Today's Games are Prelude to Monday Night

A few teams have a bye week, about half a dozen game are being played between division rivals, but the game that everyone wants to see is Minnesota vs. Green Bay on Monday night.

The game will be played in Minnesota so Brett Favre will have to wait awhile before his homecoming at Lambeau Field. But it will be interesting to see what happens. If the Vikings win, they will be 4–0 and in charge of the NFC North. But if the Packers win, Green Bay will have the tiebreaker over the Vikings, as well as the Bears, who are likely to beat Detroit today.

With a few exceptions, today's games are warmup acts for tomorrow night's game:

• Detroit (1–2) at Chicago (2–1) — I really can't imagine the Bears losing this game.


• Cincinnati (2–1) at Cleveland (0–3) — In spite of the Bengals' start, I'm not convinced yet that they are headed for the playoffs. But I feel pretty confident that the Browns won't be in the playoffs. I take Cincinnati.


• Oakland (1–2) at Houston (1–2) — The Texans are favored by nearly 10 points. I don't have any confidence in the Raiders, either. Houston should prevail.


• Seattle (1–2) at Indianapolis (3–0) — I think the Colts should win fairly easily in this game.


• Tennessee (0–3) at Jacksonville (1–2) — The Jags are favored by three at home, but I think the Titans are better. I pick Tennessee.


• New York Giants (3–0) at Kansas City (0–3) — Unbeaten Giants vs. winless Chiefs? I think this is a no–brainer. Giants by a wide margin.


• Baltimore (3–0) at New England (2–1) — This should be a pretty good game. And, while I know a lot of people think the Patriots are still the team that nearly went 19–0, these are not the 2007 Patriots. And the Ravens are pretty good. I think Baltimore will win.


• Tampa Bay (0–3) at Washington (1–2) — The Redkins are favored by a touchdown. In spite of the fact that they lost to the woeful Lions last week, I think they might have enough firepower to win this game by more than the spread.


• Buffalo (1–2) at Miami (0–3) — I don't know what to think of this one. I will take Buffalo. Can't say I have much of a reason for it, though.


• New York Jets (3–0) at New Orleans (3–0) — All eyes are on the Packers and Vikings, but this one is a matchup of two undefeated teams. I think the Saints are better — but not so much better that they can cover the seven–point spread.


• Dallas (2–1) at Denver (3–0) — Still, records can be deceiving. The Cowboys have won two games against weak teams. Undefeated Denver hasn't really impressed me, either. Dallas is favored by three. I'm taking Denver as an upset special.


• St. Louis (0–3) at San Francisco (2–1) — The Rams are huge underdogs to the 49ers. Deservedly so. I'll take San Francisco.


• San Diego (2–1) at Pittsburgh (1–2) — I think the Steelers will win, but not by enough to cover a 6½–point spread.

MONDAY

• Green Bay (2–1) at Minnesota (3–0) — And that brings us to Monday night's marquee matchup. All eyes are on Favre, but the focal point of the game will be Minnesota's running game and Adrian Peterson. Can the Packers stop him? If they can, they will win. If they can't, they won't. The numbers suggest they won't. So I'll take Minnesota.

I was 12–4 last week, making my season record 38–10.