Detroit (87 Index: 3) at Chicago (87 Index: 12): As messy as the Bears OL looked in the first matchup, the fact of the matter is this is not the same Bears team. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz is calling plays his offense can actually execute and RB Matt Forte is cementing the case he's the offense's best player.

On the other side, Lions WR Calvin Johnson and QB Matthew Stafford present problems for a Bears defense that is starting two young and unproven safeties. To me, safety play in the Tampa-2 is just as important as having a disruptive D-tackle. The Bears have neither, and yet show flashes of still being a dominant defense.

The first matchup came down to two big plays- one to Megatron, the other by RB Jahvid Best. Best is out for this game and while Megatron may still get in the end zone, the Bears take this one, despite the Lions strong showings on the road so far.

Kansas City (22) at Denver (23): Somehow the Chiefs are 1 game out of first place. Even more mystifying is how the Broncos are only 2 games out. We all know about the Bronco's QB Tim Tebow and absolute inability to play quarterback at this level. We also know the kid's won two of his last three games. We also know either team puts a premium on Pass Defense. The Broncos run the ball better, albeit their biggest running threat might be their quarterback. When in doubt, look at the most important position on the field. Cassel over Tebow, easily.

New Orleans (4) at Atlanta (14): The Saints lead the Falcons by one game for the NFC South crown. Suddenly, the Saints have too many RB's. They've always had the better QB, and that's no slight against Matt Ryan. The Saints don't play the run well, and that doesn't bode well facing Michael Turner. Falcons win.

Buffalo (9) at Dallas (15): The Bills are trying to prove to the world- again- that they are the team we all saw the first 4 weeks of the season. They face a Cowboys team that has recently discovered they can run the ball with DeMarco Murray. Romo, is turnover prone however, and this Bills defense will take advantage of any opportunity you give them. The Cowboys play decent pass D and I feel this is another come back to reality moment for the Bills. Cowboys win.

Pittsburgh (8) at Cincinnati (7): Cincinnati and their rookie QB Andy Dalton have been a nice story so far. Between Dalton and rookie WR AJ Green, Bengals fans barely remember two guys named Palmer and Ochocinco. Pittsburgh has been up and down more than an elevator, but their on the up and up. I can't honestly take even this older version of the Steelers' defense to lose to Dalton. Steelers win.

Giants (11) at San Francisco (2): This throwback to the 80s has me a giddy as I have ever been about any matchup that doesn't involve my Bears. The Giants go as their bipolar quarterback, Eli Manning, takes them. The Niners are the pleasant surprise after the Mike Singletary era underwhelmed. The Giants don't run the ball that well, and they'll be missing Ahmad Bradshaw again. The Niners defend both the pass and the run well, and they have Frank Gore to wear the Giants down. Niners win.

New England (10) at Jets (12): The Patriots are in danger of falling off the radar and out of the Top 10 in the 87sportsfans power rankings. They are suspect in a lot of areas. The Jets have the better defense and I'll be surprised if they let Pats WR Wes Welker get loose in this one. The Jets offensively have their issues, but at home I'll take the Jets in this one.