MIKE KAYE

Last Week: 10-5 (66.9%) / Season: 31-14 (69%) / Scott Pick: 2-1 (0-1 last week)

Hello my faithful readers, glad to have you back with me this week. I can’t believe how exciting and emotionally exhausting this season has been, just three games in. I won’t bore you with my sadness over the Eagles loss…after all this is Take it to the Bank, not Take it to the (something clever about crying).

Lions @ Cowboys

Pick: Lions. The Lions come into this game blazing with confidence. The Cowboys have been the “comeback kids” the past two weeks in wins over San Fran and Washington; they are also at home. This one is a toughie but more importantly, it will be an interesting game to watch. I’ll go with the even hotter hand of Matt Stafford and Co. What has impressed me so much about them is that even though they have prime talent at more than a few positions, their depth has really been able to help maintain momentum when starters take breathers.

49ers @ Eagles

Pick: Scott Pick Eagles. (Mike will be at this game)  Philly will be piping mad after a tough week, and Vick and friends will take it out on a 49ers team that is not exactly the class of the NFC.  Eagles in a rout.

Vikings @ Chiefs

Pick: Chiefs. Someone has to get their first win in this game (unless they tie, but someone better tell Donovan McNabb that ties exist first). The Chiefs showed signs of life last week and despite the 40-point debunk earlier this season, Arrowhead is a very tough place to play. As I mentioned last week, the Vikes can’t maintain leads because they refuse to run the ball in the second half, which is why they lost last week. I think the Chiefs pull it off in a nail-biter.

Redskins @ Rams

Pick: Rams. I know I’ll catch slack for still not believing in the Skins, despite two wins and a great defensive showing in a loss. I know this division and team all too well. They start off fast and end extremely ugly. They face a Rams team that needs this win. Say what you want about the NFC West, but if you go 0-4 to start the season, you are not making the playoffs. I thought Sam Bradford was the second best QB in the draft last year but not the number one, because he has a lot of trouble with pressure. You have seen the proof every week (if you watch the Rams weekly). Stephen Jackson and Cadillac Williams are healthy enough to carry this team to victory over an overrated Washington Redskins team.

Saints @ Jaguars

Pick: Saints. If you thought the Jags have a problem matching points with Carolina and the Jets, just wait for the fireworks that Drew Brees is about to unleash on poor Blaine Gabbert (who I thought fared well in his first outing). I just think it come down to the Jags inability to score.

Titans @ Browns

Pick: Browns. Two teams on the rise meet in Cleveland. It will be interesting to see how the Titans fare without Kenny Britt (lost for the season). I think this will be close like all the Browns games this season. The Titans have to get the running game going to win this one in my opinion. I think CJ is at least a week away from getting up to speed (told you so) so I’ll take Colt McCoy and Co. in this slug-fest.

Steelers @ Texans

Pick: Texans. I believe in the Texans especially after last week’s lost. Now you may be asking yourself “Why? They Lost?” Well my friends, it says a lot about a team when they can go point-to-point with the Saints and look better than them. The Texans will “bounce back” against the Warren Sapp deemed “old” Steelers. This is the team that almost lost to the Colts who are in danger of going 2-14 this year. Yeah I’ll take the Texans.

Bills @ Bengals

Pick: Bills. I think the Bills have proven that they are for real but I also could see the pressure of winning being tough on them in the future. They have overachieved and all overachieving teams have wake up calls (ask the Eagles about the Vikings game last year). It won’t be happening this week. The Bengals are still developing and have looked good in spurts but I think this Bills team is going to surge into Cincy. Ryan Fitzpatrick used to play for the Bengals so it will be interesting to see how he performs in his old home.

Panthers @ Bears

Pick: Bears. Cam Newton got his first win last week. The Bears lost a division game at home. I don’t think the Bears will be too happy and will want to make an example out of Carolina. I think Greg Olsen will have a big game against his former team but unless Carolina’s run game comes alive, this will be a very one-sided game in favor of the home team.

Falcons @ Seahawks

Pick: Falcons. These teams have equal records but not equal talent. This is just the game the Falcons need to bounce back from a division loss. The Falcons are obviously not who I thought they were but they are still going to murder the Seahawks. Take it to the Bank.

Giants @ Cardinals

Pick: Cardinals. I smell upset. The Giants are coming off the most emotional of emotional wins and now have to take the dreaded West Coast trip. The lag has proven to mess with teams’ ability to start off strong. I think Kolb takes advantage. Unlike the Eagles, the Cardinals know who has to have the ball in his hands. The Giants have an awful secondary and I look for the Whiz to exploit it.

Broncos @ Packers

Pick: Packers. The Packers look unbeatable, but with some of last week’s surprises, you never know. Nope, I know they will win this game. What else is there to say really?

Dolphins @ Chargers

Pick: Chargers. The Chargers are a very good team at home and the Dolphins aren’t a good team anywhere apparently. I think this will be the game that costs Tony Sparano his job. Not just because he loses to drop to 0-4, but because Miami will lose by 20+ points.

Patriots @ Raiders

Pick: Patriots. I am tempted to take the Raiders but I know better. I think it will be closer than some will guess. I like both offenses to put up points. This is the worst defense Bill Belichek has ever had.

Jets @ Ravens

Pick: Ravens. I guarantee that both teams marked their calendars for this one. Rex Ryan wishes he was the coach of the Ravens so he’ll be readying his warriors to pounce on Baltimore.  I prefer the Ravens running game over the Jets’ corp. In a defensive contest, I am of the opinion that the running game wins you the contest. This game belongs to Ray Rice. This will be one of what seems like 10 close games this weekend.

Colts @ Buccaneers

Pick: Buccaneerss. I like the Bucs in this one, despite the fact that I was impressed with the Colts last week. With that said, Tampa’s offense will be able to handle Indy’s defense. Once you get past their D, there hasn’t been much more to the Colts this season.

Photo: Getty

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