Gold: Tennessee Titans @ San Francisco 49ers
This is a matchup of two teams heading in opposite directions.
Sure, the Titans just won their first game last week but they are surprisingly confident after it. They seem like a rejuvenated squad with Vince Young under center and they are getting healthy on defense – particularly in the secondary.
On the flip side, the 49ers are a team with no identity. Frank Gore can’t run with consistency, Alex Smith and/or Shaun Hill are ineffective starting quarterbacks and the injuries are piling up. This week the 49ers lost cornerback Nate Clements and left tackle Joe Staley.
This is a long road trip for the Titans but they can pull it off.
Gold Pick: Titans +4
Silver: Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles
This one is easy. The Dallas Cowboys have played two consecutive opponents at home that don’t pressure the quarterback very much. That has allowed Tony Romo time to make smart decisions and avoid the costly turnovers.
This week, the Cowboys have to head outdoors, on the road to face a defense that blitzes more than any other team in the NFL. They should be able to rattle Romo and force a mistake or two, which will be the difference.
Silver: Eagles -3
Bronze: Detroit Lions @ Seattle Seahawks
Every once in a while, the Seahawks get dealt a cream puff. And it seems like every once in a while they are good to blow out a team at home. This appears to be one of those times.
The Seahawks are a decent veteran team and believe it or not, can get within one game of first place with a win. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions just lost at home to the St. Louis Rams. They aren’t winning this game.
Bronze Pick: Seahawks -10