Week 7 Picks Revisted

Packers 27 Browns 13
Packers 31 Browns 3
This was an incredible week for blowouts. I am going to be generous with the green here, even though I gave the Browns far more credit (which wasn't much) than they deserved.

Chargers 21 Chiefs 16
Chargers 37 Chiefs 7
I almost want to mark this was as red (for wrong). The Chiefs weren't pesky at all!

Colts 34 Rams 13
Colts 42 Rams 6

Vikings 28 Steelers 27
Steelers 27 Vikings 17
I got the Steelers score right at least! Pittsburgh's defense had a huge game, including a goal line stand that held Minnesota to three points, and two 4th quarter defensive touchdowns.

Patriots 31 Buccaneers 17
Patriots 35 Buccaneers 7
Hey, two in a row for the Pats. Blowouts I mean.

Texans 24 49ers 17
Texans 24 49ers 21
I certainly did not see San Francisco overcoming a 21-0 deficit, especially behind Alex Smith, but this is about as close to nailing a prediction as I can come.

Bills 17 Panthers 13
Bills 20 Panthers 9
Well, that's three greens in a row. The Bills did just as I expected: took advantage of Jake Delhomme, and chipped away on offense.

Jets 20 Raiders 12
Jets 38 Raiders 0
Again, one could argue that I got this one 'wrong.' I mean, sure, I picked the Jets to win, but 20-12 and 38-0 are miles apart.

Falcons 27 Cowboys 20
Cowboys 37 Falcons 21
Leaning on conventional Tony Romo-wisdom sunk me. He had one of his best games ever (maybe the best: 21 of 29, 311 yards, 3 touchdowns, no interceptions, and 31 yards rushing), and Atlanta couldn't stay within striking distance.

Bengals 17 Bears 10
Bengals 45 Bears 10
I was mostly wrong. Who knew the Bengals would obliterate Chicago?

Dolphins 20 Saints 17
Saints 46 Dolphins 34
This pick looked dead-on for most of the game, even into the 4th quarter. But the Saints scored on their final four drives (24 points), and when Chad Henne had to start throwing, the Dolphins were done.

Giants 27 Cardinals 23
Cardinals 24 Giants 17
If you didn't know any better, you might think the Cardinals were the recent NFC Champion with a reputation for tough defense and grinding out wins playing in this game. Every time a play needed to be made, the Cardinals seemed to come up with something.

Eagles 30 Washington 17
Eagles 27 Washington 17
Oh, weird, that thing about being only three points off in the Houston-San Francisco game being my best pick ever...I guess it is tied now. Jason Campbell looked like he was following the direction of Jon Gruden and Ron Jawarski, who were in the Monday Night Football booth going on and on about how Campbell refuses to hang in the pocket, and has no confidence in his offensive line; every time they would bring it up, Campbell would take the next snap, drop back, and then tip-toe forward into the pocket and spike a short pass (off one foot) into the dirt in front of one of his receivers. Uck.

So, that's six of 13 in the green, and nine of 13 winners, plus two extremely close guesses on scores.

Week 7 Predictions

Green Bay @ Cleveland
The Browns are sick. I'm not sure it makes a difference whether they are sick or recovered or OK. Their only bet is too run the ball and keep Aaron Rodgers off the field. Packers 27 Browns 13

San Diego @ Kansas City
The Chiefs will likely be pesky, but the Chargers are good enough to hold them off. It is always weird when great players of the near past (Ladainian Tomlinson) become sort of inconsequential. Chargers 21 Chiefs 16

Indianapolis @ St. Louis
The Rams really are not capable of staying with good teams. There is no reason why the Colts shouldn't blow them out. Colts 34 Rams 13

Minnesota @ Pittsburgh
I can't pick against the Vikings can I? I really think Ben Roethlisberger will have a big day. Plus, Pittsburgh is generally pretty clutch on offense in the 4th quarter. But, both defenses have struggled in 4th quarters this season, Brett Favre is as likely to throw the last touchdown in this game as Roethlisberger is. Vikings 28 Steelers 27

New England @ Tampa Bay
We've learned not to get caught up in the Patriots the last two seasons; they have had trouble maintaining momentum from week to week. But, if Brady is indeed 'back,' the Buccaneers are in trouble. Patriots 31 Buccaneers 17

San Francisco @ Houston
This could be another one of the Texans let downs. They have a knack for losing just when they appear to be on the cusp of a winning streak. The 49ers certainly will challenge them, but San Francisco can't really score. Texans 24 49ers 17

Buffalo @ Carolina
The Panthers finally won a couple, but they haven't looked good doing it. The Bills had six interceptions last week, and I expect a couple more against Jake Delhomme. Bills 17 Panthers 13

NY Jets @ Oakland
The Raiders inability to get into the end zone will sink them, even though Mark Sanchez will give them the ball a couple times. Jets 20 Raiders 12

Atlanta @ Dallas
The Cowboys and Falcons are somewhat similar teams, though the Falcons seem to play a little more consistently. Both can play decent defense at times, and both are capable of putting up a lot of points. I think the Falcons will keep up their level-headedness, and Tony Romo will blow it. Falcons 27 Cowboys 20

Chicago @ Cincinnati
The Bears are showing a startling ability to keep games extremely close, despite hardly ever scoring touchdowns. The Bengals defense didn't play well against Houston, but they should get a few chances to pick Jay Cutler off. Bengals 17 Bears 10

New Orleans @ Miami
It's time for me to pick a real upset. The Saints passing offense can be slowed down (two AFC East opponents have showed that), and the Dolphins are very good at keeping their offense on the field. If Drew Brees makes any mistakes, I think the Dolphins will capitalize. Dolphins 20 Saints 17

Arizona @ NY Giants
This one will come down to the Giants red zone defense. I see them forcing a lot of field goal attempts, and scoring just enough to take home the victory. Giants 27 Cardinals 23

Philadelphia @ Washington
The Eagles were embarrassed last week by the Raiders, but Washington probably won't present a similar road bump. More Todd Collins, please! Eagles 30 Washington 17