Houston (4-3) @ Buffalo (3-4): If Buffalo had a decent special teams, they could be 5-2. Think about it:

-First game of the season against New England, instead of taking a knee in the end zone on the kick off; the returner runs it out, fumbles and New England scores the winning touchdown.

-A few weeks back, the Bills punt returner fumbled a punt against the Browns at the end of the game that allowed Cleveland to kick the winning field goal.

I’m reminded of the movie the Break Up (with Vince Vaugn and Jennifer Aniston). During the movie, we look at the couple and think to ourselves that had one of them done what the other wanted or just considered their feelings; they would not be in that predicament. Although true, what the movie illustrates is that although the required things to keep that relationship alive are fairly simple; these people are unable to do them because their instincts typically go against doing that very thing. Hence, these people are not good for one another because their personalities fundamentally clash with one another. If you look at the Bills, the same principle applies here. Perhaps they could have won those games; however their identity as team makes it as such that they make mistakes at crucial points of the game. Pick: Texans win 27-24.

Cleveland (1-6) @ Chicago (3-3): Just when I was going to start taking the Bears seriously, they went to Cincinnati and failed to show up for kick off. I mean seriously, what is there to do in Cincinnati that could prevent you from showing up on Sunday? See, I might understand if the game had been in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York or Miami because these are places known for parties. Is there anyone from Cincinnati that would care to perhaps enlighten me on the possible activities available there? Unless Cincinnati has the most amazing low key strip joint in the state of Ohio; the Chicago Bears should provide all of its fans a t-shirt that says “Sorry for taking a dump in Cincy”. With that said, the Bears host Cleveland on Sunday in what should be an automatic win for the home team. Pick: Bears win 23-17.

Seattle (2-4) @ Dallas (4-2):One of my favorite movie characters is the pirate Jack Sparrow (from Pirates of the Caribbean) . He can easily confuse people with the things he says or does. Jack is always looking for situations that benefit him. However, you can never tell what might benefit him and therefore you end up following him into the lion’s den only to find out you’re in there as the lion’s lunch. For instance, when William Turner decides to go aboard the Flying Dutchman; Sparrow tells Turner that if captured , to tell Davey Jones (captain of the Flying Dutchman ship) that he is there to repay his debt. Turner thinks that such a phrase would help him be freed; when in fact Turner would be surrendering his life to Davey Jones. Put it this way, Wade Phillips is William Turner while Jerry Jones plays the role of Jack Sparrow. Although the pair was quite successful in the movie, they were inevitably doomed to battle. Sparrow won the battle by the way. So keep that in mind this year if the Cowboys start underachieving again. Pick: Cowboys win 23-16.

St. Louis (0-7) @ Detroit (1-5):I have never traveled to Los Angeles, but from what I hear it’s nothing like any other place in the world. All the girls are hot and they are really tough to impress. However, take an average or borderline hot L.A. girl and put her in Montreal, dudes start drooling over her like there is no tomorrow. Because she’s from L.A., she might not understand why she’s getting all this attention because back home she’s just an average chick. Hence, she needs to change her mindset.On Sunday, the Rams need to stop being the L.A. girl. There are only two games I can see them winning this year: @ Detroit and @ Tennessee. So they need put it in their minds that they are the average L.A. girl currently residing in Montreal. So instead of being a 5.5/10, they need to change their mindset and start acting like they are a 8.0/10. It’s the only way that St. Louis wins. Sadly, I think they remain like the L.A. girl and get caught like a deer in the headlights. Pick: Lions win 30-24.

Denver (6-0) @ Baltimore (3-3): In last week’s rankings, the Broncos were ranked fourth. They had a bye this week and yet catapulted to the #2 spot (in my unpublished rankings). Some might feel that they were unjustly promoted. Here’s my rebuttal: if Frank Lucas (American Gangster) is a top 5 drug dealer in his city but then gets arrested, goes to jail and comes back to his city and it so happens that three of those top 5 drug dealers are now locked or dropped out of the game; as long as Lucas still has his same connects, he’s automatically promoted to a higher spot right? Well that same logic applies to the Broncos. Mind you, Frank Lucas got caught by the police and never saw it coming. I feel as though Baltimore pulls it off this weekend. Baltimore will be the Russell Crowe to Denver’s Denzel Washington. Pick: Ravens win 23-20.

San Francisco (3-3) @ Indianapolis (6-0): I know that the Colts have played against some scrubs, but Peyton Manning is having a better season right now then my Madden version of Peyton Manning. That's how on point Manning has been this season; and I expect him to stay on track against San Francisco this weekend. Pick: Colts win 30-24.

Miami (2-4) @ NY Jets (4-3): A more under control Mark Sanchez leads the Jets to a win. An erratic pretty boy with a pouty face gets his team a loss. I think we see the confident under control quarterback this week. If the Jets win, expect Rex Ryan to get back on his high horse and say that his team is gearing up for the AFC title game next week. You think that sounds far fetched? At his introductory press conference, Ryan was already talking about meeting the President after winning the Super Bowl. The man is confident in his abilities and that of his team. I can’t wait for them to play the Patriots again, this time in New England. Hell I encourage all Pats fans to bring signs that say “Kiss the Rings”, “Rex Whine-yan”, Saving Private Ryan” and “Grossman or Ryan, which is the better Rex?” I should get paid to come up with fan signs. Anyhow, until we have Jets-Pats II, let’s enjoy Dolphins vs Jets. Pick: Jets win 23-20.

NY Giants (5-2) @ Philadelphia (3-2): The NFC East is like the New Kids on the Block in the early 90’s after they dropped their hit album Step by Step.. Some of its members are always a popular and trendy pick to make it big at the expense of the group. Let’s break it down:

1. Jordan Knight: Always said to be the big star, the icon and sex symbol. And yet, despite trying to go solo and stand on his own; he has never truly been able to separate from the pack. Although his talent was undeniable, he never truly put it all together to get to the top. Jordan represents the Dallas Cowboys.

2. Donnie Walhberg: Donnie was always seen as merely the rapper of the group and the brother of the more successful Mark Walhberg. Hence, the expectations were quite low from the general public; and yet he managed to stay in the spotligh longer then everyone. He was able to find a spot as an actor and made a few movies thus remaining an underrated celebrity. He represents the NY Giants.

3.Joey McIntyre: Joey was always said to be “next”. The fact that he was younger then everyone gave him something extra as opposed to the other group members. He was shorter, cuter and seemed sweeter. Couple that with his killer voice (seriously, listen to Please Don’t Go Girl) and in the minds of everyone; it was clear that one day he was going to be a big star. Well the world waited and waited, but he never even came close to sniffing stardom. Joey represents the Philadelphia Eagles.

4. Jonathan Knight and Danny Wood: These guys are can be summed up in one word: who?!?Your Washington Redskins ladies and gentlemen.

This week, Donnie Walhberg battles Joey McIntyre in what should be a pretty good battle. Donnie is bigger, stronger and has had better experiences on the big stage then Joey. So I’m picking Donnie.Pick: NY Giants win 23-20.

Jacksonville (3-3) @ Tennessee (0-6): In the movie Tropic Thunder, we are treated to a scene in which Kirk Lazarus (played by Robert Downey Jr.) is at a camp fire with the rest of the boys and is talking to Alpa Chino (played by Brandon T. Jackson) about the one. Keep in mind, Alpa Chino is a rapper with tons of street cred who rolls with a ton of women. Hence, the expectations are that he has already found the one and might have passed her by. However, the guys are in for a huge shock when Chino confesses something without realizing it. In essence, what you see is not always what you get. We expected the Titans to be a relatively dominant team this year only to see them become a doormat for other teams in the league. Let's hope that Tennessee can at some point this season show a little of what made them the team they were last season. Mind you, I'm not expecting that this week. Pick: Jaguars win 20-17. Check out the Alpa Chino scene below. Worth a good laugh.

Oakland (2-5) @ San Diego (3-3):In every facet of life, you will come across certain situations in which you see people who royally suck at their jobs but yet still keep getting chances to perform by their employers; only to end up screwing it up. Here are a few examples: Jake Delhomme, every police officer in an action movie and the guys that come up with ideas for jeans commercials. Well, I would like to present the JaMarcus Russell trophy to the previously mentioned people. Pick:Chargers wins 30-23.

Carolina (2-4) @ Arizona (4-2):I remember seeing the commercials for the first Matrix movie and being totally unimpressed. I figured that the movie had nothing to offer. Then one day, I caught it on TV and watched it from start to finish and was blown away. The Arizona Cardinals are like The Matrix. They might not seem like much, but they have slowly put the pieces together and starting to show signs that perhaps we should consider them to make a sequel. I’m not saying they will once again make the Super Bowl, but they have faced some adversity and played some tough teams and are now 4-2. This Sunday, they host a bad Panthers team. The only question left unanswered is this: would Kurt Warner play the role of Neo or would that go to Larry Fitzgerald? Pick: Cardinals win 30-17.

Minnesota (5-1) @ Green Bay (4-2):One of my favorite songs of all time is Confessions by Usher. On the song in question, Usher confesses to his girlfriend that he cheated on her with a woman that is now pregnant by him. You can obviously imagine the tension, betrayal, heartbreak and mixed emotions that went along with making the song. That song is still one of Usher's best songs in my opinion. Well on Sunday, Lambeau Field will be the place where Confessions happen. All the feelings that went into making the song will be on full display as Favre strolls into Green Bay wearing purple. Pick: Packers win 24-20.

Atlanta (4-2) @ New Orleans (6-0):A few years back, Jay-Z had this track with kids signing on it called Hard Knock Life. Here's the chorus:

"It's the hard-knock life for us!

It's the hard-knock life for us!
'

Steada treated,

We get tricked!

'Steada kisses, 


We get kicked!

It's the hard-knock life!


Got no folks to speak of, so, 
It's the hard-knock row we how!

In their worst performance of the year; the Saints won 46-34. Let's just say that the Saints this season have no idea what Jay was talking about in his song.Pick: Saints win 33-27.

Bye: Cincinnati, Kansas City, New England, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Washington

Last Week:9-4

Overall record:69-34