Three weeks s to go in the NFL season. Like the old credo goes, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish

MIKE KAYE

So my first mock draft is out of the way and my picks need to be in. I am hoping to keep a decent pace with my win-loss totals but this season has been bananas. By the way, this week will be no different. Which is why I am taking some upsets this week. This post is dedicated to my dead fish, Mint-Berry Crunch. Shalamazo!

Last Week: 7-8 / Season: 103-78 / Guest: (last week 0-1) 7-6

49ers @ Chargers-The Pick: Chargers. The bottom line is that whoever loses can kiss the playoffs goodbye on an official note. I do think the Chargers are better than the 49ers but I still think this will be a tough game for the Bolts. I will goes as far as to say that the point differential will be 6 points or less.

Saints @ Ravens-The Pick: Ravens. I think the Saints have performed quietly well as defending champs but again I don’t think they are contenders this year. Drew Brees has 18 INTS on the year making him a feeding frenzy for Josh Wilson, Ed Reed, and the rest of the Raven’s defense. If this was a home game for the Saints, I think they would have a shot but I think the OT win from Monday has the Ravens ready to make a run.

Cardinals @ Panthers-The Pick: Cardinals. Wow…talk about the worst game you will see this season. I like John Skelton and I think he will perform well against a below average defense. Look for running back play to be the key for both teams this week.

Browns @ Bengals-The Pick: Bengals. It is hard to pick the Bengals, who are on a ten game losing streak, but I believe that if they are to win another game, this is their chance. I love what Eric Mangini has done for the Browns this season but I think the Bengals far out match Cleveland with talent. This will be another close game that means basically nothing.

Redskins @ Cowboys-The Pick: Cowboys. Much like the Bengals-Browns game, this will be a highly contested anti-climatic affair. Count on this as being Donovan McNabb’s last game as a starter for the Redskins this season if he throws more than one pick. So chalk this one up as his swan song.

Jaguars @ Colts-The Pick: Jaguars. This is possibly the most important game Jack Del Rio has coached in his career, so I think he will be prepared. A lot of people, if not most, have the Colts taking back the division that they feel they are entitled to but I am not buying it. After seeing the Jags in person for the third time this season, I have found that their main weakness is run defense which is good because that is not Indy’s strength. The Jags seem to mysteriously own Peyton Manning lately. I see this one ending with a Peyton interception and a an AFC South title for Jacksonville.

Bills@ Dolphins-The Pick: Dolphins. Chad Henne needs to look good here if he has any shot at staying a starter in this league. I think he delivers in this one as the Bills are terrible defensively and need a ton of work. Brandon Marshall and Co. will be happy to take them to school.

Eagles @ NY Giants-Guest Pick: Scott. The Pick: Eagles. Huge game in the NFC East. In fact, it’s probably going to be the game that determines who wins this thing. The Giants are just so banged up, and the Eagles seem to be living a charmed life with the revival of Mike Vick and the bevy of playmakers he has at his disposal. Giants are tough in New Jersey, but I think it’s destiny for Philly to win the East.

Chiefs @ Rams-The Pick: Chiefs. This is a game that could entertain. Two young, fast teams that are looking to make an impact in their weak western divisions battle in St. Louis. I think Jamaal Charles could set a new record for rushing in this one if the Rams aren’t careful but I won’t get carried away.

Lions @ Buccaneers-The Pick: Lions. The Lions are coming off their biggest, albeit most boring win of the last decade so they will be hyped for this one. The Bucs have injuries all along their D-line so Stanton will have all the time in the world to throw. If the Michigan State slinger can take advantage, this may make his backup job cushier in the future.

Texans @ Titans-The Pick: Texans. There has to be a breaking point where the Texans win a division game and win sternly. This is that game. The Titans are reeling and are looking for the season to  end sooner rather than later. Unfortunately they have three games left and this one will be a public execution.

Falcons @ Seahawks-The Pick: Falcons. This is Atlanta’s game to lose but it won’t happen. The Falcons are too good to lose to that mad scientist known as Pete Carroll. Seattle is a very up-and-down team so they could pull this one off but I shall take the safe bet on this one and look for ATL and Matty Ice to cruise.

Broncos @ Raiders-The Pick: Raiders. If last week didn’t prove the Broncos are bad, this one will. What an awful performance after a firing of their coach that was like a spy sent to destroy the team from the inside. It is safe to say Josh McDaniels left the team worse off than when he joined. The Raiders need to play like men in control if they want to even sniff the playoffs this year.

NY Jets @ Steelers-The Pick: Steelers. Santonio Holmes home comings (sounds funny) will not be what he expected prior to two weeks ago. The Jets are not who they thought they were. The Steelers are playing well and are in the drivers seat in their division. They must win to hold off the surging Ravens.

Packers @ Patriots-The Pick: Patriots. If Aaron Rodgers does not play in this game, the Patriots will blank the Packers and give them a loss by a significant margin. If Rodgers does play, then Green Bay will still be destroyed but probably by half the margin. This game won’t be as awesome as it looked two months ago.

Bears @ Vikings-The Pick: Bears. If the Bears can’t rebound from an ugly loss to the Pats at home, then they don’t deserve to be called contenders. The Vikings are looking to hire anyone to play QB at this point so don’t be surprised if a guy joins the team and starts right away. Either way, this game spells bad news for the Vikes. No matter where it’s played.

Photo: Getty

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