Dawgs By Nature

I went 9-4 again with my picks last week which puts me at 18-8 overall through these two weeks.  Hey, at least I'm consistant!  We start with the Thursday night games this week so I'm posting this tonight so people can get their picks in before that game.  If you don't post before that game then just skip it and pick the weekend games.   

Here is the link to last week's picks to check out your record.

Ravens (6-2) at Falcons (6-2) - Thursday night

The Thursday night games begin with an excellent matchup featuring a Super Bowl contender from each conference.  Both teams are led by a good young quarterback in their third year and feature strong running games.  Roddy White is having a great season for the Falcons and Anquan Boldin would be on pace to shatter every receiving record if he were being guarded by Eric Wright every game.  Atlanta is undefeated at home so far this season and needs a win to stay on top of a very close 3-team race in the NFC South, so I'll take the Falcons in a close one

PICK:  Falcons 

Jets (6-2) at Browns (3-5)

I picked against the Browns last weekend and they proved me wrong so I hope it works again.  I'll be at the game and it should be a fun crowd with the excitement in Cleveland about this team. 

PICK:  Jets

Lions (2-6) at Bills (0-8)

Detroit, who has yet to win at on the road, goes to Buffalo to face the Bills, who have yet to win at home.  Something has to give in this battle for draft position.  The Lions have been playing better than their record indicates, though, so I'll take them in this game.

PICK:  Lions

Vikings (3-5) at Bears (5-3)

The Vikings face the Bears and Packers in the next two weeks with a chance to put themselves back in the playoff hunt despite their early struggles.  The drama continues for Minnesota, where reports of anonymous quotes from Vikings players who hate Brad Childress have come out this week, but they pulled off a great comeback victory last Sunday and I think they keep it going against the Bears (who are lucky to be 5-3).

PICK:  Vikings

Bengals (2-6) at Colts (3-5)

The Colts may be devastated with injuries at the receiver position but that won't keep them from beating the awful Bengals.

PICK:  Colts

Titans (5-3) at Dolphins (4-4)

Not sure if anyone else heard, but the Titans picked up a wide receiver last week - some guy named Randy Moss.  Vince Young has struggled with injuries but is expected to start on Sunday while the Dolphins turn to Chad Pennington at quarterback.  Miami is still winless at home this year and I say that continues with a Titans victory here as they keep up with the top of the AFC.

PICK:  Titans

Panthers (1-7) at Bucs (5-3)

Jimmy Clausen is starting again for the Panthers this Sunday, which is pretty much all you need to know about this game.  If that isn't enough, though, the Panthers will also be missing DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.  The Bucs win easily here.

PICK:  Bucs

Texans (4-4) at Jaguars (4-4)

Both teams are trying to stay alive in the very tight AFC South race and both defenses have allowed over 28 points a game so expect a high scoring outcome here.  I think Houston has more weapons, however, so I'll take the Texans in a close one.

PICK:  Texans

Chiefs (5-3) at Broncos (2-6)

The Chiefs are coming off of a very tough loss in Oakland and need a win to stay on top of their division.  Denver is a good team to get that win against, though, since they have one of the worst run defenses while KC has the league's best running game. 

PICK:  Chiefs

Cowboys (1-7) at Giants (6-2)

The Giants are fighting with the Falcons for the title of best team in the NFC right now and they shouldn't have much trouble at home against a Dallas team that just fired Wade Phillips.  We'll see if Jason Garrett can do anything to turn around their lost season, but I don't see it happening in New York.

PICK:  Giants

Seahawks (4-4) at Cardinals (3-5)

Remarkably, Arizona can tie for a share of the division lead with a win over Seattle here even though they'll still have a losing record.  The Seahawks are coming off of a shellacking by the Giants but Hasselback should return at QB for them.  The Cardinals blew a big lead against Minnesota last Sunday but their offense looked better under Derek Anderson so I think they'll get the win at home here.

PICK:  Cardinals

Rams (4-4) at 49ers (2-6)

Troy Smith is starting again for the Niners so that's enough for me to pick them in this game.  On a side note, I heard someone on the radio mention last week that Smith has now completed a pass to Ted Ginn in high school (Cleveland Glenville), college (OSU), and in the NFL.  Has that ever happened before in the history of football?  Interesting thought.

PICK:  49ers

Patriots (6-2) at Steelers (6-2)

The Patriots look to bounce back after getting dominated in Cleveland last weekend.  Belichick and Brady have always had success playing in Pittsburgh and I think that will continue here.  This is a huge game which will have a large impact on the AFC playoff race later in the season.

PICK:  Patriots

Eagles (5-3) at Redskins (4-4)

Donovan McNabb gets to face his old team again and looks to avoid getting benched for Rex Grossman like the last game.  You know that he will be extremely motivated to play well in this game, but Michael Vick and the Eagles are rolling after beating the Colts last week so I think it will be tough for the Redskins to win this game.  Give me the Eagles on the road here.

PICK:  Eagles