Cranium and this week's picks
I just want to make it clear that any time a board game involves both Julia Child and making a sleeping back out of clay, it really doesn't deserve to exist.

Now that that's out of the way, here's my picks this week:

-Arizona at Cleveland: All of the Arizona players know that they're playing for Dave McGinnis's job, and unlike the people in Washington doing the same thing, they LIKE their head coach. Cardinals

-Atlanta at New Orleans: While Jim Haslett's teams usually fall apart during the later part of the season, rather than getting their acts together and playing for the playoffs, I'm sure most Saints fans will take this year's pattern over last year's. Saints

-Baltimore at Miami: My belief will always be that Brian Billick is a genius, but not genius enough to be that good a coach. Plus, he's starting Anthony Wright. Dolphins

-Houston at Buffalo: The Bills have hit a rough patch the last, oh, 8 games or so, but I really think they're due for a win. Remember, kids, the Texans are only a second-year team. Bills

-Jacksonville at Tennessee: I'm really impressed that the Jaguars won last week against the Colts, but I think that reflects more on the Colts' inability to win without Marvin Harrison than the Jags' ability to win at all. Titans

-Kansas City at Cincinnati: The phrase "trap game" comes to mind whenever I think of this week's matchup. I really hope I'm wrong here, but what are the chances of Jon Kitna having five good games in a season? I mean, honestly, he hasn't done that since 1999. Chiefs

-N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia: Jim Fassel may have a strong following around the New York area, but he lost to the freaking Falcons last week. Eagles

-St. Louis at Chicago: Sadly enough, the entire Saint Louis area will have to watch a game that could best be compared to Tyson vs. McNeely. Rams in a blowout

-Washington at Carolina: Steve Spurrier has given up playcalling duties in an attempt to save his job, and the 'Skins managed to win last week because of it. Maybe it's not the system but the guy in charge of it, eh? Panthers

-N.Y. Jets at Indianapolis: Another week without Marvin Harrison will not be good for the Colts. Look for the Jets to key in on Manning like no team has before. Jets, in my Upset Special

-San Diego at Denver: Flutie Magic? People, he is Forty-one years old. Broncos

-Detroit at Seattle: The Seahawks are terrible on the road, but much better at home. And these ARE the Lions. Mooch can only do so much in half a season. Seahawks

-Green Bay at Tampa Bay: In the game that will unofficially end Tampa Bay's season, the Packers will show the Bucs how a REAL team recovers from mediocre play. Green Bay

-Minnesota at Oakland: Three losses in a row? Well, here's the start of a win streak for our beloved Purple warriors. Vikings

-Dallas at New England: The master defeats the pupil. Quincy Carter has a moment of Zen. After the game, Belichick will start hanging up Feng Shui mirrors. Cowboys

-Pittsburgh at San Francisco: Have I made my complete and total lack of respect for Dennis Erickson clear? No? I should. Steelers