For the Record

Baltimore @ Tennessee (-3): Anyone who knows anything about football understands what type of a game this will be. Two similarly built football teams with outstanding defenses, suspect passing games, and a propensity to run the ball the majority of the time. While Ed Reeds transcendent play strongly makes me want to side with the Ravens, I have a hard time getting past the fact that B'More has a rookie QB while Tennessee has a proven veteran in Kerry Collins. Going with my head rather than my heart here I have to go with the better rested home team.

Titans 20 Ravens 16

Arizona @ Carolina (-10): Pretty straightforward pick here, the Panthers have a dominant running attack and the best WR in the game today in Steve Smith. While Jake Delhomme has struggled and is serviceable at best, the Cardinals' inability to stop the run (last week notwithstanding... grrrrrrr) and tendency to become one-dimensional should make this a fairly easy win. The only way the Cardinals have a chance in my view would be if Arizona jumps out to an early lead somehow and is able to keep the Panthers on their toes by a resurgent game from Edge. Did I mention that Carolina is 8-0 at home though? Take the Panthers and give the points.

Carolina 31 Arizona 15

Philly @ NY Giants (-4): This is a difficult game to predict as the Eagles are surging and the Giants are lacking playmakers in their passing game. I have never really respected Eli Manning and he proved me wrong last year. Lets see if he can do it again, Westbrook gets over 175 total yards and Eagles pull out a close one.

Eagles 27 Giants 23


San Diego @ Pittsburgh (-6): While Pittsburgh doesn't really seem to have much oomph in their offense with a poor OL and a surprisingly futile running game, they also have the top-rated D in the NFL and a team that really just seems to go about their business in a truly professional manner. The same cannot be said for the Chargers whose coach is a joke and star player who has finally begun to show his age and is injured. This of course, is actually a boon for San Diego as Sproles is a far more dangerous player at this point. Lets chalk this one up to Home field advantage, coaching, and intangibles.

Steelers 17 Chargers 10