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Here are the site picks for this week, with winners in italics and all odds for the matchups being bodog-based, but coming from Odds Shark.
Thursday Night
San Diego Chargers (-7) vs. Oakland Raiders -- Phillip Rivers has apparently caught the turnover bug, and the Chargers have paid the price so far this season. However, the Raiders will likely be without RB Darren McFadden again, and Carson Palmer hasn't exactly been careful with the ball either while making adjustments to his new surroundings. I think Rivers gets things back on track on Thursday night in this rugged division matchup.
Early Games
New Orleans Saints (-1) @ Atlanta Falcons -- Matt Ryan is always better at home, and the Falcons looked good coming off their bye week against the Colts last weekend, but the Saints offense has been more trustworthy so far this season (31.9 pts/gm). The Saints have been less than stellar on the road so far this year, but they are the better team. I expect Drew Brees and the Saints will pull off a tough division win.
Carolina Panthers (-3.5) vs. Tennessee Titans -- Cam Newton has not become complacent with his early individual success, and is focused on getting more team wins under his belt. The Panthers offense will put up enough points to gain separation from a struggling Titans attack.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals -- Andy Dalton has been impressive as a rookie game manager and occasional playmaker, but the Bengals' schedule has been particularly light so far this season. Dalton will struggle against what might be the most talented defense he has faced all season. Meanwhile, Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers will have plenty of motivation to get back on track after a crushing loss to the Ravens last week. The Steelers will show that the Bengals still have a long way to go to be considered a contender.
St. Louis Rams (+3) @ Cleveland Browns -- Sam Bradford is getting his legs back, so the 1-7 record will have to turn around at some point, right? This pick really has more to do with the Browns though, who are down to their third-string running back despite having struggles on offense with a full compliment of players in past weeks. The Rams will lean on Steven Jackson again and take pressure off of Bradford.
Buffalo Bills (+5.5) @ Dallas Cowboys -- I'm not particularly sold on DeMarco Murray just yet, and the Bills defense represents a nice test. The Cowboys will have to look to the young running back a bit more, because Miles Austin is out with a hamstring injury. If Murray can't get it rolling early (or perhaps even if he can) Tony Romo will start gambling again and give up a few turnovers. The Bills can lean on the more proven Fred Jackson, so I like the Bills.
Jacksonville Jaguars (-3) @ Indianapolis Colts -- This game makes the Rams-Browns tilt look like an exciting matchup. The Colts have shown no reason for anyone to pick them to win, so I will reluctantly side with the underwhelming Jags.
Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) vs. Denver Broncos -- Somebody is going to put in the tape of the Broncos-Lions game and remember to force Tim Tebow to sit in the pocket and beat them with his arm. It just makes too much sense. The Chiefs will not be caught off guard if the Broncos try the option running attack again, so I expect Tebow to struggle. I'm going with the Chiefs to expose and exploit Tebow 's deficiencies as a passer this weekend.
Miami Dolphins (-4) vs. Washington Redskins --Matt Moore has finally met a QB matchup that swings in his favor. John Beck is struggling to do anything of note as Redskins QB, but my guess is that he won't do enough wrong to get pulled for Rex Grossman during the game. If Grossman doesn't see the field, the Dolphins will get their second win.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals -- There is no line set for this game at this point, and it probably has to do with Kevin Kolb's status for the Cardinals. The Eagles have a short week after a crushing loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday night, but they just have too much offensive firepower for the Cards to hang with them. No way the Cardinals offense will produce enough points to keep it close.
Houston Texans (-3.5) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Andre Johnson likely won't be back this week, but Arian Foster has been dangerous enough in his own right to keep the Texans' offense rolling. Josh Freeman hasn't done anything to put doubts in my mind about this pick, and DT Gerald McCoy won't be there to slow down the Texans, so Houston will prevail.
Late Games
Baltimore Ravens (-7) @ Seattle Seahawks -- The Seahawks aren't good. In this case, they aren't good enough. Ravens win on the road.
Chicago Bears (-3) vs. Detroit Lions -- This is not the same Bears team the Lions beat back in week 5. Earl Bennett is back as someone Jay Cutler can trust in the passing game, and the line has been much improved since benching Frank Omiyale in favor of new RT Lance Louis. Jahvid Best was the difference maker in the last meeting, but he will likely miss the game with a concussion. Meanwhile, the Lions had trouble stopping Matt Forte in week 5, and will struggle even more to do so on the Soldier Field turf. I'm taking the Bears at home.
San Francisco 49ers (-3.5) vs. New York Giants -- It is hard to not be impressed with the Giants' win over the Pats on Sunday, but they have to travel across the country to meet the 49ers this week. Cross-country travel always takes a toll, and the 49ers are talented enough to make that difference matter.
Sunday Night
New England Patriots (+1) @ New York Jets -- The Jets aren't well enough equipped to take advantage of the porous Pats pass defense, because Mark Sanchez just isn't as good as Eli Manning. Tom Brady loves prime time and will get the Patriots back on track.
Monday Night
Green Bay Packers (-14) vs. Minnesota Vikings -- If someone is going to beat the Packers this year, it will be in a shootout. No way the Vikings stop Aaron Rodgers the Packers offense, and no way they score enough points to keep it close.
Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information on the Rams matchup, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.