The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

rwells@tribunemedia.net

FIRST and foremost my thoughts and prayers are with the families and communities left devastated by Hurricane Joaquin.

Secondly, did you know that there are presently ten 1-3 teams in the league. That means that roughly one third of the league is sub-par. I pride myself on my football knowledge and to this point I feel as if my picks have been sub-par ... I need to to get better.

I have 14 chances to get better this week and it starts tonight.

Indianapolis Colts (2-2) @ Houston Texans (1-3)

The Colts have quickly jumped back up to .500 football. Luck didn’t play last week but he is due back under centre this week against the struggling Texans. I had so much hope for this Texans team. They have a defence that, on paper, could compete against anyone. Mallet has struggled, Hoyer hasn’t been better. Divisional match-up this week, a lot of history and animosity ... its going to be good, so I am am going with better team.

Colts

Chicago Bears (1-3) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-3)

So Jay Cutler snuck in there at the last minute and managed to beat the Raiders. This week they are heading west to play the Chiefs in Arrow Head Stadium, one of the toughest places to play in the league. Both teams are 1-3, both are looking to climb back into Wild Card contention.

Chiefs

Seattle Seahawks (2-2) @ Cincinnati Bengals(4-0)

The Bengals are looking like they are for real this year. But in typical Andy Dalton fashion I still don’t expect them to win when it matters. This week they take on the Seahawks. This is the game that the Bengals need to win to prove that they are for real. But throughout his history, these are the games Dalton always lose. Seattle travelling, fresh off of an emotional match-up against the Lions, this is a set up game, a game they are expected to lose.

Seahawks

Washington Redskins (2-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (4-0)

I still have some scepticism when it comes to the Falcons. I don’t know how serious they are about being true Super Bowl contenders, but they look so good on offence and commendable on defence. This game is at home this week and against the Redskins.

Falcons

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3)

At home I have a chocolate bar in the freezer. Its an Oh Henry bar, my favourite. I would share that ten times before I watch this game. Well, more than likely Redzone will have one or two highlights from here so I guess I would have to take a peek at it here and there.

Jaguars

New Orleans Saints (1-3) - @ Philadelphia Eagles (1-3)

The Saints beat the Cowboys last week while the Eagles fell to the Redskins. No part of that last sentence made football sense but it is 2015 and the season has taught me that one should always consider the often overlooked. Drew Brees is out to prove he still has it and C J Spiller looks so much like his old self.

Saints

Cleveland Browns (1-3) @ Baltimore Ravens (1-3)

Ravens, you finally pulled out a win last week against a team that was begging you to beat them. Hopefully you don’t struggle to win a game you are suppose to win again this week.

Ravens

St Louis Rams (2-2) @ Green Bay Packers (4-0)

The Rams knocked off an undefeated team last week. They play the Packers and Arron Rodgers this week. You will see the difference this week, trust me St Louis.

Packers

Buffalo Bills (2-2) @ Tennessee Titans (1-2)

Bills are on a win one, lose one trend at the moment. They won in Week 1, lost in Week 2, won in Week 3 and lost in Week 4.

Bills

Arizona Cardinals (3-1) @ Detroit Lions (0-4)

The Lions could fall to 0-5 this week. Arizona seemed to be caught off guard by the Rams … they make up for it this week in big, huge, astronomical fashion in Detroit.

Cardinals

New England Patriots (3-0) @ Dallas Cowboys(2-2)

Why are we even discussing this. The Patriots are by far the better team, arguably the best in the league.

Patriots

Denver Broncos (4-0) @ Oakland Raiders (2-2)

Raiders have been my second favourite team to watch this season (my first, absolutely, the Patriots). Broncos have quietly gone undefeated to this point. The Raiders are a young growing team which still has a lot to learn.

Broncos

San Francisco 49ers (1-3) @ New York Giants (2-2)

The Giants are starting to run into form. They had a big win in Buffalo last week and will continue that trend this week.

Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) @ San Diego Chargers (2-2)

This game can go either way. Steelers’ offence looked good last week with Mike Vick under centre and the Chargers still haven’t put it all together yet.

Steelers

Teams on bye week

Carolina Panthers (3-0)

New York Jets (2-1)

Minnesota Vikings (2-1)

Miami Dolphins (1-2)