Thursday, October 30, 2008

NFL: 2008 Week 9 Predictions


Week 8 Performance: 6-7
Overall Performance: 61-55


Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) @ Washington Redskins (6-2)

Pick: Steelers

Remember the 'Simpsons' episode in which Homer was rooting for the Redskins in the Super Bowl? When a beer bum asked Homer, what he had riding on the game, Homer replied, "My little girl." The man comically whistled then replied, "What a gambler!"

For yet another Redskins game, the stakes are very high.
This is a bigger match-up then many of you may know. Since 1936 the political party that controls the White House has counted on the Redskins to win their last home game before the presidential election to keep control of the executive branch. Likewise, if the Redskins lost, then the party lost control of the house. Therefore a Washington win means four years of John McCain and a Steelers win means four years of Barrack Obama.

At last check the Redskins are favored by two. But in real life, Barack Obama has a slight (or considerable edge depending on what sources one believes). This is a brain twister.

Outcome: Steelers 23 Redskins 6 - Back-up QB, Byron Leftwich extremely proud of himself; Steelers win a good omen for Barrack Obama



New York Jets (4-3) @ Buffalo Bills (5-2)

Pick: Jets

Shots Heard is not on the 'Favre throws too many interceptions' bandwagon. Favre being gunslinger is part of his greatness. But Favre will want to exercise more prudence, especially when the Jets are on their side of the field. The mistakes are allowing so-so teams to hang in games with them week after week.

Outcome: Jets 26 Bills 17 - Bills lose fourth time in five games; Jets win second in a row

Detroit Lions (0-7) @ Chicago Bears (4-3)

Pick: Bears

It is a good thing they call Detroit Hockey Town, because Football Town would be a laugher.

Outcome: Bears 27 Lions 23 - Lions troubles deepen as Rex Grossman leads comeback to keep Lions winless


Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4) @ Cincinnati Bengals (0-8)

Pick: Jaguars

If only the Bengals and Lions played in Week 17. How fun would it be to watch two teams try to avoid winless seasons? That would be better than 75 percent of the Super Bowls. Do not blame the schedule makers though. They tried. They put the Bengals vs. the Chiefs in the final week. Unfortunately the Broncos terrible defense allowed the Chiefs to eek out a win though.

Outcome: Bengals 21 Jags 19 - Bengals have more 'pride' than Jaguars

Baltimore Ravens (4-3) @ Cleveland Browns (3-4)

Pick: Ravens

The old Browns vs. the new Browns. It will be a brownout alright.

Outcome: Ravens 37 Browns 27 - Rookie QB, Joe Flacco leads Ravens to fifth victory


Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-3) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-6)

Pick: Buccaneers

Chiefs fans still have the fun of tailgating even if it is dampened by near joyless anticipation for the actual game.

Outcome: Bucs 30 Chiefs 27 - Chiefs blow 24-3 lead, lose in OT

Houston Texans (3-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (3-4)

Pick: Vikings

The Vikings would be undefeated in the dome, had they not let the Indy game get away.

Outcome: Vikings 28 Texans 21 - Vikings get back to .500

Arizona Cardinals (4-3) @ St. Louis Rams (2-5)

Pick: Rams

The Rams have turned it around, but we never know which Cardinals team will show up either.

Outcome: Cardinals 34 Rams 13 - Cardinals extend NFC West lead to three games

Green Bay Packers (4-3) @ Tennessee Titans (7-0)

Pick: Packers

Shots Heard has picked the 7-0 Titans in four out of seven games, so you do the math. Will Shots Heard go .5o0 this week on them? In our defense, two of the picks against them were in the first two weeks, when the Titans still were not on the radar.

Outcome: Titans 19 Packers 16 - Packers take the unbeaten Titans to OT then lose

Miami Dolphins (3-4) @ Denver Broncos (4-3)

Pick: Broncos

The Broncos lost 41-7 to the Patriots. The Dophins beat the Patriots 38-13. So the Dolphins should win this game by about 61-3. If the BCS (college football) 'experts' can apply that logic in their rankings then why not here? Oh yea, because it is bunk!

The Broncos are 3-1 at home and have the motivation of going two games up on the Chargers for first place in their division. But that is canceled out by the Dolphins grittiness and need for a win to legitimately stay in the playoff chase. The slight edge goes to the Dolphins.

Outcome: Dolphins 26 Broncos 17 - Brandon Marshall reception-less in Broncos loss


Dallas Cowboys (5-3) @ New York Giants (6-1)

Pick: Giants

Cowboy haters will be happy to see the Giants officially downgrade the Cowboys status to Wild Card contenders.

Outcome: Giants 35 Cowboys 14 - Giants win statement game


Atlanta Falcons (4-3) @ Oakland Raiders (2-5)

Pick: Falcons

Matt Ryan needs to show that he can take the bull by the horns when it comes to mismatches like this.

Outcome: Falcons 24 Raiders 0 - Raiders shutout at home

Philadelphia Eagles (4-3) @ Seattle Seahawks (2-5)

Pick: Eagles

It is not a good idea to pick the Seahawks when they head out east.

Outcome: Eagles 26 Seahawks 7 - Eagles season looking up, Seahawks fading

New England Patriots (5-2) @ Indianapolis Colts (3-4)

Pick: Colts

Shots Heard will take an injury weary Peyton Manning over Matt Cassel in a game at Indy.


Outcome: Colts 18 Pats 15 - Adam Vinatieri show Pats what they already know; that he's clutch as kicker hits game winning 52 yd FG.

Outcome Note (Jan 5, 2009): With the Pats missing the playoffs on a tie-breaker, Vinatieri 's game winner symbolically eliminated the Pats from the playoffs.

Picture 1: Unidentified New England Patriots player
Picture 2: Brett Favre, New York Jets Quarterback

Leprechaun Gallery

Smiling Leprechaun....

Leprechaun from the other planet?

Funky Leprechaun!

Down to earth!

Leprechaun Gallery

Smiling Leprechaun....

Leprechaun from the other planet?

Funky Leprechaun!

Down to earth!

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Teddy Bear Coloring Pages

A very funny bear!

Teddy Bear Coloring Pages

A very funny bear!

Balloon Coloring Pages

Make it colorful OK!

Balloon Coloring Pages

Make it colorful OK!

NFL: 2008 Week 8 Predictions


Week 8 Performance: 8-6
Overall Performance: 55-48


Atlanta Falcons (4-2) @ Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)


Pick: Falcons


The Falcons have looked more solid lately, but that is not saying anything this year or in this league. Certainly, the Eagles could win this one at home.


Outcome: Eagles 27 Falcons 14 - Westbrook rushes for 167 yards, 2 TDs


Washington Redskins (5-1) @ Detroit Lions (0-6)


Pick: Redskins


The Lions have an almost unprecedented run of poor management. If not for Barry Sanders, they would be the worst sports franchise in all of sports over the last two decades. How appropriate that they play at a place called Ford Field.


Outcome: Redskins 25 Lions 17 - Santana Moss shows up

Arizona Cardinals (4-2) @ Carolina Panthers (5-2)

Pick: Panthers

The Cardinals creamed the woeful Cowboys, 34-7. But this is a new week and a new team.


Outcome: Panthers 27 Cardinals 23 - Two former NFL castoffs shine

Buffalo Bills (5-2)@ Miami Dolphins (3-4)


Pick: Dolphins


Remember in the early 90's when this was one of the 'great rivalries'? Shots Heard is glad to have moved on too.


Outcome: Dolphins 25 Bills 16 - Bills lose third time in last four games

San Diego Chargers (3-4) @ New Orleans Saints (3-4)(Wembley Stadium - London, England)


Pick: Chargers


Drew Brees would love to make the Chargers regret going on the cheap and not signing him because Phillip Rivers was 'good enough.' But in an offense they have basically adapted to get the most out of Reggie Bush; it hurts not to have him in the line-up.

Outcome: Saints 37 Chargers 32 - Saints win battle for Britain, Brees wins grudge match against Rivers


Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2) @ Dallas Cowboys (4-3)


Pick: Buccaneers


How the Cowboys think they are good enough to let Romo sit out with a pinkie injury, is hard to figure.

Outcome: Cowboys 13 Bucs 9 - Brad Johnson, Cowboys win ugly game


Oakland Raiders (2-4)@ Baltimore Ravens (3-3)


Pick: Ravens


No 'bounty' riding on this game; just a victory.


Outcome: Ravens 29 Raiders 10 - Raiders go back to their losing ways

St. Louis Rams (2-4) @ New England Patriots (4-2)


Pick: Patriots

The Rams beat up on the Redskins and Cowboys who are better than the Patriots, therefore the Rams should win right? Nah. They just got lucky with the timing. The Rams are still a dark horse team at best. Meanwhile, the Patriots are the true dark horse team. Just dark enough to make it to the first round of the playoffs and lose.


Outcome: Patriots 23 Rams 16 - Late 4th quarter TD gives Pats victory

Kansas City Chiefs (1-5) @ New York Jets (3-3)


Pick: Jets


Brett Favre and his former Packers put on a clinic against the Raiders last year. Last week against the Raiders, the Jets were just not good enough to make their lay-ups though. They should at least be making them against the shameful Chiefs.


Outcome: Jets 28 Chiefs 24 - Jets beat lowly Chiefs despite three Favre INTs


Cleveland Browns (2-4) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)


Pick: Jaguars

There are teams that I'd rather watch warm-up.


Outcome: Browns 23 Jags 17 - Ball bounces Browns' way

Cincinnati Bengals (0-7) @ Houston Texans (2-4)


Pick: Texans


No need to ever pick the Bengals or Chiefs.


Outcome: Texans 35 Bengals 6 - Bengals get halfway to potential winless season in blowout fashion

Seattle Seahawks (2-4) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-5)


Pick: 49ers


49ers Running back, Frank Gore is dreadfully inconsistent, but the Seahawks have been dreadful all year long.


Outcome: Seahawks 34 49ers 13 - Mike Singletary crushed in coaching debut

New York Giants (5-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1)


Pick: Steelers


Alert: Possible Super Bowl preview. Let us hope not.


Outcome: Giants 21 Steelers 14 - Steelers and Giants grind it out in possible Super Bowl preview



Indianapolis Colts (3-3) @ Tennessee Titans (6-0)


Pick: Colts


The Titans are the biggest proof of how the sports media does not want to look at any empirical data. The Titans are undefeated causing many rumblings about how 'maybe' they are the best team. Here's the reality to check to that 'great d' they have: The Titans average 160 yards in the air and Kerry Collins and Vince Young have a combined four thrown touch down passes.
The Colts might not pull this one out after looking pathetic last week in Lambeau. But Titan losses are on the way.

Outcome: Titans 31 Colts 21 - Titans avoid Monday night letdown and stay undefeated

Picture: Houston Texans cheerleaders

Saturday, October 18, 2008

NFL: 2008 Week 7 Predictions


Week 6 Performance: 7-7
Overall Performance: 47-42

Last week, Shots Heard was on the verge of going 7-1 on the early games before the Texans converted two fourth down plays on their final drive (including the game winning touchdown) and the Rams and Falcons kicked game winning field goals. It's just been a tough rookie season for Shots Heard and it does not get any easier this week with all the close match-ups on the pike.

Minnesota Vikings (3-3) @ Chicago Bears (3-3)

Pick: Vikings

This is the type of games that Midwesterners live for. At least a share of 1st place in the NFC North is on the line. Both teams are good at stopping the pass (and horrible at throwing the pass), so this game will come down to who wins out between the Adrian Peterson and Bears defense.

Outcome: Bears 48 Vikings 41 - Unlikely teams engage in highest scoring shootout of the year

Baltimore Ravens (2-3) @ Miami Dolphins (2-3)


Pick: Dolphins

Neither team has been too impressive, but the Ravens could not even get on the board against the Ravens last week.

Outcome: Ravens 27 Dolphins 13 - Ravens give game ball to former Dolphins coach and Ravens offensive coordinator, Cam Cameron who led the Dolphins to a 1-15 season last year

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) @ Cincinnati Bengals (0-6)

Pick: Steelers

The Bengals will have to wait for a slightly easier opponent, to get into the win column.

Outcome: Steelers 38 Bengals 10 - Steelers lay it on with 21 4th quarter points

New Orleans Saints (3-3) @ Carolina Panthers (4-2)

Pick: Panthers

The Saints are a fun team to watch, but they just cannot put together a string of solid quarters, even on offense.

Outcome: Panthers 30 Saints 7 - Steve Smith talks trash in wake of thrashing division rival


San Francisco 49ers (2-4) @ New York Giants (4-1)

Pick: Giants

It is unsettling to pick a team that could not force the lowly Browns to punt or turn the ball over once last week, but that is precisely the state of picking match-ups this year.

Outcome: Giants 29 49ers 17 - A pedestrian performance by Eli Manning is good enough to beat error prone Niners

Tennessee Titans (5-0) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-4)

Pick: Titans

Despite the hype, the Titans are not the best team in the league and they will not be in the Super Bowl. But they should easily dispatch the Chiefs.

Outcome: Titans 34 Chiefs 10 - LenDale White scores 3 TDs


San Diego Chargers (3-3) @ Buffalo Bills (4-1)

Pick: Chargers

Give credit to Ladainian Tomlinson. He is not putting up eye popping numbers, but he is not the reason for the Chargers mediocre season so far.

Outcome: Bills 23 Chargers 14 - Trent Edwards efficient in Bills victory

Dallas Cowboys (4-2) @ St Louis Rams (1-4)

Pick: Cowboys

Romo or no Romo, if this game is not over by the fourth quarter, then the Cowboys should have some concerns.

Outcome: Rams 34 Cowboys 14 - Stephen Jackson runs for 160 yards, 3 TDs in shocking trouncing of Dallas


Detroit Lions (0-5) @ Houston Texans (1-4)

Pick: Texans

The Lions probably wish the trade deadline was one week later. Roy Williams would be helpful in helping them avoid that dreaded winless season.

It's also a shame that the Texans pulled out that win on fourth down last week. This game would be more exciting, if one teams's winless season was guaranteed to be extended.

Outcome: Texans 28 Lions 21 - Texans ride 18 point halftime lead to victory

Indianapolis Colts (3-2) @ Green Bay Packers (3-3)

Pick: Packers

Is this a potential Super Bowl preview? Probably not. But it should be a fun game.

Outcome: Packers 34 Colts 14 - Manning, Colts look awful at Lambeau

New York Jets (3-2) @ Oakland Raiders (1-4)

Pick: Jets

The Jets need to come in with a solid game plan to make stop the run and then just let Brett Favre do his thing against the wishy washy Raiders.

Outcome: Raiders 16 Jets 13 - Favre is mediocre in loss to the lowly Raiders


Cleveland Browns (2-3) @ Washington Redskins (4-2)

Pick: Redskins

It was tempting to pick this game as an upset, but the Redskins will be more zeroed in after letting the Rams steal one from them.

Outcome: Redskins 14 Browns 11 - Portis runs for 175 yards

Seattle Seahawks (1-4) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)

Pick: Buccaneers

Only two relatively tiny corners of the country even care about this game.

Outcome: Bucs 20 Seahawks 10 - Garcia to Bryant becoming a Bucs staple

Denver Broncos (4-2) @ New England Patriots (3-2)

Pick: Broncos

It's only week 7, but I'd put money on the winner of this match-up to make the playoffs and the loser not to make the playoffs.

Outcome: Pats 41 Broncos 7 - Matt Cassel has best game as a pro to date

Prediction/Outcome Note (Jan 4, 2009): The Pats finished the season at 11-5, tied with the Dolphins and Ravens but lost the playoff tie breaker to both of those teams. The Broncos only needed to win one of their last three games of the season to make the playoffs. They lost their three final games, including the last game of the year to their 2008/2009 Division Champion, Chargers. The Chargers and Broncos both finished 8-8, but the Chargers owned the tie breaker.


Picture: Chester Taylor, running back of the Minnesota Vikings lunges for the end zone

Saturday, October 11, 2008

NFL: 2008 Week 6 Predictions


Week 5 performance: 7-7
Overall performance: 40-35

Chicago Bears (3-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (3-2)

Pick: Bears

The Falcons won at Green Bay, but a win at Chicago is less likely. The Bears have been showing up every week and Kyle Orton is coming off a 24-34, 330 yards game. Matt Ryan eat your heart out. Also look for the Chicago defensive line stuff little Michael Turner.

Outcome: Falcons 22 Bears 20 - Second game winner FG attempt is the charm for Jason Elam

Miami Dolphins (2-2) @ Houston Texans (0-4)

Pick: Dolphins

The Texans let a 17-point 4th quarter lead to the Colts last week. The Dolphins may be mediocre, but they at least have an identity.

Outcome: Texans 29 Dolphins 28 - Matt Schaub throws for 379 yards as Texans nip the Dolphins

Baltimore Ravens (2-2) @ Indianapolis Colts (2-2)

Pick: Colts

This game could likely come down to who catches more Peyton Manning touchdown throws; the Colts receivers or Baltimore defensive players.

Outcome: Colts 31 Ravens 3 - Colts stomp the Ravens

Detroit Lions (0-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (2-3)

Pick: Vikings

Another long season for the Lions fans. The Vikings will have another week to delay the glaring reality that they can only go so far without a respectable quarterback.

Outcome: Vikings 12 Lions 10 - Vikings win thanks to a controversial pass interference call


Oakland Raiders (1-3) @ New Orleans Saints (2-3)

Pick: Saints

Neither team plays defense. If you have to watch two lackluster teams, that helps create the mirage that there is some serious football being played.

Outcome: Saints 34 Raiders 3 - Beating the Raiders is a Brees; QB completes 87 percent of his passes

Cincinnati Bengals (0-5) @ New York Jets (2-2)

Pick: Jets

Carson Palmer will sit out, while Favre keeps adding to his consecutive games played streak. The Bengals have more talent, but the Jets have something you cannot teach; heart!

Outcome: Jets 26 Bengals 14 - Thomas Jones scores 3 TDs

Carolina Panthers (4-1) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2)

Pick: Panthers

Defense wins ball games and maybe the Bucs will dig in harder at home. That is the only solace Shots Heard can find to pick one of these two traditionally incosistent teams.

Outcome: Bucs 27 Panthers 3 - Bucs beat Panthers at home for first time since 2002


St Louis Rams (0-4) @ Washington Redskins (4-1)

Pick: Redskins

The Skins have won at Dallas and at Philly. Can they really lose at home against the Rams?

Outcome: Rams 19 Redskins 17 - Skins unable to overcome 9 point 4th quarter deficit


Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3) @ Denver Broncos (4-1)

Pick: Broncos

The Broncos have the worst defense in the league, but they also bring the 12th man when they play a mile high.

Outcome: Jags 24 Broncos 17 - Jags benefit from calls and Bronco turnovers

Dallas Cowboys (4-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (3-2)

Pick: Cowboys

The Cardinals beat the Bills by 24 points last week. But the Cowboys are not the Bills.

Outcome: Cardinals 30 Cowboys 24 - Cardinals win on blocked punt TD return in OT

Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-3)

Pick: Eagles

Sorry 49ers, if you cannot handle the Pats at home, you are not going to beat the Brian Westbrook-less Eagles.

Outcome: Eagles 40 49ers 26 - 49ers unable to sustain 9 point late third quarter lead

Green Bay Packers (2-3) @ Seattle Seahawks (1-3)

Pick: Packers

What ever happened to Shaun Alexander? The Seahawks have never rebounded from his demise. Matt Hassleback vs Aaron Rodgers will be a fun match-up to watch though.

Outcome: Packers 27 Seahawks 17 - Packers end three game losing streak


New England Patriots (3-1) @ San Diego Chargers (2-3)

Pick: Chargers

Could the Patriots essentially ruin another Chargers season? If the Bolts cannot get up for this game at home against their rival, then it is quitting time.

Outcome: Chargers 30 Patriots 10 - Bolts' Rivers puts a charge into the patriots


New York Giants (4-0) @ Cleveland Browns (1-3)

Pick: Giants

Are the Giants the best team in the league or have they just benefitted from not playing their division rivals, the Redskins, Cowboys and Eagles? Either way they will be opening up a can on the Browns.

Outcome: Browns 35 Giants 14 - Browns stun Giants

Pictured: New Orleans head coach, Sean Payton charismatically argues a missed face mask call with the referees.

Hitler wanted Favre to stay in Green Bay

Shots Heard finally has learned how to post Youtube videos. We have unearthed recent evidence indicating that Adolph Hitler did not want Brett Favre to leave Green Bay. Nor did Hitler believe that Aaron Rodgers could lead the Packers to a Super Bowl.

Sad Fairy Coloring Page

Don't be sad my dear... please tell me about your problem...

Sad Fairy Coloring Page

Don't be sad my dear... please tell me about your problem...

Sunday, October 5, 2008

NFL: 2008 Week 5 Predictions

Last week's performance: 7-6
Overall Performance: 33-28

It has been a tough season to pick the winners. The discrepancy between the teams has been small and few teams are rising above the fray. But Shots Heard has a winning record in each week.

Kansas City Chiefs (1-3) @ Carolina Panthers (3-1)


Pick: Panthers

Stopping the Chiefs is as easy as stopping Larry Johnson and yes that is easier than it sounds. But the Broncos horrible defense could not do it.

Outcome: Panthers 34 Chiefs 0 - Panthers defense throws first shutout of the season

Chicago Bears (2-2) @ Detroit Lions (0-3)

Pick: Bears

The Bears are getting the lowly Lions just in time to climb over .500 and make their playoff chase official.

Outcome: Bears 34 Lions 7 - Kyle Orton has career day

Atlanta Falcons (2-2) @ Green Bay Packers (2-2)

Pick: Packers

This will not be the week, the wheels fall off the bus for the Packers if AaronRodgers and Ryan Grant cannot get in sync.

Outcome: Falcons 27 Packers 24 - Matt Ryan outshines Aaron Rodgers

San Diego Chargers (2-2) @ Miami Dolphins (1-2)

Pick: Chargers

The Chargers look like they have shook off the off-season rust. Their defense needs to improve much more, so that they can dominate opponents like the Dolphins, rather than get into shoot-outs every week.

Outcome: Dolphins 17 Chargers 10 - Plenty of sunshine, but Chargers do not feel at home in Miami

Seattle Seahawks (1-2) @ New York Giants (3-0)

Pick: Seahawks

It's easy for a team to forget how good the Seahawks have been over the last five years. Expect Seattle to be loose and ready for this game.

Outcome: Giants 44 Seahawks 6 Changing of the guard in the NFC is complete as Seahawks cannot keep up with Giants


Washington Redskins (3-1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)

Pick: Eagles

The McNabb-Westbrook tandem is looking filthy so far. The Redskins beat the Cowboys in their back yard, but this is a new week.

Outcome: Redskins 23 Eagles 17 - Portis out rushes Westbrook, 145 to 33 yards


Tennessee Titans (4-0) @ Baltimore Ravens (2-1)

Pick: Titans

Kerry Collins is enjoying his second chance. This type of game will let us see if the Titans really still have the old Collins or not.

Outcome: Titans 13 Ravens 10 - Titans score ten unanswered in the fourth quarter to stay undefeated


Indianapolis Colts (1-2) @ Houston Texans (0-3)

Pick: Colts

The Texans look worse than when their first year as an expansion team.

Outcome: Colts 31 Texans 27 - Texans give away a win to the Colts

Tampa Bay Bucaneers (3-1) @ Denver Broncos (3-1)

Pick: Broncos

Jay Cutler will need to have a good td:int ratio.

Outcome: Broncos 16 Bucs 13 - Bucs can only score 13 against Broncos' inept defense


Buffalo Bills (4-0) @ Arizona Cardinals (2-2)

Pick: Bills

The Bolden injury swings the pendulum back to the Bills.

Outcome: Cardinals 41 Bills 17 - Bills exposed as wannabe contenders

New England Patriots (2-1) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-2)

Pick: 49ers

Bill Bellichick believes too much about what the media says about how his coaching is the Patriots strength. He believed that he would be better at molding Matt Cassel, rather than bring in the independent minded Jeff Garcia at QB.

Outcome: Pats 30 49ers 21 - 49ers have not arrived

Cincinnati Bengals (0-4) @ Dallas Cowboys (3-1)

Pick: Cowboys

The only trainwreck that is bigger than T.O. is the Bengals.

Outcome: Cowboys 31 Bengals 22- Cowboys barely hold off lowly Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)

Pick: Jaguars

The Steelers have too many injuries, especially on offense.

Outcome: Steelers 26 Jags 21 - Jags cannot summons two-minute drive or a victory

Minnesota Vikings (1-3) @ New Orleans Saints (2-2)

Pick: Vikings

The Saints have the upper hand on paper, but they tend to get complacent in games that they can afford to lose. Meanwhile, the Vikings know they cannot go to 1-4.

Outcome: Vikings 30 Saints 27 - Vikings put 30 on the board despite only 32 rushing from Adrian Peterson