This week we have three returning participants. Our Guest Opinion from the Aggie, Jason Alpert, along with Joey Kistler, and Kartar Singh. We also have David Anderson joining Pick'em for the first time this season. Dave is a returning member of the Sports Department, he called Men's Soccer and is calling Women's Volleyball, both on ucdavisaggies.com. He'll also be calling some Women's Basketball games this season. Now to this week's picks
Bills @ Chiefs-
Jason Alpert: Chiefs. The Chiefs aren't that great of a team, the Bills are just a really really bad one.
David Anderson: Chiefs. Buffalo has been feisty the last couple of weeks, but that defense has too many holes for the suddenly potent Kansas City attack.
Joey Kistler: Chiefs. KC has the # 1 team in rushing yards and #6 in rush defense. The only hope that the bills have is their rushing game because Fitzpatrick is a 3rd string QB on any other team right now in my mind. Bills stay defeated. KC wins by a landslide
Kartar Singh: Chiefs. Chiefs behind the offensive power of Matt Cassel and Dexter McCluster will handle the Bills. Ryan Fitzpatrick is still my man though.
Packers @ Jets-
Jason Alpert: Jets. Packers struggled against a Vikings team and a quarterback with half a leg. The Jets will exploit Green Bay's weaknesses far better than Minnesota.
David Anderson: Jets. Minnesota turnovers helped saved a mediocre performance from Aaron Rodgers last week. It'll be interesting to see how he rebounds against Rex Ryan's confusing blitz packages.
Joey Kistler: Jets. Going to be a good game. Both teams have powerful offenses. NY is built more for passing while GB is more for rushing. However I think the Jets need this win more than the Packers do with the Patriots in the same division, who I think are going to go neck to neck with the Jets all year. Also I think you will see a drop off from the big win against Brett last week by the packers. Jets win with a bigger heart.
Kartar Singh: Packers. Aaron Rodgers is healthy, the packers haven’t lost Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, atleast yet. LT is due for one bad game. I’ll take the Packers
Broncos "@" 49ers-
Jason Alpert: Loser: London. What a dud of a game. One team just gave up 59, yes 59, points to the Raiders. The other can't score even with Joe Montana under center. Hell, lets go 49ers on a safety.
David Anderson: Broncos. Whether it be Alex or Troy Smith, it doesn't seem to matter who is under center for the disappointing Niners.
Joey Kistler: Broncos. One of the best games of the week. Not because of the teams playing but because of the awesomeness of London. I wish they would put a British announcer in this game! But no matter what country they are in, the Niners still find ways to lose. Hopefully Smith is ok to play to at least keep it close, but the Broncos take the battle in Britain!
Kartar Singh: 49ers.The London game is going to be interesting this year. Both teams are coming off tough losses and the 49ers won’t have Alex Smith for this game. Whether that is an advantage or disadvantage is yet to be known. Broncos probably win it but I gotta take the Niners.
Jaguars @ Cowboys-
Jason Alpert: Cowboys. Another dud of the game. I feel sorry for Jacksonville because they have talent and just don't seem able to string together good plays. I could care less about Dallas. Dallas wins another sloppy game.
David Anderson: Cowboys. Todd Bouman vs. Jon Kitna is a match-up only 2002 would love.
Joey Kistler: Jaguars. And another game that nobody wants to watch. Only the people who want to see the cowboys go 1-15; which includes me. Jags win!
Kartar Singh: Jaguars. No Romo, no hope. One of the Top 5 Quarterbacks in the LEAGUE (I’m talking to you Steven Vote). was their only hope to make it to the playoffs and no offense to Jon Kitna but he just isn’t going to cut it. Jags win.
Panthers @ Rams-
Jason Alpert: Rams. Sam Bradford is for real and the Rams will be real good in a couple years.
David Anderson: Rams. Carolina got a break last week against San Fran, but I still think they are the worst team in the NFC, which is saying something.
Joey Kistler: Panthers. Interesting game in my book. The Rams who have only had 1 bad loss this year to the Lions. The Panthers coming off their first win. Carolina takes it!
Kartar Singh: Rams. Sam Bradford vs Matt Moore. Steven Jackson vs DeAngelo Williams. This game is going to be a fun one to watch. With neither team having a peticularly good defense, expect a lot of points to be put up. I expect the Rams to squeak one out at home
Dolphins @ Bengals-
Jason Alpert: Dolphins. The "T-ocho" show has turned out to be a real bust. Dolphins will fall on top in this one.
David Anderson: Dolphins. Miami will stay unbeaten on the road after Cincinnati D showed signs of leakage last week.
Joey Kistler: Bengals. Meh, I don’t like Ocho Cinco or Ocho Uno. And both teams, being in the bottom half of their division early, haven’t shown any sort of consistency on the field. I think the Bengals are going to have to win this going into games against Pittsburgh and Indy in the following weeks. Even though i don’t like them, the Bengals win (probably because the weather is too cold for Miami players)
Kartar Singh: Dolphins. TO as I mentioned on this week’s podcast is one of the most overrated players in the NFL. That being said, a person I forgot to add to that list was Chad Ochocinco. Dolphins Baby.
Redskins @ Lions-
Jason Alpert: Redskins. Don't look now, but the Redskins are quietly in the playoff picture. McNabb is playing very well and the defense has been stout all year.
David Anderson: Lions. Matthew Stafford makes his return, but the story will be Washington's continuing offensive struggles as they face a revived Detroit defense.
Joey Kistler: Lions. The Lions are better than what their record shows. And I am a firm believer that Calvin Johnson can do great things against a bad pass defense for the skins. I dunno if you call this a huge upset, but i’m picking the Lions!!
Kartar Singh: Lions. Matthew Stafford comes back and Jahvid Best is still competing for Rookie of the Year. To add to that, Donovan McNabb and the Redskins offense is having an awful season. Lions get their second win at home.
Titans @ Chargers-
Jason Alpert: Titans. The Chargers are first in total offense and total defense, yet they are still 2-5. That's bad luck if I've ever seen it. Titans to somehow pull out a win.
David Anderson: Chargers. Mental mistakes and special teams woes prevented the Bolts from completing a 4th quarter comeback against New England. I think they'll take this one as this is a trap game for Tennessee, who is coming off a big win at home.
Joey Kistler: Chargers. So the Titans are surprisingly pretty hot this year. While the Chargers are coming off a tough 3 game losing streak. But if ya look, the chargers have lost by 1 score or less in every one of their games. I think Norv Turner turns the chargers around and Phillip Rivers has a huge day passing. The Chargers take advantage of home field and win!
Kartar Singh: Chargers. The Chargers are really an odd team because even though they have the number one ranked offense and defense in the league their still only 2-5. The Titans on the other hand have a average offense and defense and still find ways to win. I see that changing this weekend however.
Bucs @ Cardinals-
Jason Alpert: Cardinals. Apparently the Bucs are the best team in the NFC...interesting. The Cardinals will come out on top here. In other news, Larry Fitz, I could really use the fantasy points. K, thanks.
David Anderson: Cardinals. I'm not quite sold yet on the resurgent Bucs, but Arizona's quarterback woes don't provide much confidence either. When it doubt, take the home team.
Joey Kistler: Cardinals. No real basis of picking this but if you look at both the teams schedules, They both have gone W-L-W-L since the second week. Well it just works out to keep the pattern going, The Bucs have to lose and the Cardinals have to win. So that is my pick for the mere sake of awesome patterns!
Kartar Singh: Bucs. Contrary to the hype on Max Hall, Josh Freeman > Max Hall. Bucs win again. Expect another outrageous comment by Raheem Morris again this weekend.
Vikings @ Patriots-
Jason Alpert: Patriots. Vikings are up there with the cowboys for most overrated team, and the Patriots are the Patriots.
David Anderson: Patriots. It's Tarvaris time in the Twin Cities, but the motivated Pats will prove too much.
Joey Kistler: Patriots. Can Brett Farve give up already? Retire now, and accept the fact your career is over and leave before you get broken even more. Vikings have the wind taken out of their sails and Tom Brady wins by a landslide at home.
Kartar Singh: Patriots. : If Brett plays, actually it doesn’t matter either way. Pats at Home.
Seahawks @ Raiders-
Jason Alpert: Seahawks. Who would have thought this could be one of the nest games of the week? After putting up 59 points against the Broncos, the Raiders are almost surely due for a major let down and the Seahawks will be right there to capitalize.
David Anderson: Raiders. Seattle has shown that they can't do much away from Qwest Field and the Raiders are riding high after rediscovering their running game.
Joey Kistler: Seahawks. Matt Hasselback vs. Jason Campbell. Hasselback wins all day. I think the Seahawks have settled into Pete Carroll’s coaching style and keep their winstreak going.
Kartar Singh: Raiders. Jason Campbell is the next all-star quarterback.....hopefully. Raiders Win.
Steelers @ Saints-
Jason Alpert: Saints. Game of the week. Saints will be hungry and the Steelers are vulnerable.
David Anderson: Steelers. Drew Brees has struggled with finding receivers when defenses rush 4 or fewer players and he should have problems with Dick LeBeau's schemes, which are among the best in football.
Joey Kistler: Steelers. Great game for Sunday Night. Both teams know how to win games late. However the Saints have been getting behind too early in games. And with Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush still out, they have no chance against a rejuvenated Big Ben. Steelers take one from who dat nation!
Kartar Singh: Saints. Saints get back on track at home against a really good Steelers team. Although Big Ben is having a great comeback, the Saints are still the Saints and they still have a guy named Drew Brees, you might’ve heard of him.
Texans @ Colts-
Jason Alpert: Texans. Upset of the week. The Texans are a very good team and they'll finally have an opportunity to show it on Monday Night Football.
David Anderson: Colts.Even with all of the injuries to Indy, Peyton should torch the woeful Texans secondary.
Joey Kistler: Colts. Finally a Monday Night game i will be interested in watching. Arian Fosters running vs. Peyton’s passing. Both tied in the same division! Hmm, so tough to call. I think the experience of Peyton under center and the home field advantage takes the Colts to a winning score on the last drive of the game. Indy wins
Kartar Singh: Colts. Peyton will thrash the Texans after the beating they put on the Colts in week one. Peyton is still overrated though.
