Jets play old fashioned football, using the run to set up the pass. QB Brett Favre will likely find plenty of open space in a disappointing Raiders secondary.

With the way QB JaMarcus Russell has been playing along with the lack of talent on the outside, I can’t believe the Raiders have not at least considered the Wildcat formation (told you I loved it). Not only would it get the one bright spot - rookie RB Darren McFadden - more involved, but it would be a trick quite familiar to McFadden, who ran the formation as a junior at Arkansas.
Pick: New York Jets -3

Cleveland Browns at Washington Redskins (-7.5)
Now that was what everyone was looking for out of the Browns. Not only did QB Derek Anderson show up, but so did WR Braylon Edwards, against the defending champs nonetheless. If this offense is really back to its 2007 form, the Browns could sneak up on unsuspecting teams and gamblers alike.

The Washington Redskin bandwagon hit a bump in the road. The bump’s name?  Try the St. Louis Rams. RB Clinton Portis’ ankle has been bothering him, but look for him to play and make a big impact in this rebound game for the Skins.
Pick: Washington Redskins -7.5

Seattle Seahawks at Tampa Bay Bucs (-10.5)
It is a dark and dreary day in Seattle, and for once it has nothing to do with the weather. QB Matt Hasselbeck is out and Seneca Wallace takes over after Charlie Frye was ineffective in his start a week ago. Of even greater concern is the defense. Highly touted coming into the season, it is currently near the bottom of the league allowing more than 30 ppg.

The Bucs are coming off one of the most impressive wins of the year as they completely dominated a solid Carolina team. Look for the Bucs defense to shut down the run game, rattle Wallace and win the turnover battle by a long shot.
Pick: Tampa Bay Bucs -10.5

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots (-3)
Is this still considered a prime time game? The Broncos offense had been on fire, but over the last three games has only managed 17 ppg. RB Michael Pittman has been a pleasant surprise, but has not scored since scoring four touchdowns in the first three games. The Broncos need to work the run game, especially against a vulnerable Patriots run D.

The Matt Cassel Project continues in New England. With the passing game limited, the Patriots need the rest of the team to step up. RB Sammy Morris will handle the rushing load with both Laurence Maroney and LaMont Jordan out.
Pick: New England -3