Washington at Minnesota – Thursday, 8:25 – Both of these 2012 playoff teams have been disappointing this year. Washington (3-5) has been hampered by nagging injuries to RG3 and an abomination of a defense that ranks 31st in the league. Minnesota (1-7) hasn’t fielded any consistency at the quarterback position, and boast the league’s 30th ranked defense. With that being said, the Redskins are playing better football than the Vikings right now, and I think Robert Griffin III is in for a big game. Washington will keep its slim playoff hopes alive with a win in Minnesota.
Seattle at Atlanta – Sunday, 1:00 – To say that there are a few chinks in the armor of Seattle (8-1) would certainly be an accurate statement. They gave up twenty-one unanswered points to a winless Tampa Bay team at the start of last week’s game, and have looked shaky going back almost a month. However, in the NFL, your record is what matters, and the Seahawks have still managed to come out on top, despite their struggles. Atlanta (2-6) is in the midst of a nightmare season, but they should be able to stay competitive in this game, due to Seattle’s disturbing habit of starting games slowly. Ultimately, Seattle will do enough to win on the road and create even more headaches for Matt Ryan and the rest of the Falcons.
Cincinnati at Baltimore – Sunday, 1:00 – This game features two quarterbacks moving in different directions. Andy Dalton has thrown for over 300 yards in each of the last four games for the Bengals (6-3), and will look to continue that streak against a middling Baltimore secondary. Joe Flacco hasn’t come remotely close to fulfilling the massive contract bestowed upon him in the off-season by the Ravens (3-5), and he’ll have a tough time this week against a Cincinnati defense that remains strong even without its best player in tackle Geno Atkins. Cincinnati will end up winning what should be a very tight, low-scoring game.
Detroit at Chicago – Sunday, 1:00 – When these two teams met back in Week 4, they combined for seventy-two points, and that type of offensive explosion should be expected once more. Detroit (5-3) won the first matchup behind a huge performance by Reggie Bush, who should have another excellent outing. Chicago (5-3) did a good job of containing Calvin Johnson in that game, but I doubt they’ll experience similar success this time around. Jay Cutler is banged up, and the Bears just don’t have the capacity to match the Lions on the scoreboard. Detroit will win to earn a season sweep of their division rivals.
Philadelphia at Green Bay – Sunday, 1:00 – The fears of Packers fans across the world were confirmed earlier this week when Aaron Rodgers was ruled out for the next few games due to a shoulder injury. Without Rodgers under center, Green Bay (5-3) just isn’t a great team, and they’ll have to contend with a Philadelphia team that put up almost fifty points last week. I’m not saying Nick Foles will nearly break a league record again this week for the Eagles (4-5), but I expect a strong output offensively. Their defense is dreadful against the pass, but I don’t think Seneca Wallace, filling in for Rodgers, will be able to take full advantage. Philadelphia will win an important game to stay very much in the NFC East mix.
St. Louis at Indianapolis – Sunday, 1:00 – This game is an easy one to pick. St. Louis (3-6) has dropped three straight, and there’s no indication that they’re poised to beat an elite Colts team in Indianapolis. Even if this game comes down to the wire, Andrew Luck will definitely find a way to bring home the win for the Colts (6-2). Indianapolis will keep things rolling with another victory.
Oakland at New York Giants – Sunday, 1:00 – “Torched” just may be the best way to describe what happened to the Oakland Raiders (3-5) last week against Philadelphia. Eagles quarterback Nick Foles tossed seven (not a misprint) touchdowns in the Black Hole in Week 9, and Oakland was absolutely outclassed by Philly. I’m not saying Eli Manning is going to match that output, but the Giants (2-6) should be in for a good offensive day, to say the least. Coming off of their bye, and facing a Raiders team traveling across the country on the heels of such a shellacking, I don’t see the Giants losing. New York will keep its winning streak going at the Meadowlands.
Buffalo at Pittsburgh – Sunday, 1:00 – This game features two teams that are similar with respect to record, but not so much in terms of quality. Buffalo (3-6) will be buoyed this week by the return of rookie quarterback EJ Manuel, and, while his backups have done a serviceable job, the Bills are much better with Manuel at the helm. Pittsburgh (2-6) has struggled mightily on both sides of the ball this season, and the Bills will prove difficult to score against. There aren’t any indications that the Steelers are set for a turnaround, and I think Buffalo is simply the better team. The Bills will pick up a win in Manuel’s return on the road.
Jacksonville at Tennessee – Sunday, 1:00 – There aren’t many specific rules I abide by in life, but one of them is this: never pick the 2013 Jacksonville Jaguars to win a football game. This week won’t be the week I break that mantra. The Titans (4-4) haven’t exactly been playing good football of late, but the Jags (0-8) won’t be able to take advantage of that slump. Tennessee will defend its home field by taking down the lowly squad from Jacksonville.
Carolina at San Francisco – Sunday, 4:05 – Fans of physical, ground-and-pound style football would be wise to avoid missing this showdown in San Francisco. Carolina (5-3) is the hottest team in football, blending a pounding offensive style with a fearsome defense to rip off four straight wins. Cam Newton has been lights out of late, but he will be tested by a very good 49er defense. San Francisco (6-2) is eerily similar to Carolina in playing style and team identity, but I think they’ll do everything a little better than their opponent when they meet on the field. The 49ers will emerge victorious from what should be a bruising contest at Candlestick.
Houston at Arizona – Sunday, 4:25 – Houston (2-6) has experienced a resurgence in its passing game under hometown hero Case Keenum, but unfortunately for Texans fans, that hasn’t translated to wins. They’re very leaky on defense, and closing games has been an enormous issue, regardless of who has been under center. Arizona (4-4) is coming off of a bye, and should be poised to make a statement defensively. Look for the Cardinals to force a turnover or two that swings the momentum of the game in favor of the home team. Arizona will move to above .500 with a win at home.
Denver at San Diego – Sunday, 4:25 – This week begins a critical two-game stretch for the Broncos (7-1), with a face-off against Kansas City looming in Week 11. However, it would be a mistake to overlook the Chargers (4-4), who have embodied inconsistency thus far in the 2013 season. There are times when they look like they could beat any team in football, and times, as in last week’s game at Washington, when they couldn’t punch the ball in from the one yard line three times, where they look hapless. In any case, they won’t be able to keep pace with the Broncos offensive machine. Denver will come out on top and look to its next matchup with the Chiefs.
Dallas at New Orleans – Sunday, 8:30 – The roller coaster 2013 campaign of the Dallas Cowboys (5-4) continued last week, as they nearly dropped a home contest to the dreadful Minnesota Vikings. Tony Romo managed to engineer a touchdown drive that sealed the game for Dallas with just 35 seconds left, and they’ll need more of that magic to take down the Saints (6-2). New Orleans turned in a below-par offensive performance against a strong Jets defense last week, and they should rebound in a big way against a much weaker Dallas defense. The Saints will emerge from the dust victorious in what should be an absolute shootout at the Superdome.
Miami at Tampa Bay – Monday, 8:30 – The Dolphins (4-4) were in the news for all of the wrong reasons this week, as the Jonathan Martin-Richie Incognito scandal exploded into the nation’s biggest story. Given firestorm surrounding the team, it’s difficult to know what sort of performance they’ll turn in come Monday night, but I don’t think they’ll fall to Tampa. The Bucs (0-8) very nearly pulled off what would have been a stunning upset in Seattle last week, but I think the Dolphins won’t be caught off guard. Miami will rise above the controversy to pick up an important win.