NFL Picks of the Week

Last week: 8-7

Carolina at Jacksonville: winner- Jacksonville
Spread: Jacksonville by 10 1/2
My Prediction: Jaguars 31, Panthers 10
The Jags will beat up on the hapless Panthers using their dynamic rushing duo of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew.

Oakland at Green Bay: winner- Green Bay
Spread: Green Bay by 10 1/2
My Prediction: Packers 24, Oakland 10
Brett Farve or no Brett Farve, the Packers will beat the Raiders either way.

Tampa Bay at Houston: winner- Tampa Bay
Spread: Tampa by 3
My Prediction: Bucs 27, Texans 14
The Texans may not have their starting quarterback on the field and they will get outplayed by the playoff-bound Buccaneers.

Cleveland at New York Jets: winner- Cleveland
Spread: Cleveland by 3
My Prediction: Browns 38, Jets 28
This will be a high-scoring affair between two teams lead by young quarterbacks ( Browns-Derek Anderson, Jets- Kellen Clemens). Anderson will beat out Clemens in this game.

Dallas at Detroit: winner- Dallas
Spread: Dallas by 10 1/2
My Prediction: Cowboys 42, Lions 21
The Cowboys are just too good and the Lions are just too mistake-prone. Look for Jon Kitna to throw multiple interceptions.

San Diego at Tennessee: winner- San Diego
Spread: Pick
My Prediction: Chargers 28, Titans 24
This will be a game decided by the run and LT will have a monster game for the Chargers in this one.

Arizona at Seattle: winner Arizona
Spread: Seattle by 7
My Prediction: Cardinals 24, Seahawks 21
Kurt Warner will step up and have a good game, while the Cards D will handle Shaun Alexander.
I'm thinking a field goal to win in the last seconds of the game by Neil Rackers to propel the cards past the Seahawks in a thriller.

Kansas City at Denver: winner- Denver
Spread: Denver by 7
My Prediction: Broncos 14, Cheifs 10
Very low-scoring game but the Broncos will pull this one out at home.

Miami at Buffalo: winner- Buffalo
Spread: Buffalo by 7
My Prediction: Bills 24, Dolphins 14
This game will unfurl Miami's real desperation to get their first win. That desperation will force them to make mistakes late in the game.

St. Louis at Cincinnati: winner- Cincinnati
Spread: Cincinnati by 9 1/2
My Prediction: Bengals 35, Rams 28
Carson Palmer will show why he is the leader of this team but it is too late for the postseason for the struggling Bengals.

Minnesota at San Francisco: winner- Minnesota
Spread: Minnesota by 8 1/2
My Prediction: Vikings 28, 49ers 14
The 49ers have been struggling and the Vikings have been running. That pattern should not stop today.

Pittsburgh at New England: winner- Pittsburgh
Spread: New England by 10 1/2
My Prediction: Steelers 35, Patriots 31
This should be one of the best games played this year. Big Ben Roethlisberger will lead his team valiantly through the undefeated Patriots.

Indianapolis at Baltimore: winner- Indianapolis
Spread: Indianapolis by 9
My Prediction: Colts 34, Ravens 14
The Colts should handle the Ravens without breaking a sweat.

New Orleans at Atlanta: winner New Orleans
Spread: New Orleans by 3
My Prediction: Saints 24, Falcons 17
The Saints finally get a win that they should get but it may be too little too late for the playoffs.

Philadelphia at home vs. New York Giants: winner- Philadelphia
Spread: Philly by 3
My Prediction: Eagles 28, Giants 24
This will be a good game to watch as Brian Westbrook does everything but kick the field goals for the Eagles.


My Predictions for this Week's Top Performers:

LaDanian Tomlinsion- LT will run over the Titans and almost single-handily win a very important game for the Chargers and their playoff aspirations. Expect him to have a game of record proportions. Also expect him to have 3 touchdowns and over 200 yards.

Ben Roethlisberger- Big Ben will beat the Pats with his arm and his legs today. He will carry his team, the Steelers, to a upset win over the 12-0 Pats. He will take on the Pats stunning defense and come out victorious. He will also have some help from the Steelers stifling D.

Brian Westbrook- Like I said, Westbrook will do everything except kick the field goals for this Eagles team as they look to beat the rival Giants. Expect 200 or more yards rushing and, at the very least, 100 yards receiving.