Kelly's Picks

Philly's "Dream Team" campaign ended in a nightmare as Andy Reid's club underachieved during the first three-quarters of the season. The 7-8 Eagles can finish the year with a four-game winning streak and a .500 record with a win over the Redskins. Washington quarterback Rex Grossman is likely to struggle against a Philadelphia pass rush that leads the NFL in sacks with 49.

Look for Atlanta to rebound off its 29-point road loss to the Saints last Monday night. Tampa Bay is suffering through a nine-game losing streak that will likely cost head coach Raheem Morris his job.

Jim Harbaugh should wrap up NFL Coach of the Year honors after San Francisco finishes the season with a 13-3 record and the #2 seed in the NFC playoffs. St. Louis is 2-13 straight up and 2-12-1 against the spread.

Both teams are playing without their star running backs as Minnesota's Adrian Peterson and Chicago's Matt Forte suffered season-ending knee injuries. Slight edge to the home team coming off a victory last week.

Green Bay will rest its key personnel, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a cinch for the NFL MVP Award. Rodgers' QB rating of 122.5 is an all-time single-season NFL record, beating the old mark (121.1) set by Peyton Manning in 2004.

A winner-take-all battle in the NFC East wraps up the 256-game regular-season schedule. Let's take Eli Manning over the erratic and unreliable Tony Romo.

Credit Carolina quarterback Cam Newton for not only being the most impressive rookie in the NFL but also improving with every start. Newton's performance last week (a QB rating of 142.4) was superb. Expect a high-scoring shootout at the Superdome.

Tennessee needs a victory and some help to make the postseason while Houston is locked into the #3 seed in the AFC playoffs. Expect a solid defensive effort from the 8-7 Titans.

Critical game for both teams. Baltimore is playing for the #2 seed in the AFC playoffs which carries with it a "bye" in the opening week of the postseason. Cincy cannot be trusted.

Cleveland has lost five straight games and appears to be a dead team. Pittsburgh should roll to victory whether it's Ben Roethlisberger or Charlie Batch at the controls. Batch is 5-2 as a spot starter in the NFL since 2001.

After 13 straight losses, Indy is riding a two-game winning streak but a win over Jacksonville could cost the Colts the number one overall selection (Andrew Luck) in the 2012 NFL Draft. Lowly Jacksonville should defeat uninspired Indianapolis.

Miami never quit on the season despite starting the year by losing its first seven games. The Dolphins are 5-3 since the disastrous beginning and they're playing hard for interim head coach Todd Bowles.

New England's Tom Brady is 36-5 in December games (though this game will be played in January) and the Pats seem to peak at this time every year. Buffalo snapped a seven-game losing streak last week against Tim Tebow and the Broncos.

Carson Palmer meets Philip Rivers in a matchup of overhyped quarterbacks. Oakland sports a winning record (8-7) despite its sloppy play as the Raiders lead the NFL in penalties (155) and penalty yardage (1,293).

Kyle Orton gets a chance to redeem himself and dash the playoff hopes of the team that released him earlier this season. Orton's replacement, Tim Tebow, exits the worst performance (QB rating of 35.4) of his professional career; Let's call for the mild upset.

Both teams were eliminated from playoff contention last week after suffering losses in games they had an opportunity to win. Arizona quarterback John Skelton has been a pleasant surprise this season for the Cardinals.

Look for Houston to rebound off its 28-13 home loss to the Panthers. Third-string quarterback T.J. Yates should return to his winning ways facing a suspect Indianapolis defense. The Colts should regress after their first victory of the season, a 27-13 win over Tennessee.

Kansas City knocked off the best team in the NFL last week and should ride the momentum of its victory over the Packers to another win this week against division rival Oakland. The Raiders have led the AFC in penalty yardage each of the past nine seasons.

Let’s take Tim Tebow off a loss. The dual-threat quarterback is 7-2 as a starter this season and the Broncos will capture the AFC West crown by winning their last two games of the season. Buffalo has lost seven straight games after a promising 5-2 start.

Both teams are playing out the string in a season of lost opportunity. The AFC South was wide open this year after Peyton Manning went down with a season-ending neck injury and yet neither Tennessee nor Jacksonville took full advantage.

Let’s call for a mild upset here. Arizona has won three overtime games this season and the Cardinals are playing their best football of the season. Cincinnati's eight victories this season have come at the expense of teams that are a combined 34-78.

New England could experience a letdown this week after its emotional win over Denver and Tim Tebow. Miami has won five of seven games after starting the season 0-5.

Baltimore figures to play angry following its Sunday night loss in San Diego. The Ravens are a perfect 7-0 this season at M&T Bank Stadium.

Rex Ryan's defense allowed 45 points and 420 yards last week in a loss to Philadelphia. Slight edge to Eli Manning over Mark Sanchez in a battle of inconsistent quarterbacks.

Great spot for Washington to pound a helpless opponent. The Vikings have lost six straight games and head coach Leslie Frazier figures to be unemployed at season's end.

Tampa Bay has the look of a team that has quit on the season. Losers of seven straight, the Bucs will offer little resistance to Carolina's offense led by the fast-improving rookie quarterback Cam Newton.

Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger playing status (ankle) is a concern, but the Steelers can beat the lowly Rams with or without Big Ben. St. Louis is 2-12 straight up and 2-11-1 against the spread.

Look for streaking San Diego to continue its winning ways against an overrated Detroit team. Quarterback Philip Rivers has thrown seven touchdown passes and no interceptions in San Diego's last three games, all victories for the Chargers.

Both defenses should dominate in what figures to be a closely-contested game. San Francisco is the only team in the NFL yet to allow a rushing touchdown. Love the way Seattle played in the second half of its dominating win over Chicago last week.

Let's side ever so slightly with Tony Romo and the home team. The return of Miles Austin is a key to the success of the Cowboys.

Look for Green Bay to rebound with an outstanding effort after its subpar performance last week at Arrowhead Stadium. The injury-riddled Bears are forced to start journeyman Josh McCown at quarterback after Caleb Hanie proved ineffective in replacing injured starter Jay Cutler.

New Orleans looked super in its 42-20 victory over Minnesota last week as quarterback Drew Brees completed 32-of-40 passes for 412 yards and five touchdowns. The Saints are the second-best team in both the NFC and NFL.

Atlanta scored 24 unanswered points in a 31-23 victory over Carolina as quarterback Matt Ryan threw for more than 230 yards in the second half of the comeback victory. Jacksonville's win last week was more a case of ineptitude on Tampa Bay's part rather than any spark from the hopeless Jags.

Dallas cannot afford a loss to the lowly Bucs as the Cowboys battle the Giants for the NFC East Crown. Look for a spirited effort from Romo and Company after their late-game collapse last Sunday night against the Giants.

Eli Manning is enjoying one of the finest seasons of his career, eclipsing 4,000 yards in passing over the team's first 13 games. The Giants gained a much-needed victory last week and should ride the momentum of last Sunday's win to another victory this week.

The injury to Green Bay wide receiver Greg Jennings is a concern, but the Packers are not only the best team in the league but also the deepest team in the NFL. The quarterback rating of Aaron Rodgers this season (123.3) is off the charts.

New Orleans is peaking at the right time. Winners of five straight games, the Saints appear as the strongest threat in the NFL to stop the Packers from back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Drew Brees is the one quarterback in the league who can match points with Aaron Rodgers.

Chicago's defense and special teams should be the difference in what figures to be a low-scoring, closely-contested game. The Bears are playing without its two best offensive weapons in quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte.

A lost season for both teams as they each exit blowout losses. Slight lean to the home team.

Houston is riding a seven-game winning streak thanks to the surprising calm and cool of inexperienced quarterback T.J. Yates. Houston clinched a playoff berth last week, its first in franchise history, with a 20-19 victory over Cincinnati.

The winless season for Indy should continue as the Titans (7-6) still have hopes of making the AFC playoffs. Indy gained only 53 yards of total offense through three quarters of its game last week against Baltimore.

St. Louis is the second-worst team in the NFL at 2-11 straight-up and 2-11 against the spread. Cincy finds a way to win a road game.

Love this spot for Detroit. The Lions catch an Oakland team in poor form and should pressure quarterback Carson Palmer into many mistakes. Palmer threw four interceptions last week in a 46-16 loss to Green Bay. Ndamukong Suh returns from a two-game suspension for the Lions.

Look for Bill Belichick and Tom Brady to put an end to the six-game winning streak of the Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow. New England will devise a scheme to slow down the overachieving Tebow.

Philadelphia recorded nine sacks last week in a dominating 26-10 victory over Miami. Michael Vick looked decent in his return to action after missing the last three games with a rib injury.

Arizona's defense and special teams are playing well right now, providing the necessary support to an Arizona offense that sometimes struggles to move the football. Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy is still a work in progress.

San Diego is playing its best football of the season. Philip Rivers has his full fleet of receivers and Baltimore is only 3-3 on the road this year. Mild upset at Qualcomm.

Tough spot for Pittsburgh with an ailing Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) forced to play on the choppy turf at Candlestick Park. Let's lean to home team as San Francisco battles with New Orleans for the #2 seed in the NFC.

Pittsburgh has dominated the recent series against Cleveland, winning seven straight games at Heinz Field and 14 of the last 15 overall. The Steelers won the last two meetings over the Browns by a combined score of 69-19. Cleveland is 3-18 against AFC North foes since 2008 and quarterback Colt McCoy is winless in seven career games within the division.

Indianapolis showed some late life by scoring the game's final 21 points in a 31-24 loss last week against New England. Look for the Ravens to keep the back door closed.

Houston rookie quarterback T.J. Yates made his first NFL start a winning one in defeating Atlanta last week, 17-10. Look for Cincy's defense to pose problems this week for the fifth-round draft choice out of North Carolina.

Green Bay's pursuit of perfection continues. The 12-0 Packers are trying to become only the second NFL team to finish the regular season 16-0. The New England Patriots accomplished the feat in 2007 (Note: the Miami Dolphins went 14-0 in their perfect season of 1972).

Look for New York running back Shonn Greene to provide support for Mark Sanchez and the Jets' passing game in a double-digit victory over the 5-7 Chiefs.

Time for Detroit to return to its winning ways. The Lions started the season 5-0 and have gone 2-5 since. Quarterback Matthew Stafford should light up a suspect Minnesota secondary.

Tricky game to handicap as both teams are playing good football. Slight lean to Brees and Co. after Drew's 342-yard performance last week. New Orleans has won four straight games.

Michael Vick returns to action for Philadelphia but it may not matter as many of Philly's top players have quit on the season. The Dolphins are playing hard despite the lame-duck status of head coach Tony Sparano.

New England always seems to peak late in the season and the Patriots enjoyed a virtual bye week with last week's assignment against winless Indianapolis while Washington suffered a fourth-quarter meltdown by surrendering 21 points in the final 15 minutes of its game against the Jets.

Good spot for Carolina to play the spoiler's role as Atlanta fights for a playoff spot in the NFC. Cam Newton is the real deal, a quarterback who can beat you with his arm or beat you with his feet.

Both teams have been disappointing this season. Jacksonville averages fewer than 13 points per game, lowest in the NFL. Tampa Bay has lost six straight games with little or no hope on the horizon.

Let's call for a mild upset here as San Francisco celebrated last week by clinching the weak NFC West. Arizona has played better of late, winning in overtime last week against the Dallas Cowboys.

If the game is close in the fourth quarter, count on Tim Tebow to win it for the Denver Broncos. The charismatic leader is 6-1 this season as Denver's starting quarterback after previous starter Kyle Orton started the season 1-4. Chicago is without its top two offensive players in quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte.

Look for San Diego to post a late-season surge as the Chargers looked tremendous on both sides of the football in their 38-14 victory last Monday night over Jacksonville. Buffalo has lost five straight games to fall to 5-7 on the season.

New York played well in defeat last week when losing to the Packers, 38-35. Let's give a slight edge to Eli Manning over Tony Romo in a matchup of inconsistent quarterbacks.

St. Louis is saddled with the worst offensive line in the league and an injury-riddled secondary, two qualities which guarantee failure in the pass-happy NFL. Seattle rolls.

Seattle has covered seven of its last nine games despite winning only four of those contests. Pete Carroll's defense should confuse an Eagles' offense led by the ineffective Vince Young or the injury-prone Michael Vick.

Look for Buffalo to snap its four-game losing streak by winning a game at the friendly confines of Ralph Wilson Stadium. Ryan Fitzpatrick played better last week in the team's narrow loss to the Jets.

Both teams are having issues at the quarterback position. Let's rely on Chicago's defense and special teams to carry the day against the injury-plagued Chiefs.

Calling for a mild upset here as Miami's difficulties while playing at home are well-documented. Following back-to-back 7-9 seasons, Miami head coach Tony Sparano needed a winning season and he will not achieve one this year.

Pittsburgh is an exceptional team seemingly year in and year out. Cincy is enjoying a banner season at 7-4 but the Bengals' seven victories have come against teams with a combined record of 16-39.

Ray Lewis missed the last two games with a toe injury. Baltimore's road efforts have been shaky this season and Cleveland showed some fight over the past couple of games.

Washington snapped its six-game losing streak last week with a come-from-behind 23-17 victory on the road in Seattle. Let's count on the Redskins to build off the momentum of last week's victory. New York is a struggling team trying to find a consistent level.

Houston's running back tandem of Arian Foster and Ben Tate should be enough for the Texans to defeat an Atlanta team that struggles in games outside the Georgia Dome.

A mild upset here for Carolina and its rookie quarterback Cam Newton. Tampa Bay committed five turnovers last week in losing its fifth straight game.

Detroit will play without Ndamukong Suh, suspended two games for unsportsmanlike conduct in the Thanksgiving Day game against the Packers. Drew Brees should enjoy a huge day against the suspect secondary of the Lions.

Tim Tebow is one of the biggest stories of the 2011 NFL season. Since replacing Kyle Orton with Tim Tebow, the Broncos are 5-1 and in the thick of the wide-open AFC West playoff race.

Good spot for San Francisco after miserable scheduling dynamics in Week 12 when traveling cross-country to meet the Ravens on short rest. St. Louis has scored only 140 points over 11 games.

Plenty of Dallas fans will travel to Glendale, Arizona for this game. Look for the Dallas defense to focus on stopping Arizona running back Beanie Wells.

Green Bay's pursuit of perfection continues as the 11-0 Packers are five wins away from matching the 2007 New England Patriots as the only NFL team to finish the regular season a perfect 16-0 (Miami was 14-0 in its perfect regular season in 1972).

New England can name the score here against the worst defensive team in the league. The Colts have surrendered 327 points in 11 games.

The Jags fired head coach Jack Del Rio and an announcement figures to come at the end of the season about the dismissal of embattled San Diego head coach Norv Turner.

Green Bay's offense looks unstoppable. Rodgers and Company should post big numbers indoors at Ford Field against the suspect secondary of the Lions. Turkey Day begins with a barbecue.

Both teams enter the game sporting three-game winning streaks. Miami's defense has not surrendered a touchdown in its last three games. But Tony Romo figures to do just enough to win another November game by beating Miami in a tightly-contested game.

Hate to buck red-hot San Francisco, winners of eight straight games. However, Baltimore rarely loses at M&T Bank Stadium where the Ravens are 5-0 this season and where they've won 15 of their past 16 games.

Let's call for a rare Arizona victory considering St. Louis has scored an NFL-low 120 points over its first 10 games.

The league has figured out how to defend Chan Gailey's spread offense. Buffalo has been outscored 106-26 in its last three games.

Cincinnati rookie quarterback Andy Dalton should fare better against Cleveland after facing Pittsburgh and Baltimore in consecutive weeks. The Bengals, despite back-to-back losses in division games, are exceeding expectations with a 6-4 record.

Houston back-up quarterback Matt Leinart is thrust into the spotlight after Matt Schaub's foot injury has sidelined the Houston starting quarterback indefinitely. The Texans, featuring an outstanding running game and improving defense, are the class of the weak AFC South.

Indianapolis appears headed for a winless season. Look for the Panthers and rookie quarterback Cam Newton to bounce back against the hapless Colts after their second-half collapse against the Lions in Detroit.

Tampa Bay is in the throes of a four-game losing streak and nothing is going right on either side of the ball for the youngest team in the NFL. Tennessee defends its home turf.

The clock is ticking on Leslie Frazier's time in Minnesota. Star running back Adrian Peterson of the Vikings is unlikely to play after suffering a high ankle sprain last week against the Raiders.

Chicago's five-game winning streak is in jeopardy after losing quarterback Jay Cutler to a broken thumb. Little-used Caleb Hanie gets the start for the Bears. Lean to Oakland and the experience of Carson Palmer.

The defensive units should dominate from start to finish. Seattle recorded five sacks last week in 24-7 road win over St. Louis. Washington has lost six straight contests, marking the longest losing streak in head coach Mike Shanahan's 18-year career.

Philly's defense looked outstanding last week in a season-saving win at MetLife Stadium against division rival New York. Vince Young is 31-17 as an NFL starter.

The Tebow magic stops here. San Diego's defense should figure out a way to stop the one-dimensional quarterback. The Chargers' season is on the line over the final five games on the schedule. With a won-loss record of 5-6, San Diego must find a way to string together a series of wins.

Kansas City quarterback Tyler Palko made too many mistakes (three interceptions) in his NFL starting debut last Monday night, a 34-3 loss to the New England Patriots. Things will not get easier for Palko against Pittsburgh's blitzing defense.

New Orleans exits a bye week and should be ready for a top effort in prime time against a high-profile opponent. Give the edge to the steady Drew Brees over the inconsistent Eli Manning.

Denver's one-dimensional running attack is likely to struggle against New York's stout defense. The Broncos won last week despite running the ball 55 times and passing the ball eight times, completing only two of the eight passes. The lack of a balanced offensive attack spells doom for most of NFL teams.

Atlanta should return to the winner's circle after a tough overtime loss to division rival New Orleans. I appreciated Atlanta head coach Mike Smith's decision last week to gamble on fourth down and inches from his own 29-yard line but I disliked Smith's play choice (running off tackle instead of calling for a quarterback sneak).

Miami has a chance to win its third straight game after starting the season 0-7. Buffalo has lost two straight games and three of four after going 4-1 to open the season. The Bills have been outscored 71-18 in their last two games.

Both teams enter the game with a won-loss record of 6-3. Cincy has posted only one victory against a winning team this season. Baltimore should be in an angry mood after losing last Sunday in Seattle.

Ugly game between two also-rans. Slight edge to a more disciplined Jacksonville team that usually doesn't beat itself.

Don't look now but Oakland sits atop the AFC West with a record of 5-4. The Raiders have an eye on the postseason while the Vikings are merely playing out the season which could be the final season for head coach Leslie Frazier.

Detroit is in a funk right now but the Lions figure to outclass a Carolina team coming off its worst performance of the season. This indoor game at Ford Field could produce the most points on the Week 11 schedule.

The reigning Super Bowl champions are the clear-cut favorites to win Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. Green Bay features two of the best players in the game in quarterback Aaron Rodgers and linebacker Clay Matthews. Tampa Bay's season is going the wrong way.

Washington head coach Mike Shanahan has lost five straight games for the first time in his career. The Skins are struggling at the sport's most important position as Donovan McNabb was not the answer last season and the entry of Rex Grossman and John Beck has struggled mightily this season.

San Francisco continues to be the feel-good story of the season. Head coach Jim Harbaugh's team is 8-1 after the 49ers finished 6-10 last season under Mike Singletary with virtually the same roster of players.

Seattle should build on its impressive win last week over Baltimore with a solid road effort against division foe St. Louis. Pete Carroll's team features a better defense than Steve Spagnuolo's squad.

Chicago is an underrated team playing its best football of the season. San Diego, on the other hand, is in poor form with quarterback Philip Rivers throwing an NFL-high 15 interceptions. The Chargers could have problems handling the elements of the Windy City.

Philadelphia is in a funk, going 3-6 with a roster expected to challenge for postseason glory. Philly quarterback Michael Vick will likely miss the game (broken ribs), forcing Vince Young or Mike Kafka to compete against an improving New York defense.

Tom Brady got back on track last week in New England's 37-16 victory over the New York Jets. The Pats are banged up defensively but the Chiefs are unlikely to take advantage of New England's limping defense with Tyler Palko making his first NFL start for the injured Matt Cassell.

Time for San Diego to play to its ability level. The Chargers boast one of the most talented 53-man rosters in football yet their record stands at 4-4. If Philip Rivers limits his turnovers (14 interceptions in eight games), the Chargers should cruise against an Oakland team that is 0-2 since the acquisition of Carson Palmer.

Ben Roethlisberger is enjoying an outstanding season behind an improved offensive line and a fast fleet of wide receivers. Cincy steps up in class and rookie quarterback Andy Dalton will likely struggle against Pittsburgh's intimidating defense.

Let's call for a mild upset as Denver returns to contention in the wide-open AFC West with a road victory at Arrowhead Stadium. Tim Tebow is limited as a passer but unlimited in his will to win.

Great spot for Indianapolis to post its first victory of the season. Pride should be a factor as the 0-8 Colts play to avoid embarrassment.

The AFC East looks a lot stronger than the NFC East. Ryan Fitzpatrick, with a new contract in hand, should lead his team to victory against an overrated Dallas team.

Houston is in perfect position to make the NFL playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The running back tandem of Arian Foster and Ben Tate has looked unstoppable over the past couple of games.

Cam Newton is improving with every start. He's a virtual cinch to be named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year despite his team's subpar record of 2-6. Here in Nevada, the Panthers are exceeding market expectations with a 5-3 record against the spread.

Look for Miami to build off its first victory of the season, a 31-3 rout of the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9. The Dolphins finally break through with a convincing victory at home after going 5-19 ATS in their last 24 games at Sun Life Stadium.

Atlanta's running game, led by the unheralded Michael Turner, provides quarterback Matt Ryan with an opportunity to find emerging star wide receiver Julio Jones in man-to-man coverages. New Orleans is susceptible on the road.

Chicago sent a message to the NFC North specifically and the NFL in general with a 30-24 road victory over the Eagles last Monday night. The Bears are feeling good about themselves.

Cleveland has scored only six first-quarter points in eight games and only nine third-quarter points through the first half of the season in what has been another woeful football campaign for the Browns. St. Louis last week showed heart and determination in a tough overtime loss to Arizona.

Michael Vick and Company should rebound after losing on Monday night. Arizona has injury problems and inexperience issues.

Baltimore last week established itself as the favorites to win the AFC title with a thrilling come-from-behind win over archrival Pittsburgh. Joe Flacco is improving every week and received a stamp of approval from Ray Lewis, the team's emotional leader.

San Francisco stands as the only team in the NFL to remain undefeated against the spread (7-0-1). Jim Harbaugh's team has been emotionally-invested in every game this season. Credit the Niners for four victories this season in the Eastern time zone.

Hard to bet against the entry of Belichick and Brady but New England's defense is troubling, to say the least. Let's go with the better defensive unit playing before its home crowd.

Aaron Rodgers, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, looks like a cinch to win the NFL MVP as the star quarterback leads his team in quest of a perfect 16-0 season. Rodgers has thrown 24 touchdown passes this season against only three interceptions.

Atlanta plays its best football when it establishes the run to set up Matt Ryan's play-action passes. The Falcons should have no trouble running the football against a defense allowing 144 rushing yards per game. The Falcons will enjoy the indoor setting of Lucas Oil Stadium as quarterback Matt Ryan is 26-6 lifetime in dome stadiums.

New Orleans did not look right last week in a 10-point loss to the lowly St. Louis Rams. Tampa Bay exits its bye week after a six-point loss to the Bears in London. The Bucs won the first meeting between the division rival, 26-20, in Week 6.

Cleveland is the worst 3-4 team in the NFL. Cleveland's three wins have been accomplished over teams with a combined record of 2-20. The Browns have scored a total of three points in the first quarter and only six points in the third quarter of their first seven games.

Buffalo posted a huge effort on both sides of the football in demolishing Washington last Sunday, 23-0. The winner of this game will emerge as the division's biggest threat to challenge New England for top honors in the AFC East. Fitzpatrick gets the edge over Sanchez.

Miami has been outscored 62-25 in the fourth quarter of its first eight games. The Dolphins give the least when it matters most. Look for Kansas City to extend its four-game winning streak after losing its first three games of the season by a combined score of 109-27.

San Francisco looks for its fourth victory of the season in the Eastern time zone. San Francisco's Jim Harbaugh is the leading candidate for NFL Coach of the Year as his 6-1 team has exceeded everyone's expectations including those of the betting marketplace (6-0-1 against the spread).

Dallas should return to the winner's circle after a miserable performance Sunday night against division rival Philadelphia. Struggling Seattle is the perfect opponent for the Cowboys to rebound.

The Tim Tebow experiment enters another week as the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner struggled mightily against an aggressive Detroit defense that sacked the indecisive quarterback seven times last week. Oakland needs a good effort from newly-acquired Carson Palmer to provide balance to a dangerous running attack which is averaging nearly 160 yards per game.

Tennessee needed its confidence-producing win last week versus Indianapolis and now steps up in class to meet surprising Cincinnati. I like the experience edge Matt Hasselbeck gives the home team over rookie counterpart Andy Dalton of the Bengals.

Let's trust the Rams to string good efforts back-to-back after St. Louis whipped New Orleans last week. The Rams raced to a 24-0 lead against the Saints and another quick start could doom the chances of the struggling Cards.

A rematch of Super Bowl XLII when the Giants ended the Patriots' quest for a perfect 19-0 season. New England looked disinterested in last week's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rarely does a Bill Belichick team play poorly two weeks in a row.

Green Bay is clearly the class of the NFL and the Packers will prove it here against an underachieving, poorly-coached squad. Aaron Rodgers is not only the best quarterback in the game today but also the hottest. He's completing more than 71% of his passes with 21 touchdowns against only three interceptions.

Payback time for the Steelers as they look to avenge a 35-7 loss to the Ravens in Week 1 of the NFL season. Baltimore's dreadful first-half performance against Arizona should be a cause for concern for Ravens' supporters.

Philly owns the most-talented 53-man roster in the NFL. Andy Reid's team put it all together last week with an emphatic 34-7 win over Dallas. Philly's best game is really good.

Both teams exit embarrassing efforts as the Titans lost at home by 34 points to a division foe while the Colts traveled to New Orleans and lost by 55 points. Tennessee is the lesser of two evils here.

Houston's Arian Foster looked amazing last week when scoring three touchdowns and recording 234 total yards (119 rushing and 115 receiving). Jacksonville will have issues containing the underrated superstar.

Good spot for Carolina to thump an opponent. Twenty-two-year-old quarterback Cam Newton has erased all doubts as to his NFL potential and he appears to be a force in the league for years to come.

New Orleans is clearly the second-best team in the NFC and the Saints are headed for a showdown with the Packers in the NFC Championship Game. St. Louis is 0-6 straight up and 0-6 against the spread.

Baltimore should be in an angry mood following its Monday night loss to Jacksonville. Arizona has some serious issues in its secondary.

The clock is ticking on the Tony Sparano Era in Miami. The Dolphins are 0-6 after back-to-back 7-9 seasons.

Game will be played in Toronto. Washington's long list of injuries and offensive line problems are a serious concern for quarterback John Beck who is making only his sixth career NFL start. Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick leads a Buffalo offense averaging 31 points per game.

Let's ride the momentum of Denver's fourth-quarter comeback win last Sunday in Miami. Tim Tebow is now 2-2 in four career NFL starts and his hobbled counterpart Matthew Stafford may play despite suffering an ankle injury late in the fourth quarter of last week's loss to Atlanta.

This is the most attractive game on an unattractive NFL card. New England's aerial attack will be put to a tough test against a Pittsburgh secondary yielding the fewest passing yards in the league.

San Francisco's head coach Jim Harbaugh is the leading candidate for NFL Coach of the Year. San Francisco has adopted the personality of its head coach with a gritty, never-say-die attitude that has produced five wins over the team's first six games. Quarterback Alex Smith has improved dramatically under Harbaugh's tutelage.

Cincy's defensive front seven should dominate Seattle's young offensive line. The Bengals benefit from a bye week after going 4-2 over the season's first six weeks.

An important division game for two underperforming teams. Dallas trounced St. Louis last week and the Cowboys now meet a far more talented team. Let's trust Rob Ryan's defense to post a mild upset on the road.

Let's call for another mild upset as the Chiefs have won three straight games after starting the season 0-3. Philip Rivers cannot be trusted on the road in a hostile environment. Rivers has committed 11 turnovers in six games.

Game played at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Veteran Chicago team should handle the overseas assignment better than Tampa Bay, the youngest team in the NFL. Chicago's exciting playmaker Devin Hester scored two touchdowns last Sunday night in a 39-10 victory over Minnesota. Note to Tampa Bay head coach Raheem Morris: do not challenge Hester on punts and kickoffs.

John Beck gets the start for Team Shanahan. Former starting quarterback Rex Grossman threw four interceptions last week to sabotage Washington's chances of victory over the Eagles. Carolina quarterback Cam Newton continues to make rookie mistakes.

San Diego's Philip Rivers gets the nod over New York's Mark Sanchez. The travel is a concern, but the 4-1 Chargers appear to be a serious contender for the AFC title while the Jets' offense cannot be trusted.

Good spot for Cleveland to defend its home-field advantage against a weak foe from the NFC West.

Houston exits a physical beating from the Ravens in Baltimore. Star running back Arian Foster gained only 49 yards from 15 carries in last week's 29-14 loss to the Ravens. Tennessee is rested and ready off a Week 6 bye.

Look for second-year quarterback Tim Tebow to win his 2011 starting debut. Tebow returns to the state where he starred collegiately at the University of Florida. Miami's Matt Moore looked overmatched in a 24-6 loss to the Jets last Monday night.

Detroit comes off its first loss of the season and should rebound against an Atlanta team searching to find its identity. The Falcons are better suited as a run-first team and their strategy paid off (35 running plays, 22 passing plays) in last week's 14-point win over the Panthers.

Oakland welcomes former Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer to the fold. But the story with the Raiders this season is their outstanding running game led by superstar Darren McFadden. A focused effort by all three phases of the game provides the Raiders with their third straight victory since the death of their legendary leader Al Davis.

A rematch of Super Bowl XLIII won by the Steelers, 27-23. Ben Roethlisberger looked sharp early in a 17-13 win last week over Jacksonville. Kevin Kolb could get overwhelmed by Pittsburgh's pass rush which will feature aggressive safety Troy Polamalu.

St. Louis is 0-6 and the Rams have been outscored by a combined margin of 137-49. Dallas, 2-3 in the early season, is desperate for a win after its heartbreaking loss last week to the Patriots.

Green Bay is 18-8 against the spread since the start of the 2010 season. The Packers have the look of a champion. They're 6-0 for the first time since 1965. Christian Ponder replaces Donovan McNabb as Minny's signal-caller.

New Orleans will have few problems in dispatching of winless Indianapolis. The undermanned Colts are trying hard but there are too many holes in the defense, not to mention the absence of future Hall-of-Famer Peyton Manning.

Baltimore is 4-1 this season with its four victories coming by 15 points or more. The Ravens appear to be the second-best team in the AFC behind Bill Belichick's New England Patriots.

Green Bay's big-play offense should excel on the fast track at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. Aaron Rodgers is not only the most talented quarterback in the NFL but he's also the hottest. St. Louis counterpart Sam Bradford is saddled with a winless team sporting a weak offensive line and a suspect defense. The Rams have been outscored 113-46 through their first four games.

"Big Ben" Roethlisberger threw five touchdown passes last week despite a noticeable limp from a sprained left foot. The Pittsburgh defense held Tennessee to three first-half points on 104 yards from 26 plays. Look for the Steelers to school the Jags before a rabid crowd at Heinz Field.

The self-anointed Dream Team (back-up quarterback Vince Young first introduced the label) is in dire straits after losing four of its first five games. Philly leads the NFL with 15 turnovers and quarterback Michael Vick is the biggest culprit with seven interceptions and three fumbles lost.

Game of the week between the two biggest surprise teams in the NFC. The undefeated Lions (5-0) host the hard-trying 49ers (4-1) in a battle of two well-coached squads led by young quarterbacks on the rise. The game will be decided in the trenches as San Francisco's offensive line will face its toughest test of the season when they meet the vaunted defensive line of the Lions.

Let's call for a mild upset here as Carolina quarterback Cam Newton has passed for more than 1600 yards through the five games of his NFL career. Carolina is only 1-4 on the season but an impressive 4-1 against the spread. Atlanta rolled over and played dead last week by allowing Green Bay to score the game's final 25 points after the Falcons held an early 14-0 lead over the defending Super Bowl champs.

Cincy is 3-2 with a golden opportunity to move to 4-2 before a Week 7 bye. Winless Indianapolis is experiencing a miserable season and the misery doesn't figure to end anytime soon. Peyton Manning's absence is being felt on both sides of the football as Indy's defense could be as inept as Indy's offense.

It's always difficult to analyze Giants' football because it's tough to forecast which Eli Manning will show up: the good Eli or the bad Eli. The eight-year pro threw three touchdowns last week but also threw three interceptions as the Giants lost by 11 points as a 10-point favorite against lowly Seattle. Here's the key angle: Buffalo's ball-hawking defense leads the NFL with 12 interceptions.

Baltimore is rested after a Week 5 bye. The Ravens should dismantle a short-handed Houston team missing its star wide receiver (Andre Johnson) and best defensive player (Mario Williams).

Oakland may ride the wave of last week's emotional victory in Houston with another spirited effort this Sunday in Oakland. This is the Raiders' first game in Oakland since the passing of their legendary leader Al Davis.

New England has recorded 30 or more points in 13 consecutive regular-season games. Make it 14 in a row after Sunday's home game against a Dallas team whose defense failed miserably in the biggest collapse in Cowboys' history (Dallas blew a 27-3 lead).

New Orleans has won four straight since its road loss to Green Bay on the opening night of the NFL season. Drew Brees completed 32-of-45 passes for 359 yards and two touchdowns in last week's 30-27 victory over Carolina.

Chicago's run defense will be challenged as star running back Adrian Peterson comes to town after scoring three first-quarter touchdowns in a 34-10 victory over Arizona last week. Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler played well last Monday night despite performing behind one of the weakest offensive lines in the NFL.

The 2-3 Jets cannot afford to stumble against 0-4 Miami after losing last week to division rival New England and facing the 4-1 San Diego Chargers next week. If the Jets are a playoff team this season, they must show it this week in the Monday night spotlight. Mark Sanchez holds a decided edge over Miami back-up quarterback Matt Moore.

Good spot for struggling Kansas City to build off last week's home win over Minnesota with a road victory against the winless Colts. Indy must deal with a short week after Monday night's seven-point road loss to Tampa Bay in which quarterback Curtis Painter looked average at best.

Time for Minnesota to play a full 60-minute game. The 0-4 Vikings have outscored their four opponents 61-16 in the first half before fading after halftime and losing by a combined score of 70-16. Leslie Frazier and Donovan McNabb desperately need a victory.

Expect a shootout as Ryan Fitzpatrick and Michael Vick should excel against defensive secondaries with serious holes. Philadelphia, dubbed the "Dream Team" in the offseason, is falling far short of expectations after losing three of its first four games.

Matt Schaub will miss wide receiver Andre Johnson (out three weeks with a hamstring injury), but the Texans sport enough weapons to expose Oakland's permissive defense.

Upset special. Let's call for Cam Newton to perform well against Drew Brees in a divisional showdown in Charlotte. Newton has the raw ability to trade points with one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL.

The Jags' defense always plays well against Cincinnati. The Bengals have scored 21 points or fewer in their last 11 meetings against Jacksonville.

Credit 36-year-old quarterback Matt Hasselbeck for winning three straight games after an opening-week loss to Jacksonville. Mike Munchak's team benefits from injuries to Pittsburgh's offensive and defensive leaders Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison. Roethlisberger will play with an injured foot while Harrison is out with a fractured orbital bone.

Seattle's last five losses have come by margins of 14 points or more. The Giants are winning games behind their overachieving quarterback Eli Manning who is playing well without his full arsenal of offensive weapons.

Look for San Francisco to build off its 3-1 start behind enthusiastic head coach Jim Harbaugh. Tampa Bay, the youngest team in the NFL, has a tough assignment traversing coast to coast after a Monday night game.

Play against New England at your own risk. The Pats have scored 30 or more points in 13 regular season contests. Belichick over Ryan. Brady over Sanchez.

Never trust a Norv Turner team on the road. San Diego is not as good as its 3-1 record would indicate.

Hard to believe the defending Super Bowl champions are better than they were last season. Aaron Rodgers threw for a career-best 408 yards last week and should put up huge numbers indoors against a suspect Atlanta defense.

First Monday night game in Detroit since 2001. Ford Field will be rocking in support of the 4-0 Lions. The loud environment will pose problems for Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler and his struggling offensive line. The lethal combination of Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson has connected for eight touchdowns over the first four games of the season.

Detroit is the best story in the NFC starting 3-0 for the first time since 1980. The Lions haven't made the playoffs since 1999, but a win at Dallas would set up a huge Monday night home game in Week 5 against the Chicago Bears. Young Matthew Stafford should lead his team past the hobbled Tony Romo and the Cowboys, a team faced with a short week after a narrow victory over Washington last Monday night.

Look for Jacksonville to stay competitive against a New Orleans team searching for a defensive identity. Young quarterback Blaine Gabbert makes his home debut in Jacksonville after the Missouri product lost his first NFL start in Charlotte against fellow rookie Cam Newton. The Saints barely survive this road test.

Michael Vick is expected to start Sunday after injuring his right hand in a 29-16 home loss to the New York Giants. San Francisco won last week in Cincinnati despite failing to cross midfield until midway through the third quarter.

St. Louis is 0-3 after a promising 4-0 preseason mark. Sam Bradford was running for his life last week (five sacks) against a Baltimore defense that stuffed the run and attacked the passer. Washington posts a road victory.

One of these surprise teams will start the season 3-1. Cleveland won last week without star running back Peyton Hillis (strep throat). He should return this week against a Tennessee team missing star wide receiver Kenny Britt (right knee injury).

Like Detroit in the NFC, the 3-0 Bills are the early-season story of the AFC. The opportunistic Bills last week scored 24 points off four uncharacteristic turnovers by New England in a come-from-behind, character-building 34-31 win over the Patriots.

Let's side with the home team as the lesser of two evils. Minnesota has been outscored 67-6 after halftime of its first three games. Kansas City tried hard last week in a respectable three-point loss at San Diego.

Cam Newton faces a difficult task on the road against a tough, physical defense led by Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. The Bears are desperate for a victory after losing a divisional home game to the rival Packers last Sunday.

Houston has been ineffective inside the red zone this season with only five touchdowns from 15 trips inside the opponents' 20-yard line. The Texans should post a road victory at home, but the margin will be smaller than the betting marketplace expects.

Seattle exits a satisfying win and Atlanta enters off a narrow loss, a scenario which should benefit the hungry Falcons. Matt Ryan owns a significant edge over counterpart Tarvaris Jackson whose job status in Seattle will be an issue all season long.

New York posted a huge road win last week in Philly which snapped a six-game losing streak to the Eagles. The Giants should feed off the momentum of last week's win for their game in Glendale this Sunday.

San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers has thrown two interceptions in each of his team's first three games. The Dolphins are a desperate crew after starting the season 0-3 following back-to-back 7-9 seasons. Both coaches (Norv Turner and Tony Sparano) need to make the postseason to maintain their jobs in the NFL.

Green Bay started the year from where it left off last season. The Super Bowl champs are clearly the best team in the league and they're even better than last year's championship edition with the return of injured stars Ryan Grant and tight end extraordinaire Jermichael Finley.

Oakland will struggle to keep pace with New England's high-powered offense. Look for the entry of Belichick and Brady to be in an angry mood following last week's mistake-filled loss in Buffalo.

Baltimore's best game is really good. Joe Flacco performed brilliantly last week as Baltimore piled up 553 total yards in a 37-7 romp over St. Louis.

Credit the Colts for a gutty effort last Sunday night in a three-point loss to the Steelers. It's highly doubtful the undermanned Colts can rally for another strong outing following the physical game against Pittsburgh. Tampa Bay, behind rising star Josh Freeman, figures to win by double digits.

San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith owns an experience edge over Cincinnati rookie Andy Dalton in a meeting of former Mountain West quarterbacks. Niners outplayed the Cowboys in most areas of the game last week only to lose in overtime, 27-24.

New England looks to score 30 or more points in its eleventh straight regular-season game. The Pats should accomplish the feat against a permissive Buffalo defense.

Look for New Orleans to start a long winning streak after losing its Week 1 assignment against the defending Super Bowl champions. The Texans are clearly the team to beat in the AFC South and they're likely to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, but this is a tough spot for Houston.

With or without Vick, the Eagles should defend their home field with a defense that will improve as the season progresses. Vince Young and Mike Kafka are capable replacements for the concussed Vick.

Desperate game for the 0-2 Dolphins because Miami's three division opponents (New England, New York Jets and Buffalo) started the season a combined 6-0. Miami takes a class drop here after facing New England and Houston in Weeks 1 and 2.

Tennessee veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will be fueled with confidence after leading his new team to a 26-13 win last week over Baltimore. Denver looks average at best.

Detroit has not won a game in Minneapolis since 1997. Time to exorcise the demons this Sunday as the emerging Lions, led offensively by Matthew Stafford and spearheaded defensively by Ndamukong Suh, look to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

Let's call for a mild upset in a match-up of rookie quarterbacks, Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton. Jacksonville owns the slightly better defense and the Jags have a legitimate chance to win a road game this Sunday.

Looks like a free Bingo square for San Diego this week as the banged-up Chiefs visit Qualcomm Stadium. Kansas City lost its best defensive player (Eric Berry) in Week 1 and its best offensive player (Jamaal Charles) in Week 2.

Slight edge to the road team. Mark Sanchez returns to the West Coast where he starred collegiately at USC. Oakland head coach Hue Jackson is not the answer to revitalize a moribund Raiders' franchise.

Baltimore should be in an angry mood following a listless effort last week in Nashville. St. Louis running back Steven Jackson may return to the lineup, but Baltimore's physical defense will present a challenge for the veteran running back.

Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman is 14-12 in 26 NFL starts with eight of his 14 victories featuring fourth-quarter comebacks. Atlanta exerted a lot of energy in its Sunday night victory over Philadelphia.

The Seahawks play well at home and Tarvaris Jackson should find some open receivers against a rebuilt Arizona secondary.

Green Bay is the class of the NFC and the Packers will be ready for this important divisional showdown. Chicago's inability to protect Jay Cutler will manifest itself against the Packers' blitzing style.

Pittsburgh rebounded from its Week 1 loss to the Ravens with a dominating 24-0 victory over Seattle. Look for Indy to struggle against a Steelers' defense gunning for their second straight shutout.

Hard to trust the re-emergence of Washington quarterback Rex Grossman, who has led the Redskins to a surprising 2-0 start. Look for the Dallas defense to be the best unit on the field, hoping to account for the possible absence of injured quarterback Tony Romo.

The Bears, led by a stingy defense, easily disposed of the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 while the Saints' defense was lit up for 42 points in an eight-point loss to the Green Bay Packers. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees threw for more than 400 yards in the opening-week defeat and should perform well again with different results when playing indoors at the Louisiana Superdome.

Matthew Stafford, age 23, is threatening to join the NFL's quarterbacking elite after his 305-yard performance in a 27-21 road victory in Week 1 against Tampa Bay. Kansas City was a no-show last week in an embarrassing 41-7 home loss to the lowly Buffalo Bills.

Both teams posted narrow victories last week with the Jets the more impressive of the two, rallying from a 24-10 deficit to defeat Dallas, 27-24.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is the real deal. His four touchdown passes last week against the Chiefs was no fluke. The Week 1 effort on the road should feed him the confidence to post a second straight outstanding performance while making his 2011 home debut.

Rex Grossman is trying to resurrect his career in Washington and last week's 28-14 victory over division rival New York is a step in the right direction. The Redskins could emerge as the main challenger to the Eagles in the always-competitive NFC East.

No team in the NFL has more defensive stars than the Baltimore Ravens, led by future Hall-of-Famer Ray Lewis. John Harbaugh is 33-16 in three-plus years as the Ravens' head coach.

It's a rematch of Super Bowl XL. Pittsburgh became the first #6 seed to ever win a Super Bowl (Green Bay duplicated the feat last season) by defeating Seattle, 21-10, following the 2005 regular season. The game was played in Ford Field. Look for the Steelers to score again as Seattle is struggling in every phase of the game.

Credit Cam Newton for his huge 422-yard passing performance in his NFL debut. But the rookie will regress when facing a Green Bay team that's likely to gain an early lead and blitz the inexperienced signal-caller.

Look for the Bucs to gain a road victory after losing their home opener last week. Minnesota could prove to be one of the worst teams in the NFC. The Vikings recorded only 10 first downs and 187 total yards in a 24-17 loss to the Chargers last week.

Not many NFL teams would have defeated the Houston Texans last week. Let's forgive Indy's poor performance and count on the Colts' record of success at home to win without the presence of their leader Peyton Manning, who recently underwent his third neck surgery over the past 19 months.

The home underdog looks live in this spot. The 49ers' defense and special teams (Ted Ginn, Jr. with a pair of return touchdowns) played well in a 33-16 victory over Seattle, giving Jim Harbaugh a victory in his NFL coaching debut.

The Texans are the new favorite to win the AFC South after their resounding 34-7 victory over the Colts. The Dolphins allowed Tom Brady to slice and dice their defense for 38 points and 517 passing yards.

The Chargers will be hard-pressed to keep pace with a team that looks both hungry and destined for a Super Bowl appearance. This is the biggest coaching mismatch of the week with the calculating Bill Belichick owning a huge advantage over the bumbling Norv Turner.

Let's call for a mild upset as the Broncos' quarterback situation is causing dissension in the ranks. The Bengals have two hard-nosed quarterbacks on their 53-man roster in rookie Andy Dalton and tough guy Bruce Gradkowski.

Do not bet against Michael Vick indoors on a fast track. The Eagles are the fastest team in the NFL with running backs LeSean McCoy and Ronnie Brown and wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin joining the speedy Vick.

The Rams lost several key contributors, including star running back Stephen Jackson (leg injury), in a 31-13 Week 1 loss to the Eagles. The Giants should play well off a division loss to Washington.

A meeting of the last two Super Bowl winners is the perfect way to open the 2011 NFL season following the nasty 136-day lockout. Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers are quickly becoming the NFC's version of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Edge goes to the defending champion Packers playing before their rabid fans at Lambeau Field.

The Steelers lead the all-time series with the Ravens 21-12, including a perfect 3-0 mark in the postseason. A proven Ben Roethlisberger rates the advantage over an improving but inexperienced Joe Flacco.

Two young teams with rising expectations. The Bucs went 10-6 last season and narrowly missed the playoffs. The Lions have won the last eight games they've played: winning their last four games last season and going a perfect 4-0 in the preseason.

The Bears still have issues with their offensive line. If you cannot protect the quarterback in football, you'll have problems at every level of football, especially the NFL. The coach-quarterback combination of Mike Smith and Matt Ryan towers over Lovie Smith and Jay Cutler.

The Bills cannot stop the run after allowing nine running backs last season to rush for 100 yards or more in a game. Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassell will get the start despite with a rib injury.

Fascinating game to handicap after it was announced Peyton Manning will not play for the Colts. Pointspread moved six points on the news of Manning's absence. Kerry Collins starts in place of the future Hall-of-Famer and he'll struggle against a hungry Houston squad.

The Eagles debut their "Dream Team" indoors in St. Louis on a fast track that will promote speed demons Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson. Take the strong NFC East rep over the weak NFC West foe.

Battle of Ohio. The Pat Shurmur Era begins in Cleveland with a romping victory over state and division rival Cincinnati. Cleveland's new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron will devise a plan to confuse Cincy's rookie signal-caller Andy Dalton.

Two franchises in transition as Tennessee begins its season without Jeff Fisher (fired after 16 seasons) and Jacksonville starts journeyman Luke McCown at quarterback after releasing veteran David Garrard earlier this week. Give the edge to Tennessee, the team with the most electrifying player on the field in running back Chris Johnson.

Both defensive units should play well in a division game to open the new campaign. Expect an emotional ceremony to open the game as these two cities, New York and Washington, were the ones most impacted by the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

Kevin Kolb will outshine Cam Newton in what will be Kolb's Arizona debut and Newton's introduction to the NFL. The Panthers will do well to win three or four games this season.

It's time for young Alex Smith to mature into a productive NFL quarterback. Smith needs to improve on his 19-31 career mark as an NFL starter and he has a chance to do so under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, a steady presence on the sidelines who proved his worth by transforming Stanford into a perennial Pac-12 title contender.

Look for the Chargers to display extreme focus in winning September games. The notoriously slow-starting Chargers have one of the best 53-man rosters in the NFL, but they seemingly underachieve every season. Norv Turner needs to win and win big this season or else. San Diego owns only one playoff victory over the past three seasons.

Head coach Rex Ryan goes up against his brother Rob, the new defensive coordinator of the Cowboys. The Jets have lost the last two AFC Championship Games, but quarterback Mark Sanchez is not to blame (490 yards passing and four touchdowns against only one interception).

Bet against the Patriots at your own risk. New England under Belichick has won 14 regular-season games four times and seeks its fourth Super Bowl title. The Patriots will send a message to the NFL with a romping win on Monday night.

A pair of new coaches - John Fox at Denver and Hue Jackson in Oakland - will try to lead once-proud franchises back to NFL respectability. It will not be easy. Fox looks old and tired and Jackson must come to grips that no Oakland coach has lasted more than two years over the past decade.