Andrew: Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in. See, I know the Eagles are a bad team. I know this. Yet, watching the random nature of football each week has forced me into believing that, in this crazy league, anything can happen. If St. Louis can dismantle Dallas and the Bears and Vikings can stage a 48-41 track meet and Matt Cassell can orchestrate a Brady-like 34-point win over the Broncos, then I just can't help believing that the Eagles still have a chance at this thing. So here I am, justifying the way that I've set myself up for yet another season of heartbreak. Ugh.
Last week: 9-5
Overall: 64-38

James: There were several surprises last week. We knew Dallas was hurting but losing to the Rams by 20 points was simply shocking. I also couldn't have predicted the Saints offense falling flat against the Panthers, nor Denver getting blown out of the water by New England (okay I picked the Pats, but winning by 34 was eye opening). But this is the NFL and it's all about matchups and the chess moves coaches make play by play. This week, I stay on an even course and pick mostly teams that should win--I don't see any major upsets. And I think Dallas continues their plunge to the bottom of the NFC East, which will create desperation and a dangerous team in the second half of this season.
Last week: 10-4
Overall: 66-36

Martin: I picked above .500 for the first time in three weeks, the Ravens won big on the road and my degenerate gambling habit actually made me money. A good week, all things considered, and the future holds high-def sideline shots of Samurai Mike’s crazy eyes and the possibility of a losing record for the Dallas Cowboys. Not too much variation in our picks this week, either--things are starting to shake out, and only a few teams remain just completely unpredictable.
Last week: 9-5
Overall: 60-42

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys
Andrew: Tampa Bay. The thing no one is talking about amidst this Dallas Cowboys meltdown: even on paper, they were never as good as everyone said. It boggled my mind when everyone said they were "the most talented team in the league, on paper" and it boggles my mind now that no one is willing to say "we sure were wrong on that one."
James: Tampa Bay. The Bucs have an opportunity to start swinging the wildcard race (and division title) in their favor. They are already 5-1 vs. the NFC.
Martin: Tampa Bay. Are the Bucs the league’s least-interesting team? Is the boring, check-down-as-primary-option offensive strategy catching on? (Answers: Maybe, I really hope not)
The verdict: Tampa Bay, 3-0.

Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions
Andrew: Washington. Dan Orlofsky running out of the back of the end zone on his own accord two weeks ago merits mention again this week.
James: Washington. Calvin Johnson could have a big day for the Lions. Unfortunately Detroit's defense allows the Skins to have a tremendous day.
Martin: Washington. The Lions came back last week because the Texans can’t close out games, not because of Dan “What line?” Orlofsky’s athletic prowess.
The verdict: Washington, 3-0.

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
Andrew: Buffalo. It's time Trent Edwards began receiving some of the attention that is still unnecessarily hurled in Tony Romo's direction.
James: Buffalo. Great teams in the NFL win the games they are supposed to and steal a few on the road against division rivals.
Martin: Buffalo. How ‘bout that Wildcat, Miami? Eh? Eh? Another solid run defense will shut down the unconventional rushing attack and columnists will spend countless pixels deriding it as a gimmick, only to have it explode against the Broncos for 4000 yards. The lesson? Don’t believe the hype, the anti-hype backlash, or Joey Porter. Believe the spread.
The verdict: Buffalo, 3-0.

St. Louis Rams at New England Patriots
Andrew: New England. The Patriots continue their unspectacular stroll to a 10-6 record and first-round playoff exit.
James: New England. After spanking the Chargers, the Pats will spank Jim Haslett's Rams back to earth. (I think I said this last week about the Cowboys/Rams. . .hmmm).
Martin: New England. It’s quite possible the Pats could have a 10-6 record when things are all done, with a sked that includes the Rams, Dolphins, Seahawks, Raiders and Cardinals. Bulger hasn’t thrown for 200 yards in a game this season, so don’t look for him to light up the suspect Patriots’ secondary.
The verdict: New England, 3-0.

San Diego Chargers at New Orleans Saints
Andrew: San Diego. This isn't really at New Orleans. It's actually at London. You know, that huge city that doesn't care a wink about our football.
James: New Orleans. San Diego had a much longer trip to London than the Saints for what it's worth. Two high powered offenses battle two weak defenses. Should be a shootout.
Martin: San Diego. Excluding a fluky last-second loss to the Vikings, New Orleans has won at home and lost on the road. This Saints “home” game is in Wembley Stadium. Well, sure, there isn't really a road between New Orleans and London, but…back to the meat of the issue: why isn’t anyone talking about the collapse of San Diego’s defense this year? It can’t just be Merriman's absence--did they all go off the juice?
The verdict: San Diego, 2-1.

Kansas City Chiefs at New York Jets
Andrew: New York. Brett Favre's defense for providing the Lions with information on his former team: they called me. Brett Favre's defense for talking to Romo about playing hurt: he called me. Guys, just remember that this is an acceptable defense if you ever receive a call from an ex-fling and your current wife/girlfriend wants to know what's going on.
James: New York. Larry Johnson is suspended. I don't see how the Chiefs can muster any offense this week.
Martin: New York. There has to be a spit-take joke in here somewhere. Herm’s post-game press conference will be must-see TV, and a beer ad in ten years.
The verdict: New York, 3-0.

Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles
Andrew: Philadelphia. Andy Reid's all-time record after a bye: 9-0.
James: Philadelphia. Falcons are on cloud nine, but their early season success begins to melt away at the Linc this Sunday vs. a rejuvenated Eagles squad.
Martin: Philadelphia. Both teams are coming off a bye. I imagine that Falcons coach Mike Smith used it to add game-specific wrinkles to his gameplan, while Andy Reid spent his time coming up with new doughnut toppings (nothing powdery—it gets stuck in his moustache).
The verdict: Philadelphia, 3-0.

Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers
Andrew: Arizona. Jake Delhomme is the 2000s version of Steve Buerlein. Do the Panthers have a thing for unassuming, deceptively productive, white bread QBs?
James: Carolina. Cards' 2nd ranked passing offense vs. Panthers' 2nd ranked passing defense. The 12th man gives the Panthers the edge.
Martin: Arizona. Both quarterbacks yo-yo from good to awful and both teams have good rookie running backs, but the Panthers haven’t had to stop someone like Larry Fitzgerald yet. My guess? Even if Anquan Boldin can’t play, Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston will shred the Panthers secondary.
The verdict: Arizona, 2-1.

Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens
Andrew: Baltimore. Terrell Suggs says Troy Smith should be the Ravens QB. I agree, but only because Joe Flacco has too much of a future to risk his health/nerves playing for a bad team. And yes, even at 4-3 after this weekend, the Ravens simply are not a good team.
James: Baltimore. Raiders and Ravens are both coming off wins. I see the Ravens defense making another statement Sunday.
Martin: Baltimore. Is shutting up really that hard for Terrell Suggs? In the last week, he's unveiled both the “Troy Smith 4 Prez/Starter” bit and the fact that the Ravens have a bounty on Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward. Doesn’t sound like much has changed in that locker room. Anyway, JaMarcus Russell is completing 51% of his passes and blah blah blah, Ravens #1 run defense.
The verdict: Baltimore, 3-0.

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans
Andrew: Houston. A figurative hurricane has swept through Cincinnati's locker room. It's fitting, then, that the Bengals are involved in a make-up game from Hurricane Ike.
James: Houston. Bengals season is over after this week.
Martin: Houston. Back in week 5, I wrote,
“Attention Marvin Lewis: Because you yanked Carson Palmer for Whatever-his-name-is at the last second, I plan to bet against your team* for the next twelve weeks straight.
* Until you get fired after week 8, at which point it will be someone else's team.”
One more week.
The verdict: Houston, 3-0.

Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars
Andrew: Jacksonville. Apparently, Jacksonville (and every other team in the league) should be concerned with contracting staph when playing Cleveland.
James: Jacksonville. Coming off their bye-week, the Jags should handle the underperforming Browns. Derek Anderson looked woeful last week, missing open receivers left, right, and center.
Martin: Jacksonville. Braylon Edwards had four or five more drops last week. Derek Anderson didn’t help much, but the point is there’s plenty of blame to go around. No more pork chops, though--Crennel got to those. I hear he's a stress eater.
The verdict: Jacksonville, 3-0.

New York Giants at Pittsburgh Steelers
Andrew: Pittsburgh. Thus begins an interesting stretch for the defending champs: Steelers, Cowboys, Eagles. We should know who they are in three weeks. (Prediction: they are who we thought they were!)
James: New York Giants. Game of the week. I like the Giants controlling the line of scrimmage in this slugfest.
Martin: New York. I’d believe if the Steelers had a big guy in the backfield who could just lunge forward and knock the Giants’ undersized linemen back (aside from Ben Roethlisberger). Parker and Moore can both be brought down pretty easily, and Najeh Davenport seems to have crapped the basket again completely disappeared.
The verdict: New York, 2-1.

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers
Andrew: San Francisco. Someone's gotta win this one. I imagine Mike Singletary's eyes will intimidate the Niners into playing well enough to win.
James: San Francisco. Somebody has to lose.
Martin: San Francisco. Samurai Mike’s crazy eyes in HD! Aside from that…oof.
The verdict: San Francisco, 3-0.

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans
Andrew: Indianapolis. And the '77 Miami Dolphins, unparalleled in their detestability, once again pop champagne and celebrate the first loss of the last unbeaten team.
James: Tennessee. Nobody is afraid of Peyton Manning and the Colts anymore, including the dominating Titans defense.
Martin: Indianapolis. You know what you’ll get from the Titans this season: excellent defense, good running game, respectable pass attack. This game depends on the up-and-down Colts shutting down two solid running backs, jumping out to a lead and making Kerry Collins throw the ball. I think they can do it, but fair warning: I haven’t picked a Colts game right yet this season.
The verdict: Indianapolis, 2-1.