NFL picks: Don't count out the Colts

By Rocky Hulne

Published Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Everyone’s writing off the Colts since they slipped to 3-4 with back-to-back losses. It’s the first time they’ve had a losing record in November under Tony Dungy and the sky is apparently falling. But not so fast I say. Colts tight end Dallas Clark looks to be just getting healthy and Peyton Manning has thrown the ball better in the last three weeks than he did in the first three. I think there’s too much pride on this team, which won the Super Bowl just two years ago, to lie down and miss the playoffs. They won’t catch the Titans within the division, but once Bob Sanders comes back to revamp their run defense, they have a shot at the Wild Card.

Picks:

New York Jets at Buffalo

Pick: BILLS

The Bills will be pumped after a loss to the Dolphins. Favre looked old and done in his postgame interview after throwing three picks in a win against the Chiefs.

Detroit at Chicago

Pick: BEARS

Why do the Bears get two bye weeks in a row?

Jacksonville at Cincinnati

Pick: JAGUARS

Bengals may win sometime, but the odds favor me to keep picking against them.

Baltimore at Cleveland

Pick: BROWNS

Browns offense had success against the tough Jags’ D, so why not against a Baltimore team that doesn’t have much for an offense.

Green Bay at Tennessee

Pick: TITANS

Got to go with the undefeated team.

Tampa Bay at Kansas City

Pick: BUCS

Although Garcia looked horrible against Dallas, the Bucs should be able to keep it on the ground and hammer KC.

Arizona at St. Louis

Pick: CARDINALS

This could be the year Arizona finally wins the NFC West.

Houston at Minnesota

Pick: TEXANS

A typical game that the Vikings will overlook and give away in the Dome.

Miami at Denver

Pick: DOLPHINS

The Broncos inability to stop the run will hurt them against the tandem of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.

Atlanta at Oakland

Pick: FALCONS

Atlanta should get back on track in this one.

Dallas at New York Giants

Pick: GIANTS

The Cowboys are thinking about starting former Badger QB Brooks Bollinger. The Giants won the Super Bowl last year and are 5-1. Do I need to say anything else?

Philadelphia at Seattle

Pick: EAGLES

Although the Seahawks finally looked competent last week, I’ve got to go with McNabb’s squad.

New England at Indianapolis

Pick: COLTS

Colts will be playing with nothing to lose against a secondary that has given up some big yardage. Look for Peyton to break out the whooping stick.

Pittsburgh at Washington

Pick: REDSKINS

At home on Monday night, the Skins will be juiced. QB Jason Cambell’s emergence has been huge as they are no longer a run first, run second, run third team. Now they can mix in the pass a lot more.

Record last week: 7-7 (Overall: 72-54)