Alright, I’m finally getting in the groove.  Two weeks in a row with all three projections coming to fruition.

Yeah, that’s right, even the Indy over Seattle pick!  And you guys thought I was nuts for making that choice.  (Now we know, the pick has nothing to do with it!)

Well, let’s see if I can hit another perfect week!

This week’s Lock of the Week (5-0).

In past weeks, I have pretty much gone with one of two philosophies.  Either go with the team that is playing the best or go with the team that is playing the worst team in the league.

This week, the choice is made easy, since using either philosophy will get me to the same game – Jacksonville at Denver!  (I know, I know, the Giants are giving the Jags a run for their money!)

The Broncos’ offense has been running like a well-oiled machine, rattling off TDs like other teams get first downs.  Peyton is playing as well as, if not better than he was before he had to deal with the neck issues.  There’s no reason to think that he’ll slow down this week.

The Broncos should put this one away before halftime!

This week’s Upset of the Week (3-2).

I’ve picked several underdogs this week, at least according to the odds-makers.  I feel pretty good about most of them, but one game in particular has me scratching my head.

How in the world are the New Orleans Saints underdogs against the New England Patriots.  I don’t care that the game will be played in Foxboro, there is just no comparison between these two teams at this point in the season.

The Patriots are struggling to move the ball and to put points on the board.  Brady’s incredible streak of games with at least one TD pass was snapped last week at Cincinnati.  Every game they have played this season, they have underachieved, with the possible exception of the victory at Atlanta in week 4.

The fact that they are 4-1 can only be attributed to the weak schedule they have had so far.

On the other side of the line will be the New Orleans Saints, a team that has had no problem putting points on the board this season.  They are 5-0 and have averaged nearly 32 points per game over the past three weeks.

Unlike last season, they actually have a defense that seems to know how to stop their opponents.  (I’m sure the return of Sean Payton has nothing to do with that!)

The home field advantage for the Patriots should do nothing more than prevent this from being a total blowout.  The Saints will still win by double digits!

This week’s Game of the Week (3-2).

This category was a tough one this week.  Not because there are so many games to choose from.  No, this week, there seems to be no games to choose from.

You don’t believe me?  Okay, which game do you see as an exciting game to watch?  If we’re talking two good teams playing against each other, you might pick Green Bay at Baltimore.

If we’re looking for the game with the most offensive fireworks, you might go with Washington at Dallas…..maybe!

I’m looking for a game that would be considered for both of these categories.  There is only one matchup that comes close to meeting the criteria.  We’ll have to wait until Monday night, but I’m going with the Indianapolis Colts at the San Diego Chargers.

I know that Indy would be, and should be, considered to be at least a notch above the Chargers.  Let’s face it, most experts have picked the Colts to be in the playoffs this season, while you’d be hard pressed to find anyone outside of SoCal that would have predicted San Diego to finish the season with playoff aspirations.

However, Rivers has shown glimpses of his old self this season, moving the team down the field with his arm.  With Ryan Mathews once again being slowed by injuries, Danny Woodhead appears to be the go-to man out of the backfield, which means screens and quick passes instead of a solid running attack.

This should keep the Chargers in the game for at least three quarters.  However, with Luck playing like a seasoned veteran, that won’t be enough.  His offensive unit is beginning to look like a solid team, rather than a bunch of individuals.  If they can keep Luck protected, they will put more points on the board than their hosts.

This game may stay close for the first two or three periods, but eventually you will see the Colts pull away for a ten point victory!