Returning from a one week hiatus due to bad behavior, we’re back and ready to butcher some picks.

Here we go…

Home team in bold; pick = first team listed/in red

ATLANTA -1 vs. Baltimore
In what pretty much amounts to a pick ‘em game, I’ll take the 4-0 home team in the battle of the black birds. I expect this game to be a tough, grind-it-out running game, but I like Matt Ryan to hit Rowdy Roddy White on a playaction home run ball for the win.

INDIANAPOLIS -7 vs. Cincinnati
Both teams are scuffling after tough losses last week. But, I trust Peyton Manning’s ability to bounce back as opposed to the pouty Chad 85 and his boys. Plus, the Colts are still gunning for a top playoff seed. The Bengals only have pride left to play for – and they have shown that pride isn’t their M.O.

Houston +1.5 at JACKSONVILLE
In a matchup of two of the worst pass defenses in the league, I’ll gladly take the better passing attack to exploit the other. Matt Schaub may actually look like an NFL quarterback this weekend. This is probably my lock of the week.

Tennessee -1.5 at MIAMI
Speaking of looking like an NFL quarterback, noodle-armed Chad Pennington hasn’t resembled one in years. How desperate are the Dolphins to turn the keys to the ride over to him? The Phins haven’t won at home yet this year and that won’t change this week.

CHICAGO +1 vs. Minnesota
The Vikings won last weekend because they played the Cardinals. And while the Bears are not world beaters, they’re better than the Cards. The Bears are decent against the run, so All Day might have a long day. The Moss-less passing game won’t be enough for Vikes this time around.

BUFFALO -3 vs. Detroit
Wait a second, the Bills are favored to win? I asked my dog to pick this one for me. Bark once for the Bills, twice for the Lions. He just stared at me. So, I’m playing the odds that there won’t be a second 0-16 team. If the Bills don’t win this week, they may not win ever…ever again.

New York Jets -3 at CLEVELAND
Don’t look now, but the Browns have beaten the Saints and Patriots, pretty handily, the past two weeks. Could they possibly take down three Super Bowl contenders in a row? Sure, but they won’t. The Saints and Pats don’t have the rushing defense the Jets do, so Peyton Hillis won’t be machine-like. Colt McCoy just isn’t good enough…yet.

TAMPA BAY -6.5 vs. Carolina
The Panthers have become the NFC’s punching bag. The Bucs aren’t Mike Tyson yet, but they have beaten the teams they should. And they should definitely beat Carolina…and will by two touchdowns or more. Consider this my lock of the week part two.

DENVER +1 vs. Kansas City
Josh McDaniels is supposedly on the hot seat in Denver. He’ll deserve to be if his team can’t win at home coming off a bye week against an overachieving Kansas City team.

St. Louis +6.5 at SAN FRANCISCO
In the NFC West Snoozer #1, I think Chris Carpenter outduels Timmy Lincecum and St. Louis keeps it close throughout.

Seattle +3 at ARIZONA – In the NFC West Snoozer #2, I’m thinking that Felix Hernandez will mow down the Arizona offense and Ichiro gets on base early and often. I so miss baseball during trash games like this.

NEW YORK GIANTS -14 vs. Dallas
As though the Giants won’t take the opportunity to kick Jerry Jones in the junk when he’s down. The Giants have knocked something like 14 starting quarterbacks out of the game this season. Jon Kitna beware. This game might be over at halftime.

PITTSBURGH -4.5 vs. New England
The Pats’ offense has been pretty boring this past couple weeks. I guess you can’t expect a whole lot when Danny Woodhead is your best weapon. I don’t see New England putting up more than 14 on Monday. The Steelers are good enough to “get it in” three times and we’ll all be able to go to bed at a decent hour on Monday.