This family thing worked out well. Went 10-4.
The only mishap was picking Tennessee -- my wife and daughter's pick -- and they lost in overtime. Not a bad week. OK, I am going to stop while I'm ahead.
If you are just joining us, I went with my heart instead of my head and picked teams various members of my family rooted for. For example, thanks to Dez Bryant's long finger, the Giants escaped Jerry's World with a win.
Took Denver because one daughter-in-law cares about football because of Peyton Manning. Another daughter in law is a 49ers fan, and that was the easiest pick of the week.
My son was born in Green Bay so I took the Packers, and they had me squirming for a bit against Jax.
Brother-in-law is a Brady man, and for the first and last time I picked the Patriots. That is my limit. And Miami for a nephew. But I'm telling you, Dolphins are to be reckoned with on down the road.
Actually, if I picked a team my wife roots for, I would have to pick every team in the NFL. She grew up in Detroit, spent most of her life in Nashville, and now yells for the Giants to keep me happy.
When I watch the Red Zone she will look up and see a game and yell, not even knowing which two teams are playing, the Red Zone moves that fast from game to game. That's my honey! She is a great sport and puts up with my Giants obsession.
By the way The Red Zone is the greatest invention in television history. From game to game to game to game. You get the picture. And no commercials!
OK, the reason this week's blog intro is so long is how difficult this week's picks are to call.
But enough with the stalling, here goes nothing.
KC at San Diego - This is tougher than it looks on paper. KC going with Cassel this week at Chargers. San Diego needs to re-energized. They stink right now. Just six points at Cleveland for crying out loud. Went with SD, but reluctantly. San Diego wins 13-10.
Denver at Cincinnati - Another toughie. Bengals had week off, Denver had impressive game vs Saints. Cincy really not that bad, and Broncos not same team on the road. Go Bengals 24-21.
Baltimore at Cleveland - Hey listen, this looks as if it's a mismatch, but Cleveland does have a defense, and Baltimore is struggling with all the injuries and such. Ravens by an eyelash, 20-19.
Arizona at Green Bay - Rodgers is the new Manning. He makes every commercial seen on TV. Not that I see it on the Red Zone. Rodgers is good with the cute 4th graders in the discount double check ad. Now let's get it together with the adults on the Lambeau turf. Arizona about as dead as a team could be right now. That Monday night game was perfect to put folks to sleep. Green Bay by plenty 37-10.
Chicago at Tennessee - Bears hanging on by a thread these days. Good, yes. Inconsistent, yes. They have only one pass catcher for crying out loud. I'm going with the little upset here. Titans 13-10. No this is not a homer pick, it is my upset special of the new month.
Miami at Indianapolis - A game between two unexpected 4-3 teams. Dolphin good defense against an improving with every week Andrew Luck. This is a tough call, maybe the toughest pick up to this point in the season. Went with Miami in a 1-point game, maybe overtime. Fish 16-15.
Carolina at Washington - Game between two reeling teams, but Carolina reeling more with a 1-6 record, fired GM and a coach already on borrowed time. And Rivera may not make it through the season. Maybe next week according to some reports.
Shanahan pulling his hair out these days. Washington should be better than this. Washington wins its pre-election game in the nations capital. Another close one. In fact, Washington will have to survive a final Newton drive. Washington 35-31.
Detroit at Jacksonville - This game may not have 20,000 in the stadium. Former OSU receiver Justin Blackmon getting ripped for not completing pass routes. Lions may have gotten over the hump with win last week. They are at the top of both the offense and defense stats, yet have been pedestrian this season.
Stafford threw the ball much better last week, and he seems to be righting the ship. Just as I say that, here comes five interceptions. Go Lions, 35-14.
Buffalo at Houston - Only one of a few easy picks this week. Must guard against overconfidence in the Texan camp. Texans beat Buffalo, and talk of Bills moving to Toronto re-surface. Houston 38-27.
Tampa Bay at Oakland - Yet another toughie! Tampa Bay is getting better, but is Oakland? Bucs and Raiders. How come the Pittsburgh Pirates weren't invited. Raiders make Bucs walk the plank in this black hole encounter. Raydahs (that's New Yorker for Raiders) 26, Bucaneahs (also New York for Buccaneers.) 19.
Minnesota at Seattle - Wanted badly to take Vikes here, because I hope Seattle loses every game after winning that replacement refs contest, but Seattle just too tough at home. Minnesota may be on a verge of a slump. Hawks 25-23.
Pittsburgh at NY Giants - Well if you have been reading this column with even semi-regularity,
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