Overall Record (started in Week 2): 79-34-1

New Orleans Saints (7-1) vs Cincinnati Bengals (5-3)

Noon (FOX)

Expectations were evidently high for the Saints going into the season and rightfully remained heading into last weeks matinee showdown versus the Los Angeles Rams; with a convincing victory, New Orleans proved to the the NFC, and the rest of the NFL, they are the team to beat this season. If their offense did not have enough weapons already, they signed former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant Wednesday, proving there is no such thing as having too much depth for an upcoming Super Bowl run. Meanwhile, coming off their bye week, the Bengals will be without star receiver AJ Green for the foreseeable future, and they have further problems with a bottom of the league defense, raising doubt if the Bengals can keep up their winning ways through the second half of the season.

Pick: Saints 38, Bengals 26

Tennessee Titans (4-4) vs New England Patriots (7-2)

Noon (CBS)

Tennessee made most of their opportunity to remain in the AFC playoff hunt on Monday night, defeating the Dallas Cowboys on the road in Jerry’s World. After an astronomical victory to team morale Monday, the Titans are rewarded to face the Patriots who look to further separate themselves from the Miami Dolphins in the AFC East. Although the Titans rank number one in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing just over 17 points per game, the Patriots look to get back Rob Gronkowski and Sony Michel, two significant weapons to their offensive attack. However, even if either do not suit up Sunday, the Patriots had no problem moving the ball Sunday night versus Green Bay and should not have any unforeseen trouble this week if they were not to play again. The Titans bend-don’t-break defensive strategy has proved effective thus far, but do not expect Marcus Mariota to keep pace with Tom Brady who will strategically find weaknesses in the Titans’ defense.

Pick: Titans 17, Patriots 30

Atlanta Falcons (4-4) vs Cleveland Browns (2-6-1)

Noon (FOX)

After a slow start to the season that warranted the concern of the Falcons owner, Atlanta has quietly won three straight games. Now, just win away from being over .500, the Falcons must take care of business in Cleveland. Meanwhile, Cleveland has lost four straight and have not kept pace with other top offenses, including Pittsburgh and Kansas City. Browns’ interim head coach Gregg Williams will have plenty on his hands this week as the Falcons potent passing attack should not have any troubles getting past Cleveland, similarly to what Kansas City did last Sunday.

Pick: Falcons 35, Browns 24

Kansas City Chiefs (8-1) vs Arizona Cardinals (2-6)

Noon (CBS)

The youthful Chiefs’ offense keeps on chugging along, unfazed that each NFL game should not come this easy to put up yards and points. The Chiefs are tied with the Los Angeles Rams with the most wins in the league and are set to face a stagnant Arizona offense that has scored less than 14 points per game this season. Additionally, the Chiefs’ defense is starting to hold their own, allowing an average of just 18 points over the last three games. With an offense like they have, any defensive contributions is indisputably an enormous positive. This game could get ugly real fast for Cardinal fans attending in the desert.

Pick: Chiefs 45, Cardinals 20

Washington Redskins (5-3) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)

Noon (FOX)

The frustrating season continues for the Redskins after getting blown out against the Falcons at home, however, they still find themselves atop of the division. They having not gotten any help due to injury, placing three offensive starters on injury reserve this week, nonetheless, have found ways to win. The Redskins have been presumably pleased with the play of their defense– especially against the run– and their ability to run and pass the ball without turning the ball over. Even without a flashy offense, the Redskins should get through this game unscathed of any surprises against team that essentially has no defense, but will have trouble protecting quarterback Alex Smith after the loss of multiple lineman.

Pick: Redskins 27, Bucs 21

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-5) vs Indianapolis Colts (3-5)

Noon (CBS)

Simply put, whoever comes out of this game without a victory can kiss any possibility of remaining in the playoff chase goodbye. Coming off a bye, Jacksonville is riding a four game losing streak and faces a must win situation. On the other side, the Colts have won back-to-back games, albeit against Buffalo and Oakland, but Andrew Luck has shown signs of consistency. This game will rely on the play of Jaguars’ quarterback Blake Bortles, and Jacksonville better hope they get running back Leonard Fournette back to create any kind of mismatches for an offense that has been inadequate.

Pick: Jaguars 24, Colts 17

Detroit Lions (3-5) vs Chicago Bears (5-3)

Noon (FOX)

The Lions’ offense is in a real slump, even before dealing pass catcher Golden Tate to Philadelphia, scoring 14 points against Seattle and nine points last week in Minnesota; the Vikings additionally had a record setting day on defense, recording a team all time high of 10 sacks in a single contest. The Lions better figure out their offensive struggles real fast, but they have to travel to Chicago– pass rusher Khalil Mack will return to an already elite defensive unit. The Bears should keep their fans happy this Sunday at home in Soldier.

Pick: Lions 20, Bears 31

Buffalo Bills (2-7) vs New York Jets (3-6)

Noon (CBS)

Well, as expected, the same Nathan Peterman football fans have become accustomed to poke fun at returned Sunday against the Chicago Bears. After throwing three more lousy interceptions, Bills fans are looking forward to any relief at the quarterback position. However, first round pick Josh Allen is questionable and they could be leaning to veteran Derek Anderson as he returns back from injury. Similarly to the Bills, the Jets will be without their first rounder Sam Darnold; he threw four interceptions Sunday and now has a foot injury that will keep him out for some time. The Jets will turn to their own veteran Josh McCown, but either way, there is no appeal in tuning into this game. Nevertheless, the Jets front seven should influence the outcome of this game and get to the opposing quarterback, helping their own quarterback to just play an average game with no turnovers.

Pick: Bills 16, Jets 21

Los Angeles Chargers (6-2) vs Oakland Raiders (1-7)

3:05 (FOX)

The Raiders could not have played any worse last week on Thursday night football, losing 34-3 to the 49ers’ third string quarterback. After getting humiliated last week against a team that is nowhere near the talent of the Chargers, who knows how many points the Raiders will lose by this weekend. The Chargers have won five straight games, narrowly escaping a comeback from Pete Carroll’s Seahawks. Whatever transpires this weekend, it is safe to bet the Raiders do not end the game with the winning score. Meanwhile, for Bears fans delight, that 2020 second round pick the organization acquired in the Khalil Mack trade is looking pretty sweet right about now.

Pick: Chargers 35, Raiders 21

Seattle Seahawks (4-4) vs Los Angeles Rams (8-1)

3:25 (CBS)

The Rams suffered their first loss of the season last weekend, but lucky for them, they can lose out and still win the division. All joking aside, their defense is struggling mightily, particularly their secondary. However, they still have a strong rush defense and have an offense that can put up points seemingly whenever they feel. The Seahawks must move away from their run first offense in this one if they want to exploit the Rams’ weak secondary, especially if running back Chris Carson does not play. Nonetheless, the Rams’ offense will prove too much for Seattle, moving Los Angeles to 9-1 ahead of the much anticipated game in Mexico City against Kansas City in Week 11.

Pick: Seahawks 23, Rams 34

Miami Dolphins (5-4) vs Green Bay Packers (3-4-1)

3:25 (CBS)

The Dolphins have found ways to keep themselves afloat in the AFC playoff picture, mostly because of their league leading 15 interceptions on the season. After picking off Jets’ Sam Darnold four times last week, the Dolphins have made sure to capitalize against weaker opponents any time they get one. Meanwhile, for Green Bay, this game is a must win for them as they have not gotten any consistency on both sides of the ball and have strongly underwhelmed from their preseason expectation. However, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will do enough against an inferior opposing quarterback in Brock Osweiler to move their team back to a modest 4-4-1 record.

Pick: Dolphins 20, Packers 30

Dallas Cowboys (3-5) vs Philadelphia Eagles (4-4)

7:20 (NBC)

The sky is falling down in Dallas, but is safe to assume Jason Garrett is clapping somewhere in the Cowboys’ facility. The Eagles are coming off a bye and look to show off their recent acquisition of receiver Golden Tate on the national stage Sunday night. However, the Eagles need more out of their running game and secondary, but should score enough on the Cowboys’ defense that will be without star linebacker Sean Lee for over a month.

Pick: Cowboys 23, Eagles 31

New York Giants (1-7) vs San Francisco 49ers (2-7)

7:15 (ESPN)

Coming off a much needed week off, maybe the Giants can muster together some victories before the seasons end. Although it seems unlikely New York can have any major turnaround, they must win Monday night to avoid a total thrashing from fans all over the country. Meanwhile, the 49ers do not have much more going for them than the Giants have, but rookie Nick Mullens was an entertaining surprise for football fans delight in a game that otherwise would not have had any storyline. Although the odds are stacked against the unexperienced Mullens, head coach Kyle Shaheen has gotten the most out of his injury plagued roster and can upset the Giants- if an upset is such a word in this game. Nick Mullens moves to 2-0 in his young career and draws comparison to Tom Brady… well maybe not yet.

Pick: Giants 24, 49ers 28