MIKE KAYE

Season: 132-65 (67%) /  Last Week: 12-3 (80%) /  Scott’s Pick: 4-8-1 (0-1)

Hope everyone enjoyed the last week of football, with another entry in the legend of Tim Tebow. With rookie QBs, the Packers undefeated, the Colts struggling to even get close to a victory and the aforementioned Tebow, it is hard to not to love the league right now. Some teams are out of it,but that should not play a factor in this week’s games as most players on bad teams are playing for their jobs. Without any further ado, Let’s Take it to the Bank.

Jaguars @ Falcons

Pick: Falcons. The Jags are looking to build on the first promising game they have had in quite some time and I believe the Mojo Train (yes, I just made a nickname larger) can run on the Falcons. The only issue is pride versus substance. The Falcons still have a shot (albeit a slim one) at the division and more importantly the playoffs, which means they need this game much more. Mike Smith should be able to outcoach Mel Tucker in this one.

Cowboys @ Buccaneers

Pick: Cowboys. The Buccaneers really have nowhere to go but up. Unfortunately, the Cowboys are steaming after back-to-back losses, and they should be fired up to win a road game against an inferior team. To save his job, Raheem Morris needs to win this game. Morris has to win against a quality team, I am just not sure they can.

Bengals @ Rams

Pick: Bengals. Cincinnati is getting a life-preserver by playing the Rams. St. Louis is a mess and are looking like the worst team in the NFC (at least the Vikings are competitive in games). Andy Dalton needs to rebound from losses against pretty decent teams because pundits are starting to doubt how special this team is. A.J. Green is going to have a great day against the Rams’ awful secondary.

Saints @ Vikings

Pick: Saints. Speaking of the Vikings, they play on Sunday afternoon as well. The Saints are becoming an extremely tough team to beat (some believe the only team that can beat the Packers). There is almost no doubt that Minnesota will be picking in the top part of next year’s draft and this loss will help sustain momentum for towards that pick.

Dolphins @ Bills

Pick: Bills. Buffalo has not been able sustain offense since Fred Jackson got injured, but it may not matter when the defense is likely playing J.P. Losman. Marcel Dareus needs to press the offensive line, especially if Jake Long is out. Dolphins fan learned last week that Nate Garner (back-up OT) is more than a liability.

Panthers @ Texans

Pick: Texans. Houston is looking good, despite missing Andre Johnson and T.J. Yates (as I have claimed before) looks like the second-coming of a quarterback from Michigan with a really hot wife. Yates will have an easier task than the past two weeks, when they take on Carolina. Cam Newton is going to have a tough time against the Houston defense, even without Wade Phillips calling the shots.

Packers @ Chiefs

Pick: Packers. It does not matter who starts for the Chiefs (Orton, Stanzi, or Palko), Kansas City will not win this game.

Redskins @ NY Giants

Pick: NY Giants. This divisional contest has more on the line than most think. If the Giants lose, their playoff hopes get cloudy and the Eagles have a shot at the postseason. If the Giants win, they likely control their own destiny when it comes to division. The Redskins have looked good against some good teams over the past few weeks and have a shot at playing spoiler here. The Giants get the win in a very (and I mean very) close game.

Titans @ Colts

Pick: Titans. The Colts just have no desire to win at this point. The Titans are fighting for their playoff lives and Chris Johnson should bounce back against a horrible Colts’ defense. Jake Locker can start in this one and the Titans will win this one going away.

Seahawks @ Bears

Pick: Seahawks. Chicago has no shot against any team as long as Caleb Hanie is under center and Seattle seems to be coming into their own. Marshawn Lynch might be having a better second half of the season than any other player in the league. As long as Tavarius Jackson is conservative with the ball in his hands and Pete Carroll plays controls the clock with the running game, Seattle should get the win.

Lions @ Raiders

Pick: Lions. This may be the toughest game of the week to call. Not that both teams are elite but because both teams need a win here. Matt Stafford is playing so well and Kevin Smith should be back from injury, so the Raiders are going to have to bring their A game. Carson Palmer is not having a great stretch of games, so it is hard to go with the Silver and Black.

Browns @ Cardinals

Pick: Cardinals. The Cardinals are starting to right their ship and it is looking like Ken Whisenhunt will keep his job after all. It is hard to trust a team with continuing movement at the QB position (whether for injury or talent) but the Cardinals have something that the Browns lack: momentum. There is little to like about how Colt McCoy and Co. have played this season.

Jets @ Eagles

Scott Pick: Jets.I hopped off the Eagles bandwagon a few weeks ago.  Well, actually, I did more of a tuck and roll out of a moving car careening towards a cliff.  Philly put on a nice little show in Miami last Sunday, cementing Tony Sparano’s grim fate as head coach of the Dolphins.  So yeah, the Eagles finally looked like, well, the Eagles (that we all expected), but it’s too little too late.  Even in the mediocre NFC East, where the 7-6 Giants and 7-6 Eagles are tied at the top, the 5-8 Eagles are probably done.  This week, I think the Jets officially stick a fork in ‘em, getting the confidence boosting win they desperately need.  But it really amounts to a toss up, so I have minimal confidence in any Eagles pick. They’re way too unpredictable..

Patriots @ Broncos

Pick: Patriots. The Patriots and Broncos have been billed as a must-see game but a big letdown seems to be looming. Tim Tebow should excel about the horrible Patriot secondary, but Tom Brady will also be hard to stop in a game that would clinch a playoff birth. New England is the better team and probably the first “good” team the Broncos have played in awhile.

Ravens @ Chargers

Pick: Ravens. San Diego is starting to get it, but it may be too late. The Ravens are the better team and have the rushing and passing attacks that can take over this game. Torrey Smith will excel against San Diego’s corners, mark my words. Philip Rivers will have another tough game against a powerful AFC team.

Steelers @ 49ers

Pick: Steelers. The elite (whatever that means during a season like this) of the NFC and AFC meet on a Monday night on the West Coast. Big Ben is battling a high ankle sprain (ouch) and could falter against a tough San Francisco defense. While the 49ers are tough and a coast-to-coast trip is even tougher, the stronger team will prevail in this one.

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