Last week: 7-7-1

Season: 52-38-1

New York Jets vs New England

I have little doubt that Rex Ryan will have his crew ready for this one. I have little doubt this game will be much closer than some might think. I also have little doubt the Patriots win.

Atlanta vs Baltimore

Matt Ryan and the Falcons have looked out-of-sync and disjointed since dismantling the Buccaneers a few weeks ago. The Ravens are quietly playing good football and, a hiccup in Indy notwithstanding, have been one of the more consistent teams in the league this year. Joe Flacco leads the Ravens to victory.

Tennessee vs Washington

Since the NFL likes to make up ridiculous rules about anything and everything, can we not get some kind of rule that precludes us, the viewing public, from having to watch Charlie Whitehurst play quarterback? Jay Gruden finally rights the ship in front of the home crowd.

Seattle vs St. Louis

The Rams just don’t look well-coached in any facet of the game. Seattle is smarting after getting punched in the mouth by Dallas. This was a tight one last year. That won’t be the case this time around. Seattle wins comfortably.

Cleveland vs Jacksonville

The Jaguars’ secondary should be sold as a Halloween ornament. That’s how scary it is. Brian Hoyer will find plenty of treats and few tricks as he pushes the ball downfield in another Cleveland victory.

Cincinnati vs Indianapolis

The Bengals defense has pretty much fallen apart the last two weeks, and the return of Vontaze Burfict made little difference last Sunday. Andrew Luck and the Colts will be able to move the ball and score more than enough points to keep this one out of the reach of Andy Dalton and what will be a skeleton crew at wide receiver. Colts get another win.

Minnesota vs Buffalo

Teddy Bridgewater crashed back to Earth against the Lions, not that it was entirely his fault. But protection issues notwithstanding, he must trust his reads and pull the trigger when the windows are there. Kyle Orton isn’t going to do much to wow anyone, but he’ll do enough to get Buffalo the win here.

Miami vs Chicago

The Bears showed some life against the Falcons. Jared Allen finally woke up and Jay Cutler was in a groove with his receiving corps. Miami’s defense promises to be a much stiffer test. On the flip side, Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins’ offense should be able to move the ball against the Bears. I just don’t think they can keep up. The Bears get the win.

New Orleans vs Detroit

Joe Lombardi gets to face his old team using their own offense against them. It should be interesting to see how much Rob Ryan is able to use that to his advantage. On the flip side, the Lions’ defensive front is a nightmare for opposing offenses, and the Saints’ won’t be any different. Detroit gets the win.

Carolina vs Green Bay

Cam Newton is playing at an insane level. His presence alone means this will be a scary game for the Packers. The Panthers get Jonathan Stewart back, but rookie wideout Kelvin Benjamin is dealing with a concussion and may not play. Aaron Rodgers and Eddie Lacy should both have big games against a Panthers defense that is nowhere near the unit that helped this Carolina team reach the playoffs last year. Rodgers leads the Packers to a win in a high-scoring affair.

Kansas City vs San Diego

This is going to be a great football game. Expect the Chargers to hold the ball and to be content to grind it out against the Chiefs. Alex Smith will make some plays for Kansas City, but ultimately Philip Rivers and the San Diego offense are just too much for the Chiefs.

Arizona vs Oakland

The Cardinals keep moving forward with creative offense and a blitz-heavy defense that non-Peyton Manning-led offenses just can’t seem to exploit. The Raiders looked, dare I say it, good against the Chargers last week. It really looks like the game is starting to slow down for Derek Carr. But it’s Carson Palmer’s show this weekend in a Cardinals victory.

New York Giants vs Dallas

The Giants’ offensive line fell apart against the Eagles. Attempting to pick up the pieces down in Dallas isn’t ideal, but that’s the task. Dallas will be without Doug Free and Tyron Smith is hurting, not to mention the seemingly indestructible DeMarco Murray missed practice time due to illness. Regardless, while I bet the Giants keep it close, the Cowboys pull out the victory at home.

San Francisco vs Denver

The 49ers’ had a lengthy butchers bill coming out of St. Louis with a lengthy injury list. The Broncos have been playing stout defense and, oh yeah, they still have Peyton Manning. The 49ers will be ready, but it won’t matter. Broncos in what promises to be a great game.

Houston vs Pittsburgh

Two teams that are struggling, one with a new coaching staff, another with a staff that is starting to feel as though it may be overstaying its welcome. Of course, this isn’t the first time Mike Tomlin’s come under fire in Pittsburgh, and his team usually responds. JJ Watt will wreak his usual havoc, but the Steelers get the win.