Jeremy: I had no idea the Steelers lost to the Raiders last weekend. As I mentioned, I was out of town and out of the loop.

Sorta engenders confidence in the picks, doesn’t it?

At any rate, the Broncos are the better team here. Although Roethlisberger is my [waiver wire] backup QB in fantasy, so I guess I should be rooting for him. But honestly I have no idea. I haven’t really eaten much today, except for my second — lifetime — trip to the freakin’ Olive Garden. I was all ready to go shopping at CostCo and get one of them hotdogs I love so much, but then Noah called and said he and Sam were gonna go play racquetball.

That has nothing to do with anything, except for the fact that those idiots like Olive Garden, and that’s really the only thing I’ve had to eat today. And now I’m drinking a Malibu and Coke because it’s the only thing we have in the house.

Take the Broncos, and screw the Olive Garden

Pick: Broncos

Brian: Seriously, how are the Steelers favored in this one? I know the Colts can’t stop the run, and that’s how Denver dropped 31 on the last week. But come on, Pittsburgh lost to the freakin’ Raiders last week, and now they’re favorites?!?! They shouldn’t be favored over Harvard!! This makes no sense to me. This seems like such an obvious pick, I should probably go the other way… BUT take the points.

On a related note, what was the deal with all that QB controversy talk in Denver? The Broncos were 5-1 and they were keeping Plummer on a short-leash for a rookie. Then they LOSE a game, but score over 30 by RUNNING all over Indy, and Jake’s job is safe. In case none of that made sense to you… exactly.

PS. Who looks more like Splinter from TMNT, Mike Shannahan or Rip Hamilton?

Pick: Broncos

Jeremy: Wow, aren’t these “high interest” games SOOO much more exciting to “wager” on that Texans verus Titans?

No? Didn’t think so.

I hate Brian.

I totally subscribe to the “Colts in November, Pats in January” thing, except for the fact that I’m not really sure that’s how you spell “January”.

But not this time. I think the Pats try to make a statement.

(Post script to Brian: I’d fucking kill that dude in the Gauntlet, Inferno, or a side alley. Trust me on this one, Broseph)

Pick: Patriots

Brian: This game is already getting too much media attention, so I won’t want to delve too deeply into the Psyche of Peyton Manning or the argument of Rings over Stats. But I will say this, take the Patriots in January, and take the Colts in November.

On an unrelated note, would you ever choose to go against Derrick in a Challenge? No way. Did you see how that dude manhandled 300 pound Big Easy on Thursday? Unreal.

Pick: Colts

Jeremy: So let me get this straight…the “Superbowl Contenders” are 3 point dogs against the Ravens?

Sure.

Oh, and remember when Brian said don’t bet on the Ravens the rest of the year and they covered the 2 against the Saints on the road? Yeah, me neither.

I don’t even know what I’m saying. Take the Ravens.

Pick: Ravens

Brian: Who really even know at this point? The Bengals are a mess. Carson isn’t as healthy as we thought. Rudi Johnson is underperforming. And Chad Johnson has what, one touchdown? Then look at the Ravens and they have OVERperformed. They should be 1-6 right now. Steve McNair is going to fall apart any day now. It’ll look like someone taking a baseball bat to building made of Legos. And they have waited waaaay to long to start Musa Smith (who will be great BTW).

Adrienne makes good blueberry pancakes. Take the points.

Pick: Bengals

Jeremy: I can’t believe Brian is taking the Dolphins here.

Let’s recap, if you don’t mind. Brian is:

• Taking a huge underdog
• That’s starting Joey Harrington at Quarterback
• On the road
• Against an undefeted team

Yeah, that about sums it up. If this was 2002, and the Bears were Washington State, I’d say take the ‘fins. Otherwise, the Bears win this one by 17.

Pick: Bears

Brian: Jeremy doesn’t appreciate me choosing these large spread games. Well I don’t appreciate Nehemiah being all up on Beth; sometimes you just have to deal. (For those of you keeping score at home, that’s two Duel references).

As long as the Bears keep blowing out bad teams, bet them to cover. As long as the Bears keep beating up on these bad teams accept the fact that illiterates will consider them a Superbowl threat. Bet on the Bears today. Bet on the Bears losing in the first-round by 30.

Pick: Dolphins