NFL picks: Injuries pilling up on Pack

By Rocky Hulne

Published Wednesday, October 8, 2008

After a terrible week last week, here’s hoping for some redemption.

Baltimore at Indianapolis

Pick: RAVENS

Baltimore’s defense should do a number on a Colts’ offensive line that has been inconsistent so far.

Oakland at New Orleans

Pick: SAINTS

Even though New Orleans hasn’t been able to win the close ones, this one shouldn’t be close and the Saints should cruise.

Chicago at Atlanta

Pick: FALCONS

The time has come for me to admit that Atlanta might be decent team. Michael Turner has been tearing up the ground game and Roddy White is becoming a legit deep threat. I always believed in Matt Ryan when his first pass as a pro was a long TD strike.

St. Louis at Washington

Pick: REDSKINS

I will not pick the Rams to win. Ever.

Detroit at Minnesota

Pick: VIKINGS

Lions turnover prone offense is not a good matchup against an opportunistic Minnesota defense. Kitna should be benched by the third quarter.

Cincinnati at New York Jets

Pick: JETS

Winless Bengals are still struggling for an identity. Jets should be solid coming off a bye week.

Carolina at Tampa Bay

Pick: BUCS

In the week’s best matchup, I’ll go with the home team. The Bucs should force a couple of Delhomme turnovers.

Miami at Houston

Pick: DOLPHINS

I love the fact that the Dolphins are using Arkansas’s ‘Wildcat’ package to confuse NFL teams. Always great when college offenses baffle the pros.

Philadelphia at San Francisco

Pick: EAGLES

With both teams being 2-3, Philly needs this one a little more.

Dallas at Arizona

Pick: COWBOYS

This game could be an upset, but Arizona’s defense isn’t strong enough to hold down Romo and company.

Green Bay at Seattle

Pick: PACKERS

Rodgers haters and Favre lovers may want to use last week’s debacle against Falcons as an excuse to say Green Bay made the wrong decision to go with the youngster. Two problems with that argument — Rodgers threw for over 300 yards and three scores in the loss, and he has nothing to do with injuries taking out Green Bay’s best run stopper — Atari Bigby, their second best cover guy — Al Harris, and a solid cog on their D-Line — Cullen Jenkins. I’m afraid injuries could keep the Pack out of the playoffs this year.

Jacksonville at Denver

Pick: BRONCOS

Denver is undefeated at home and the Jags don’t inspire too many thoughts of an upset.

New England at San Diego

Pick: PATRIOTS

Randy Moss in a prime time game. It still means something, even if a lifetime backup is throwing him the ball. Look for the Pats (3-1) to quietly sneak up on a few teams this year.

New York Giants at Cleveland

Pick: BROWNS

In my first real upset pick this year, I see an inspired Cleveland team knocking off the champs. Braylon Edwards has to break out of his slump at some point, and the Dog Pound should be hopping.

Record last week: 8-6 (52-22 overall)