The Yoffs Are Here!

It's the best time of year and, for those who lose, the worst time of year. For fans lucky enough to have a bye this weekend it will be one of the most enjoyable, relaxing weekends of the football season. No pressure. Just sit back and watch to see who you'll be playing. My personal recommendation is make something in the crock pot (like Jambalaya). It will simmer all day and be ready just about the time the games are starting. Some random thoughts on the games and my Pats-biased picks..

Washington Redskins @ Seattle Seahawks

Yawn. The kind of game that you put on in the background. Making the playoffs was this seasons major accomplishment for the Skins after the tragic loss of Sean Taylor. Seattle's the loudest stadium in the league. Seahawk fans are true football fans - you've got to love their 12th Man flag raising and how they keep track of false start penalties. I think that's the difference here. Todd Collins... come on. Seattle 24, Washington 13.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Pittsburgh Steelers

General consensus seems to be that the Jags are gonna steamroll the Steelers. Seriously, the media hard-on for the Jags right now is bordering on ridiculous. The whole "built for cold weather" thing has been a talking point of every football talk show for weeks now. Granted an unproven QB has come in to Heinz Field and dispatched the Steelers before (see Pats '01) but this one's gonna be a whole lot closer than anyone thinks, especially if the Steelers can score first. No question the Pats would prefer to see Pittsburgh in the AFCDG and I think it will happen. You just can't write off a team with a Super Bowl QB at home in bad field conditions, getting zero respect. No one thinks they can win. That's why they will. Pittsburgh 20, Jacksonville 17 

New York Giants @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bigger yawn than the other NFCWCG. The Bucs are good enough to beat the Giants at home but that's about as far as they're going. Eli Manning peaked last week in a meaningless game for the Giants. Sure he won some respect but in the end the Giants were nothing more than a trivia answer. Tampa Bay 14, New York 10

Tennessee Titans @ San Diego Chargers

I find the Chargers to be the most unlikeable team in the NFL. That's probably because I'm a Pats fan but seriously, hasn't everyone had enough of LaDanian Tomlinson and Phillip Rivers? Say what you will about the Pats but there's nothing more annoying that an average team with attitude. The Titans really have no chance, at least Cleveland would've made things interesting with their offense. San Diego 35, Tennessee 7