I've had little to no time to look at football this past week. Alas, I've caught but random snippets of the news about the matchups that I will miss when I'm venturing to Florida upon an airplane.
And so, I can't wax poetic with an extended preface this week. Instead, I'll cut the verbosity and move to the picks:
Arizona @ St. Louis
Kurt Warner returns to St. Louis for the third time since being cut by the team for which he won a Super Bowl. He's won twice before. And all indications are that he will win this one too. Standing in his way is an improving St. Louis team that could conceivably prove to be the Cardinals' best chance at an obstacle to becoming the NFC West Champs. After tough losses last week for both teams, I think this is going to be a hard fought affair; I just think one team has more going for it. TD chooses: Arizona Cardinals
Detroit @ Chicago
The LieDowns aren't quite ready to lie down yet. Don't look now, but I think Mr. Daunte Culpepper is soon to become their starting quarterback. But that's next week. This week, they have to play Chicago in Chicago. Yes, Chicago's secondary is questionable. But apart from that weak link, is there any other way for Detroit to pull it out? They have to play a perfect and inspired game. I don't see it this weekend. TD chooses: Chicago Bears
Green Bay @ Tennessee
If Tennessee is expecting a game, then I think they take it. If they underestimate the likes of Rodgers and Jennings, they could see their first loss. Green Bay comes off a bye as the co-leader in the NFC North. Tennessee comes off a strong showing - including a come back - against the Colts. What's the difference in this game? Green Bay hasn't done a good job running this year. I think it'll be close; TD chooses: Tennessee Titans
Houston @ Minnesota
The Textists have a 3-game winning streak for the first time in their history. Meanwhile, in the land o' lakes Leif and the D-boys are masking their alleged steroid use with some questionable steroid masking weight-loss diuretics. Minnesota, the team that was supposed to make the playoffs as the run-away winner of the NFC North. Not looking good. I believe that Vikes have the potential to be a good team, but again, like so many other teams, it falters because of chaos. TD chooses: Houston Texans
Tampa Bay @ Kansas City
A long time ago in a galaxy far away, Arrowhead was a solid home field advantage. Some of that has to do with its situation. But some of that has to do with a good team too. That, Kansas City does not have. Larry Johnson continues to suck the team into a vortex of crap. And no one else seems to be able to extract them. Then there's Tampa. An impressive season. Last year wasn't a fluke. A strong D. A better than average offense. This isn't much of a contest. TD chooses: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baltimore @ Cleveland
This is one of the most interesting matchups this weekend. Two teams that have no love for each other. Baltimore has a good D, a good running game, and an inconsistently better than average QB. Cleveland, I think, is doing better but still trying to find itself. You never know what kind of game the Brownies are going to give an opponent. And they have won 3 of 4 of their home games against the Ravens in the past 4 years. TD flips a coin and chooses: Cleveland Browns
Jacksonville @ Cincinnati
Yuck. Cincinnati's terrible. How many times have I said that? Relying on the aptly placed Cedric Benson, who gives them their best chance of running the ball. But otherwise, just yuck. Jacksonville, a good team that seems like it could be so much better. I just don't think they'll have too many problems against this Bagel team. TD chooses: Jacksonville Jaguars
New York Jets @ Buffalo
Buffalo loses a big game to Miami. New York wins a squeaker against KC. If I saw just those two sentences, I'd choose Buffalo to win this game. But the Bills have a few key injuries. And I think they're having a mid-season psychological crisis. The Jets have the illustrious and sloppy Brett the Jet plus a team that is actually believing in itself. Can they go into Buffalo and win? I say... TD chooses: New York Jets
Atlanta @ Oakland
Oakland. Got spanked by Baltimore. Offense is a mess. Defense is a mess. Janikowski on his way to the Raiders scoring title. When in doubt, there's kicking. Atlanta. Michael Turner is no Brian Westbrook... yet. Atlanta has a spark. No longer the dirty birds of old, this team comes out each and every week with winning on the mind. I feel myself favoring them in games. Not to mention the fact that Matt Ryan is my next attempt at having any kind of point-scoring fantasy QB on my team. TD chooses: Atlanta Falcons
Philadelphia @ Seattle
Seattle plays better at home. That's their only saving grace against a Philly team that - by all indications - will run them over. I can't think of a particularly good thing to say about the Seachickens; well, they did win last week - one good thing. As for Philly, Westbrook's a stud. No contest. TD chooses: Philadelphia Eagles
Miami @ Denver
Denver better watch it. Just like every other team in the league. Miami's scrappy. They're on the hunt for continued respect. Denver should win this game, really. They're playing at home. They have a good offense. They have a good enough D. But, every time I choose against Miami, I seem to regret it. For that reason, TD goes out on a limb and chooses: Miami Dolphins
New England @ Indianapolis
The story's all over the country. This game has lost its lustre. Yes, it has. No Brady. Hurt Manning. The teams a combined 8-6. Neither the sole possessor of first place in their respective divisions. What's the same about years past? Same coaches. Many of the same players. What does this mean? The coaches are winners, and they'll coach like this is a Super Bowl. The players are winners and they'll play like 'em. I think it'll still be a game to watch. Who will win? TD chooses: New England Patriots
Pittsburgh @ Washington
Another Steelers - NFC East matchup. The Jints barely took the injured Steelers last week. But a win's a win. This week, the Redskins will have to deal with the return of Willie Parker. But this isn't in PA. This is in the heart of DC. I don't think Tomlin lets this one slip by. TD chooses: Pittsburgh Steelers
PICK OF THE WEEK
Dallas @ New York Football Giants
I thought twice about choosing this as the pick of the week given the fact that I'd look like a homer picking the Giants game as pick of the week two weeks running. But when I spoke to friends, acquaintances, and random people on the street, they agreed that this game will be a telling game for the Jints. They showed they could play with a good team last week, certainly. First test passed. Now, the Jints face their first NFC East rival since week 1. And it's the Cowbums, the team they beat to get to the NFC Championship game last year. Differences in this game? It's in NY, a place where a win isn't as solid - strangely for the Jints. And it's lacking the likes of Romo, a plus for the G-Men. Without further ado, TD chooses: New York Football Giants
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