Last week we went 11-4-1 and that’s two giant steps in the right direction. We have to see if we can have three good weeks in a row. Kind of like the Indianapolis Colts.
It’s a big week in the NFL, simply because there are so many decent teams. There aren’t a lot of good or even great teams, but there are plenty of decent teams and because of that, the league is as tight as it’s ever been, thus making it difficult to consistently pick winners.
At this point in the season, numerous NFL teams still have playoff aspirations. Through 10 games, there are 21 clubs with a record of .500 or better, tying 2002 for the most at this point in NFL history.
The 12 teams in the AFC East, NFC East and NFC South all have a record of .500 or better. That’s the first time that three divisions have had every team with a .500 or better record this late in a season since realignment in 2002.
That’s going to make it tough for all the fearless prognosticators out there. Us included.
Time to take a close look at Week 12…
THURSDAY NIGHT
Cincinnati Bengals (1-8-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3)
Is there any doubt. Pittsburgh beat San Diego last week 18-10 (Oh yeah, Polamalu’s late touchdown didn’t count, but it WAS a touchdown). The Steelers will make mincemeat of the Bengals.
Take Pittsburgh
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Philadelphia Eagles (5-4-1) at Baltimore Ravens (6-4)
Baltimore has way too much defence for Donovan McNabb.
Take Baltimore
Houston Texans (3-7) at Cleveland Browns (4-6)
Brady Quinn has proven his worth and Braylon Edwards has actually been catching the ball recently, believe it or not. Houston should be better, but they aren’t.
Take Cleveland
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3) at Detroit Lions (0-10)
Now that Daunte Culpepper is starting to look comfortable at quarterback, Detroit is going to win one game this year. I’m just not sure this is the week.
Take Tampa Bay
Buffalo Bills (5-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-9)
How does Herman Edwards keep a gig? He destroyed the Jets and now he’s destroyed the Chiefs. I don’t get it. Buffalo bounces back from that Monday night loss at home to Cleveland.
Take Buffalo
Chicago Bears (5-5) at St. Louis Rams (2-8)
Chicago was horrible in Green Bay last week, but St. Louis was pretty awful in San Francisco. Ultimately, Chicago has the better football team.
Take Chicago
New York Jets (7-3) at Tennessee Titans (10-0)
Brett Favre was tremendous last week in an overtime win at New England, but Tennessee is considerably better than the Patriots and the Titans are at home.
Take Tennessee
New England Patriots (6-4) at Miami Dolphins (6-4)
The Dolphins were lucky to sneak by Oakland last week, but New England is an intra-divisional rivalry and it’s hard not to side with the Fish, at home, against the hated Pats.
Take Miami
Minnesota Vikings (5-5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6)
As long as Gus Frerotte is the starting quarterback in Minnesota, winning will be a difficult assignment.
Take Jacksonville
San Francisco 49ers (3-7) at Dallas Cowboys (6-4)
Dallas played very well in its win over Washington last week. San Francisco simply isn’t good enough.
Take Dallas
Oakland Raiders (2-8) at Denver Broncos (6-4)
Denver looked terrific in Atlanta last week. The Broncos might be for real.
Take Denver
Carolina Panthers (8-2) at Atlanta Falcons (6-4)
Thought Atlanta was for real until the Broncos beat them in the Dome last week. Carolina is a better team than Denver and should have an easy week.
Take Carolina
New York Giants (9-1) at Arizona Cardinals (7-3)
The game of of the week. Two teams with great offences, the Giants have a much better defence.
Take NY Giants
Washington Redskins (6-4) at Seattle Seahawks (2-8)
Jason Campbell will snap out of it this week. Hasselbeck or Wallace in Seattle? It really doesn’t matter.
Take Washington
SUNDAY NIGHT
Indianapolis Colts (6-4) at San Diego Chargers (4-6)
San Diego swept Indy last year, but that won’t happen this year. The Colts have won three straight and look great…again.
Take Indianapolis
MONDAY NIGHT
Green Bay Packers (5-5) at New Orleans Saints (5-5)
Two 5-5 teams playing in the Dome in New Orleans. Drew Brees will have a field day. Aaron Rodgers will be, ahh, OK, I guess. But OK won’t be good enough.
Take New Orleans
Last week: 11-4-1
Season: 92-67-1