In NFL, Week Seven Is Heaven

Teams are beginning to make some moves, either up or down. I think we all know which teams are the dregs of the ’09 NFL season (Rams, Bucs, Browns, Chiefs, Titans) but that’s about it. Two weeks ago the Giants looked flawless; now they have big issues.

The Vikings can have only so many miracle wins, right? Have the Texans finally broken through into the collective NFL fans' consciousness? Have the Chargers thrown in the towel already? Will the Saints keep up this record pace? Can the Cowboys save Wade Phillips' job?

On to the picks.

San Francisco at Houston

The Texans introduced themselves to the 2009 NFL season with a convincing win at Cincinnati. Alternatively, the 49ers are coming off the bitter taste of two straight losses followed by a bye. The game might come down to the RB with the bigger day. Steve Slaton and Frank Gore are both focal points of their respective offenses.

But when you match up the receivers…give me WR Andre Johnson. A top three receiver in the league, he has been killing DBs and safeties all year with 572 yards and four TDs. The 49ers counter with the NFL debut of Mr. Mike Crabtree. Hmmmm...

Texans 24-16

Green Bay at Cleveland

The Packers just had two bye weeks in a row after a week off and Detroit. The Browns have been struck by the flu bug this week, with up to 12 players catching it. Unfortunately, QB Derek Anderson is just fine.

Packers 28-10

San Diego at Kansas City

Times are tough for the Chiefs when they are winless (0-3) at Arrowhead. The Chargers are playing on short rest with a couple of players lacking in the effort department. It’s not rocket science to figure out that L.T. and Shawne Merriman are free agents at the end of the year and both see the writing on the wall.

Chiefs 23-21

Indianapolis at St. Louis

Short trip for Manning and Co. where half the stadium will be filled with Colts fans. So the Colts are coming off a bye, in a semi-home game, against a winless Rams team with Kyle Boller starting?

Colts 32-14

Minnesota at Pittsburgh

The Steelers are favored but the Vikes have the undefeated record. The Steelers are officially a passing team now, but the D can still stop the run. Adrian Peterson will be contained and this is the week Favre gets exposed.

Steelers 24-22

New England vs. Tampa Bay

This game is in the old England, not the new one, so the Bucs lose a home game and the Pats get rid of a road game. But wouldn’t the fans root against the Patriots? "Patriot" is a bad word over there. The Buccaneers pull off the upset of the year.

Bucs 21-20

New York (A) at Oakland

Jets coach Rex Ryan said he is simplifying the playbook for rookie QB Mark Sanchez. This game will also be played in the California sun, his old stomping grounds. The Jets D is still a force and WR Braylon Edwards is getting more comfortable in the offense.

Jets 17-7

Buffalo at Carolina

Who cares about this one? Well, I wouldn’t completely disregard the Panthers just yet. They are 2-3 and filled with veterans that have plenty of experience winning. As for the Bills and their 1-0 QB, Ryan “crazy legs” Fitzpatrick? No hope at all.

Panthers 24-17

Chicago at Cincinnati

The Benson bowl. RB Cedric Benson, as well as DT Tank Johnson, seeks revenge on his old team that he says, “black-balled him.” The Bears o-line is crumpling. Orlando Pace killed his team with that fourth down penalty in the fourth quarter last week.

Benson now claims that he's not looking for revenge and won't try to send a message.
Right...based on how Benson has been playing when he isn't pissed off, I’m interested to see what he'll do with even more motivation. And give me Palmer over Cutler everyday of the week.

Bengals 27-23

Falcons at Dallas

The Cowboys are fresh off their bye and QB Tony Romo is in dire need of a huge game. The Falcons are coming off an emotional win against the Bears. In a high scoring affair, it will be the Cowboys D that makes the biggest play. Too bad Jerry Jones didn’t jump at the Bengals' offer of WR Chris Henry and a No. 2 pick for TE Martellus Bennett. Would have helped out both teams big time.

Cowboys 33-30

New Orleans at Miami

Great spot for a letdown for QB Drew Brees and the Saints. Coming off a huge win against the Giants, the Saints are riding high. The Dolphins are coming off a bye, which allows them to throw some new wrinkles into the wildcat offense. Call me crazy, but this Chad Henne guy ain't so bad. Call me insane, but I like the Fins in this one.

Dolphins 24-23

Arizona at New York (N)-

Let history show that QB Kurt Warner is not a good QB in the wind. He never played well with the Giants because half the games were played at an extremely windy stadium. The cold weather will also be a factor for the sunny-side Cardinals. Not to mention the pissed-off factor of the Giants getting trounced last week.

Giants 27-19

Philadelphia at Washington

I am so sick of hearing about the job status of Jim Zorn. Dan Snyder will wait till the end of the year to fire him, so can we all just stop talking about it? The worst thing to happen for the Skins is that the Eagles were just embarrassed by the Raiders. No way it happens twice in a row.

Eagles 25-13