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Notes and analysis from those making picks…
Josh S. of RobinSports.com
Pittsburgh at Denver - The Broncos enter this game with the dead last rushing defense allowing over 5 yards per carry and nearly 190 rushing yards per game. This does not bode well with the run-happy Steelers coming to town. Both teams are coming off their bye weeks so this should be a very well played affair. It is tough to pick over the Broncos at Mile High in a game that they absolutely must have, but they will simply be unable to stop the Steeler rushing attack which will strain the rest of the game resulting in a big time road win for the Steelers!
Pittsburgh 24
Denver 17
Indianapolis @ Jacksonville - The Jaguars have come together as a team following the early season release of Byron Leftwich. David Garrard has been masterful at QB, managing the game and giving the Jaguars, their running game, and defense a chance to win. Indy returns from a much needed bye week where Marvin Harrison and Joseph Addai should be good to go. It is always tough to pick against a Peyton led team, but the Jags defense has always given him fits and this week will be no different. Look for the Jags to keep things close and win it in the end merging into a tie for 1st place in the AFC South.
Jacksonville 23
Indianapolis 21
New York Jets @ Cincinnati - Two disappointing clubs square off in an elimination game this week as the Bengals face the Jets. The Bengals have all but fallen apart since late last season as they have lost 7 of their last 8 games. Meanwhile, the Jets are dead in the water with Pennington at the helm. Not necessarily because he is a bad QB, but since the fans, the team, and the organization have given up on him. Confidence is vital to a QB’s success and Pennington has lost his. Despite the Bengals horrible defense, they will find a way to get it down at home this week.
Cincinnati 27
NY Jets 16
Corey K. of FantasyFootballGoat.com
Indianapolis at Jacksonville - As inconsistent as they have been in past years, the Jaguars always seems to raise their game to another level when they play the Colts. Last year in two outings versus the Colts, the Jaguars top running backs had their way; Fred Taylor averaged 5.4 yard per carry with a touchdown and Maurice Jones-Drew racked up an impressive 9.6 yards per carry and a two touchdowns. Stopping the run also happens to be an area where Colts showed some weakness this year as well by allowing 223 yards against lesser Broncos squad a few weeks ago.
Add to that the fact that last year the Jags defense held the high powered Colts offense to 21 and 14 points, and it is clear to me that they Jags know how to play their AFC South rival. If the Jags execute their game plan and play with the intensity that only Monday night can bring, they should be able to prevail. It won’t be easy against the reigning Super bowl champs but I think they get it done. The Jags win it 20-17 and Jack Del Rio goes to 3-0 on Monday night.
Dank of RobinSports.com
Indianapolis vs. Jacksonville — Finally the best game of the week will be when it should be…Monday Night! Nobody has played the Colts tougher over the last few years than the Jacksonville Jaguars. David Garrard has emerged as an efficient quarterback and Maurice Jones-Drew has found his swagger once again. Ultimately, I see the Colts getting it done this week. They’ll be ready under the bright lights of MNF and this Colts defense is the best they’ve had during the Manning era. Lets also not forget that Marvin Harrison and Joseph Addai are back in action. Colts 24, Jaguars 21
Minnesota vs. Dallas - Adrian Peterson is coming off a ridiculous game against the Bears, but they’re running into a Cowboys team that’s looking to prove they’re better than the team that got stomped by the Patriots. At this point, I see the edge going to the Cowboys because they have a more complete team. AP will have another big game, but the Vikings pass defense won’t be able to keep up with Romo, Owens, Witten, and emerging stud Crayton. The Cowboys won’t lose 2 straight games in the Big D. Cowboys 31, Vikings 21.
Pittsburgh vs. Denver - The Mile High city is hopping right now, but it’s not the Broncos that are causing the buzz…the Rockies are in the World Series! The top ranked defense in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers, will be coming into town this weekend and this will be an important game for the Broncos to find out which direction their season is headed. To the playoffs or vacation early? I’m thinking snow skiing. Willie Parker will romp and the Steelers will shut down the young QB Cutler. Steelers 29, Broncos 13.
Aaron M. of FanProphet.com
Pittsburgh @ Denver — Even though Pittsburgh found a way to lose at Arizona in Week 4, this is a struggling Denver team and definitely one of the biggest disappointments of the season. Roethlisberger and Parker will not experience the same type of letdown on the road again and will walk away with a win.