by Peter Schrager

Last Week's Record: 9-5
Overall Record: 59-31

Sunday's 1 p.m. ET games

Can the Packers' defense make it two straight shutouts? ( / Associated Press)

Green Bay at Cleveland: The Packers put forth their best defensive effort of the season last week, shutting out the Lions 26-0, surrendering just 149 yards and sacking Drew Stanton and Daunte Culpepper five times combined. The Browns? Well, aside from Josh Cribbs, the Browns were terrible. Again. The Packers should win this one in a cake walk.
The Pick: Packers 28, Browns 10

San Francisco at Houston: Word is that 49ers rookie wideout Michael Crabtree is getting the start Sunday in his NFL debut against the Texans. Though most eyes will be focused on that sub plot, I'm pretty amped about two of the league's top young linebackers going at it head-to-head for the first time in their careers when Houston's DeMeco Ryans squares off against San Francisco's Patrick Willis. The way he's playing, you might want to toss Houston rookie Brian Cushing's name into that "top young LBs" conversation, as well.
The Pick: Texans 31, 49ers 17

San Diego at Kansas City: With the exception of Tennessee, the Chargers are probably the most disappointing team in the league this season. With all the talent on that roster, there's no excuse whatsoever for a 2-3 record. The 'Bolts have beaten Kansas City three straight times, but their two victories last season were by one point each. Coming off what was nothing short of a beatdown from the Broncos and with a short work week to prepare, give me the upstart Chiefs in an upset on Sunday. And if someone happens to notice Shawne Merriman on the field (13 tackles through five games), please let me know. I haven't been able to spot him all year.
The Pick: Chiefs 28, Chargers 23

Minnesota at Pittsburgh: The Vikings may be everybody's darlings, but the Steelers are still the defending champs. Almost under the radar, Ben Roethlisberger is putting up eye-popping MVP numbers this year. Always big on wins but never big on individual stats, Big Ben currently leads the NFL in passing and is second in completion percentage and yards per game. Including the postseason, the Steelers have won nine straight at home. I'll take the fantasy superstar QB and the Troy Polamalu-led defense over the undefeated Vikes at Heinz Field.
The Pick: Steelers 23, Vikings 20

Indianapolis at St. Louis: Since 2004, the Colts are 48-7 (.873) when Peyton Manning has two or more TDs and 22-6 (.786) when he has 300 or more passing yards. There's a chance he could surpass both of those totals in the first half on Sunday. Watching the Rams is like watching a bad horror movie. Minus the suspense, of course.
The Pick: Colts 41, Rams 14

New England at Tampa Bay (in London): Talk about rude. Here we are, bringing our nation's favorite game to the Queen's country, and we're going to give them this matchup? Coming off last week's 59-0 rout of Tennessee, the Patriots are looking as fully loaded as ever. Tampa Bay? Well, they're 0-6 and headed towards a top-five draft pick. If I have any one request from this one, it's that we get a foreign announcer of some sort saying the name Stylez G. White in a British accent. Jim Nantz, can you pass that along in the press box on Sunday? Thanks.
The Pick: Patriots 37, Buccaneers 14

Sunday's 4 p.m. ET games

DeAngelo Williams is ready to run all over the Bills' defense. (Chris O'Meara / Associated Press)

Buffalo at Carolina: I said it last week, and I'll say it again: Don't sleep on the 2009 Carolina Panthers. After two straight wins, Carolina's quietly inching its way back into the NFC playoff conversation. The Panthers have won nine of their past 10 home games and have scored 20-plus points in all nine of those wins. Look for more of the same on Sunday vs. the Bills. The Jets put up huge rushing numbers on the Buffalo D last weekend; DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and that Carolina O-Line must be licking their chops for a chance at 'em.
The Pick: Panthers 24, Bills 7

New York Jets at Oakland: The last time the Jets traveled to Oakland, Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski kicked three field goals, including the longest overtime field goal in NFL history from 57 yards out in '08. The win was Tom Cable's first as an NFL head coach. A year later, the Jets travel to Oakland a team in desperate need of a win. After three impressive wins to start the season, New York has dropped three straight and been beaten up in the process. I can't see JaMarcus Russell surviving the Rex Ryan pass rush. Then again, I couldn't see the Raiders scoring a point vs. Philly last week. What do I know?
The Pick: Jets 20, Raiders 16

Chicago at Cincinnati: The Cedric Benson Bowl! Drafted fourth overall by Chicago in '05, Benson spent three seasons (2005-07) with the Bears before being unceremoniously released last offseason. Talk about shaking something off. Dating back to Dec. 21, Benson leads the NFL with 813 rush yards on 190 carries (4.3 avg.). For as much as a Chicago-Denver game would be a "revenge game" for Jay Cutler, this one is for Benson. Look for him to have an inspired and productive day. In a loss.
The Pick: Bears 24, Bengals 20

Atlanta at Dallas: Your quirky stat of the week? Dallas wideout Miles Austin (10 catches, 250 yards, two TDs) and Atlanta receiver Roddy White (eight catches, 210 yards, two TDs) became only the second duo with 200-plus yards and two TDs on the same day in NFL history when they did it two weeks ago. It's hard to pick against Matt Ryan, but the Cowboys have had an extra week to prepare for this one. Atlanta's on the road and coming off a grueling Sunday night affair. Perhaps against my better judgment, I'm taking Dallas.
The Pick: Cowboys 20, Falcons 17

New Orleans at Miami: What hasn't been said about Drew Brees this year? Brees has passed for 15,000 yards with the Saints in just 53 games, the fastest in NFL history with one team. Brees had 369 yards, four touchdowns and a 156.8 passer rating last week against one of the league's most dominant defenses. The guy's on fire. Miami's the league's leading rushing team (177 yards per game) and should give the Saints' D some trouble, but nobody's stopping this Saints offense anytime soon. I can't pick against New Orleans until someone does.
The Pick: Saints 34, Dolphins 20

Sunday night

Arizona at New York: Arizona's recent struggles in the Northeast have been well documented. The three post-September 15 scores of Cardinals games played in the Northeast last year: 56-35 loss at New York Jets, 48-20 loss at Philadelphia, 47-7 loss at New England. Though Arizona's won two straight, I can't see them trekking up to Giants Stadium and beating Big Blue on a cold North Jersey October night. Brandon Jacobs breaks out of his "funk" and the D picks itself up after last week's embarrassing effort in New Orleans.
The Pick: Giants 26, Cardinals 17

Monday night

With a vote of confidence this week, Jason Campbell is ready to lead the 'Skins past their NFC East rival Eagles on Monday night. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press)

Philadelphia at Washington: The last time the Eagles traveled to Washington, Redskins corner Fred Smoot and safety LaRon Landry combined to tackle Eagles wideout Reggie Brown at the 1-yard line as time expired to secure a 10-3 Washington win. Jason Campbell was given a much-needed vote of confidence earlier this week, and I think he somehow, some way, delivers under the Monday night lights. In Clinton Portis' past three games vs. Philadelphia, he has 352 rush yards (117.3 per game) and two touchdowns. Look for him to throw the wounded 'Skins on his back and get Washington a critical win. Yes, folks, your upset special!
The Pick: Redskins 20, Eagles 16

Reader E-mail of the Week

Peter,
I bought one of those Oilers AFL throwback jerseys before the season started. Figuring we'd at least be competitive this year, I planned on wearing it on Sundays. Well, fast forward to October, and I'm ashamed to even look at it. I'm thinking the thing needs to be tossed in the trash and forgotten. The worst part? It's a Kerry Collins jersey. Was this the worst jersey purchase you've ever heard of? Your thoughts on what I should do?
— Jason H., Knoxville, Tenn.

Wear that thing proudly, Jason. In my lifetime, I've owned a Dave Brown Giants jersey, a Bobby Holik Rangers jersey and a Randy Johnson Yankees jersey. Compared to those three, a Kerry Collins Oilers jersey is like an Armani suit. At some point in the future, when Vince Young is leading Tennessee to Super Bowls and Chris Johnson is giving Hall of Fame induction speeches, you're going to think fondly of that Kerry Collins jersey and the lost season of '09. Just be sure to never wear the jersey anywhere outside a sports bar or inside a stadium. Because as we all know, there's nothing creepier than the grown man wearing a football jersey when he's not watching football.