The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

rwells@tribunemedia.net

ANOTHER frustrating weeks in the books, 7-7 through the 14 games played around the league last week pushing me to 66-53.

That means I am sitting deep in the dungeon in The Tribune NFL picks competition for the year.

But half a season in and there is still so much football left to be played so I do have time to make up the gap.

As my colleagues on The Press Box would say, it’s time to pick chalk!

Cleveland Browns (2-6) @ Cincinnati Bengals (7-0)

Bengals have been booming this season. They have had some hiccups but have managed to pull through no matter the situation. The Browns are in a tailspin and haven’t managed to get things in order.

“Johnny Football” is in this week and hopes to boost his team.

Squash all that: I am rolling with the Andy “Red Rocket” Dalton and the undefeated Bengals.

BENGALS

Green Bay Packers (6-1) @ Carolina Panthers (7-0)

Green Bay struggled against that tough defence of the Broncos last week and find themselves eager to prove that they are better than they were in that game. Carolina is no pushover, but haven’t really beaten a top tier team.

PACKERS

Washington Redskins (3-4) @ New England Patriots (7-0)

Let’s keep the train rolling - for chalk!!!!!

PATRIOTS

Tennessee Titans (1-6) @ New Orleans Saints (4-4)

New Orleans are rocking ... well, it would be more appropriate to say “Jazzin”. Drew Brees has kicked it into gear and look good. They look like a team that could contend this year.

SAINTS

Miami Dolphins (3-4) @ Buffalo Bills (3-4)

So the culture got changed and then the Patriots showed up. I guess anyone can relapse. Dolphins came back to earth last Thursday and now they have to stand across from another team looking at a bleak reality - the Bills. Division match-up with two strong defences and unbalanced offences. Tyrod could be back for the Bills.

BILLS

St Louis Rams (4-3) @ Minnesota Vikings (5-2)

Adrian Peterson has performed really well so far this season. This week he squares off against a back that mirrors him in so many ways. The Rams with Todd Gurley have proven to be a tough out and if they were at home I would give them the nod. But they are on the road.

VIKINGS

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) @ New York Jets (4-3)

So New England laid it on you. To bounce back, you let the Raiders get to you? It is safe to say that the calming mystique the Jets had around them earlier this week is gone and it left quickly. However, it is safe to say you don’t need mystique to knock-off the Jags.

JETS

Oakland Raiders (4-3) @ Pittsburg Steelers (4-4)

Steelers let one go last week against the Bengals and lost star running back Bell. Raiders are so good to watch … at times they seem too good to be true. Derrick Carr is the real deal. They are certainly trending up. This week is going to be so good. No chalk here, pencil definitely - with the eraser near-by.

STEELERS

New York Giants (4-4) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)

Eli played a stellar game in the Superdome last week against the record-man, Drew Brees. Tampa had the game of their lives last week against the previously once-beaten Falcons. For chalk.

GIANTS

Atlanta Falcons (6-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-6)

Falcons headed west, but San Fran has already given up. Blain Gabbert is in this week under centre.

FALCONS

Denver Broncos (7-0) @ Indianapolis Colts (3-5)

Denver made it known last week that their top-ranked defence is no joke and will be tough for any team to get by. The Colts seem to be a last-minute team. Peyton returns to the dome he built against the team that still loves him. Big day for Peyton and my “chalk talk”.

BRONCOS

Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) @ Dallas Cowboys (2-5)

My lone joy in this miserable NFL season thus far has been the soap opera known as the NFC division. No one could write a better script for this division. Up is down, left is right: nothing makes sense. What does, however, make sense is that the Eagles are trending up and Dallas aren’t any good with out Dez and Romo.

EAGLES

Chicago Bears (2-5) @ San Diego Chargers (2-6)

Bears are awful, Chargers are struggling. The better of the two is certainly the Chargers. So picking for chalk ….

CHARGERS

Teams on bye

Detroit Lions (1-6)

Kansas City Chiefs (3-5)

Arizona Cardinals (6-2)

Seattle Seahawks (4-4)

Baltimore Ravens (2-6)

Houston Texans (2-5)