"Mojo's Best Bets"
(Last week, 2-1; to date, 7-5)

1. MINNESOTA (+3) @Chicago -- The Vikes will go "AP AD" (All-Pro RB Adrian Peterson, all day), with some select passing by veteran QB Donovan McNabb, who's finally getting accustomed to his new team & schemes. Vikings have a good pass rush that will terrorize Bears QB Cutler. Chicago's OL is bad, and da Bears once formidable defense is da-lusional this season.

2. BUFFALO (+3) @NY Giants -- Eli Manning and his receiving corps better not have any INTs in this one! The key to this game for the Bills is to stop the Giants running game. Not a Buffalo strength, but if they want to consider themselves legitimate contenders to outlast the Patriots and win the AFC, they must start immediately to plug the gaps and stop the run. Otherwise, they'll just be this year's version of the Cardiac Kids.

Bills' defense defies logic and the odds
"The Bills are on pace to break the team record for points in a season. They lead the league in fewest sacks allowed and they're a perfect 20-for-20 in red-zone scoring. They're first in takeaways and interceptions." http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/columns/jerry-sullivan/article591590.ece

Q: Most over-rated head coach in the NFL?
A: NY Giants' Tom Coughlin.

Q: Top candidate for Coach of the Year?
A: Buffalo Bills' Chan Gailey (Detroit's Jim Schwartz is working with better talent).

3. CLEVELAND (+5.5 @Oakland) -- The Raiders have the #2 ranked rushing offense in the NFL (22nd in passing), but the Browns have outstanding linebackers in D’Qwell Jackson, and Chris Gocong who is explosive and a matchup nightmare to block. Raiders QB Jason Campbell's foot injury may be a significant factor if Oakland falls behind or if this game is close in the 4th Q. The Browns' humble passing offense is adequate enough overcome the woeful Raiders pass defense, ranked 29th and giving up an average of 300 yds/game. Can't wait to see Cleveland superstar Joshua Cribbs in action in this one.

The X-Factor: No, it's not that this is the Raiders' first game at home since their diabolical leader, Al Davis, finally croaked. It's that the Browns' All-Pro RB Peyton Hillis is back from a couple of controversial weeks off from strep throat and Hillis has extra motivation playing against the Raiders star RB Darren McFadden, who took carries away from him when they played together at Arkansas.

"The Upset Special"
(last week, 0-1; to date, 1-3)

DALLAS (+7) @New England -- With 2 weeks to prepare and Romo due to break out of his annual periodic funk, as well as Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's proven ability to counter Belichick & Brady's game plan execution, this sets up as a viable potential upset pick just begging for action. Cowboys No.1 pick WR/KR Dez Bryant is expected back from injured list this week and could be the difference-maker.

"Gamblers Corner"

INDIANAPOLIS (+7@Cinci) is too banged up (no Addai, among many others) to beat the Bengals on the road outdoors, in wind & rain. Bengals are the sleeper team of the league, with the Lions & Bills catching all of the "season's surprise" attention.

JACKSONVILLE (+12.5 @Pittsburgh) might be able to keep it close by running Jones-Drew & Co. 40 times, if they can get away with chop-blocking the Steelers DL as some others have so far this year (Ravens, Texans). But, the Steelers have resolved their OL issues and defensive execution for now, and look to turn loose their offensive weapons in preparation for making a run to catch up and win their division. Mike Wallace might have 200 yards & 3 TDs receiving in this game for Pittsburgh.

HOUSTON (+7 @Baltimore) might appear to be an attractive upset pick, but the Texans (especially including QB Matt Shaub) are crippled with injuries in just about every key position. Ravens are very tough to beat at home.

SAN FRANCISCO (+4.5 @Detroit) is tantalizing, but unless RB Frank Gore has a monster day and the 49ers defense forces some turnovers while QB Alex Smith avoids the same in the face of an intense and punishing pass rush, the crowd noise alone inside Detroit's domed stadium could overcome the SF offense's ability to function adequately enough to accomplish this upset. 49er Head Coach & QB guru, Jim Harbaugh, won't be able to help Smith much once the Ford Field crowd gets revved up.

TAMPA BAY (+4.5 vs. New Orleans), uh, no way, José:

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees faces a familiar victim in Tampa Bay Buccaneers http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/new-orleans-saints-quarterback-drew-brees-faces-a-familiar-victim-in-tampa/1196939

ST. LOUIS (+14.5 @Green Bay), hey that's why they call it gambling. But a Rams team devastated by early season injuries and from an indoor domed stadium, can't be relied on to go up to Lambeau Field and beat the 5-0 defending World Champions.

P.S. ~ Apologies to Seahawks fans for last week ridiculing Seattle's chances before they smashed the Mew Yawk giants in the Big Apple. Sweet!

Fresh article on Oakland, Cleveland & Dallas star RBs:

Arkansas' 2007 backfield excelling in NFL
Vittorio Tafur, SF Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, October 14, 2011
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/14/SP8Q1LHBDI.DTL