There are five matchups this week where each team boasts a winning record — Buffalo-Miami, Seattle-Kansas City, Philadelphia-Green Bay, Detroit-Arizona and New England-Indianapolis.
As we move into the middle of November, these games become increasingly important.
Keep in mind however, the importance of playoff contenders beating the teams they’re supposed to beat. I’m looking at you, Pittsburgh.
Those games, while not carrying the hype and the ratings are of equal importance when the season ends and the 12-team playoff field is set.
So, yes, the five teams who win those marquee matchups this week certainly will help solidify themselves, but beating teams you’re supposed to beat goes just as far.
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Another 10-3 week helped me reach the century mark at 100-46-1 (.685).
Dallas, Baltimore, Jacksonville and the New York Jets have byes this week.
Let’s go!
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Buffalo (5-4) at Miami (5-4)
The Bills wasted a golden opportunity against Kansas City Sunday and are now just a loss away from being back at .500.
The Dolphins are coming off a tough loss of their own, 20-16 to the now 7-2 Detroit Lions.
The Dolphins were held to 80 yards rushing in a 29-10 week two loss at Buffalo, but I think it will be a different story this time around under the prime time lights of Miami … MIAMI 24, BUFFALO 17
Minnesota (4-5) at Chicago (3-6)
Did Chicago even try last week in its embarrassing loss to Green Bay? It certainly didn’t look like it.
That being said, this team still has a lot of talent, and the Vikings don’t exactly inspire a lot of confidence, despite rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s continued development … CHICAGO 20, MINNESOTA 16
Houston (4-5) at Cleveland (6-3)
How bout them Browns!
Suddenly, at 6-3, Cleveland finds themselves alone in first place in a division where every team has a winning record.
The question is, will they look like the team that dismantled Cincinnati last Thursday, or the one that struggled against Oakland and lost to Jacksonville.
Offensively, they take care of the ball and their defense is legitimate. I like the Browns to keep rolling … CLEVELAND 24, HOUSTON 20
Seattle (6-3) at Kansas City (6-3)
Seattle eked out wins against Carolina and Oakland before an impressive showing against the Giants last week.
They aren’t as dominant as they were a year ago, but they are still very good.
That being said, they are facing a Kansas City team that, since a week one loss to Tennessee, has looked every bit the part of a contender. With a defense that is ranked No. 1 in the league against the pass, I don’t expect Russell Wilson and company to get much going … KANSAS CITY 17, SEATTLE 13
Atlanta (3-6) at Carolina (3-6-1)
Atlanta, believe it or not, is just a game back of division-leading New Orleans (4-5), with Carolina on their heels, despite both playing some truly awful football.
With Carolina losing four straight games and looking very bad in the process, I like Atlanta … ATLANTA 31, CAROLINA 24
Cincinnati (5-3-1) at New Orleans (4-5)
Cincinnati looked like the little brother in the battle of Ohio, getting beat up by big brother Cleveland.
New Orleans currently leads the NFC South at 4-5, but they certainly don’t have the feel of a contender.
Based on the way the Bengals have played in recent weeks, however, neither do they, despite having the better record … NEW ORLEANS 34, CINCINNATI 24
Tampa Bay (1-8) at Washington (3-6)
Yuck. WASHINGTON 27, TAMPA BAY 21
Denver (7-2) at St. Louis (3-6)
The Rams are turning to veteran journeyman Shaun Hill this week at quarterback.
Good luck with that … DENVER 31, ST. LOUIS 14
San Francisco (5-4) at N.Y. Giants (3-6)
The 49ers need this game to keep pace, while the Giants are on life support … SAN FRANCISCO 30, N.Y. GIANTS 27
Oakland (0-9) at San Diego (5-4)
Is this the week the Raiders get their first win? No … SAN DIEGO 28, OAKLAND 21
Philadelphia (7-2) at Green Bay (6-3)
The first week of the Mark Sanchez experiment was a success. He and the rest of the Eagles will find tougher sledding at Lambeau, however … GREEN BAY 34, PHILADELPHIA 28
Detroit (7-2) at Arizona (8-1)
Is Arizona still a Super Bowl contender with Drew Stanton at quarterback? I say yes.
Arizona’s success isn’t built solely around a franchise quarterback. It’s built around a young, tenacious defense and a talented group of receivers.
Stanton won’t be asked to do too much, which is just fine, as he is more than capable of managing a game.
Don’t sleep on the Lions either, as their defense has turned them in from pretender to contender in 2014. I think a win in the desert will be tough to come by, however … ARIZONA 24, DETROIT 21
New England (7-2) at Indianapolis (6-3)
Andrew Luck has already proven himself among the upper echelon of quarterback’s in the NFL, but to become truly elite, he and the Colts need to win more games like this.
It will be tough against a Patriots team that is playing extremely well and coming off of a bye. Despite that, I like Indianapolis in this game … INDIANAPOLIS 28, NEW ENGLAND 24
Pittsburgh (6-4) at Tennessee (2-7)
The Steelers, more than anyone else in the NFL, play to their competition.
When they are at their best, they are Super Bowl contenders. At their worst, they lose to the likes of the Jets and Bucs.
Tennessee represents another team they should beat and I think they actually will this time. After all, Mike Tomlin’s teams generally thrive under the bright lights … PITTSBURGH 35, TENNESSEE 24
