30 of 32 NFL teams have already hit the quarter season mark on their schedule, even though for some of us it feels like the season just started. Of course, we still haven't learned very much at all about these teams just yet, remember that the Arizona Cardinals were 4-0 at this point last year. So far this season we've seen ridiculous quarterback play from what could be described as the "Big Three" of the NFL, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees. These three have yet to record a loss on the season, and Manning and Brees are putting up ridiculous numbers, almost in response to all the attention put on the younger quarterbacks last year. I'm predicting the Big Three are going to keep on rolling this week, but a big rookie quarterback is going to be the topic of the week after a big win (Hint: they're throwing down in Indianapolis this week).
Note: After going 10-5 with my picks last week I know sit at 35-28 on the year. Still room to improve.
Byes this week: Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bills at Browns
20-18 Browns
The Browns are on a roll after trading Trent Richardson, and a win Thursday night would put them on top of their division and give the team an above .500 record after five weeks, something they haven't accomplished since 2001. Brian Hoyer has proved very capable in leading this offense, and Jordan Cameron has been an almost unstoppable weapon. The Browns' fearsome defense should also be able to box in the Bills' run game, meaning rookie EJ Manuel might have to win this one with his arm. I just don't think he's ready to do that yet, and the Browns stay perfect post-Trent.
Saints at Bears
31-28 Saints
Originally I thought this was going to be a high profile match-up between two 4-0 teams, but the Bears went into Detroit last week and had a tough time finding success on either side of the ball. Jay Cutler still has some bad habits and some bad days, especially when pressured, and this Saints' defense under Rob Ryan has excelled in pressuring the quarterback. If the Bears want to find success on offense, their best bet is to ride Matt Forte all day long. The Bears' defense has looked weak when they're unable to force turnovers, and while Drew Brees may get aggressive and throw an interception in this game, there's no way the Bears are going to be able to slow him down all afternoon.
Patriots at Bengals
27-17 Patriots
Can you imagine what Tom Brady could do if he had all of Andy Dalton's weapons on offense? Just saying. The Patriots are on the road for the second straight week facing a 2012 playoff team, but the result is probably going to be the same as last week. Bill Bilichick was able to scheme to neutralize the Falcons' top weapons on offense, and you can bet he and cornerback Aquib Talib are going to make it their mission to take away AJ Green. Andy Dalton has struggled this season when he can't throw to his go-to guy, and so it's likely the Patriots stay perfect on the season.
Lions at Packers
34-30 Lions
Coming in hot after beating the Bears on their home turf, the Lions travel to Lambeau to assert their legitimacy in the NFC North. Though the Packers are only 1-2, they're still the favorites to win their division, as the bye week has allowed some of their players to get healthy and Aaron Rodgers is still much better than Matthew Stafford. Expect a shootout to decide who's in charge of this division, and even though the Lions now have Reggie Bush running all over the place, it's hard to bet against an angry Rodgers, who most likely will be out to remind everyone the "Big Three" really should be a "Big Four."
Seahawks at Colts
24-23 Colts
My big upset pick of the week, I expect the early season Super Bowl favorite Seahawks to be trounced on the road by Andrew Luck and the Colts. Seattle is coming off a tough overtime win against the Texans on the road and they're missing key starters on their offensive line. The Seahawks offense has scored only 26 points through two games on the road. They've scored six points in the first half total in those games. Meanwhile, in their past two games, The Colts have given up a total of 10 offensive points. Their defense, thought to be a liability this offseason, has sprung to life now that this offense is using a power run game to use up clock and give the defense extra rest. If this game was at home for Seattle, the pick's a no brainer. But Lucas Oil Stadium belongs to Andrew Luck.
Ravens at Dolphins
24-20 Dolphins
The Dolphins were handed their first defeat of the season Monday night against the Saints, but this team isn't going to stay down for long. The defense had a bad day, but they were missing star pass rusher Cameron Wake, who is going to hunt Joe Flacco and his new blindside protector, Eugene Monroe. The Ravens' offense has been very underwhelming so far this season, and it seems they're now going to tinker with some different things to try to get themselves back on track. Ray Rice needs to be fed the ball more, and somebody other than Torrey Smith has to step up on the receiving end. Will it happen this week? Maybe, but Rome wasn't exactly built in a day.
Eagles at Giants
21-20 Giants
The Giants are due for a win at some point this season, and they might just get their chance when rival Philadelphia come to town. The Eagles' porous secondary should help this Giants' offense finally get itself on track, at least for 60 minutes. I'm predicting the Giants are going to look a lot more like the opening day version of their offense than the one we saw against the Chiefs and Panthers (minus some of the turnovers, most likely). The Eagles have been struggling after their opening win against the Redskins, as Chip Kelly's offense has been racking up yards but not points, and the speed at which they do so makes life difficult for their defense. Chip to USC definitely isn't happening now, but there's going to be some interesting rumors this offseason.
Jaguars at Rams
21-10 Rams
The Rams have definitely not lived up to the expectations some (including me) had for them this season, but now they get to face a team that simply has no expectations. While people start to wonder whether the Broncos can go 16-0, it's even more possible that we could be looking at a Jaguars team that will go 0-16 this season. It's really hard to find a bright spot for this team each week, besides the fact that Teddy Bridgewater has looked really good so far out at Louisville.
Chiefs at Titans
21-18 Chiefs
The Titans have perhaps been one the biggest surprise teams of the season, and they have a real shot at upsetting the 4-0 Chiefs at home this weekend. But Ryan Fitzpatrick. Tennessee has some young wide receivers that have made big plays for this team, but last year in Buffalo showed Fitzpatrick should no longer be a starting quarterback in this league. Fitzpatrick facing one of the best defenses in the NFL, one that forces turnovers on a regular basis, just does not sound like a recipe for success. Meanwhile, expect Alex Smith to not turn the ball over all game for the fourth time this year.
Panthers at Cardinals
20-14 Panthers
The Panthers are probably a little miffed that their bye week came right after a game where they pummeled their opponent 38-0, but after a week off they still should come out with a win against the Cardinals. The Panthers' front seven against the Cardinals' offensive line is a big a miss-match as I've seen this year, and in all likelihood the Panthers are going to roll over that line like a wrecking ball. Carson Palmer is going to have some bruises after this one. The Cardinals' defense is solid, and can certainly match up with all of the Panthers' weapons, but if Carolina lets Cam Newton use his legs like he did against the Giants the Panthers should cruise to victory number two.
Broncos at Cowboys
40-27 Broncos
Peyton Manning has actually never played in the Cowboys' new stadium. Think that's going to stop him from lighting the place up? Me neither. Monte Kiffin's defense is just like the one Peyton used to see in practice each week when Tony Dungy was his head coach, except now Peyton may have even better weapons, or at the very least more of them. This looks like a long day in Big D, as Peyton get his first (and probably only) win inside of Jerry World.
Texans at 49ers
27-24 49ers
The 49ers started to look like their old selves Thursday night against the Rams, and now they've had a long week to prepare for the arrival of the Houston Texans, whose fans are heartbroken after an overtime loss to Seattle. Matt Schaub is playing like, well, Matt Schaub, and his three straight games with a pick six have sent Texans fans into a tizzy. While it might be a little far to predict that streak continuing this week, the odds are pretty good that Schaub is going to throw an interception Sunday on the 49ers tough defense. Expect the 49er offense to ride Frank Gore to another victory, as the loss of Brian Cushing for the Texans is going to open up plenty of holes on that defense.
Chargers at Raiders
31-17 Chargers
Raiders' fans rejoice because Terrelle Pryor returns to start for the team, but his return likely will do little to impact the outcome of this game. Philip Rivers has been playing as well as any quarterback not named Manning, including his former teammate Drew Brees. Rivers is going to have a field day throwing against the Raiders' weak defense, and really the only question is how good Philip looks while doing it. I'm setting the over/under and 350 yards and four touchdowns, but that's just me.
Jets at Falcons
28-20 Falcons
The Falcons are going to have to try to pick up their season after a tough home loss against the Patriots, because if they slip to four losses on the season this early, the odds of them passing the Saints for the division crown aren't good. Matt Ryan needs to rehabilitate his image after "Matty Ice" failed to complete three comeback drives already this season. He may or may not need one to beat the Jets, it depends on whether pro Geno Smith shows up, or rookie level Geno Smith that played against Tennessee. Pro Geno was able to execute against the Bills, but there's no question that a lot has been put on the young signal caller's plate early, and unless the Jets dial it back he's going to keep struggling without reliable weapons around him.
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