GAME OF THE WEEK – New Orleans Saints (5-1) at Minnesota Vikings (4-2-1), MIN by 1 – A rematch of last year’s all-time classic divisional playoff game features a Vikings team that has battled back from a tough start to the season and a Saints team that has been one of the more solid teams in the NFC so far this year. The Vikings’ passing game has been absurd so far, but the Saints are a more well-rounded club at the moment, at least offensively. I’m taking them to notch a minor upset. UPSET! – Saints 27, Vikings 26
THURSDAY NIGHT – Miami Dolphins (4-3) at Houston Texans (4-3), HOU by 7.5 – Another game that has some early playoff implications, the Dolphins and Texans are teams heading in the opposite direction at the moment. The Dolphins got off to a fast start and have since gone 1-3, whereas the Texans had a rough first several weeks and have since gone on a tear. Playing at home on a short week, you gotta feel like the Texans have the upper hand. Texans 24, Dolphins 17
Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4) in London – Boy, these two teams are not where we would have expected them to be at this point of the season. Another loss for either could prove catastrophic in their respective quests for the playoffs. The Jaguars’ defense simply hasn’t been what it was last year, and the Eagles haven’t looked particularly inspired on either side of the ball. I think I trust the Eagles to get it done more right now, but both of these teams have been big time disappointments. Eagles 23, Jaguars 13
Cleveland Browns (2-4-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2-1), PIT by 8.5 – The Browns are one OT game away from tying the 1983 Packers’ single-season record. Methinks the Cardiac Pack will keep the record for at least one more week. Enjoy that distinction, Lynn Dickey. Steelers 27, Browns 17
Denver Broncos (3-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-1), KC by 10 – Kansas City is the real deal. The only question surrounding this team is whether or not they’ll be able to beat the Patriots in January. They need to keep winning so they have homefield advantage for that matchup. Chiefs 34, Broncos 17
New York Jets (3-4) at Chicago Bears (3-3), CHI by 7 – Lol, two weeks ago everyone was riding the Bears’ jocks and making them the sexy pick for the NFC north. Those of us who pay attention to the NFC North knew better. Now they’re back on the bottom. This game definitely is a favorable matchup for them, though, and they should take advantage of a flailing Jets team. Bears 20, Jets 13
Washington (4-2) at New York Giants (1-6), WAS by 1 – Damn, the Giants are BAD. Like, this is a three-year project team that they’re working on here, and it was just an awful idea to take an RB at #2 overall, I don’t care who he is. Washington has looked surprisingly solid so far this season. They’re not going to be a Super Bowl contender, but they’ve definitely got the inside track on that division so far in the first half of the year. Another divisional win this week will do more to help them out. Washington 23, Giants 9
Seattle Seahawks (3-3) at Detroit Lions (3-3), DET by 3 – Lots of 3-4 and 3-3 teams this week trying to figure out who they are. This matchup is no different—the Lions and Seahawks have both been no more than average so far. Will either be able to start a turnaround here in week 8? With 10 games left to go for both teams, you figure they’ll have to win at least 7 of them to have a shot at the playoffs. I don’t think either of these teams is capable of that, but I do think I trust the Lions more at home than I trust the Seahawks on the road. Lions 24, Seahawks 17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-3), CIN by 4.5 – Any idiot who’s watched the Bengals over the last seven years or so knew they would shit the bed in primetime—it’s what they do. Now they can go back to beating up on cupcakes when the spotlight is off. Bengals 30, Bucs 20
Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Carolina Panthers (4-2), BAL by 2 – Hard to know what to make of either of these teams right now—both have fluctuated between looking outstanding and looking thoroughly average. Their defenses are playing quite well, though, so expect this one to be a hard-hitting, low-scoring affair. I like Carolina at home. Panthers 20, Ravens 16
Indianapolis Colts (2-5) at Oakland Raiders (1-6), IND by 3 – The Raiders are officially tanking, but at least they have tons of draft capital the next two years. Also, turns out the Colts are just as bad WITH Andrew Luck as they were WITHOUT him. Who’da thunk? Colts 23, Raiders 10
San Francisco 49ers (1-6) at Arizona Cardinals (1-6), ARZ by 1 – At least the 49ers can blame their ineptitude on a season-ending injury to their starting QB. What excuse do the Cardinals have? Things have gotten so bad in Arizona that Patrick Peterson wants out, NOW. I think the 49ers have the coaching advantage in this matchup of low-level talent, so give me them. UPSET! – 49ers 23, Cardinals 19
Green Bay Packers (3-2-1) at LA Rams (7-0), LAR by 9 – The Packers have been much worse than their record indicates, and it’s looking like the end of the McCarthy era in Green Bay. I don’t see this one going any way other than a blowout. Rams 37, Packers 16
New England Patriots (5-2) at Buffalo Bills (2-4), NE by 14 – How the fuck have the Bills won two games?? Patriots 34, Bills 13
BYES: Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, LA Chargers, Tennessee Titans