Key match ups involving marquee teams in the league. Here’s a look at the games:

Last week: 8-4; Overall: 55-37 (60%)

 

Minnesota Vikings (4-5) @ Chicago Bears (3-6)

Soldier Field, Chicago (61,500)

Noon CT/1 PM ET

CBS

Broadcasters: Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon

Stripes: Ronald Torbert crew-Laundry mat czar

Weather: 35 @ kickoff, 0% rain, wind: SW @ 11 MPH

Line: Chicago by 3

I don’t trust Chicago much any more even though they’re favored in this game. Jay Cutler, for whatever reason, is not getting the job done. Not sure he ever will. Teddy Bridgewater has given the Vikings some new life. I want to pick the Vikings in this one and I will.

Vikings 34, Bears 31

 

Houston Texans (4-5) @ Cleveland Browns (6-3)

FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland (73,200)

Noon CT/ 1 PM ET

CBS

Broadcasters: Andrew Catalon, Steve Tasker, Steve Beurlein

Stripes: Ed Hochuli- Got some serious Howitzers for arms

Weather: Cloudy, 37, 20% rain, wind: SSW @ 11 MPH

Line: Browns by 3 1/2

Really starting to trust the Browns and quarterback Blake Hoyer, though I like Texans Coach Bill O’Brien a lot. Going with the Browns at home.

Cleveland 28, Houston 27

 

Atlanta Falcons (3-6) @ Carolina Panthers (3-6-1)

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte (73,778)

Noon CT/1 PM ET

FOX

Broadcasters: Thom Brennaman, David Diehl, Laura Okmin

Stripes: Walt Anderson

Weather: Noon CT/ 1 PM ET

Line: Falcons by 1

Both teams have struggled, but with the Saints leading the NFC South at 4-5, both teams are still in it. Going with Cam at home.

Carolina 34, Atlanta 30

 

Seattle Seahawks (6-3) @ Kansas City Chiefs (6-3)

Arrowhead Stadium, KC (76,416)

Noon CT/ 1 PM ET

FOX

Kenny Albert, Daryl “Moose” Johnston, Tony “Goose” Siragusa

Stripes: Bill Leavy

Weather: Cloudy, 26 @ kickoff, wind WNW @ 9 MPH

Line: KC by 1 and 1/2

Trust Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson here more than I do Andy Reid and Alex Smith.

Seahawks 27, Chiefs 24

Cincinnati Bengals (5-3-1) @ New Orleans Saints (4-5)

Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans (76,468)

Noon CT/ 1 PM ET

CBS

Broadcasters: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Evan Washburn

Stripes: Craig Wrolstad

Indoors: 70 degrees

Line: Saints by 7

The Bengals got blasted by the Browns at home a week ago Thursday, 24-3. The Saints lost a tough one to the resurgent 49ers, 27-24, in overtime at home. The Saints had won 20 straight at home under Sean Payton, though he was suspended for the 2012 season. The Saints get it back here. Trust Brees and the Saints over Andy Dalton and the Bengals.

Saints 34, Bengals 28

 

San Francisco 49ers (5-4) @ New York Giants (3-6)

MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey (82,566)

Noon CT/ 1 PM ET

FOX

Broadcasters: Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Pam Oliver

Stripes: Gene Steratore: Could be some controversial calls with Steratore

Weather: 47, mostly cloudy, 0% rain, wind SSW @ 10 MPH

Line: 49ers by 4

The Niners look like they’ve gotten it together and with some guys coming back on defense soon including defensive end Aldon Smith Sunday, they’re right back in the hunt. Not sure the Arizona Cardinals are going to come back to the pack in the NFC West, but the Niners could get themselves back in it if they keep winning. They do face the Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks twice before the season is over. It’s just a struggle for Eli and the Giants right now.

49ers 31, Giants 24

 

Detroit Lions (7-2) @ Arizona Cardinals (8-1)

University of Phoenix Stadium (63,400)

3:25 PM CT/4:25 PM ET

FOX

Broadcasters: Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale

Stripes: Jerome Boger, Laundry Mat expected

Weather: 72 Sunny, wind: NNE @ 9 MPH

Line: ‘Zona by 1 and 1/2

Really starting to believe in this Cardinals team even with starting quarterback Carson Palmer out for the season with a knee injury. Like their backup, Drew Stanton. He’s led the team to three wins already this year and the defense has been really good with Patrick Peterson going off at cornerback lately. He had two ints last week, one for a 30 yard pick seven against the St. Louis Rams in a 31-14 Cardinals victory. Like Tyrann Mathieu at free safety. The Honey Badger is making his mark in the league as well. The Lions are having a very good year, but the Cardinals get it done at home. Good defensive game with two of the best defenses in the league.

‘Zona 24, Lions 21

 

Philadelphia Eagles (7-2) @ Green Bay Packers (6-3)

Lambeau Field, Green Bay ((80,978)

3:25 PM CT/4:25 PM ET

Broadcasters: Joe, Troy, EA (Erin Andrews)

Stripes: Carl Cheffers, could be some issues with calls. He’s had his share of gaffes.

Weather: 29 @ kickoff, mostly cloudy, 10% rain, Wind: SW @ 11 MPH

Line: Packers by 5 1/2

Really like what Chip Kelly is doing at Philadelphia. They’re one of the best teams in the NFL. I expect them to go deep this year, and if they can get home field in the playoffs they can make it to University of Phoenix Stadium for Super Bowl 49 on Feb.1, 2015. But it’s the Packers at home and ARodg  and his team are really tough to beat even though I really like this Eagles team. Expect a great game.

Packers 31, Eagles 30

 

Sunday Night Football

New England Patriots (7-2) @ Indianapolis Colts (6-3)

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indy (62, 421)

7:30 PM CT/8:30 PM ET

NBC

Al, Cris, Michelle

Stripes: Pete Morelli

Indoors, 72 degrees

Line: Colts by 3

Tom Brady and stellar tight end Rob Gronkowski have gone off lately. Brady started off the first four games throwing only four touchdowns, but since the  Patriots’ 2-2 start, Brady has thrown 18 touchdowns to one int. Brady has now thrown 22 TDs to just three interceptions on the season. Gronk has caught 49 passes for 663 yards and eight TDs. With that said, I still like Andrew Luck and the Colts at home. Don’t totally trust the Patriots on the road here. No team is dominant  yet, and I like the home field for the Colts.

Colts 35, Patriots 31

 

Monday Night Football

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) @ Tennessee Titans (2-7)

LP Field, Nashvegas (69,143)

7:30 PM CT/8:30 PM ET

ESPN

Tirico, Gruden, Lisa Salters

Stripes: Brad Allen-Rookie, could have some issues

Weather: 28 @ kickoff, 20% rain, wind: NW @ 13 MPH

Line: Steelers by 6

Big Ben Rothlisberger and his team were on a tear until an upset loss at the Jets last Sunday. Ben had thrown six TDs in his two previous games before going 30-of 43 (pretty good) for 343 with one TD but two ints in a 20-13 loss at the Meadowlands. The Steelers are up and down, but Titans rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger (LSU) is not where he needs to be yet. In a 21-7 loss to the Ravens last week, Mettenberger was 16-of-27 for 179 yards with one TD and one int. Not too bad, but he was sacked five times. Mettenberger has potential, but he’s still growing as a quarterback in the National Football League. But I expect a pretty good game. The Titans will be competitive.

Steelers 28, Titans 24