Lock: Denver Broncos (-15 1/2) over Oakland Raiders

I would compare Oakland to a high school football team, but that would be disrespectful to every high school football team in the country. I don’t know how the Raiders got this bad or why they’re still in the league, but if they show up on Sunday, Denver is a lock to win by at least 16.

Upset Special: Houston Texans (+13 1/2) over Dallas Cowboys

The Texans have already lost games by 14, 16 and 19 points this season, yet they haven’t looked completely awful, if that makes any sense at all. I hate to put money on a franchise that starts Ron Dayne in the backfield, but Houston is coming off a win and a bye, so hopefully David Carr can find a way to grind out a 13-point loss.

Game 1: Pittsburgh Steelers (-7) over Kansas City Chiefs

It’s time for Bill Cowher to devise a more disciplined offensive game plan and return Pittsburgh to the grind-it-out style of play that made the Steelers so successful during the past two seasons.

Game 2: New York Jets (-3) over Miami Dolphins

I’m a firm believer that miracles really do happen, so maybe, just maybe, Chad Pennington will top the 40-yard mark in this one. Oh yeah, and Joey Harrington should be taking snaps for the NFL Europe’s Berlin Thunder.