A putrid 4-10 Week 7 takes us under .500 for the first time this season. Think of it like the stock market.  After a huge downslide you have two choices. Cash in and take the loss, or hang on for the ride. I suggest everyone stays along for the ride. At the very least, you will see a grown man driven to the edge by point spreads. That’s entertaining no matter who you are.

Kansas City Chiefs at New York Jets (-13)
They have lost their top two QBs for the season, the star running back is in the team’s doghouse with the league close behind, and their franchise player is angry he is still on the team. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce your 2008 Kansas City Chiefs.

The Jets are off to a disappointing 3-3 start, including an atrocious overtime loss to the Raiders in Week 7. While they shouldn’t have any trouble moving the ball against this Chiefs D, it’s interesting to note Brett Favre has yet to throw for 300 yards this year, even during his 6 TD game in Week 4.
Pick: New York Jets -13

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans (-9.5)
Another week without QB Carson Palmer will likely lead to an eighth straight loss for the Bengals. I am convinced that they will finish 0-16 with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. With RB Cedric Benson rounding out the backfield, the Bengals defense will be spending entirely too much time on the field.

The Texans find themselves on a bit of a win streak. After losing their first four, they now sit at 2-4, despite a near meltdown last week against the lowly Lions. Houston should have no trouble continuing their winning ways on Sunday, but can they cover?
Pick: Houston Texans -9.5

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (-5)
What a way to say goodbye. After years of success in Seattle, coach Mike Holmgren looked like he would go out on top of a wide open NFC West. And then the season started. The receivers were whittled down to practice squad guys and before they knew it, the Seahawks had a QB battle between Charlie Frye and Seneca Wallace. Yuck.

The 49ers told Mike Nolan to take his fancy suits elsewhere as they kicked him to the curb, handing the reins over to highly touted assistant Mike Singletary. Unfortunately for San Fran, Singletary can’t protect his QB who is getting hit on nearly every play.
Pick: San Francisco 49ers -5

Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens (-7)
Who would have ever guessed that Al Davis’ Raiders would be in the AFC West race? Thanks to lackluster starts by their division rivals and a kicker who is never out of field goal range, Oakland finds itself only two games out at 2-4.

Just as the Ravens’ defense started playing like a top-tier unit, QB Joe Flacco showed us how the rookie in him could rear it’s ugly head. With teammates publicly lobbying for Troy Smith to lead the offense, Flacco isn’t exactly exuding confidence.
Pick: Baltimore Ravens -7

Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars (-6.5)
The Browns’ front seven better eat their Wheaties on Sunday. There are a number of things wrong in Cleveland - Kellen Winslow Jr.’s suspension, Braylon Edwards’ stone hands, etc. – but the run defense is the biggest problem of all. Cleveland Browns, meet the Jags.

Jacksonville is starting to pick up steam, notching a win before having last week off. Well rested and looking to keep pace with the Titans, look for the Jags to play some smash mouth football and run right over the Browns defense.
Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars -6.5

Washington Redskins (-7.5) at Detroit Lions
Could the Redskins hand yet another team its first win of the year? Not if the league’s leading rusher has anything to do with it. Clinton Portis will be salivating as he looks over his line at the league’s 31st-ranked run defense.

Is QB Dan Orlovsky’s leash long enough to make it through this game? If he struggles early, don’t be surprised if Detroit takes a look at rookie Drew Stanton. I’m sure Stanton would relish the opportunity, but with matchups against the Bears, Jags, Panthers, Bucs and Titans looming, he can’t be thrilled about the timing.
Pick: Washington Redskins -7.5

St. Louis Rams at New England Patriots (-7)
Since taking over the Rams, Jim Haslett has coached his team to two straight victories, out-hustling the Redskins and then completely dismantling a stunned Cowboys squad. RB Steven Jackson even looked like his old self, rushing for 160 yards and 3 TDs. Alas, Jackson is banged up and St. Louis can’t afford to let QB Marc Bulger drop back 50 times in a game. Now what?

QB Matt Cassel can’t wait to go back on the field. After a career day against the Broncos last week, the critics have backed off and Cassel is more confident than ever. With RB Sammy Morris ruled out for this week, coach Bill Belichick may start to open up the playbook for his inexperienced QB.
Pick: New England Patriots -7

Buffalo Bills (-1.5) at Miami Dolphins
Even after taking down the Chargers, people are still not sold on the Buffalo Bills. The main reason? They have yet to play a team in their own division. That streak ends this week when they visit Miami. Trent Edwards is one of the most under rated QBs in the NFL, but looks poised for greatness. I expect a big day for Edwards against a weak Dolphins secondary.

Miami turned some heads with back-to-back wins versus the Patriots and Chargers, but have followed up with back to back losses to the Texans and Ravens. The Ravens laid out the blue print to stopping the Dolphins’ Wildcat formation, so good defenses like Buffalo should have no trouble defending it the rest of the way.
Pick: Buffalo Bills -1.5

San Diego Chargers (-3) at New Orleans Saints (in London)
The league’s top offense and top rated passer were shut down last week and the Chargers managed only 14 points behind QB Philip Rivers and his three turnovers. To make matters worse, L.T. has not reached the end zone in 6 of 8 games, including 3 straight.

Another team looking to get back to .500 during their trip to London is the Saints. Drew Brees is well on his way to eclipsing Dan Marino’s single-season passing record, but he may not be ready to do it alone. With Reggie Bush already out following knee surgery, late news from across the pond is that Deuce McAllister could also miss this week’s game.
Pick: San Diego Chargers -3

Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles (-8.5)
Rookie QB Matt Ryan has taken a liking to WR Roddy White. So much so that White has 35 catches, a whopping 22 more than anyone else on the team. This could be a problem considering the talent in the Eagles secondary.

The Eagles are now at 3-3 and are in danger of falling completely out of the picture in the NFC East. Not to fear Eagles fans, here comes the cavalry. RB Brian Westbrook is expected back in the lineup and WR Kevin Curtis will likely be on the field for the first time all year.
Pick: Philadelphia Eagles -8.5

Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers (-4.5)
The Cardinals have not had a problem scoring, but their defense could be compared to swiss cheese … it stinks and it is full of holes. WR Anquan Boldin could be back this week, but will it be enough?

The Panthers are unblemished at home, sporting a 4-0 record to this point. As one of the few teams in the league with a full arsenal of healthy players, Carolina will be tough to beat. The defense shut down a high powered Saints offense a week ago, so it’s pretty obvious they are up for this challenge.
Pick: Carolina Panthers -4

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys (-3.5)
If QB Jeff Garcia plays his cards right, he could be heading back to the playoffs. This Tampa Bay team has an attacking defense but the bread and butter is the run game. Earnest Graham volunteered himself for fullback duties where he has excelled, allowing himself and Warrick Dunn to be on the field at the same time… a living nightmare for opposing defenses.

Speaking of living nightmares, have you taken a look at the Cowboys recently? QB Brad Johnson was picked three times against the Rams and the front seven was punished by RB Steven Jackson. Dallas has lost 3 of 4, going from Super Bowl favorites to a laughing stock over that time.
Pick: Tampa Bay Bucs +3.5

New York Giants at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3)
This one is all about the run. The Giants come into this matchup as the top running team in the league at nearly 170 yards per game. On the other side of the ball, they are ranked fifth against the rush, allowing under 85 yards per contest on the ground.

The Steelers know a thing or two about the run game as well. Their second-ranked rush defense is giving up less than 70 yards per game, and with their top two rushers out, Pittsburgh has watched Mewelde Moore rush for over 200 yards and 2 TDs over a two game stretch. The Steelers have bigger problems, though, namely protecting Big Ben.
Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers -3

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans (-4)
It seemed like this day would never come. The Colts find themselves looking up at the undefeated Titans, and for the first time in a long time can not feel very good about their chances. With their invisible run game and inconsistent success with the pass, look for Indy to struggle against this stingy Titans D.

The Titans are giving up a measly 11 PPG and are actually outscoring the Colts by more than 3 points per contest, even with Kerry Collins under center. OK, so Collins has not accounted for much of that scoring. That job is left up to RBs LenDale White and Chris Johnson.
Pick: Tennessee Titans -4