I thought there were upsets two weeks ago, so you can imagine how surprised I was when I had my worst week of picking games ever last week. So many games surprised me, from Matt Bryant's 62-yard field goal as time expired, to the Texans destroying the Jaguars. I wasn't the only one who struggled though, as many of you across the nation experienced a similar fate.

However, it is, as always, a whole different week in the NFL. Although you have to be impressed with what the Buccaneers and Texans did last week, it doesn't necessarily mean that those teams are playoff contenders now. We're back to a 14-game schedule this week, instead of the 13 game oddity we've face the past couple of weeks. With the World Series over (congrats to the St. Louis Cardinals, condolences to the Detroit Tigers), Sunday Night Football returns this week as well. So, without wasting any more time, let's get to the Week 8 games of the week...

(Red = Prediction)

Big "O" Taking on Big "D"
Indianapolis Colts vs. Denver Broncos
It's a shame I won't be able to see this particular game this week. There are so many questions that will be answered in this game, for several reasons. The Colts have arguably been the best offensive team in the league, while the Broncos have arguably been the best defensive team in the league. The Colts can almost strike at will, but the Broncos can stop any team at will. Denver doesn't necessarily cause turnovers over and over again, they simply prevent teams from sustaining a drive to the point that it gets into the red zone. Each team has shown a kink in their armor this season as well. The Colts have been very vulnerable against the run (although with Anthony McFarland in the mix, they performed better last week). Meanwhile, the Broncos have really struggled to get Jake Plummer in sync with the offense, and the turnovers and poor decisions are continuing to add up.

That's where the problem lays this week: Jake Plummer. The Broncos defense will eventually give up some more scores, and I have faith that they won't let the Colts tear them apart. However, it's very difficult to keep Manning and the Colts under 17 points, and that's the highest point total that Denver has been able to attain all season. The Broncos won't lose this game because the defense gave up 20 points or so, it'll be because Jake Plummer couldn't mount a proper counter attack. That's the reason for the speculation of Jay Cutler being inserted into the starting role, however, on the same note, you don't want a greater quarterback debate when your team only has one loss at this point of the season.

Technically Sound
New England Patriots vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Patriots are quietly putting together an outstanding season, and are getting better and better each week. The Vikings haven't looked good in a couple of games, but at 4-2, they're definitely off to a good start to the season. Both teams are similar in the sense that not many people are thinking of these teams as "powerhouse" teams. The Patriots have been overshadowed by teams in the AFC like Denver, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati, while the Vikings haven't been able to move ahead of the Chicago Bears. Still, when you face the Patriots, you know you're in for a battle, and the same goes for the Vikings. Despite getting the job done, the Vikings don't have that type of reputation just yet - although beating the Seahawks last week certainly helps.

One of the underrated acquisitions of the offseason came with the Vikings getting running back Chester Taylor. He has been the consistent, powerful running back that the Vikings have missed for so many years. The Patriots coordinate their offense well all around, led by the charge of Tom Brady. For so much talk of Brady missing his top two receivers this year, he's accepted the guys that he has and has performed well with them, even gaining a favorite target in Doug Gabriel (bad trade on Oakland's side). I'm taking the Patriots based on the consistency they've shown, and the fact that they have a better chance at taking away the Vikings' main offensive threat, Taylor.

Two Great Passing Quarterbacks?
Atlanta Falcons vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Although the entire game was kind of bizarre, I finally saw some positive things from Michael Vick in the Falcons' passing game. Granted, basically all of his success came to tight end Alge Crumpler, but if that's what's going to get it done, then that's what the passing game needs to be geared towards. On the other side of this game, Carson Palmer, who is one of the top quarterbacks in the league, has struggled to get points on the board due to all of the injuries this team has faced with their offensive line. Getting Chris Perry back last week and Chris Henry being activated this week should certainly help.

The Bengals do not give up a lot of yards on the ground, but everything changes when facing a team as good on the ground as the Falcons are. The difference for Atlanta this week will again lay in Michael Vick, this time on the negative side though. You hate to say that Vick got lucky last week, but good performances through the air are far and few between for Vick. To beat the Bengals, you need a solid passing attack. That, plus the fact that the Falcons are traveling up north to Cincinnati is the reason I'm taking the Bengals.

Shootout of the Week
St. Louis Rams vs. San Diego Chargers
Both the Rams and the Chargers have been strong defensively this year, but neither team played very well on that side of the ball in their most recent games (the Seahawks beat the Rams, and the Chiefs beat the Chargers). Both teams have high-octane offenses though, and will be looking to put points on the board as fast as possible. Before the bye week, Marc Bulger had the Rams rolling on all cylinders, including touchdown after touchdown to his favorite receiver, Torry Holt. The Chargers have been all about LaDainian Tomlinson, although Phillip Rivers is starting to get the ball to Antonio Gates more often, which is definitely a positive sign.

The Rams no doubtedly play better on their home turf, making this the second straight game where I'm using the home-field factor to a team's advantage. It won't matter a whole lot, considering I'm predicting both teams to go back and forth on each other. The Chargers defense has been better than the Rams, but learning about the suspension of Shawne Merriman doesn't help at all. The Chargers have done a great job at limiting the run game, and if the Rams go to the passing game too much, even a quarterback like Bulger, with the year he is having, is bound to make a costly mistake.

And now, the rest of the week...

Arizona Cardinals vs. Green Bay Packers
Isn't funny how quickly the tides have turned? In a span of two weeks, many people are now considering the Cardinals the worst team in football to go along with their 1-6 record. And, after losing to the team that previously held that title, the Raiders, how can you argue? Matt Leinart had his first bad game against Oakland, and I don't think the Cardinals will ever have a decent ground game this year. Brett Favre has played better this year than people are giving him credit for, and the return of Ahman Green last week gave another boost to an offense that is putting points on the board each and every week. It should be a close game, but the Packers will do a better job of running the clock down when it matters.

Baltimore Ravens vs. New Orleans Saints
After having the bye week to rest, Steve McNair won't miss any action for the time being as he returns this week against the Saints. The Saints have finally gained the respect around the league as being considered a team to beat, which is why they clearly have the advantage over a struggling Ravens team. The first four games of the season, the Ravens were carried by their defense and a couple of clutch rallies by Steve McNair. Those rallies are impossible to come by every week, which is a major reason for the Ravens' downward spiral. The Saints are coming off their bye as well, and are healthy with all of their weapons on both sides of the ball. The Saints should actually do rather well in the run game against the Ravens due to their 1-2 punch.

Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans
Last week, I went on and said that 'unfortunately for the Texans, they're already out of the playoff race again'. Although I still believe that mentally, after getting the second win of the season, they're still in the race statistically, and with a win over the Jaguars, could actually finish second in the division. Last week, almost everyone overlooked the Texans. This week, the Titans will make a statement to ensure that teams don't overlook them. Travis Henry is looking for his third-straight 100-yard game, but does anything in this division matter this year when the Colts won't lose to any of them?

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Last year, it was absolutely ridiculous how often the San Diego Chargers caught unlucky breaks. They were a team that somehow missed the playoffs, despite being one of the top teams in football. This year, the same philosophy can be applied to the Eagles with all three of their losses. They've lost two of their games on game-winning field goals, and the other on an unbelievable 4th-quarter route by the Giants. The Jaguars have been a good team that's simply been surprisingly inconsistent, especially considering how well Maurice-Jones Drew has been. There won't be a letdown for the Eagles this week, as they should roll without the mistakes from Donovan McNabb.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Kansas City Chiefs
This won't be the match-up you'd expect to be, since both teams are without key players. The Seahawks will still be without Shaun Alexander, and this week, they'll be without quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. On the Chiefs side, not only are they without Trent Green, but they could be without backup quarterback Damon Huard, who has led them to a 3-1 record over the past several weeks. If that's the case, then rookie quarterback Brodie Croyle would get the start, and in turn, Larry Johnson would probably get the ball very often. In a game with key offensive players missing, the Chiefs clearly have the advantage being at home, and with their star running back still healthy.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears
The last thing people remember about the Bears is their amazing comeback against the Cardinals two weeks ago. After a bye week, Rex Grossman and the Bears offense should have their heads back in the game. We know that the defense can carry the Bears, but against the Cardinals, the defense carried the team times ten all in one quarter basically. Chicago should have no problems picking the 49ers apart, as I highly doubt Alex Smith will be able to mount the early type of attack that Matt Leinart was able to do.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Giants
After such a horrid start to the year, the Buccaneers have played drastically better in their past three games, coincidentally since Bruce Gradkowski took over at quarterback. The Giants have been powerful on offense the past couple of weeks, as they've finally found the proper ways to execute down in the red zone. Both of Tampa Bay's wins came at home, something that aided them greatly with the crowd on their side in a close game. The Giants won't even let it get to a close game, as long as Eli Manning doesn't do with McNabb did last week in the first half.

New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns
The Cardinals firing their offensive coordinator may have been a rash decision, but that wasn't the case for the Browns, who were ranked 32nd in the league despite having potential in players like Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow. The Browns defense has continued to play well, which has kept the Browns from being embarrassed on several occasions. The Jets are looking to take advantage of another team with a losing record, but Chad Pennington will have a difficult time against a pass defense that has kept many quarterbacks quiet. The Browns offense has struggled from troubles in their offensive line, which is good news for them considering they're facing a team that struggles at defending the run. Look for a big day from Reuben Droughns, allowing the Browns to pull off the mini-upset at home.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Oakland Raiders
All signs are looking positive for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, meaning that he'll likely start this week. Despite a defensive collapse last week, the Steelers have played better football the past two weeks than they have all season. It doesn't matter that they're taking on the Raiders on the road, because despite having one win, the Raiders are still a bad football team. They shouldn't have any success offensively, and the Steelers will pile it on either through the air or on the ground - only time will tell.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers
It's ROMO time! The problem is, personally, I didn't want to see Drew Bledsoe have his job yanked. I think the Cowboys are at a critical point of their schedule, and that they'd be better suited with a veteran like Bledsoe leading the charge. Nonetheless, I'm still excited to see what Romo brings to the table, and if he has success, then I'll certainly give him his props. The Panthers finally lost a game with Steve Smith last week, and they'll be looking to go to the passing game more often. The Panthers have played well, but their big issue remains the fact that once they have the lead, they aren't expanding the lead. Romo will show potential in this game, but cause turnovers with risks, allowing the Panthers offense to take advantage of short fields.

Well, now to my survivor pick. Unfortunately, like many fans, I took the Jaguars to beat the Texans last week. I'm frustrated at this fact, because during my winning streak, I still had not picked a team like Indianapolis, Chicago, or Denver. I'm not going to start over though, but my actually "winning streak" will start over. So, this week, I'm taking the Pittsburgh Steelers to beat the Oakland Raiders. I had doubts about my survivor pick last week, but there are no doubts about this game.

Predictions Record to Date: 63-37(Manageable)
Last Week: 4-9(State of depression)
Survivor Streak: Lost 1 (Phi over Hou, Bal over Oak, Was over Hou, Cle over Oak, NO over TB, Dal over Hou, Jac over Hou.)

I'm having nightmares about my repeat performance of a losing record this week. Okay, maybe I'm not, but still, I'm hoping I can reach the 10-win mark this week to make up for a disappointing effort last week.

-Chris Pokorny