To a point, they're right to hype these games. Steelers/Jets is a potential AFC playoff game, and the Steelers have shown they are vulnerable to a defeat in the last three weeks. Minn/Seattle is for playoff contention, and chances are that whoever loses this one will not make the playoffs (Although I think both will end up making it anyway.). Also, both Mike Tice and Mike Holmgren are in the hot seat this year to make the playoffs.
One that's going under the radar is Tampa Bay/San Diego. Let's see if the Bucs are as good as everyone is hyping them to be. I haven't been impressed, and it's irked me that people are picking Tampa Bay to get that sixth spot in the NFC playoffs when Carolina is on a four game win streak and beat Tampa Bay in the process. Considering both Tampa and Carolina are 5-7 every game is crucial from here on out.
Could we see another upset from Marvin Lewis and his Bengals? It's possible. They snuck the Ravens last week. Now they face the defending Super Bowl Champions. The only chance they have lies on the arm of newly-hyped Carson Palmer. Will he show he's on the level of Rothlisberger, or as shaky as Kyle Boller? I know one thing, I'm not screwing up my picks by betting on a youngster.
Here's what I got:
- Atlanta over Oakland (although this one will be close)
- Baltimore over Giants (this will be an ugly game)
- Buffalo over Cleveland
- New Orleans over Dallas (once again, people are hyping up Dallas too much. Jones cant do it on his own)
- Indianapolis over Houston (Peyton will break the record today. Watch.)
- Jacksonville over Chicago
- Minnesota over Seattle
- New England over Cincinnatti
- Denver over Miami
- Jets over Pittsburgh (the woo-ride is over)
- Detroit over Green Bay (yup. I said it)
- San Francisco over Arizona (yup. Said that too)
- Carolina over St. Louis (this needs to be a blowout. Wrap up Chandler's career, guys)
- San Diego over Tampa Bay
- Philly over Washington
And Monday Night...Tennessee over Kansas City.
Key games are Steelers/Jets, Minn/Seattle, San Diego/Tampa, Det/G.B., Carolina/STL, and Cinn/N.E.
All in all, this should be a great week of football.