First, this is late, and I know it. It's been a busy week around here with the Foreigner/Lynyrd Skynyrd and Motley Crue/Tesla/Extreme concert announcements, which is good because if you beat me -- you're in the running to win 2026 concert tickets and we needed shows for you to win those tickets for.
Second, congratulations to CHASE NIX. He is the first person to go undefeated during a single week of this contest, going 15-0 last week. He wins the $50 Gift Certificate to Bogie's Pub + Grill at Bay Meadows on Cronin Road in Queensbury.
Now onto the games.
BUFFALO at HOUSTON
Buffalo lost. If I was going to write a preview for this game, I was going to warn that Houston has the Bills number. But with C.J. Stroud being out, I felt the Bills were going to be better made for the game. I was wrong here, but also not surprised.
RICK'S PICK: Buffalo [X]
NY JETS at BALTIMORE
The only way I see Baltimore loses is if they cause their own troubles. Lamar's starting to get into a rhythm.
RICK'S PICK: Baltimore
PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO
Should be a good battle, but the Pittsburgh defense can be a menace. The Steelers always find a way to win, but the Bears can be a good solid team at times. I'm probably going to be wrong here.
RICK'S PICK: Pittsburgh
NEW ENGLAND at CINCINNATI
There's a possibility that Joe Burrow returns on Sunday. If he does, will he be ready? The Bengals will be without Ja'Marr Chase after getting the game suspension for spitting against Pittsburgh. So that's one weapon off the field. The Patriots have a chance to extend their lead in the AFC East now that the Bills have lost.
RICK'S PICK: New England
NY GIANTS at DETROIT
The Giants didn't look stellar last week. Meanwhile, the Lions did. The Lions should be more than capable of winning... if I don't curse them first.
RICK'S PICK: Detroit
MINNESOTA at GREEN BAY
JJ McCarthy has yet to show a solid 60 minute game performance since joining the NFL. I do not trust the Vikings here. Even with Josh Jacobs out for Green Bay.
RICK'S PICK: Green Bay
INDIANAPOLIS at KANSAS CITY
True test for Indianapolis, and maybe the Colts can do what Denver did last week. But I would feel much better if the game was in Indy opposed to out in the elements in Kansas City.
RICK'S PICK: Indianapolis
SEATTLE at TENNESSEE
Seattle should rebound easily here, even if they're playing at 10am Pacific.
RICK'S PICK: Seattle
JACKSONVILLE at ARIZONA
Jacoby Brissett had a stellar performance in a losing effort against San Francisco, and maybe will fuel a spark for the Arizona Cardinals offense. Jacksonville is very inconsistent this season, looking like a playoff contender against Los Angeles, but this could be a trap. For now, I'm going Jacksonville but I'm not solid on this pick
RICK'S PICK: Jacksonville
CLEVELAND at LAS VEGAS
This one's a tough one to pick. Cleveland has some talent, but so too does Las Vegas. This one could go either way, so I'm going with the home team here.
RICK'S PICK: Las Vegas
PHILADELPHIA at DALLAS
Philadelphia should have the weapons, but then again, they had very little of a show against the Detroit Lions. But the Detroit defense is not as flexible as the Dallas Cowboys defense has been this season.
RICK'S PICK: Philadelphia
ATLANTA at NEW ORLEANS
I still like Bijan Robinson, even though he's going to be focused more with Michael Penix Jr. out for the rest of the season. And the Saints do have a defense that can make some moves. But I'll go with Robinson, for now.
RICK'S PICK: Atlanta
TAMPA BAY at LA RAMS
Tampa Bay needs to stop the bleeding, but the cure is not a Los Angeles Rams that looked really good against both San Francisco and Seattle in the past two weeks.
RICK'S PICK: LA Rams
CAROLINA at SAN FRANCISCO
Speaking of San Francisco, Christian McCaffrey is a tough player to defend against. Bryce Young will not have as easy of a time against this San Francisco defense.
RICK'S PICK: San Francisco
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