By ACR Contributor Chad Carlson | Photo By Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Miami Dolphins vs. New York Giants

The Dolphins are a mess on the offensive side of the ball.  Despite a few bright individual spots on offense, their lack of consistent quarterback play will continue to plague them this year.  The Giants, on the other hand, should be able to move the ball up and down the field.  I expect a big game from Ahmad Bradshaw, and Eli Manning’s passing attack will compliment the running game well.  The Dolphins’ defense is much better than their offense, but it’s still not good.  Giants should cruise.

Prediction:  Giants win.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans

The Jaguars are coming off a huge upset over the Ravens last week in a game in which their defense played incredibly.  This defense is much better than one might think considering the team’s poor record, but Houston will be met with tough resistance this week.  Arian Foster is coming off a big game, and I expect him to be given a ton of carries and will have success on the ground this week.  I just haven’t seen enough in Blaine Gabbert to be confident in his ability to keep the Jaguars in the game through the second half.  This game will be tight throughout, but the Texans will pull away late.

Prediction:  Texans win.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Baltimore Ravens

Beanie Wells is out this week, meaning much of the offensive responsibility to make plays will fall on Kevin Kolb against a Baltimore Ravens’ defense that loves to get after the quarterback.  This could spell disaster for the Cardinals.  Baltimore should be able to move the ball against the Cardinals’ defense, but if Flacco makes bad decisions, the opportunistic tandem of Adrian Wilson and Patrick Peterson will make him pay for it.  As long as Baltimore takes care of the ball on offense, this one will be a blowout.

Prediction:  Ravens win.

New Orleans Saints vs. St. Louis Rams

The woeful season will continue this weekend for the St. Louis Rams.  They are totally overmatched this week against a Saints’ team that are coming off a record-setting victory over Indianapolis.  Despite giving up that many points last week, the Colts have a much better defense than the Rams, which is scary for St. Louis fans.  New Orleans should get it done on the ground and through the air, including a couple of hook-ups between Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham.

Prediction:  Saints win.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers

Neither one of these defenses has been impressive this season, which will continue to be the case this weekend.  Adrian Peterson should have a huge game against the Panthers’ injury-plagued defense, and Christian Ponder will have some time in the pocket to find his targets.  Ponder will be good this week, but Cam Newton will be better.  Steve Smith could have an even bigger day than Peterson, and the Panthers will win a high-scoring came in Carolina.

Prediction:  Panthers win.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans

The Colts come in as one of the worst teams in the NFL following their 62-7 loss to the Saints.  New Orleans was able to get a ton of pressure on Curtis Painter all night long, resulting in the inexperienced quarterback turning the ball over.  If the Titans are able to do that this week, they should have no problem beating the Colts.  Sunday will be the fourth time I’m predicting Chris Johnson has a breakout game, so we’ll see what happens.  As long as Matt Hasselbeck doesn’t make mistakes and turn the ball over, the Titans should be fine.

Prediction:  Titans win.

Detroit Lions vs. Denver Broncos

On paper, this game should be a blowout.  Matthew Stafford appears to look like he’s ready to go, based on his play in practice.  Whether it’s Stafford or Shaun Hill, the Lions’ quarterback will have time to find his receivers, particularly Calvin Johnson, who is capable of having a huge game against this Broncos’ defense.  On the other side of the ball, Denver’s offensive success will depend on the coaches’ decision to put Tim Tebow in the position of a traditional sick-back-and-throw NFL quarterback, or the shotgun, spread the field strategy that he has excelled at in the past, including last week’s comeback victory against Miami.  I don’t think this game will be a blowout.  The Lions are 3-0 at home, but they’ve played horribly in the first half of each of those games.  But the Lions’ defense will get after Tebow, and Detroit wins a close one on the road.

Prediction:  Lions win.

Washington Redskins vs. Buffalo Bills

The Redskins will be playing this week with Tim Hightower and Santana Moss, two major offensive weapons.  John Beck will play well against a less-than-satisfactory Bills’ secondary…that is, if he has the time in the pocket.  Fred Jackson should get a ton of carries on offense for the Bills, which should set up some opportunities through the air for Ryan Fitzpatrick, again, as long as he has the time back there.  The outcome of this game could very well come down to which quarterback has more time in the pocket.  I’m going with the home team in this one.

Prediction:  Bills win.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle’s offense is awful, but their defense is surprisingly not that bad.  They have had success stopping the run this season, and that’ll continue this week against the Bengals, who are without Cedric Benson.  Their pass defense will struggle against Andy Dalton, A.J. Green & Co., and the Bengals will be able to put some points up on the board.  That should be more than enough for this Cincinnati defense that is ranked 4^th in the league against the pass, 5^th against the run, and 1^st in total yards allowed.

Prediction:  Bengals win.

Cleveland Browns vs. San Francisco 49ers

The Browns’ offense has been struggling this season, and that will most definitely continue this week as they head to San Francisco to face the 5-1 49ers.  Colt McCoy simply doesn’t have anyone to throw the ball to, and Peyton Hillis hasn’t been practicing this week.  Madden jinx?  I think so.  Frank Gore will get a lot of touches in this game, as well as Kendall Hunter who should also be able to find success against this Browns’ defense.  Alex Smith will continue to be successful managing the game this week, and San Francisco should win comfortably.

Prediction:  49ers win.

New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Clearly, this is the biggest game of the week.  The 5-1 Patriots head into Heinz Field to take on the 5-2 Steelers.  Tom Brady is 6-1 all time against the Steelers, and he has picked their defense apart in his victories.  Wes Welker, like he is every week, is sure to be the focus of both the Patriots’ offense and the Steelers’ defense.  Don’t forget about the Pats’ tight ends as well, which should have some interesting matchups against the Pittsburgh linebackers.  Ben Roethlisberger has some dangerous weapons of his own, including Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, and Emmanuel Sanders.  And they have a pretty good tight end themselves in Heath Miller.  This game will not be a defensive struggle, as both offenses will have repeated success.  I’m picking the home team in an upset.

Prediction:  Steelers win.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles

This is a much bigger game for the Eagles, considering where the two teams are right now, as well as their respective schedules that lie ahead of them.  Despite the Cowboys’ defensive success stopping the run, LeSean McCoy will have a big game, and Michael Vick will have opportunities through the air and on the ground.  Dallas will need a nice running attack from DeMarco Murray for Tony Romo’s passing attack to have any success.  This one will be close and relatively high scoring, and the home team will come away with the win.

Prediction:  Eagles win.

San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs

A month ago, the Chiefs looked to be dead in the water.  Now, they are hosting a Monday Night Football game for first place in the AFC West division.  This Chiefs’ defense is playing very well lately, and the Chargers’ offense, led by the highly-disappointing play of quarterback Philip Rivers, has been struggling.  Kansas City will be able to put pressure on Rivers, forcing him into mistakes and turnovers.  Matt Cassel will play better than Rivers, and will be able to find Dwayne Bowe and Steve Breaston for some big gains.

Prediction:  Chiefs win.