MIKE KAYE

Welcome back loyal readers. Last week was another week of surprises, but that seems to be how this season is going to go. Enough chat, let’s Take it to the Bank.

Season: 49-25 (66%) / Last Week: 7-5 (58%) / Scott Pick: 2-3 (0-1)

Panthers @ Falcons

Pick: Falcons. Despite the Falcons losing Julio Jones for at least a week, I like them in this contest. Yes, their defense isn’t great and the Panthers throw a ton but I think this game will come down to who controls the ball. I think if the Falcons can utilize their running game and force bad throws from Cam Newton, this will be a good week for them.

Colts @ Bengals

Pick: Bengals. The Bengals surprisingly look great, most due to their defense. The Colts haven’t looked as awful in recent weeks as they had to start off with. I think this will be a competitive game that goes heavy into the 4^th quarter. This could be a big game for Andy Dalton to establish himself in a game he is supposed to win.

49ers @ Lions

Pick: Lions. These teams are probably the best stories of the young season. The 49ers look to be back to at least above-average play and the Lions look almost unbeatable. This game comes down to Quarterback play and defense. I’ll give this one to the team that has the edge in both.

Rams @ Packers

Pick: Packers. This will be somewhere around 48-7. Next.

Bills @ Giants

Pick: Bills. This game is my game of the week. I know the Cowboys play the Patriots but this one pits two evenly matched teams trying to take advantage of their divisions, which have question marks. The battle of New York should be won by the run games. Both teams are solid in that department. I like the Bills because they are rolling into town with swagger and a great ability to force turnovers (Ahmad Bradshaw has had fumbling problems his entire career).

Jaguars @ Steelers

Pick: Steelers. I was wrong about the Steelers last week, but I won’t be this time around. The Jags may be the worst team in football and they’ll prove it on Sunday. The Jags look uninspired and I think Jack Del Rio has run his course.

Eagles @ Redskins

Pick: Scott Pick, Redskins. You know what Eagles: prove to me that you want to keep your season alive!  Prove to me that the adversity quickly consuming your season and on the verge of combusting it entirely will not doom what originally was massive expectations.  Prove to me that you can go into hostile enemy territory, and defeat a surprisingly good Redskins team that has shown that maybe it can actually win the NFC East.  Prove to me that the ‘Dream Team’ was more than a mirage. This isn’t your typical week 6 game.  This is must win or your defensive coordinator gets it.  This is must win or your longtime coach’s fiery seat gets scalding hot.  This is must win for a fan base that is ready to give up on all hope on a batch of Philly teams that looked poise to bring home multiple titles. No pressure Philly.

Texans @ Ravens

Pick: Ravens. This should be a very exciting game between two awesome QB-RB pairs. I like Ray Rice against the Texans defense, especially on screens. I think it will be close but I can’t help but think that the loss of Andre Johnson will hurt in this one.

Browns @ Raiders

Pick: Raiders. Raiders are home for the first time since Al Davis passed. You better believe they are going to play their butts off for their fallen owner. I don’t really know what to make of the Browns. They play good football but can’t close. I think this will be shoot out early one but then Oakland will coast on Darren McFadden.

Cowboys @ Patriots

Pick: Patriots. Let’s put it this way: if the Patriots don’t beat the Cowboys, it’s the biggest upset of the season so far. I think the Cowboys offense is predictable and their defense is shaky. I look for Tom Brady to continue his heroic season with big numbers.

Saints @ Buccaneers

Pick: Saints. This once looked like a promising match-up but the Bucs have become so wishy-washy it’s hard to tell. I look for a lot out of the Saints running backs, they will do all they can to take the Bucs’ linebackers out of the game. I just don’t think the Bucs can score enough to beat the Saints.

Vikings @ Bears

Pick: Bears. Chicago is coming off a tough loss, what better way to vent than killing a division foe? The Vikes looked great last week and I hope they continue to run the ball, but I think Soldier Field and the Bears are a tough opponent. Jay Cutler needs to be very aware of Jared Allen and if he can avoid taking too many hits, he’ll deliver.

Dolphins @ Jets

Pick: Jets. It’s a shame this is the Monday night game. Jets will win this one in a route.

Photo: Getty

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