DTTWSB Week 17 NFL Picks

Ladies and gentleman, we've made it to the final week of the NFL season. With the playoffs just a week away, all but three spots have been secured. The good thing is that by late Sunday night we'll know all the playoff match ups. What makes the NFL so great is that every single game matters. Some teams control their own destiny while others are going to need to win and get some help to sneak into the playoffs. I no longer control my own destiny when it comes to passing the ESPN NFL experts. Last week I went 8-8 with my picks which brought my season total to 146-94. I'm pretty much relying on the playoffs to bring my expertise level back up to respectable. Here are my picks for Week 17 in the NFL.

Jets at Dolphins: Dolphins

This is one of the better matchups of the week. One of these teams has been playing hard during the past few weeks, while the other has been in turmoil. This is a huge game for the Jets organization. Even if they win, they aren't guaranteed a playoff spot. They need a lot of help to get in. I think it will all be a moot point because I believe the Dolphins are going to win this game. The Jets look like a team divided while the Dolphins are playing hard to keep their jobs when the next head coach comes in. Rex Ryan's act has worn thin in the locker room and his players are no longer responding. At this time of the year, I always go with the team that is united and that's Miami.

Panthers at Saints: Saints

If you look at the records of these two teams, it doesn't seem like it will be a good game. On the other hand, this game does have major playoff implications. I actually do believe this game will be very close. The Panthers' ability to run the football will keep this game competitive for about three quarters. I'm interested to see how Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams tries to defend rookie sensation Cam Newton. I can see the Swag Man giving the Saints defense problems but it won't be enough to top New Orleans. It's so difficult to beat the Saints in the Superdome because of Drew Brees and the passing attack. I'll go with the Saints to take this one.

Chiefs at Broncos: Broncos

The storyline that nobody could predict has finally come true! Just a month ago Chiefs quarterback Kyle Orton was on the Denver Broncos roster. Now he gets a chance to come back to Denver with the rival Chiefs and ruin the Broncos chances at winning the AFC West. Tebow vs. Orton has been the headline all week. The crowd at Mile High Stadium is going to be in a frenzy. In what will be a low-scoring game, I like the Broncos to win and clinch the AFC West championship. I think the Broncos will get back to playing football the way they had when they were on a six-game winning streak. Defensively the Broncos know Kyle Orton and should be able to take away what Orton likes to do. This will be an ugly game and those usually favor Tebow. Give me Denver.

Cowboys at Giants: Cowboys

In what is America's Game of the Week, I like America's Team to do the improbable and win the NFC East on the road at the rival New York Giants stadium. A lot of people are talking about the pressure being on the Dallas Cowboys. I honestly don't see that. Everyone expects the Cowboys to choke cause it's a big game. When this team gets kicked around by the media they usually respond with a great performance. When the Cowboys play their best football not many teams can beat them in this league. I think Tony Romo will come up big and the defense will make the necessary adjustments in the secondary to slow down Eli Manning and that Giants passing game. As long as Dallas doesn't beat themselves, they'll win this game and march on to the playoffs.

***Upset Special***
Ravens at Bengals: Bengals

My upset special of the week is the Cincinnati Bengals over the Baltimore Ravens. I haven't been drinking the Bengal juice this season but I'm drinking it this week. This young team will be energized by the sell-out home crowd this Sunday. It's going to be reminiscent of "The Jungle" from the 80's. Also, the Ravens have been very bad on the road. For some reason they forget to put the ball in Ray Rice's hands; that's when this team is at its best. Six weeks ago the Bengals gave the Ravens all they could handle in Baltimore without AJ Green. Now they're at home and they have AJ Green back. Don't expect to see much from Joe Flacco because he comes up small on the road against divisional opponents. That's why I'm taking the Bengals.

The rest of the week's picks:

Lions at Packers: Lions
49ers at Rams: 49ers
Bears at Vikings: Vikings
Bills at Patriots: Patriots
Redskins at Eagles: Eagles
Colts at Jaguars: Colts
Titans at Texans: Titans
Buccaneers at Falcons: Falcons
Steelers at Browns: Steelers
Chargers at Raiders: Raiders
Seahawks at Cardinals: Cardinals

DTTWSB Week 17 NFL Power Rankings

We now have one week left until the NFL playoffs. Most of the playoff spots have been wrapped up right now. The end of the year is the time to play your best football. Some teams are hot right now, while others are kind of backing their way in. Staying healthy down the stretch is important as well so look for some teams (the Packers) to rest their star players. There isn't a ton of shake up in my power rankings so let me not run my mouth. Here are my power rankings for the final week in the NFL regular season.

1. Green Bay Packers (14-1): Now that the Packers have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, they need to rest their starters. The past two weeks they've looked vulnerable so it's important that they regroup and get fresh.

2. San Francisco 49ers (12-3): All the 49ers need to do is win on Sunday and they get a first-round bye. If this team can get a bye, I don't see anybody going into Candlestick Park and beating them in their first playoff game. If they can clean up their red zone offense they'll be ready to take the next step.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4): Getting healthy is the most important thing for the Steelers at this point. Due to their experience, I think this is a team that can go to the Super Bowl without homefield advantage. A lot of people are sleeping on them but I'm not.

4. New England Patriots (12-3): Last Sunday the Patriots survived a scare by barely beating the Miami Dolphins. Like the Packers, I think this is a vulnerable football team in the postseason. I would not be shocked if they're one and done in the playoffs.

5. New Orleans Saints (12-3): Congrats to Drew Brees for breaking Dan Marino's passing yard record last night. That just shows how impressive the Saints' offense has been all season. I still have my reservations about this defense though. It's tissue paper soft.

6. Baltimore Ravens (11-4): The Ravens have a huge game on their hands this Sunday when they take on the Bengals on the road. If they win they'll secure a first-round bye in the playoffs. Joe Flacco needs to step up if they're serious about winning a championship.

7. Atlanta Falcons (9-6): Even after the Falcons lost to the Saints (as predicted here) I still feel like they're one of the more consistent wild card teams. They never lose to inferior opponents. Unfortunately they'll be playinf better teams in January.

8. Detroit Lions (10-5): They're partying like it's 1999 in Detroit because that was the last time they made it to the playoffs. This is a young team that overachieved this year in my opinion. It's been a nice story but I don't think they're ready for the playoffs.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6): The Bengals are playing their best football at the right time. If they beat the Ravens on Sunday they'll clinch the sixth seed in the AFC playoffs. Even if they don't make the playoffs it's been a great season for the Bengals.

10. New York Giants (8-7): After all that's gone on this season, the Giants control their own destiny and can make the playoffs if they beat the Dallas Cowboys in front of their home crowd. This team hasn't been consistent at all this year so it will be interesting which one shows up on Sunday night.

2011-12 NBA Season Predictions

Joy to the world! NBA basketball is back ladies and gentleman. I cannot express how excited I am that the lockout is over and we're going to have NBA games starting on Christmas day. There are so many storylines heading into the year. Will the Big 3 in Miami win a championship this year? Where will Dwight Howard end up? How will the Lakers transition from Phil Jackson to Mike Brown? How will the new-look Clippers mesh? Is Boston over the hill?

There were just way too many intriguing stories for there not to be a season. Due to the lockout we're going to get a 66-game regular season and a playoff that goes into late June I believe. It's not the best situation but it's certainly not the worst.

In this post I'll be prediciting who I believe will win each individual award. I'll also be predicting division winners, conference winners and ultimately the NBA champion. With a great slate of games on Christmas day, I'm fired up for the season to start in less than 48 hours. Let me not waste anymore time. Here are my predictions for the 2011-12 NBA season.

Rookie of the year: Derrick Williams

Coach of the year: Scott Brooks

Defensive player of the year: Tyson Chandler

Sixth Man of the year: James Harden

Most Improved player of the year: Andrew Bynum

Most Valuable Player: Kevin Durant

Now on to the stuff that really matters...

Atlantic Division: New York Knicks

With a shortened season, the Knicks should be able to take advantage of the rival Celtics. A full season for Carmelo and Amar'e to gel together will do them good. Also, the addition of Tyson Chandler makes them a respectable team on the defensive end.

Central Division: Chicago Bulls

Chicago is the class of the Central division, and I fully expect them to flex their muscles all year long. Last season's MVP Derrick Rose should have another outstanding season. I love that they picked up a nice veteran piece in Rip Hamilton. This team will be a force to be reckoned with.

Southeast Division: Miami Heat

The regular season means absolutely nothing for the Miami Heat. Yeah they'll most likely win 50-plus games in a 66-game schedule, but they need to win a championship to validate their talent. I do think that they will start fast unlike last season.

Northwest Division: Oklahoma City Thunder

Other than the Miami Heat, there is no team better equipped to handle the effects of a 66-game schedule in about 123 days. They're young, they have depth, and they have chemistry. If they continue to get better don't be shocked when they're the number one seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Southwest Division: Dallas Mavericks

Even though this team has gotten a little softer, I still believe that this team has enough to win the division. They definitely have a lot of competition with the Grizzlies coming up the rear, and the Spurs always being competitive. With all that said I'll still take Dirk and the crew.

Pacific Division: Los Angeles Lakers

The Pacific division has been dominated by the Lakers the past four or five seasons and I don't expect anything to change. A lot of people are on the Clippers bandwagon, but I still have my reservations about them in the regular season. As long as Kobe can stay healthy this division is the Lakers to lose.

Who's going to be in the NBA Finals? Keep reading on...

Eastern Conference Champion: Miami Heat

Miami Thrice cannot afford to lose in the playoffs. This team is too talented to not get it done. Quite frankly, I don't see any team in the league let alone the Eastern conference being able to beat them in a seven-game series. I think they'll play to their potential in the postseason and dismiss the competition.

Western Conference Champion: Los Angeles Clippers

As much as I have my reservations about this team, I just don't see any team in the West beating them in a seven-game series. This team is young but they have some strong leaders that know how to win. With two elite players in Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, expect them to play hard every night. It doesn't look right, but the Clippers will be in the NBA Finals.

The moment you've been waiting for, drum roll please...

NBA Champion: Miami Heat

If you're truly looking at this from an objective view, there's no way you can't pick the Miami Heat to win it all. Last season I feel like they gave the Finals away to the Mavericks. With LeBron saying he's playing more relaxed hopefully he decides to show up in the 4th quarter of crucial games. Coach Spoelstra says he's going to a more up-tempo offense that will showcase their youth and athleticism. Ultimately that will put pressure on their opponents. This team will right their wrongs from last year and bring another championship to South Beach.

DTTWSB Week 16 NFL Picks

Tis the season for NFL football. I'd like to wish all my followers a very Merry Christmas. We have some great match ups on tap this week. I'm thinking we'll know who is in the playoffs by the end of the day Saturday. Last week I went 9-7 with my picks which brought my season record to an egregious 138-86. I have no chance to catch the ESPN experts so I'm just hoping I can ace every single post season pick. I'm feeling good about my picks this week, but we'll see what happens. Happy Holiday everyone! Here are my picks for the week.

Giants at Jets: Jets

The Battle of New York is a huge one this Saturday! Neither team can afford to lose if they want to make the playoffs. There has been some trash talk going back and forth between the two teams which should make for a physical and intense ball game. With all that said, I like the Jets to hold serve at home and win this game. The biggest reason why is because the Jets will be able to run the ball all over the Giants to slow down their pass rushers. That should setup their play action passing game which Mark Sanchez excels in. The Giants are just emotionally worn out by their coach Tom Coughlin. This will be a close game but I'm going with the J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets!

Chargers at Lions: Chargers

In what should be a high scoring affair, I like the Chargers to beat the Lions to try to keep their playoff hopes alive. December has been a kind month to the Chargers and I expect them to keep up their momentum. Last week they destroyed one of the best teams in the league. On the other side, the Lions are coming off a big win as well. They're most likely going to be in the playoffs and from there who knows what's going to happen. One thing that San Diego will be able to do is move the ball all over the field on the Lions defense. Philip Rivers is on fire right now which why he'll lead his Chargers to victory.

49ers at Seahawks: 49ers

Quietly the Seattle Seahawks have strung together some very quality wins. Mathematically they still have a shot at the playoffs but they need a lot of help. Due to the fact that this is a divisional rivalry, I think this is going to be a close game. With that said I like the 49ers to squeak out a tough win. The 49ers like to run the ball and they do it very well, but that actually plays into Seattle's hand because the Seahawks have tremendous run defense. I could see this game being a defensive battle that comes down to a few possesions, so the question we must ask is which quarterback do you trust? I have more faith in Alex Smith than Tarvaris Jackson. That's why I'm going with the Niners.

Falcons at Saints: Saints

For the second straight week, we have a fantastic Monday Night Football game. It's going to be an electric atmosphere in the Superdome the day after Christmas. There's something about the Saints when they play in front of their home fans. I expect them to play with their hair on fire as the rival Falcons come to town. This game will be competitive for the first three quarters and then the Saints will pull away late. I just feel that New Orleans has way too much offense and the Falcons defense isn't really impressive if you ask me. They don't have an elite pass rusher, which you need if you want to beat the Saints. Atlanta is going to end up abandoning the run and getting pass happy and that's not their game. Expect to see the Saints defense to force some turnovers in this one. I like the Saints to take this one and the division.

***Upset Special***
Eagles at Cowboys: Cowboys

What you're seeing is not a typo. For my upset special, I like the Dallas Cowboys to win at home and beat the red hot Philadelphia Eagles. You may think this isn't an upset, but if you see who all the experts are picking you'll understand where I'm coming from. Everyone is expecting to see Tony Romo choke and the Dallas Cowboys to fall flat on their faces. As of late, Tony Romo has been hot and I expect to see that on Saturday. The Cowboys offense will be able to move the ball up and down the field on the Eagles offense if they don't fall behind like they did in Week 8. My concern with this pick is how the Cowboys defense matches up with the Eagles offense. If the Cowboys want to win they have to slow down LeSean McCoy because he's the one that makes the Eagles offense go. In what will be a very close game I like the Cowboys to edge out the Eagles and win the NFC East.

The rest of the week's picks:

Texans at Colts: Texans
Broncos at Bills: Broncos
Cardinals at Bengals: Cardinals
Jaguars at Titans: Titans
Raiders at Chiefs: Chiefs
Dolphins at Patriots: Patriots
Rams at Steelers: Steelers
Vikings at Redskins: Redskins
Buccaneers at Panthers: Panthers
Browns at Ravens: Ravens
Bears at Packers: Packers

DTTWSB Week 16 NFL Power Rankings

With playoff spots being clinched every week, it's starting to come down to gut check time for some teams. There's a decent amount of shake up in my power rankings this week due to the upsets we saw throughout the league. This is one of the reasons why America loves the NFL; anybody can beat anybody on any given Sunday. I just cannot wait until the playoffs start because I think we're in for an interesting post season. Let me not waste anymore time, here are my power rankings for this week.

1. Green Bay Packers (13-1): So it turns out the defending Super Bowl champs are human. Finally losing isn't the big story here; the big story is that this team has a banged up offensive line. If the Packers want to repeat they're going to need Aaron Rodgers' "A" game.

2. San Francisco 49ers (11-3): After another big home win, the 49ers are feeling real confident heading into the playoffs. If they can continue to run the ball and play defense the way they have been, nobody will be able to win at Candlestick in January.

3. New England Patriots (11-3): The Patriots finally stopped the Tebow Train last Sunday. Brady is playing at an MVP level just when his team needs him to. Unfortunately for New England, I'm not so sure they have the pieces outwide to beat the elite teams in the playoffs.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4): The health of Big Ben is the big story down the stretch for this team. If everything goes as planned they'll probably be facing the AFC West winner in the wildcard round. With that said, I still have confidence that this team will be in Indianapolis come February.

5. New Orleans Saints (11-3): Drew Brees and this offense is too damn explosive indoors. With the 49ers holding serve, they may have to go outdoors after the wildcard round. If that's the case I'm not sure this team can make much noise in the playoffs.

6. Baltimore Ravens (10-4): Everyone in Baltimore can thank the 49ers for the early Christmas gift they gave them Monday night. All Baltimore needs to do is win out and they'll for sure have a bye in the playoffs, maybe even home-field advantage.

7. Atlanta Falcons (9-5): Atlanta has quietly put themselves in position to secure a playoff spot with just one win. This team needs to go back to the basics and just run the football because that's what they do best. Even with all that said, I don't give them much of a chance in the playoffs.

8. Dallas Cowboys (8-6): You never know which Cowboys team you're going to see on any given Sunday. If they get some help from the Jets and beat the rival Eagles on Christmas Eve, they'll be the NFC East champs. Tony Romo is on fire right now and is poised to try and make a playoff run.

9. Houston Texans (10-4): The loss last Sunday to the Panthers is definitely eye-opening. TJ Yates looked like we all expected when he first took over for the injured Matts. The Texans have been a great story this season, but I don't expect much from them in January.

10. Denver Broncos (8-6): Now that Tebowmania has calmed for at least a week, the Broncos need to get back to what makes them good, protecting the football. When this team wins the turnover battle they're in every game. With a chance to win the AFC West this Sunday I expect this team to play hard in Buffalo.

DTTWSB Week 15 NFL Picks

As fans, we could not ask for a better end of the season. I cannot stress enough how entertaining these next few weeks are going to be. Last week there were about six games that went down to the wire, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's what happens again this week. With all the interesting storylines in the league, we're due for a fantastic finish. Last week I went 10-6 with my picks which wasn't terrible at all. That brings my season record to 129-79. I'm looking forward to having a strong week so that I can catch up to the ESPN experts. Let me stop wasting time; here are my picks for Week 15.

Lions at Raiders: Raiders

This is a very big game that both these teams absolutely need. Detroit and Oakland are fighting for wildcard spots right now and not afford to drop a game. After being blown out last week, I think the Raiders bounce back and win a close game at home. Oakland has the ability to run the football and that will keep the Lions explosive offense on the sideline. Detroit does get Ndamukong Suh back from a suspension but I don't think that will be enough. At the end of the day I'm going with the Raiders to come out on top.

Patriots at Broncos: Patriots

In my opinion this is the game of the week. The Tebow Train is now going up against the Patriots. I cannot wait to see this game. The chess match on both sides of the ball is going to be great for football junkies like myself. I think the Patriots have too much on offense for the Broncos to win this game. The best way for the Patriots to win this game is to try to strike fast and strike often. The crowd is going to be bananas on Sunday. I think Tebow plays well but the New England ship is too seasoned for him to pull this one off.

Jets at Eagles: Jets

This is one of the more intriguing games on the schedule this Sunday. Last week the Eagles played one of their best games of the season. The Jets are fighting for a playoff spot so I expect them to play hard and win this game. New York must be able to stop the sprint draw that the Eagles have had so much success with this season. If they can slow down LeSean McCoy and take advantage of the Eagles offensive line then they'll be able to shut down their offense. Just because New York needs this game more, I'm taking them to come out on top.

Steelers at 49ers: 49ers

For once we have a great match up on Monday Night Football. This is going to be a physical battle that will most likely be a low scoring game. For the football junkies like myself who appreciate great defense, this will be an early Christmas gift. With that said, I like the 49ers to bounce back at home and take care of the Steelers in front of a pumped up crowd. The biggest reason I like the 49ers to win this game is because I don't think Roethlisberger is going to be completely healthy. San Francisco will take advantage of that and ball out hard.

***Upset Special***
Ravens at Chargers: Chargers

My upset pick of the week is the San Diego Chargers knocking off the Baltimore Ravens. History tells us that Philip Rivers and the Chargers play lights out football in the month of December. I mean who am I to go against history? In my opinion the Ravens are due a clunker. They've been playing great the past few weeks, but with that said they typically fall on their faces during winning streaks. In what will be a very good game, I like the Chargers to give their fans something to cheer about and maybe even save Norv Turner's job. I'm taking San Diego.

The rest of the week's picks:

Jaguars at Falcons: Falcons
Cowboys at Buccaneers: Cowboys
Dolphins at Bills: Dolphins
Seahawks at Bears: Bears
Titans at Colts: Titans
Packers at Chiefs: Packers
Bengals at Rams: Bengals
Saints at Vikings: Saints
Redskins at Giants: Giants
Panthers at Texans: Texans
Browns at Cardinals: Cardinals

DTTWSB Week 15 NFL Power Rankings

This season has gone by so damn fast! I can't believe that we're in Week 15 now. These are the weeks that separate them men from the boys in my opinion. The playoff picture is starting to become more clear now that teams are clinching spots left and right. With a few spots left, these games are crucial for the teams that are in the hunt. There's a little bit of shake up in my power rankings after what I saw this past NFL weekend. With that said let's not waste anymore time. Here are my power rankings for Week 15 in the NFL.

1. Green Bay Packers (13-0): With the 49ers losing last week the defending champs have a chance to clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Their last road game is this week at Kansas City; after that they'll be home until the Super Bowl in Indianapolis...if they make it there.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3): The Steelers have a huge road match up this Monday against the 49ers. Luckily for them they get an extra day for Roethlisberger to get healthy. They need him to be at his best if they are to make another run at the AFC championship.

3. Baltimore Ravens (10-3): For the Ravens all they need to do is shoot par and they'll win the AFC North. It's crucial that they get that first-round bye so that Ray Lewis can ease back into the game. I still have my reservations about this team though.

4. New England Patriots (10-3): With a defense that's below average, the Patriots need to continue to put up points. Fortunately for them they have one of the game's best quarterbacks. They'll need to be on their "A" game when they travel to the Mile High City to take on Tebowmania.

5. New Orleans Saints (10-3): What a big win it was for the Saints last Sunday. They proved that they have the ability to win close physical games on the road. Does that make me a complete believer? No. But it's definitely a step in the right direction.

6. Houston Texans (10-3): Congratulations to the Houston Texans organization for finally breaking through and winning their division. They now have a home playoff game and if the playoffs were to start today they would be the one seed in the AFC playoffs.

7. San Francisco 49ers (10-3): Although the Niners lost last week, let's not forget what they've done all season. This is a team that will smack anyone in the mouth. It's going to be tough for someone to have to play at Candlestick in January. They do need to correct their red zone efficiency though.

8. New York Giants (7-6): Big Blue has to be feeling real good after their performance in Dallas on Sunday night. Eli Manning has been playing at an extremely high level all season and it showed when he torched the Cowboys. They're now in the driver's seat in the NFC East.

9. Denver Broncos (8-5): Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! What is with all the Mile High magic that has been going on? I'm definitely a believer in this team and their quarterback. They've won seven out of their last eight games. The only thing I know is that nobody wants to go out west to face them in January.

10. New York Jets (8-5): Very quietly the Jets have begun to turn their season around. This team usually gets hot at the right time. Don't be shocked if you see them back in the AFC Championship game. As of right now, I'm not completely sold on them but their catching my attention.

DTTWSB Week 14 NFL Picks

We've now entered the final quarter of the regular season in the NFL. With tight divisional races, it's going to be an exciting four weeks. From now until the rest of the season I'll be closely examining all the teams that have a chance at making the playoffs. Right now I can definitively say that there are about seven to eight teams that have a legitimate shot at winning the Super Bowl. We'll find out if that changes this week. Last week I had a phenomenal record and went 14-2 which brings me to a season total of 119-73. I'm starting to creep back into the running against the ESPN experts. I need another strong week with my picks; with that said here are my picks for Week 14.

Texans at Bengals: Bengals

In a game that the Bengals absolutely have to have I think they'll get it. They cannot afford to lose at home against the Texans and their third-string quarterback TJ Yates. Last week the Bengals played poorly at Pittsburgh and need a bounce-back game. I think the Bengals are too aggressive defensively for rookie quarterback TJ Yates. Cincinnati has a good run defense that can slow down Arian Foster and Ben Tate. In order for the Bengals to be in playoff contention they need to win this game. There crowd will be in full force. It will be interesting to see how this young team responds on Sunday. I think they respond very well behind rookie quarterback Andy Dalton.

Bears at Broncos: Broncos

What a game we have on deck in the afternoon time slot. We finally get to see Tim Tebow against a bonafide NFL defense. This game is huge for both teams. Even though they play in separate conferences I think there will be a playoff atmosphere at Mile High Stadium on Sunday. The home crowd gets to see Tebowmania first hand once again. I actually like the Broncos to win a close low-scoring ball game. The Bears are going down a slippery slope right now. Their quarterback and running back are out for what looks like the rest of the regular season. I do think that the Bears defense will slow down the Tebow train because they typically do well against running quarterbacks. It will be a hard-hitting battle that will go down to the wire. In close fourth quarter games, I'll definitely take Tebow more times than not.

Raiders at Packers: Packers

The undefeated defending Super Bowl champions put their 12-0 record on the line this Sunday when they host the Oakland Raiders. Last week the Packers were pushed to the limit when they faced the Giants in the Meadowlands. Each week this team is the favorite and they don't disappoint because of their quarterback Aaron Rodgers. That passing game is unconscious right now. With all that said, out of their final four games I think this Raiders game will be the toughest. Oakland is a team that can run the ball with the best of them. If they're able to do consistently run the rock they'll be able to keep Rodgers on the sideline. At the end of the day, I don't think Carson Palmer will be able to make enough plays against this opportunistic Packers defense. This game will be competitive for three quarters but the Packers will pull away late and win by two scores.

Giants at Cowboys: Cowboys

Oh boy, this is the game of the week. In my opinion, the winnner of this game is going to win the NFC East. The NFL has done a masterful job by pushing most of the divisional matchups toward the end of the season and this is why. These two rivals absolutely hate each other. I expect to see a playoff atmosphere at Cowboys Stadium on Sunday night. For the Cowboys, they should be able to move the ball on the Giants defense as long as they keep Tony Romo upright. Romo gets one of his favorite targets back in Miles Austin. On the other side, the Giants have had some recent success against the Cowboys in Dallas. The Giants have the ability to run the ball on the Cowboys because they have in the past. At the end of the day if any of these two teams want to be taken serious they have to win this game convincingly. With one eye open I'm taking the Cowboys to step up at home.

***Upset Special***
Saints at Titans: Titans

In my upset special I like the Tennessee Titans to knock off the New Orleans Saints at home. Since Chris Johnson has decided to wake up, the Titans have looked really good the past few weeks. This is the ultimate trap game for the Saints in my opinion. Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck had a lot of success against that Saints defense last postseason when he was playing for the Seahawks. Typically New Orleans struggles, especially on defense, when they're away from the friendly confines of the Superdome. My biggest fear with this pick is that Drew Brees is able to constantly find tight end Jimmy Graham. As long as the Titans are able to control the clock, which I think they will, they should win in a close game.

The rest of the week's picks:

Browns at Steelers: Steelers
Vikings at Lions: Lions
Eagles at Dolphins: Dolphins
Chiefs at Jets: Jets
Patriots at Redskins: Patriots
Falcons at Panthers: Falcons
Buccaneers at Jaguars: Buccaneers
Colts at Ravens: Ravens
49ers at Cardinals: 49ers
Bills at Chargers: Chargers
Rams at Seahawks: Seahawks

DTTWSB Week 14 NFL Power Rankings

For the most part, my power rankings haven't changed. The top flight teams in this league did what they're supposed to do last Sunday. We now have only four weeks left in the regular season. To say that there are some interesting playoff races down the stretch is an understatement. This is a football fans dream. Starting tomorrow I'm going to be kicking back and relaxing and just digesting film so that I can give you an extensive opinion about these teams. With that said, here are my top 10 teams in the NFL.

1. Green Bay Packers (12-0): All season, we hadn't seen this team challenged in the fourth quarter until last Sunday, and they responded well. With only four games left, they look poised to run the table and go 16-0. From now on, each game they play will be filled with tons of pressure. We'll see if they can handle it.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3): What an impressive win for the Steelers last Sunday. They demolished the Bengals. This team is quietly getting healthier and healthier. They'll most likely be making their playoff run on the road this season.

3. Baltimore Ravens (9-3): Last week the Ravens went back to what makes them so great, they got Ray Rice the ball. The guy is their best offensive player. If everything holds serve, this team should be the number one seed in the AFC come January.

4. New England Patriots (9-3): This past Sunday the Pats didn't look too impressive. I'm starting to think that the lack of playmakers on the outside is catching up to them. With that said, they'll still get a first-round bye in the playoffs.

5. San Francisco 49ers (10-2): Now that the 49ers have the NFC West clinched, their eye is now on securing a first-round bye. They no longer have room to slip up because the Saints are literally on their tail. The temporary loss of Patrick Willis shouldn't hurt them too bad.

6. New Orleans Saints (9-3): There isn't an offense that is as explosive as this one when they're playing in front of their home crowd. It's not going to be an easy game for the Saints this Sunday when they travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans and the resurgent Chris Johnson.

7. Houston Texans (9-3): I don't think there's been a more impressive 9-3 team this season. Houston has been decimated by injuries to their best players. Last week they beat the Falcons with their thrid-string quarterback. That says a lot about the program they're quietly building.

8. Dallas Cowboys (7-5): Last Sunday was very disappointing for the Cowboys. They had a chance to separate themselves from the other teams in the NFC playoff picture, especially the Giants. Now they're hosting the Giants in an Armageddon-type game this Sunday night which will most likely decide the winner of the NFC East.

9. Denver Broncos (7-5): Tebowmania has struck Denver in full force. Since Tebow took over as the starter the team is 6-1. Defensively they have been balling as well. This Sunday they have a huge matchup against the Bears in which they have a chance to get some separation from the Raiders in the division.

10. New York Giants (6-6): After losing four straight games, the Giants still control their playoff destiny. It's hard to imagine that this team sweeps the Cowboys they'll have a home-playoff game. If anything, they can gain some confidence from almost knocking off the world-champion Packers.

DTTWSB Week 13 NFL Picks

We've said it all year on this blog; when the weather gets colder, the games get more important. The playoff races this season are going to be tremendous. This is truly the most wonderful time of the year. My record last week was a strong 13-3 which brought my season record to 105-71. I haven't been that good with my picks this season, but I tend to do better in December. I'm already 1-0 this week since I tweeted that my upset picks was the Seahawks over the Eagles. I'm starting strong and I feel like I'll end strong. So without further ado, here are my picks for Week 13.

Bengals at Steelers: Steelers

This one should be a good ole' fashioned AFC North clash. The surprise Bengals have been playing pretty good football this season. Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton and rookie wide receiver AJ Green have given that offense a spark. I believe the Bengals will give the Steelers all they can handle, but ultimately I'm rolling with the Steelers. It's difficult to beat the Steelers at home, especially in December. One concern for the Steelers is the health of safety Troy Polamalu. If he can't play other guys will need to step up. It's probably going to be ugly, but I think the Steelers pull away in the fourth quarter.

Falcons at Texans: Falcons

When I looked at the schedule a month ago, I expected to see Matt Ryan and Matt Schaub. Instead we're looking Matt Ryan and TJ Yates. You're probably thinking to yourself, "who the hell is TJ Yates?" Mr. Yates is the Texans third-string quarterback. He's going to be leading the Texans for the rest of the season due to season-ending injuries to Schaub and Matt Leinart. Because of this, I expect the Falcons to win this game. Atlanta has bee hot during the past month and should be feeling confident. Houston should rally around Yates, but it won't be enough to compete with the Falcons high-powered offense. Give me Hotlanta.

Packers at Giants: Packers

Oh baby, this is definitely the game of the day. I cannot wait to see this game. There isn't a player in the league that's playing at a higher level than Aaron Rodgers right now. He's directing the traffic for that unconscious Packers offense. Since it's in the Meadowlands, this game will be very close. That crowd will try to make things difficult for the Packers. For the Giants, this is a playoff game. If they lose today, they'll fall to 6-6 and put themselves in a win-out scenario. They must try to keep pace with the Cowboys. I believe this game will be played in the high 20's scoring wise. It's too difficult to stop the Green Bay passing game. The Giants have to run the football if they want to win. I actually think Eli Manning will have a couple turnovers because the Packers secondary is a great at taking the ball away. With all that said, I'll take the Packers to improve to 12-0.

Lions at Saints: Saints

If this game was a movie it would be titled, "The Shootout in the Bayou." That's what I'm expecting to see on Sunday Night Football. Drew Brees and the Saints offense is absolutely on fire right now. This team will light you up when they play in the Superdome. Don't get me wrong, the Lions can definitely put up some points, but nobody can score like the Saints can at home. The New Orleans defense benefits from what the offense does because they're always playing with the lead. I could see the Saints scoring in the 40's while the Lions score in the high 20's. It's just going to be too difficult for the Lions to win without their best player Ndamukong Suh. I'll take the Saints to march on.

***Upset Special***
Eagles at Seahawks: Seahawks

No need for me to go in depth here. I booked this game on my twitter account a few hours before kickoff. I'll go ahead and put a check in the W column, thank you very much.

The rest of the week's picks:

Titans at Bills: Titans
Chiefs at Bears: Bears
Raiders at Dolphins: Dolphins
Broncos at Vikings: Broncos
Colts at Patriots: Patriots
Panthers at Buccaneers: Panthers
Jets at Redskins: Jets
Ravens at Browns: Ravens
Cowboys at Cardinals: Cowboys
Rams at 49ers: 49ers
Chargers at Jaguars: Chargers

DTTWSB Week 13 NFL Power Rankings

Welcome to December folks! This is where the games start to become enormous. We've seen many surprises through the first three months of the season, and we've seen some teams step up that we knew would. The playoff races that are unfolding are real intriguing. Who's going to emerge as the number one seed in the AFC? Will Tebow and the Broncos win the AFC West? How will the NFC East unfold? All these questions will be answered within four weeks. With that said, let me give you my 10 best teams heading into the month of December.

1. Green Bay Packers (11-0): There really isn't any question about the Packers being at the top spot. The only question is when will they lose? If they even lose for that matter. They do have a couple of tricky games in the next three weeks so they will get tested.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3): Because this team got swept by Baltimore, they've been flying under the radar in my opinion. Let's not forget that they're the defending AFC champion. Going into the month of December I still feel that they're the team to beat.

3. New England Patriots (8-3): What an impressive win the Patriots had last Sunday. There isn't much more we can say about quarterback Tom Brady. The guy is an assasin when it comes to picking apart a defense. I do worry if they have enough playmakers to win in the playoffs.

4. Baltimore Ravens (8-3): When the Ravens are playing their game, they're one of the toughest teams to beat in the league. There's a lot to like about this team. The defensive clinic they put on during Thanksgiving was a masterpiece. If Joe Flacco can elevate his play some more, they may represent the AFC in Indianapolis.

5. New Orleans Saints (8-3): This Saints team is a beast to deal with when they're playing the Superdome. Nobody in the league can stop this offense when it gets going. Drew Brees is perfoming artistry when in the pocket. He needs to keep this up because that defense is suspect.

6. San Francisco 49ers (9-2): There's no shame in losing to a great Ravens team on the road on a short week. I think the 49ers bounce back well and lock up the NFC West this weekend. Look for them to win 13 games and lock up a first-round bye in the playoffs.

7. Dallas Cowboys (7-4): After two weeks of near defeats, the Cowboys have to travel to the desert to face the pesky Cardinals. Historically December hasn't been to kind to the Cowboys nor quarterback Tony Romo. A big win on Sunday will put this team in the driver seat in the NFC East.

8. Atlanta Falcons (7-4): Atlanta has done a great job peaking its head back into the NFC playoff race. With a relatively soft schedule to end the season, it will be a huge disappointment if this team doesn't make the playoffs. They need to redeem themselves after their horrible showing last January.

9. Oakland Raiders (7-4): Since the death of the late Al Davis, all the Raiders have been doing is win. They control their own destiny, but they do have a tough schedule coming up. The resurgence of quarterback Carson Palmer has been the biggest reason why their having success. Watch out though, Tebow and the Broncos are in the rear-view mirror.

10. New York Giants (6-5): As predicted by this blog, the Giants have had their annual mid-season collapse. Three weeks ago this team was talked about as one of the Super Bowl contenders. Now they're fighting for their lives. This Sunday is must win for them. Oh and they're playing the Packers by the way.

DTTWSB Week 12 NFL Picks

Oh boy, we have a great week of games ahead of us. The awesome thing is that it's Thanksgiving weekend! I'm going to stuff my face with some excellent food and watch the sport I love. We're now into the latter portion of the NFL season. This is where things start to get good. My record during the last two weeks has been an egregious 13-17 which brings my season record to 92-68. Bye weeks are now over so all 32 teams will be in action for the rest of the season. I'm feeling good about my picks this weeks. Hopefully they pan out. Here are my picks for Week 12 in the NFL.

Packers at Lions: Packers

For the first time in at least a decade, the Lions Thanksgiving game is going to be meaningful. This is their annual Super Bowl. Ford Field is going to be electric when the undefeated defending Super Bowl champions come to town. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of points on the board. Both offenses will have their way with the oppositions defense. Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay passing attack looks as sharp as ever. I haven't seen an offense operate like this since the 2007 New England Patriots. I do feel that they can be had on defense. If the Lions can start fast and get the crowd into it, the game will be competitive throughout. Ultimately I think the Packers will pull away late and win by 10 points.

49ers at Ravens: 49ers

The Harbaugh Bowl is going to be one heck of a game. In my opinion this is the game of the week. Both of these teams play football in similar ways which isn't a coincidence at all. It's definitely going to be a hard-hitting game. The 49ers have a very tough task ahead of them. They have to travel to the east coast once again, this time on a short week. If any team can do it, I believe it's the 49ers because nobody has it better than them. Defensively San Francisco will be able to slow down Ray Rice which is key to stopping the Ravens offense. Joe Flacco doesn't play well when he's forced to throw 35-40 times a game. He may have to on Thursday night. In a very close low-scoring game, I like the 49ers to shock the world and win.

Patriots at Eagles: Patriots

This is going to be an intriguing game. These are two teams that are going in opposite directions. I do expect this to be a very close game because the Eagles are a team with a lot of pride. They pretty much cannot lose for the rest of the season if they would like to sniff the playoffs. On the other side, the Patriots are trying to keep pace with the rest of the teams in AFC as they struggle for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. The New England offense may struggle in this game because the Eagle corners have the ability to be physical with the smaller Patriot receivers. Ultiamtely I think the Gronkowski and Hernandez will be too much for the Eagles to handle, especially in the red zone. Give me the Pats.

Giants at Saints: Saints

For once, the Monday Night Football game should be good this week. We get to see two former Super Bowl MVPs go at it in Eli Manning and Drew Brees. This game is critical for both teams. The Saints need to keep their lead over the Falcons in the NFC South, while the Giants are trying to keep pace with the Cowboys in the NFC East. If the Giants lose this game, they might bottom out and lose control of the season. They cannot afford to lose three straight this late in the season. I like the Saints to win this game because they're healthy and they're coming off a bye week. They should be fresh, and the crowd should be hyped up as well. Look for the home team to score early and often.

***Upset Special***
Bears at Raiders: Bears

My upset special of the week is the Chicago Bears going west to beat the Oakland Raiders. For some reason the Raiders haven't played well at home and I expect that trend to continue on Sunday. I think the Bears will rally around backup quarterback Caleb Hanie and do enough on defense and special teams to win a close game. My one concern about this pick is that the Raiders can run the rock on anyone so they may end up wearing down the Chicago defense. I simply don't trust Carson Palmer against a good defense like the Bears. It's going to look ugly, but the Bears will win this game.

The rest of the week's picks:

Dolphins at Cowboys: Cowboys
Vikings at Falcons: Falcons
Browns at Bengals: Bengals
Buccaneers at Titans: Titans
Panthers at Colts: Panthers
Cardinals at Rams: Cardinals
Bills at Jets: Jets
Texans at Jaguars: Texans
Redskins at Seahawks: Seahawks
Broncos at Chargers: Broncos
Steelers at Chiefs: Steelers

DTTWSB Week 12 NFL Power Rankings

I'd like to start by thanking all of you for being patient with me. I had been sick during the past week, but I'm feeling better now. Now that each team has played 10 games this season, we have an idea about who's going to make the playoffs. There aren't too many changes in my power rankings this week. I've started to get a good gauge on how good these teams are. Let me not waste anymore time, here are my power rankings for Week 12 in the NFL.

1. Green Bay Packers (10-0): The Pack have been the best team in the league all season. Offensively there is no team in the league that can do what they do. With a tough game on the road against the Lions, Green Bay needs to remain focused if they want to continue their perfection.

2. San Francisco 49ers (9-1): According to head coach Jim Harbaugh, nobody has it better than his 49ers. When you watch the tape, you begin to get that feeling as well. There isn't a team that plays more physical than them. They're built to win in the playoffs.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3): The bye week definitely did the Steelers well. They have a chance to build some momentum late in the season. I favor them over the other two AFC powerhouses to get homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

4. New England Patriots (7-3): After back-to-back wins where the defense has looked good, the Pats won convincingly in both games. They have a tough match up this Sunday when they take on the Eagles in Philadelphia. Do the Pats have what it takes to end the "Dream Team"? We'll find out soon.

5. New Orleans Saints (7-3): This team has been quietly flying under the radar for some reason. Sean Payton and Drew Brees will have some new wrinkles in the offense coming off the bye week. Look out for New Orleans down the stretch.

6. Baltimore Ravens (7-3): Baltimore has a huge match up this Thursday. I'm not sure which team will show up. They seem to play to the level of their competition. I don't trust Joe Flacco down the stretch; we'll see if he can prove me wrong.

7. Dallas Cowboys (6-4): America's Team has been slowly rising through the rankings this month. With three more winnable games on tap, they can be 9-4 and in complete control of the NFC East. It may be only a matter of time before Tony Romo has another oh-no moment.

8. Chicago Bears (7-3): The Bears suffered a devastating blow this past Sunday when they found out that Jay Cutler is going to be out for the rest of the regular season with a broken thumb. They now rely on Caleb Hanie to get them to playoffs, should be interesting.

9. New York Giants (6-4): After starting the season 6-2, the Giants have started their annual mid-season collapse. For some reason when this team starts to get some credit they decide to wet the bed. It doesn't get easier for them because they're at New Orleans on Monday night and then host the Packers.

10. Atlanta Falcons (6-4): With a fairly easy schedule ahead of them, the Falcons have a chance to be a wild card team or maybe even win the NFC South. Matt Ryan has made enough plays to keep this team in contention. The one thing separating him from the other great quarterbacks is he hasn't had the postseason success.

DTTWSB Week 11 NFL Power Rankings/Picks

Hello all! Sorry I haven't been able to post for a few days. I've been pretty sick over the last week and I'm still feeling sick right now. Today's post will be very brief cause my head is hurting. I will include my power rankings and picks all in one. From the looks of it I did pretty bad with my picks last week. It wasn't a good showing for me at all. The good thing is that this week gives me a chance to make that up. Let me stop running my mouth because I need to sip some NyQuill. I'll be back next week!

Power Rankings:

1. Green Bay Packers (9-0)
2. San Francisco 49ers (8-1)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3)
4. New England Patriots (6-3)
5. New Orleans Saints (7-3)
6. New York Giants (6-3)
7. Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
8. Chicago Bears (6-3)
9. New York Jets (5-4)
10. Dallas Cowboys (5-4)

Picks:

Jets at Broncos: Jets
Jaguars at Browns: Jaguars
Panthers at Lions: Lions
Buccaneers at Packers: Packers
Bills at Dolphins: Bills
Raiders at Vikings: Raiders
Cowboys at Redskins: Cowboys
Bengals at Ravens: Ravens
Seahawks at Rams: Rams
Cardinals at 49ers: 49ers
Titans at Falcons: Falcons
Chargers at Bears: Chargers
Eagles at Giants: Giants
Chiefs at Patriots: Patriots

DTTWSB Week 10 NFL Picks

Another week in the NFL, another great slate of games. Like last week, a lot of the great games will be played in the afternoon. Unfortunately for me I will be forced to watch the Seahawks play since I live in the Great Northwest. The game I'm most looking forward to seeing is the match up between the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers. I think that's going to be a great game. There are some other fantastic match ups that I will be playing close attention to as well. Last week I went 8-6 with my picks once again. That brings my overall record to a poor 79-51. The excited thing about this week is that all 32 teams will be in action so that gives me a chance to stack wins. Let's take a look at my picks for Week 10.

Steelers at Bengals: Steelers

This is a huge game for both teams. Finally the Bengals have a chance to show that they're a legitimate threat in the AFC North. The Steelers also cannot afford to lose this game since they've already lost two AFC North games and have three losses overall. I don't the Bengals are ready to see an angry Steelers team come to town. I actually think this game could get out of hand. Begnals rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has been balling this year, but he hasn't faced a defense of this caliber yet. The big thing the Steelers need to do if they want to win is protect Ben Roethlisberger. If Roethlisberger is under pressure the Bengals will be able to create turnovers. Ultimately, I like the experience of Pittsburgh to go into Cincy and pull out the W, especially after a home loss.

Lions at Bears: Bears

The black and blue division has been going strong so far this season. These two teams have somewhat outplayed my expectations for them during the preseason. Detroit has started this season 6-2 while the Bears are 5-3 and have beaten the Eagles in Philadelphia. Soldier Field will be rocking when the hometown Bears take the field and I expect it to stay that way throughout the game. I don't Matthew Stafford is ready for the pass rush that the Bears are bringing. That Bears defense showed it wasn't playing around on Monday night and should pick up where it left off. Detroit does have the ability to get to Jay Cutler though. The advantage that the Bears have is that the field will most likely be in poor condition so that should slow down the fast track Lions. At the end of the day I just see Chicago making more plays to win a close divisional battler.

Giants at 49ers: 49ers

Oh man, in terms of the NFC playoff picture this is a gigantic mid-season game! The red-hot 49ers have been playing out of their minds under head coach Jim Harbaugh. They're welcoming a very good Giants team who came of their best game of the season so far. I can't wait to see this game because both these teams are physical and play football the way it was meant to be played. My big concern in this game is that this is usually around the time where the Giants have their annual mid-season collapse which is why I'm taking the home team. Even though the Niners have Alex Smith, I think Harbaugh does an excellent job keeping him on task. I think Eli Manning will struggle with the pass rush of the 49ers. They're physical and will get in his face. Give me San Fran to go 8-1.

Patriots at Jets: Jets

Whenever these two teams get together it's always a great game. I'm expecting much of the same when they tangle on Sunday Night Football. So far this season New England has had major problems with their defense. Offensively they're also limited since they don't have a legitimate deep threat. I think the Jets will take advantage of the fact that the Patriots two biggest playmakers are tight ends. The Jets are also coming off their biggest win of the year when they destroyed the Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Ground and pound is back and Gang Green has to be happy about it. They're at their best when they can effectively run the ball and use play action fake. As long as Mark Sanchez doesn't lay an egg I think the Jets should win this game by a touchdown.

***Upset Special***
Texans at Buccaneers: Buccaneers

In my upset of the week I like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to beat the Houston Texans. The Texans have been playing great football this year especially without their two best players in Andre Johnson and Mario Williams. Defensively they've improved immensely under the direction of Wade Phillips. With all that said, I like the Bucs to upset them since they're at home. Tampa Bay has been inconsistent all season, but whenever they come off a bad game they usually play very well. We'll see if the Texans can stop a power running game when they're on the road. My guess is no if you ask me. I think this will be a very close game that will come down to Josh Freeman making a crucial play to win the game for Tampa.

The rest of the week's picks:

Raiders at Chargers: Chargers
Saints at Falcons: Falcons
Rams at Browns: Browns
Bills at Cowboys: Cowboys
Jaguars at Colts: Colts
Broncos at Chiefs: Chiefs
Redskins at Dolphins: Redskins
Cardinals at Eagles: Eagles
Titans at Panthers: Panthers
Ravens at Seahawks: Ravens
Vikings at Packers: Packers

DTTWSB Week 10 NFL Power Rankings

What a week of football we just had! When I looked at the games on tap during the week I had a feeling we were going to see some evenly-matched games. The late afternoon games were competitive throughout, and the Sunday night game was phenomenal. Week 9 was capped off by a surprising Monday Night Football game which saw the Bears beat the Eagles. I have a feeling we are going to see some exciting playoff races down the stretch. As the weather gets colder the games become more important. It's gut check time for many of the following teams on the list. With that said, here are my power rankings for Week 10 of the NFL season.

1. Green Bay Packers (8-0): The defending Super Bowl champions look like a juggernaut offensively. Aaron Rodgers is playing as good as any quarterback I've ever seen in my life. My big question about this team is the defense. Can they carry the slack when Rodgers has an off game?

2. San Francisco 49ers (7-1): Surprise surprise! No this is not 1998. In 2011, the San Francisco 49ers are 7-1, and are number two in my power rankings. Coach Harbaugh has the Niners playing sound football. This team does all the right things to put themselves in position to win. My only concern is Alex Smith.

3. Baltimore Ravens (6-2): What a huge win for the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. They showed that they're ready to make the next step and become a championship-caliber team. If Flacco can continue to play at this high level then they'll make it to the Super Bowl in February.

4. New York Giants (6-2): Quarterback Eli Manning showed he's ready to become one of the top quarterbacks in the league. They do the two things you must do when you go on the road, run the ball and play defense. My big concern is can they keep this up throughout the season. This is usually the time when they have their annual mid-season collapse.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3): After getting swept by the Ravens, it's time for the Steelers to regroup. They do a lot of good things that I like. My main concern is can they stay healthy enough to make a run at the division. I'm still confident they can do it.

6. New York Jets (5-3): What a turn around for the Jets. A month ago everyone was taking their shots at Rex Ryan, now they can't say anything. If they can beat the Patriots on Sunday they'll have a strangle hold on the division.

7. New England Patriots (5-3): Now that the Patriots have lost two weeks in a row, I'm sure they'll have an intense week of practice. They have a tough game at the Jets on Sunday Night Football. My big concern with this team is their lack of defense. They can't get off the field which is crucial to win.

8. New Orleans Saints (6-3): Like I've said all season, when they're at home they can put up points like no other, but when they're on the road they tend to struggle. It's imperative that they get at least one home game if they want to make noise in January.

9. Chicago Bears (5-3): So far this season it looks like the Bears aren't smoke and mirrors. If Jay Cutler can stay upright for the rest of the season they'll definitely make the playoffs as a wildcard team. There was a reason they hosted the NFC Championship game last January.

10. Detroit Lions (6-2): Now that they have the bye week behind them, the Lions should feel refreshed and ready to go. It's time for them to step up and face the tougher half of their schedule. It's starts this Sunday when they go to Chicago to face a confident Bears team.

DTTWSB Week 9 NFL Picks

What a slate of games we have in the NFL this week. I cannot wait for Sunday to get here! The undefeated Packers are back in action, and there's a huge inter-conference match up between two 5-2 teams. After this week I believe each team will have played at least eight games this season. That means we've reached the half way mark. Last week I went 8-5 with my picks which brings my season total to 71-45. For some reason I'm not doing so hot this season. Maybe the second half of the year will go better for me. Hopefully that's the case. Here are my picks for this week in the NFL.

Buccaneers at Saints: Saints

The Saints are in desperate need of a bounce back game. Typically those games are easy, but this one definitely won't be. They have to take on the rival Buccaneers. Luckily for the Saints is that they'll be at home where they don't seem to lose at all. Offensively they put up big numbers and their defense feeds off it. The Buccaneers are dangerous because they have a big-time quarterback in Josh Freeman, but I think they're too young and banged up to win this one. Look for the Saints to be able to pull away late for the win.

Giants at Patriots: Patriots

This is one of the best games on the schedule for this week. It's a rematch of Super Bowl XLII which was a classic. Some of the players are different now, but the main pieces are still there for the most part. I'm interested to see how the Giants play since they tend to play better when they're on the road against other good teams. This could potentially be a damn good game if the Giants are able to control the clock with their running game and get pressure on Tom Brady. Ultimately I think the Pats will win this game because they have Brady and they have Belichick. They also have two tight ends in Gronkowski and Hernandez who are a match up nightmare for any team. As long as New England's red zone defense holds steady they'll win a close game.

Packers at Chargers: Packers

The undefeated Packers are taking their undefeated record on the road to take on the Chargers. Right now the Chargers are struggling but have the talent to compete with anyone in the league. The crowd should be pumped up if San Diego can start fast. Coming off the bye week, Green Bay should be refreshed and ready to pick up where they left off. I think the Packers have too many weapons for the Chargers to slow down. Aaron Rodgers is playing at an unbelievable level right now. In my opinion he's the best quarterback in football. Green Bay is the favored team to win this game and should have no real troubles in this one. Look for them to improve to 8-0.

Ravens at Steelers: Steelers

Oh baby, this is one of the hardert hitting games of the season. Whenever these two teams get together it's usually close. You can definitely believe that the Steelers still remember the butt kicking the Ravens gave them Week 1 in Baltimore. Pittsburgh looks like one of the best teams in the league right now. They played a great game last week against the Patriots. Ben Roethlisberger is playing out of his mind right now, and that defense is looking good. Baltimore is a damn good team though which should keep the game close. I think the Ravens have too many internal issues right now to win this game.

***Upset Special***
Jets at Bills: Jets

My upset special this week is the New York Jets walking into Buffalo and beating the Bills. So far this season the Jets haven't looked real good, but I believe they have the talent to be a playoff team. In order for them to make the playoffs they need to win this game. I love the fact that they're getting healthier on the defensive line which should help their run defense improve. The Bills defense has looked better and better with each week. They're very opportunistic. I also love the way Fred Jackson has been playing. Other than LeSean McCoy and Matt Forte, there hasn't been a better running back this year. This game is going to be real close, but I see the Jets being able to pull off the upset with a late score.

The rest of the week's picks:

Seahawks at Cowboys: Cowboys
Falcons at Colts: Falcons
Dolphins at Chiefs: Chiefs
49ers at Redskins: 49ers
Browns at Texans: Texans
Bengals at Titans: Bengals
Broncos at Raiders: Raiders
Rams at Cardinals: Rams
Bears at Eagles: Eagles

DTTWSB Week 9 NFL Power Rankings

Now that we're at the half way point of the NFL season, I think I have a really good feel for all 32 teams in the league. Other than the Green Bay Packers, nobody has made a definitive statement that they're a legitimate team. The beauty of this league is that anybody can beat anybody. There are about 10-12 teams that could possibly win the Super Bowl. I'm sure the second half of the season will clear things up a little bit. With that said, here are my power rankings for Week 9.

1. Green Bay Packers (7-0): The Packers have a huge impact this week as they travel west to San Diego to take on the Chargers. If the Packers can win on Sunday they have a good chance to be 10-0 by the time they face the Lions on Thanksgiving.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2): This past Sunday the Steelers got a huge win as they exorcised the demons of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. My main concern with this team is health and age. If some of their older players can find the fountain of youth this team will be there in the end.

3. San Francisco 49ers (6-1): What a surprise the 49ers are! With an easy schedule ahead of them they can easily win 11 to 12 games. This team can possibly be the number two maybe even one seed with a bye week. The only thing that can mess this up is Alex Smith.

4. New England Patriots (5-2): After watching the Patriots so far this season, something seems off. It's not one of the traditional championship-caliber teams that we're used to seeing. If they can beat the Giants handily this week maybe I'll become a believer.

5. Baltimore Ravens (5-2): The Ravens were real close to suffering a devastating loss this past Sunday. If they had lost that game all hell would have broken loose in Baltimore. I'm still not sold on Joe Flacco; we'll see if they can win a big road game this Sunday at Pittsburgh.

6. New York Giants (5-2): Big Blue is clicking on all cylinders right now. They have an enormous match up this Sunday at Foxboro to face the Patriots. With a strangle hold on the NFC East right now, the Giants will have to elevate their game to survive their brutal schedule.

7. New Orleans Saints (5-3): Last Sunday was an absolute disaster for the Saints. Their defense and even offense looked bad. In the Superdome this team cannot be stopped, but once they get outside the comforts of New Orleans they seem to fold. I'll keep my eye on this team, but they look like they're fading fast.

8. New York Jets (4-3): The Jets have a huge game this Sunday when they play the Bills in Buffalo. With the bye week now in the rear, I'm looking for the Jets to up their game and make a playoff push. I need to see more from Mark Sanchez to become a full believer.

9. Buffalo Bills (5-2): After a huge win against the Redskins, the Bills have another huge game against the Jets. Their defense is playing with a lot of energy and knows how to get their hands on the ball. Are they smoke and mirrors? We'll find out soon.

10. Chicago Bears (4-3): After the bye week, the Bears are looking to improve their game. Usually, as the weather gets colder the Bears get better. The month of November and December are full of games played in Bear weather. We'll see if they can challenge in their division down the stretch.

DTTWSB Week 8 NFL Picks

This week we have some very intriguing games on tap. There are some heated divisional rivalries that will be taking place, an intra-conference match up between two heavy weights, and an interesting inter-conference match up. You can expect me to be in front of a screen somewhere watching the action as it unfolds. Last week I went a decent 8-5 with my picks which brings my season record to 63-40. I think I'm slowly getting into a decent groove with my selections. This week I'm looking to go undefeated to make up some serious ground. With that said, here are my Week 8 NFL picks.

Redskins at Bills: Bills

Coming off the bye week I expect Buffalo to be feeling refreshed and pumped up. Ralph Wilson Stadium should be rocking as they get a late afternoon kickoff for the first time in awhile. The Redskins are in shambles right now as they've lost three straight. Injuries and the quarterback issues are killing this team. I think going with John Beck was the right move because it's the only move. My theory is that with the Bills having two weeks to prepare for this game they'll be able to exploit some of Beck's weaknesses. I'm taking Buffalo in a close game.

Patriots at Steelers: Patriots

This is probably the game of the week. It's always a good game when these two AFC powerhouses meet up. You're going to see excellent quarterback play between Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger. Even though they're on the road, I'm taking New England to win this game. Until I see Dick Lebeau's zone blitz scheme stop Tom Brady I won't believe it can. Last year Brady absolutely destroyed the Steelers. I just feel that it's a bad match up for Pittsburgh. The Pats have the ability to spread you thin which forces those Steelers blitzers to cover. Look for Gronkowski and Hernandez to have big days in this one.

Cowboys at Eagles: Cowboys

This is an NFC East battle for the ages. Both these teams need wins, but it's definitely the Eagles who need it more. If Philly loses this game they can pretty much kiss any chances of making the playoffs good bye. They cannot afford to drop to 2-5. Unfortunately for them, I believe the Cowboys will walk into Lincoln Financial Field and come away with a W. I think Rob Ryan's defensive scheme will confuse Michael Vick and force him into some bad decisions. The weapons the Eagles have do scare me with this pick but I just think Dallas is flat out better than Philly. Nnamdi Asomugha and Asante Samuel will definitely be tested by Dez Bryant and Miles Austin as well. As long as Romo keeps his head on straight give me Dallas in a good game.

Chargers at Chiefs: Chiefs

On paper one would think San Diego would win this game going away. Good thing for my picks the game isn't played on paper. I think Chiefs will be able to take down the Chargers on a Halloween night game at Arrowhead Stadium. The place will be absolutely rocking! Arrowhead is traditionally a tough place to play and I don't see it will be different for the Chargers this time. I simply don't trust Norv Turner in these types of road games. For some reason his teams come out sluggish and not ready to play. With one eye open, I'm taking the Chiefs.

***Upset Special***
Lions at Broncos: Broncos

My upset special this week is the Denver Broncos over the Kansas City Chiefs. Yep, I'm going with Tebow to pull out another close 4th quarter victory. Tim Tebow will be making his first home start of the season so you can expect the crowd to be rocking all game long. The bigger story in this game is the Detroit Lions and how they've fallen from grace. After starting the season 5-0, they simply haven't looked like a good football team. The tough thing about it is those two losses they received were at home. If they want a chance to make the playoffs they have to win on Sunday. Unfortunately for Detroit I believe they've ran into a hurricane by the name of Tim. Give me Denver.

The rest of the week's picks:

Colts at Titans: Titans
Saints at Rams: Saints
Dolphins at Giants: Giants
Vikings at Panthers: Panthers
Cardinals at Ravens: Ravens
Jaguars at Texans: Texans
Browns at 49ers: 49ers

DTTWSB Week 8 NFL Power Rankings

We are almost at the half way point in the NFL. For some reason it feels like the season goes by extremely fast. Now is the time where teams will be fighting to be in playoff contention. There aren't many surprises this week in the power rankings. The top 5 is pretty chalk. There may be some change next week as some of these teams play each other in the near future. Let's not waste anymore time. Here are my power rankings for this week in the NFL.

1. Green Bay (7-0): I'm almost at a loss for words when it comes to this team. They haven't lost in awhile! The bye week comes at the right time as they prepare to travel to San Diego for a Week 9 showdown with the Chargers.

2. New England Patriots (5-1): The Patriots got some much-needed rest during the bye week. Hopefully for them it was put to good use because they're heading to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2): It's gut check time for the Steelers. Historically they've been bad when they face Tom Brady. Last year they were chewed to pieces in Pittsburgh. We'll see if the defense makes some adjustments to slow down the New England offense.

4. New Orleans Saints (5-2): In the Superdome the Saints offense is an absolute juggernaut. Last week they put up 65 points against the lowly Colts. I felt like I was watching a high school game. The defense isn't anything special, but this offense will carry them to the divisional title.

5. Baltimore Ravens (4-2): This past Monday night was awful for the Ravens. Their offense looked like trash. I was thoroughly disappointed in the play of Joe Flacco. There seems to be a split in the locker room between the offense and defense. We'll see if they can right the ship and pull it together.

6. San Francisco 49ers (5-1): The one thing the 49ers can't do is rest on their laurels. Everyone was praising them throughout the bye week so they can't let that get to their head. With a pesky Browns team coming to town they must be ready for a physical battle.

7. New York Giants (4-2): Having a bye week was a blessing for the Giants. They're as banged up as any team in the league right now. They should be getting Justin Tuck and Brandon Jacobs back which will help big time. With the schedule they have ahead of them they must be ready to play each and every week.

8. San Diego Chargers (4-2): Last week was a disappointing game for the Chargers. They seemed to have everything in hand until the second half. For some reason Philip Rivers doesn't look like he's healthy. I'm going to make sure to keep an eye on him for the next couple weeks.

9. New York Jets (4-3): Rex Ryan and his Jets have won back-to-back home games which they absolutely needed. They now have the bye week to rest and regroup. It's absolutely vital that they find some consistency or they won't make the playoffs.

10. Chicago Bears (4-3): I'm very skeptical about this team. I like some of the pieces they have on offense and defense. Their secondary has been having trouble in coverage though. We'll see if they can string some wins together to prove to people they aren't smoke and mirrors.

DTTWSB Week 7 NFL Picks

For the first time this NFL season we are stuck with a somewhat poor slate of games. None of the games have two teams with a winning record playing in them. Sometimes you get this when people start going on bye weeks. Don't get me wrong though, I'm still excited to watch some football. Last week I went 9-4 with my picks which brings me to 55-35 on the season. I'm still struggling compared to the NFL experts on ESPN. I believe I may be able to make up some ground this wekk. I just have to slowly chip away at the block. With all that said, here are my picks for Week 7 in the NFL.

Falcons at Lions: Lions

I believe this is going to be one of the good games of the week. Expect a lot of points to be put up on the score board. Both offenses are pretty good, and other than the Detroit defensive line, they're pretty suspect in the back seven. It's imperative that the Falcons get back to running the football. They cannot drop Matt Ryan back 30-plus times or he might not survive the game. I'm expecting the Lions to come out and play hard and win a very close game. The connection of Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson has been golden for Detroit. Other then Johnson, the Lions have plenty of weapons outwide for Stafford to hit. I think he'll be given enough time this Sunday which should allow the Lions to come away with the victory.

Chargers at Jets: Jets

This is one of the better early games that will be on television this Sunday. After a war of words between Jets head coach Rex Ryan and Chargers head coach Norv Turner, you can expect both teams to come out fighting hard. The Jets are going to need to get constant pressure on Philip Rivers if they want to slow down the Chargers offense. Ground and pound is the philosophy that has gotten the Jets deep in the playoffs the past two seasons. They're going to need to come with a balanced attack if they want to win this game and beyond. Finding an identity has been tough for them this season. Last week they sort of found and identity so we'll see if it carries over. I just think they'll be able to pull this one off and get above .500.

Bears at Buccaneers: Buccaneers

For the past hand full of seasons the NFL has played one game in London each year. This year that game is between the Bears and the Buccaneers. These are two teams that are capable of beating anyone in the league, but also capable of laying absolute stinkers. Since I'm forced to pick one I'm going with Josh Freeman and the Bucs. Last week the Bears looked great but that's what scares me. You rarely see Jay Cutler play back-to-back great games. I wouldn't be shocked if he threw multiple interceptions and fumbled the ball this game. I like the momentum the Bucs have also. If they play their game they'll win this game.

Packers at Vikings: Packers

When it comes to the NFL season, there are usually games between teams where you know they're going to be good. Usually Packers-Vikings is one of them. This year I wouldn't be shocked if this game is a blowout. The Packers are coming in having won their first six games of the season and they'd love nothing more than embarassing the rival Vikings. The interesting storyline is this game is that Vikings rookie quarterback Christian Ponder will be making his first career start. I'm not too optimistic on how he can do because Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers uses a complex blitz scheme. All signs point toward a multiple touchdown win for Green Bay.

***Upset Special***
Broncos at Dolphins: Broncos

My upset pick of the week is the Denver Broncos traveling to Miami to beat the winless Dolphins. This is an upset because nobody expects much from the Broncos since they benched their starting quarterback Kyle Orton for Tim Tebow. Yep, that's right. It's Tebow Time in Denver. I actually think they have a better chance to win with Tebow because he has the ability to extend the play and find an open receiver. Miami is a mess right now and is heavily in the running for Stanford quarterback and future number one overall pick Andrew Luck. This game will be ugly which suits the Broncos best. Tebow plays ugly, but he also wins ugly. Advantage Denver.

The rest of the week's picks:

Seahawks at Browns: Browns
Texans at Titans: Titans
Redskins at Panthers: Panthers
Chiefs at Raiders: Raiders
Steelers at Cardinals: Steelers
Rams at Cowboys: Cowboys
Colts at Saints: Saints
Ravens at Jaguars: Ravens

DTTWSB Week 7 NFL Power Rankings

Last week was another great week in the NFL. I cannot get enough of this league! All the games are decided by just a few possessions. The parity in this league is unbelievable. Just when you think you've figured it out one week, you get a complete surprise the next week. As the weather continues to get worse it will interesting to see if these quarterbacks can keep up their production. My hypothesis is that the defenses will start to be able to slow down offenses because of the amount of tape they now have. Entering Week 7, this is how I see the top 10 teams in the league.

1. Green Bay Packers (6-0): I don't think there has been a better team than the Packers in the past three seasons. This squad is young and if they continue to get better they're poised to repeat as Super Bowl champs.

2. Baltimore Ravens (4-1): The Ravens are the most balanced team in the NFL. If you look at the tape you can see that they have very few holes on either side of the ball. The most important game for them will be when they take on the Steelers in two weeks.

3. New England Patriots (5-1): Are we really surprised that Brady always leads his team to 4th-quarter comebacks? Time and time again he comes through in the clutch for the Pats. If their defense can consistently stop teams in the red zone then they'll be tough to beat.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2): Pittsburgh is probably one of the better under-the-radar teams in the league this year. They haven't beat anyone particularly good, but they're definitely capable. They can't have a mental lapse this Sunday when they head to the desert to take on the Cardinals.

5. San Diego Chargers (4-1): This is a huge week for the Chargers. They have a big game against the Jets; if they can walk out of their with a win that will speak huge about their team. I'm a big Philip Rivers fan and I think he's one of the top quarterbacks in the league. My big question is head coach Norv Turner. Can he get out of his own way?

6. New Orleans Saints (4-2): Last week the Saints got a little exposed with their lack of defense. Their offense also looked somewhat lost once Sean Payton left the sideline after his injury. I'm sure they'll bounce back nicely since they play the Colts at home.

7. San Francisco 49ers (5-1): There is a lot to love about this 49ers team and head coach Jim Harbaugh. They're feeling confident going into their bye week. One thing they can't do is use the bye week to rest on their laurels. I'm sure Harbaugh will keep them focused and humble.

8. New York Giants (4-2): The Giants got a big win when they beat a pesky Bills team at home. Going into the bye week they need to get healthy. There are some talented players on this team and in order for the G-Men to win the NFC East they'll need all of them playing their best.

9. Oakland Raiders (4-2): One of the surprises and feel-good stories of the year is the Oakland Raiders. They're led by a good head coach in Hue Jackson. This team has been playing great all year and now they just added Carson Palmer at the trade deadline. Things are looking up in the Bay Area.

10. Detroit Lions (5-1): Detroit definitely came back down to earth this past Sunday when they were beaten at home by the 49ers. The Lions absolutely have to win this week at home against the Falcons or people will begin to think they're smoke and mirrors. Can they step up? We'll see...

DTTWSB Week 6 NFL Picks

Boy do we have a tasty slate of games this Sunday! I'm excited to just sit in front of the big screen and watch what unfolds. There is a huge interconference match up, there are also some great divisional match ups as well. I have a feeling we're going to be able to separate the pretenders from the contenders after this week. Last week I had one of my worst weeks ever picking games. I went 6-7 which brings my season total to a very poor 46-31. I've been struggling with my picks so far this season. I've gone out on a limb quite a few times, but that's the only way I can make up ground. I'm not going to get gun shy now. I'm going all in. Here are my Week 7 picks.

49ers at Lions: Lions

There's no way I thought I would have been talking about this game a month ago. These two teams have been the biggest surprises of the season so far. The atmosphere in Detroit is going to be electric for the second week in a row as the 4-1 49ers come in to town. I like the Lions to win this game but it's going to be close. One thing the 49ers do is get after the quarterback. Lions QB Matthew Stafford will be under pressure so it's important he gets the ball out quick. I think the crowd noise is going to be huge in this game. I ultimately think Niners quarterback Alex Smith will be under some pressure. It's going to be interesting to see how these teams react after big wins last Sunday. I'm taking Detroit to go to 6-0.

Bills at Giants: Bills

This is going to be a great game between two pretty good football teams. Buffalo has been playing well lately, especially against other good teams. This is their first road test of the season though and I think they'll pass it. Last week we saw the Giants come out sloppy against a bad Seahawks team. To be honest I just see this as a bad match up for the Giants. Their quarterback Eli Manning is very streaky and after his atrocious performance against Seattle I don't expect much from him this week. I think Fitzpatrick and the Bills passing attack will expose the Giants weak pass defense. The Bills defense also does a good job getting their hands on the ball which I think they'll do. Expect them to force two to three turnovers which will ultimately give them the game.

Eagles at Redskins: Redskins

Last year this game was Michael Vick's coming out party. This season I'm predicting the opposite. I believe this will be the game that barries the Eagles season. You can't expect to come back and make the playoffs after a 1-5 start. Last week I said the Eagles are a bad team cause they can't tackle or block. Nothing has changed this week. The Redskins young outside linebackers will get after Vick constantly which will force turnovers. I also don't think the Eagles defense wants any part of the Redskins rushing attack. As long as Rex Grossman stays par to the course Washington should come out on top. This game will have major impact on the Eagles team and ultimately their organization going forward. It's do or die for them.

Saints at Buccaneers: Buccaneers

When I look at this game it intrigues me a lot. I'm a true believer that divisional games are the toughest games on the schedule. These are teams that know you the best since you play at least two times a season. Even after their poor performance last week against the 49ers, I actually think the Bucs are going to win this game. It's a late afternoon start which will allow their fans to get juiced up beforehand. The reason why I like Tampa Bay to win is the running game. The Saints defense cannot stop the run at all. This should allow the Bucs to keep Drew Brees and that high-powered offense on the sideline. I think it will be a very close game that could end up being the game of the week.

***Upset Special***
Cowboys at Patriots: Cowboys

Oh do we have a game on our hands with this one. If you like points on the board you will be glued to the TV set when watching this game. In my opinion this is hands down America's Game of the Week. Most of the experts have the Patriots winning this game just like the MGM Grand. I'm going on a limb and saying Tony Romo bounces back from his disaster a couple weeks ago and leads the Cowboys to a victory. I just like the match ups too much for the Cowboys in this game. The Patriots defense will not be able to handle the combination of Witten, Austin and Bryant. Those three are juggernaut players. Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is also another reason why Dallas will shock the world. He knows how to confuse Tom Brady since he worked on the New England for four seasons. The Cowboys have to account for those two young tight ends. As long as Romo doesn't blow the game the Cowboys should win.

The rest of the week's picks:

Panthers at Falcons: Falcons
Colts at Bengals: Bengals
Rams at Packers: Packers
Jaguars at Steelers: Steelers
Browns at Raiders: Raiders
Texans at Ravens: Ravens
Vikings at Bears: Bears
Dolphins at Jets: Jets

DTTWSB Week 6 NFL Power Rankings

Oh what a week it was last Sunday. We saw some surprising performances from a few teams. Due to those surprising performances, we have some new arrivals in the DTTWSB NFL power rankings. Will these teams last? I have no clue to be honest, but they've earned their spot so far this season. Let's not waste anymore time. Here are my power rankings going into Week 6 of the NFL season.

1. Green Bay Packers (5-0): Is there any other clear cut favorite in this league? With a decent schedule, we have to look at this team as a 14-win ball club. They have a terrible Rams team coming into town this week, we may see 50 points on the board.

2. Baltimore Ravens (3-1): It's important that Baltimore used the bye week to refresh and regroup. They're going to need a little more from quarterback Joe Flacco, but as of right now I don't see a more balanced team in the AFC.

3. New England Patriots (4-1): Last week we saw something we hadn't seen from the Patriots in awhile...a running game. If they can consistently be a balanced attack it will be virtually impossible to stop this offensive juggernaut.

4. New Orleans Saints (4-1): All they do is win win win no matter what. Even those some of these games have been close contests, Drew Brees and that offense finds a way to bail them out. I'm still skeptical of that run defense down the stretch though.

5. Detroit Lions (5-0): All is good in Detroit Rock City as the Lions keep coming up big in big spots. They haven't been 5-0 since the 1950s! It's going to be a hyped up crowd when they take on the 4-1 49ers this Sunday.

6. San Diego Chargers (4-1): Going into the bye week, the Chargers have quietly started the season 4-1. This is probably their best start in about a decade. In my opinion this is a flawed team, but if they keep winning, you'll keep finding them in the rankings.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2): Pittsburgh definitely flexed its muscles last Sunday when they destroyed a decent Titans team. The offensive line needs to continue to get better so Big Ben isn't always on the run. With two easy games coming up, they'll be in prime position when they take on the Pats on the 30th.

8. Buffalo Bills (4-1): Nobody circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills. This is the first time in DTTWSB history that they're making a power rankings appearance. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been incredible for them. He's making all the right decisions to keep this team rolling.

9. San Francisco 49ers (4-1): It's been a real long time since the Niners have been mentioned as one of the best teams in the NFC. With the way they're playing it looks like they're going to run away with the NFC West crown. I do have my eye on Alex Smith though...

10. New York Giants (3-2): Last Sunday was a terrible game for Big Blue. They could have easily gone to 4-1; instead they decided to wet the bed at home against a below average team. It's going to tough for them to bounce back as they take on the pesky Bills.

DTTWSB Week 5 NFL Picks

The first month of the season brought us some great surprises and some great disappointments. I don't think anyone predicted the Bills and the Lions to have a combined record of 7-1. I also don't think anyone expected the "Dream Team" Eagles to start as slow as they have. Last week I had a decent showing with my picks by going 10-6. That brings my overall season record to a lowly 40-24 compared to the ESPN experts. There's still time to make up some ground so I'm going to need my upsets to go through. Enough chatter, here are my Week 5 NFL picks.

Buccaneers at 49ers: Buccaneers

At the beginning of the season nobody would have predicted that both these teams would be 3-1. Maybe you could have made a case for the Bucs, but definitely not for the 49ers. This is the biggest game in San Francisco in awhile. It's going to be nice to see the excitement of Candlestick Park once again. Unfortunately for the Niner faithful I think the excitement witll be short lived. I like the Bucs to go into San Fran and pull out the W. The upstart Bucs are "youngry" and on a mission to make the playoffs this season. I love their quarterback Josh Freeman and their running game which is led by LeGarrette Blount. Coach Harbaugh will have his team ready, but I just don't think it's enough to beat a good Buccaneers squad.

Jets at Patriots: Jets

This is one of the games I've been anxious to see since the schedule came out. Last time these teams played it was in the AFC Divisional round where the Jets upset the Patriots in Foxboro. Currently the Jets are in a tough spot being 2-2 and having to travel to New England. I actually think they'll pull out the victory though. The Jets have struggled blocking but they get All-Pro center Nick Mangold back, and the Patriots don't creat much of a pass rush. This is the best matchup for Gang Green, they were built to beat New England. I think Brady will feel a lot of pressure from Rex Ryan's blitz schemes. The main reason why I think the Jets are going to win is because New England doesn't do the things that can exploit them. As long as Sanchez comes to play I'll take the Jets in a high scoring game.

Packers at Falcons: Packers

This game is absolutely crucial for the Falcons. It's also a payback game from last post season when the Packers thoroughly beat them up in the Georgia Dome. I think the Dirty Birds will come out with a lot of energy and intensity, but they simply do not have the personnel to matchup with the Packers. Aaron Rodgers will once again have his way with their defense. The Packers biggest weapon so far this season is tight end Jermichael Finley. Dude is a monster in the red zone and will cause problems for the Falcons secondary. I also think the Packers defense should be able to get pressure on Matt Ryan. With this game being on Sunday night I expect it to be close but I'll take the Packers to pull away late.

Bears at Lions: Lions

Are you ready for Monday night Detroit? This is the biggest game in the Lions organization in the past 10 years. Finally Monday Night Football has come back to Detroit. The atmosphere is going to be electric when the rival Bears come to town. I expect to see a well-played game. Unfortunately for Jay Cutler he may be under pressure from the first to the last whistle. The Bears offensive line will not be able to handle the Lions pass rush which is led by Suh. This game isn't just about the Lions though. Chicago will have some chances to put points on the board if they stick to the running game. They'll also be able to get some pressure on Matthew Stafford. I'm looking to see if the Lions can finally start fast in a game. I think they will which is why I'm picking them to win.

***Upset Special***
Eagles at Bills: Bills

My upset special of the week is Bills over Eagles. Last week the Bills had a let down when they went to Cincy to take on the Bengals. I expect for them to be ready to go when they're playing in front of their crowd. The main issue in this game is the Eagles. They cannot afford to fall to 1-4. After watching extensive tape, I think the Eagles are a bad football team which why they'll lose this game. The Eagles don't do two things that are essential in football. They can't block and they can't tackle. If you can't do those two things in football you're pretty much screwed. I expect the Bills to give the Philly defense a heavy dose of Fred Jackson and that running game. This will be another high scoring affair, but I think the Eagles inability to get off the field on defense will be the difference. I'm taking the Bills.

The rest of the week's picks:

Chiefs at Colts: Colts
Cardinals at Vikings: Vikings
Seahawks at Giants: Giants
Titans at Steelers: Titans
Saints at Panthers: Saints
Bengals at Jaguars: Jaguars
Raiders at Texans: Texans
Chargers at Broncos: Chargers