Saints at Ravens: The Saints are trying to win their seventh straight game. They are averaging 30 points and 402 yards during their upswing, after a comparatively slow start to their season at 4-3. They also had some significant injury problems early on, including both running backs, Reggie Bush,and Pierre Thomas. They combined for 129 yards in total offense, in the 31-13 win over the Rams last week. The Ravens have won three of their last four. They almost blew a 28-7 lead at Houston, and hung on Monday night for a 34-28 nail biter victory. Joe Flacco has 21 TD passes and eight interceptions this year. The Ravens are 14th in passing, 21st in rushing, 14th against the pass, and 8th in stopping the run. New Orleans is 5th defending the pass, and are 16th in stopping the run. Offensively, they are 2nd in passing yards.
Saints 30 Ravens 27
Falcons at Seahawks: There is no way that a Super Bowl caliber team like Atlanta should have too much trouble with Seattle. The Seahawks are having a descent season overall, but they are not in the same class as the Falcons. Seattle has won 4 wins and 5 losses since their bye week on October 10. They pounded the 49ers last week, 40-21. Seattle is 16th in passing, 31st in rushing, 30th against the pass, and 20th in stopping the run. The Falcons have won seven straight since a loss at Philadelphia, 31-17, on October 17. They are 13th in passing, 8th in rushing, 24 against the pass, and 13th versus the run.
Falcons 34 Seahawks; 19
Broncos at Raiders: The Raiders blew a 10 point lead and lost to the Jaguars 38-31 last week. Jason Campbell had a very good outcome, as he was 21 of 30 for 324 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions for a passer rating of 127, and Darren McFadden had 209 yards of total offense, with a 67 yard receiving touchdown,along with rushing scores of 31 and 36 yards. Denver lost their first game under interim coach Eric Studesville, by 43-13 at Arizona. They now have one win in their last nine games. They are ranked 5th in passing, 29th in rushing, 19th against the pass, and 31st defending the run. Oakland has one win in their last four matches, that being the surprising 28-13 defeat of the Chargers two weeks ago. They are ranked 24th in passing, 3rd in rushing, 7th in defending the pass, and 26th in stopping the rush.
Raiders 23 Broncos 16.
Jets at Steelers: New York has lost two in a row,and were especially humiliated by the Patriots, 45-3, prior to their 10-6 loss to the Dolphins. They are 20th in passing, 6th in rushing, and are 9th defending the pass as well as 3rd in stopping the run. Pittsburgh has won five of their last six. They are 18th in passing, 10th in rushing, 23rd against the pass, and 1st stopping the run. Troy Polamalu is not likely to play, because of a strained right Achilles tendon. Heath Miller is expected back after being out with a concussion. Ben Roethlisberger has thrown only one touchdown pass in his last three games. Mike Wallace has only 187 receiving yards and no touchdowns over his past three games. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez has four interceptions and no touchdowns in his last two games. LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene only gained a combined 66 rushing yards last Sunday.Sanchez is no doubt worried that the right tackle, Damien Woody, had knee surgery last Wednesday. He might miss the remainder of the season.
Steelers 24 Jets 16
Packers at Patriots: The Brady bunch hasn’t lost a regular season game in Foxborough since 2006. Green Bay will not have the services of Aaron Rodgers, who is out with his second concussion of the season. which makes this game pretty easy to size up. Third- year backup Matt Flynn, will make his first career start in Rodgers place. Brady is hoping to extend his NFL record of 26 consecutive regular-season home wins by a quarterback. As noted by ESPN.com, Brady has thrown 19 touchdown passes with no interceptions in his last eight games.
Patriots 38 Packers 16