The arrival of a hurricane has forced me to make my picks a day earlier than I planned. I don't feel like just picking the Miami and Kansas City game; I might as well do them all at once. It's Week 7, and we only have one undefeated team remaining in the NFL. There is also only one team in the NFL without a win. How fitting is it that those two teams meet up this week? Could the Texans possibly pull the upset and...

I'll stop right there. Simply put: if you pick the Texans this week, you're either trying to pray you can win a lot of money based on the odds for a rare upset, or you're a Texans homer. No one else is picking them this week. No one.

Now, let's begin with the Week 7 games of the week.

(Red = Prediction).

The Game of the Year
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
This has the makings of a great game written all over it. The Bengals at 5-1 are trying to overtake the AFC North this year, while the Steelers are trying to re-claim their glory. The Steelers have won some tough road games this year and will be very pleased with the return of Ben Roethlisberger. This should be the Bengals' toughest opponent thus far, although you can make a case that the Jaguars were a tougher team. By the way, the Jaguars handed Cincinnati their lone defeat.

It's hard to say that Carson Palmer will have a bad say against a tough defense because he's done nothing but produce thus far this season. For both of these teams, the two match-ups between each other will be their most meaningful games this year. Assuming that Hines Ward makes his return this week, I expect him and Big Ben to give the Steelers a boost while the defense keeps the game close. Pittsburgh wins a tough one.

Used to be a Big Game
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
I know for at least the past two years, anytime the Packers took on the Vikings, I would witness a great game. That may not be the case this year, since it seems the only thing Culpepper can do with the offense is throw zero touchdowns and two picks per game. While they have the same record, the Packers' 52-3 blowout over the Saints before their bye week should allow their confidence level to be sky high heading into this game.

Everyone on the Vikings feels the need to perform. Usually they are confident early in the season, then fall under pressure later in the year. This year they've started bad, and are under even more pressure than years past. I've given up on the Vikings: they will not come through. Brett Favre shouldn't have to worry about a shootout with the Vikings this year. If he scores early on, the Packers should be able to work the clock the rest of the way to victory.

Tough Task
San Diego Chargers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
This game has a lot of pressure on both teams. The Chargers are without a doubt the best 2-3 team in the league. They've had a very difficult schedule lately, facing the Patriots, Steelers, and now the Eagles. Even if the Chargers hang tough with the Eagles, they'll find themselves two games under .500. For the Eagles, they have not played well on several occasions this year. They're falling behind in games way too early and McNabb has had to play through pain.

I feel like taking the Chargers, but I just don't see how the Eagles can lose this game. Despite their struggles at times, McNabb has had a great season and the Eagles have had two weeks to prepare for this game. Besides, if the Eagles lose any more, they'll be looking up at the division lead once again. Eagles win after Brian Westbrook gets involved, while Tomlinson extends his touchdown streak another game.

The NFC Elite?
Dallas Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks
Like it or not, the Cowboys and the Seahawks appear to be two of the elite teams in the NFC besides the Buccaneers at the moment. The Seahawks' spirits are high after embarrassing the Texans, when Shaun Alexander rushed for four touchdowns and the team gained over 300 yards on the ground. Dallas' offense scuffled last week against the Giants, but they were able to hang tough and win it in overtime.

The Cowboys will have to play a perfect game in this one, because the odds are stacked against them. They're coming off of a tough game against division rivals, and have to face Seattle on the road. The Seahawks should be fairly well rested since they were able to play loose against Houston last week and will have the support of their home crowd. Seahawks win.

And now, the rest of the week...

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Miami Dolphins
The Chiefs may have a disadvantage since they are on the road and had less time to "study" the Dolphins, but this has to be a statement game for the Chiefs. The Dolphins have begun to struggle in some areas, so the Chiefs need to take advantage. Priest Holmes isn't having the type of year I expected so far, but he looks like he's ready to break out any moment. Ricky Williams wasn't able to provide the spark the Dolphins' had hoped for last week, but the play of Gus Frerotte has to become more consistent for Miami to continue winning.

Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns
The defensive effort of the Lions is the only thing keeping them in games right now. It's the same old story for the Lions offense - Harrington can't produce and all of his receivers are out. The Browns took a step back last week when their offense couldn't beat the Ravens' defense. Dilfer couldn't handle the blitz well enough last week, but the Lions don't bring nearly as many blitzes as the Ravens do. If Jeff Garcia plays, then the Lions chances would be greatly increased in this game. However, it won't be enough to beat the Browns, who plan on running the ball more this week.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans
The Colts go down 17-0 against the Rams. What's their answer? Not much, just a 45-3 run. If someone tells you that they're betting for Houston to win this game, you better accept their bet and put all of your money into it. David Carr may not last past half time with how often I expect him to get knocked around. Colts win a blowout, and Jim Sorgi may have a lot of playing time.

New Orleans Saints vs. St. Louis Rams
It's a shame that Marc Bulger had to get injured; he could have kept the Rams in the game last week. He is out this week, and we all know how bad the Rams' offense looked under Jamie Martin. The Saints are playing another "road" game, but they should be able to carve the Rams poor defense and get the win. Although, their spirits should be down after getting blown out by the Packers two weeks ago and losing to a questionable field goal penalty last week.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Redskins
I really don't think Ken Dorsey will be seeing any action, so it looks like it's Alex Smith's job for sure in San Francisco. It doesn't get any easier for him this week than it was against the Colts a few weeks ago. He won't get the support needed in the passing or running game, forcing him to throw interceptions again. The Redskins have started to fall despite some great play by Mark Brunell. They should be a lock to win this week.

Buffalo Bills vs. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders have been a big disappointment. The Bills are 2-0 under Kelly Holcomb, who is moving the football when needed. Willis McGahee's production has drastically improved over the past two weeks, allowing him to produce the Pro Bowl type numbers I expected. The Bills' offense has had trouble putting games away - despite winning - the past two weeks.

Tennessee Titans vs. Arizona Cardinals
Josh McCown should get the start in my opinion over Kurt Warner this week. McCown has been able to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, while Warner did not get nearly the amount of production. The Titans offense has moved the ball very well this year, but their defense will allow the Cardinals to walk all over them. This game should be a shootout, but in the Cardinals favor.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Chicago Bears
The Ravens defense played arguably its best game of the season last week, and should be very happy to see rookie QB Kyle Orton this week. The Bears were able to beat the Vikings convincingly last week - but who hasn't been able to do that? The Ravens will win the same way as they did against the Browns: blitzing defense, minimal offense, short-field touchdowns.

Denver Broncos vs. New York Giants
Last week in my predictions, I finally gave Plummer credit and predicted him to have a good game. I was right, but I still picked against the Broncos. This week, I've finally turned full circle and now believe that the Broncos are indeed a good team. The Giants offense could not produce at all after a bye week, and it won't be too easy against the Broncos. Denver wins late in the game.

New York Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons
Last week, we saw why Vinny Testeverde will not be the "savior" that some fans thought he would be. The Falcons have played poorly on the defensive side of the ball lately, but will not allow the Jets offense to get anything on Monday Night. Vick will have to control the ball still, since the Jets defense remains solid.

That's it for this weeks predictions. I extended my survivor winning streak to five last week by picking the Falcons to beat the Saints. That was a very close game, especially when you consider the field goal penalty at the end. This week, I'm taking the Atlanta Falcons again; this time over the New York Jets. I can't see the Super Bowl contending Falcons losing to a team whose season is lost.

Predictions Record to Date: 52-36
Last Week: 9-5
Survivor Streak: Won 5(Pit over Hou, Dal over SF, Ind over Ten, Cle over Chi, Atl over NO)

I would have talked about the playoff scene this week, but I have to get this up before the Dolphins/Chiefs game. Too bad it's not nationally televised; I'll have to read play-by-play on the Internet.

-Chris Pokorny