NFL Picks-Week 8

Last Week: 8-5 Season: 68-32

Dallas at Carolina: The Cowboys are mired in yet another quarterback controversy. Drew Bledsoe has been benched in favor of Tony Romo. I like some of what I see in him, but ultimately, I'm afraid this is another in a long line of spare quarterbacks for the Cowboys. Meanwhile, the Panthers are a pretty decent team. It's easy to forget that the Cowboys are 5-0 in the regular season against Carolina. That's because they are 0-2 in the playoffs against them. I have a bad feeling about this one. Pick: Carolina
Houston at Tennessee: What was once a candidate for the Suck Bowl is turning into a decent (not great) matchup. The Texans now have two wins. The Titans have one win, and have shown marked improvement with Vince Young at quarterback. The Titans break out the Oilers' Columbia blue and win this one in Music City. Pick: Titans
Atlanta at Cincinnati: There should be some fireworks here. Michael Vick comes off his first four-touchdown performance. The Bengals got a big win last week against Carolina. The home field is safe here. Pick: Cincy
Arizona at Green Bay: The Packers are starting three rookies on the offensive line. They got a win last week in Miami. The Cardinals are one of the great disappointments so far this year. Birds do not fly north for the winter, nor do they belong in Green Bay. Pick: Green Bay
Baltimore at New Orleans: Irresistible force (Saints' offense) vs. immovable object (Ravens' D)? Almost. The Saints have so much going for them so far this year. The roll lasts at least one more week. Pick: New Orleans
Seattle at Kansas City: The AFC West Reunion tour continues for the Seahawks. Seattle is in big trouble, as Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander are still injured. There is a big difference between them and their replacements, Seneca Wallace and Maurice Morris. Speaking of backups, the Chiefs have won three games with Damon Huard at quarterback following the injury to Trent Green. Seahawks are in big trouble. Pick: Kansas City
Jacksonville at Philadelphia: The Jaguars are coming off an embarrasing loss to the Texans, while Philly was beaten on a 62 yard field goal last week. The Jags continue to struggle on the road. Philly bounces back. Pick: Eagles
San Francisco at Chicago: The 49ers are the worst two-win team out there. Those wins are against the sorry Cardinals and the sorry Raiders. Da Bears are having one of those seasons where everything goes right. Chicago moves one step closer to destiny. Pick: Chicago
Tampa Bay at New York Giants: The Bucs have new life with new rookie QB Bruce Gradkowski. The Giants mangled the Cowboys last week. In the last Barber Bowl, Tiki gets the win over brother Ronde. Pick: G-Men
St. Louis at San Diego: This is not a baseball game. It's a good football game. The Rams have been a surprise up to this point. The Chargers are strong, but were shocked last week in Kansas City. The Bolts bounce back this week. Pick: San Diego
Indianapolis at Denver: One of the best games of the year. The Broncos have given up two touchdowns all season. The Colts are still unbeaten. What gives? Outdoors, on grass, in the mountains-don't doubt the Broncos. Pick: Denver
New York Jets at Cleveland: The Jets aren't the greatest team out there. But, they have been winning games against teams they are supposed to beat. The Browns are yet another one of those. The misery continues in Cleveland. Pick: Jets
Pittsburgh at Oakland: Ugh. The Steelers are struggling. But, they get some medicine in the sorry Raiders. I'm glad I won't be watching this one. Pick: Oakland
New England at Minnesota: Good Monday Night game. The Pats continue to win. The Vikes have been a nice surprise. This one's in the dome. Pick: Minnesota