LOCK: Cincinnati (-9.5) over OAKLAND: The Raiders somehow pulled out a win against the Eagles and played close against the Chargers twice. I’m so scared of this one, but I think the Bengals can roll to a double-digit victory. I worry about them because they’ll be flying high after taking out the Steelers for a second time, so will they underestimate the Raiders? But I can’t get over how terrible the Raiders usually are, and the Bengals are fighting to distance themselves from Pittsburgh and Baltimore in the AFC North.
San Diego (PK) over DENVER: The Chargers are coming off two big wins against the Eagles and Giants, while Denver is 0-3 since its 6-0 start. One has to wonder if the Broncos will wake up, and if so, will it be this week? This would be as good a time as any; this game is huge for both teams regarding division standings. But I will ride the streaks, projecting the Chargers to rectify their one-point loss to the Broncos in Week 6. Then again, the last time the Chargers lost, it was that Denver game …
MINNESOTA (-10.0) over Seattle: This one scares me. When Seattle’s passing game is on, it’s REALLY on. Matt Hasselbeck has two straight 300-yard passing games, but I think the Vikings are on too much of a roll. Yeah, every good team is going to have it’s bad week, but if the Minnesota offense can play like it has this year, I don’t think it will matter how well the Seattle offense plays. Oh, right, I almost forgot about that running back who’s kind of good, Adrian Peterson. Hard to pick against Peterson and Brett Favre with a relatively soft defensive matchup.
DETROIT (-3.0) over Cleveland: Three-point spread. Two 1-8 teams. One shit-fest of the year. I like Detroit though; Calvin Johnson finally came back healthy and fierce, and Kevin Smith has the potential to run wild. The Browns have no offense and no defense to speak of, but it still feels weird to pick the Lions for, well, anything. The Lions absolutely should win this game; they have the offensive tools to do it. Will they? God, I hope so.