RECORD (24-23)
Minnesota @ Arizona
The Cardinals come into the Thursday night game sporting one of the best offences in the NFL. Despite Chris Johnson sidelined due to injury, I still see this offence moving the ball down the field efficiently. Rookie runningback David Johnson has shown he is more than capable of taking over the starting role for now. The Vikings defence will be missing key pieces in all levels of their defence. They will be missing linebacker Anthony Barr, free safety Harrison Smith, strong safety Andrew Sendejo and nose tackle Linal Joseph. The question is, will they be able to cover the steep spread against Adrian Peterson and Teddy Bridgewater? Peterson was unhappy about his workload last week, and I think the Cardinals will be getting a healthy dose of him and can keep this one close. Look for the Cardinals to take this, just not by 11 points.
PICK: Minnesota (+10.5)
Atlanta @ Carolina
If last week taught us anything, it's that Atlanta just isnt the team we all thought they were at the beginning of the season. They now walk into Carolina's house, a team who are third in total defence, allowing an average of 314.3 yards per game.
PICK: Carolina (-7.5)
Washington @ Chicago
What an absolute terrible game to watch. If I had to pick one, which I do, I'm going with Jay Cutler and Matt Forte to win in a dog fight. The Redskins have the 25th worst rush defence, allowing Forte and Jeremy Langford to run wild.
PICK: Chicago (-3.5)
Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati
The Bengals have a chance to clinch the AFC north with a victory against the Steelers. The stripes won their first meeting by a score of 16-10, look for them to do the same Sunday.
PICK: Cincinnati (-2.5)
San Francisco @ Cleveland
If anything is worse than the Washington-Chicago game, it's this one. The 49ers are actually coming off an impressive win against the Bears where journeymen Shaun Draughn had a solid game. Cleveland has the second worst rush defence in the league that he can expose, allowing 136 yards per game on the ground.
PICK: San Franscisco (+1.5)
Indianapolis @ Jacksonville
Matt Hasselbeck will get another start, he was able to generate absolutely nothing last week for the Colts. This is an interdivision matchup with playoff implications on the line. I see the Jaguars pulling this one out with their offence that seems to get better every week.
PICK: Jacksonville (-1.5)
San Diego @ Kansas City
Two teams on the opposite spectrum. The Chiefs continue to get stronger while the Chargers are frustrated more and more by the game. Jeremy Maclin has really picked his game up and the runningback-by-committee approach is working out. You have to give KC the benefit of the doubt here.
PICK: Kansas City (-10.5)
Tennessee @ NY Jets
Marcus Mariota and Antonio Andrews are in tough this week against a styngy Jets defence. I see Chris Ivory getting it done on the ground against the 16th ranked defence. The Jets rank first in terms of stopping the run game, forcing Mariota to throw will be their game plan.
PICK: New York (-6.5)
Buffalo @ Philadelphia
There is no love lost between LeSean McCoy and the Philadelphia Eagles. He does not care for Chip Kelly and he does not care who knows it. Watchout for a big game from one of the best RBs in the game.
PICK: Buffalo (+1.5)
Detroit @ St. Louis
Detroit is coming into the game as one of the hottest teams in the NFL. They went toe-to-toe with Green Bay and fell victim to the Aaron Rodgers hail mary pass. They are coming off a long rest, Matthew Stafford and company will get things done in St. Louis.
PICK: Detroit (-3.5)
New Orleans @Tampa Bay
The story here is how terrible of a defence the Saints have. Tampa is loaded with weapons through the air and on the ground to expose them. Doug Martin and Mike Evans will have a big day.
PICK: Tampa Bay (-4.5)
Seattle @ Baltimore
The Seahawks are on a nice three-game win streak. Russell Wilson has 11 touchdown passes without an interception during this span. With the multitude of injuries the Ravens are facing, I see Seattle taking this by a large margin.
PICK: Seattle (-10.5)
Oakland @ Denver
This is a big game for the Broncos. They need to win out in order to have one of two top seeds in the AFC playoff picture. Their runningback situation is hurting with CJ Anderson possibly out. They will need Brock Osweiler to win this one through the air, using Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas.
PICK: Denver (-6.5)
Dallas @ Green Bay
There is something wrong going on in the Packers' offence right now. Not much is clicking. They would have lost to Detroit last week if it weren't for a lucky hail mary. But, I know the type of player Aaron Rodgers is, especially at home. This game also has big implications from last year, where the Packers eliminated the Cowboys from the playoffs. I'm sticking to my guns, picking the Pack.
PICK: Green Bay (-6.5)
New England @ Houston
The Patriots haven't lost three in a row since 2002 and they won't be doing it again Sunday. The best pass rusher in the league has a broken hand and James White has catapulted himself into a solid receiving back for Tom Brady. I see New England winning this one by a touchdown.
PICK: New England (-3.5)
New York Giants @ Miami
The Dolphins will be going up against the worst pass defence in the NFL monday night. This is a big deal for Jarvis Landry, who will be looking to have a big bounce back night in front of his buddy Beckham Jr. Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins offence will be putting up big numbers in primetime.
PICK: Miami (+2.5)
