Bears (87 Index: 8)  at Raiders (16): The Caleb Hanie Experiment gets underway today in the wake of Jay Cutler's thumb surgery.

The Bears need to hope RB Matt Forte eats his Wheaties today because there is going to be a lot of 8-in-the-box looks today unless Hanie does something to make them do otherwise. The only time anyone looks forward to 8-in-the-box is in Singapore.

The impetus here is on a Bears defense that has corralled Mike Vick and Phillip Rivers in back-to-back weeks because the Bears sure as hell don't figure to put up a lot of points. The Raiders are without RB Darren McFadden again, which bodes well because Michael Bush is a tackle-to-tackle of kind of guy and the Bears still have those guys Urlacher and Briggs to handle it.

Did I mention the Raiders are giving up a mile and a half per carry? It won't be easy but the Bears win this and start "Hanie's Heroes".

Buccaneers (27) at Titans (15): Last year's darlings have regressed- big time- this year and now travel to Tennessee.

This is a complete coin flip here, folks. If the Buccaneers want any shot in hell of being taking seriously again they have to win this. However, Tampa's pass defense has been suspect as all hell this year and that make me give the nod to Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck at home.

Bills (18) at Jets (14): You know what's better than watching Bills fans week after week during a mid to late season collapse? Absolutely f'in nothing.  

There are some legitimate issues for the Bills, as I detailed last week. They are missing their best DT and also their C. Now they're without RB Fred Jackson and it's on 2010 first round pick CJ Spiller to justify that pick.

The Jets on the other side, have been completely enigmatic and hell if I know which team will show up. Usually I take the better quarterback in this situation. You look me in the eye and tell me whose better: Fitzpatrick or Sanchez. Remember to show your work and cite sources for your explanation. Yeah, I know, you have no idea where to start. That's because they're equally mediocre. But, hey Bills fans, look on the bright side: at least you have your mediocrity lined up for the foreseeable future.

I'll take the Jets simply because they're home with a deep, deep shrug.

Broncos (19) at Chargers (21): The Denver Broncos have gone from "No way they win with Tebow" to "How the hell did they win with Tebow" to "Can they keep winning with Tebow?" An impressive journey to say that least. However, not nearly as impressive as this Journey:

The Broncos are somehow gaining confidence, the Chargers are shedding it. After cementing what HAS to be Norv Turner's January firing press conference, the Chargers are desperate to get back in the playoff conversation. Good thing they play in the AFC West where I'm pretty sure me and 21 of my friends would only be 2 games out of the division lead at this point.

The Chargers have been allowing opposing quarterbacks to perform at a 96.2 rating. Great news for a team with a quarterback who can't throw a rock in the ocean. They also allow 4 yards per carry so that whole "zone read" thing may be absolutely out of their realm.

The Broncos defense and special teams has played a large part in the Bronco's resurgence- I know, that's a stretch and a half- and I for the first time am picking the Tebows- I mean, the Broncos. Yeah, that's what I meant to pick.

Giants (13) at Saints (4): This is the only other game I'm going to be paying attention to this week. The Saints haven't lost a home game yet, beating Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, and Tampa Bay.

The Saints rank first in passing yards, the Giants 5th. The Saints can't stop the run, but that's OK, the Giants can't run the ball.

I think Eli easily has a couple picks up his sleeve this game as we march one game closer to Tom Coughlin's own January presser announcing regime change. Saints win.