Many thanks to Bill Belichick whose much-discussed fourth quarter decision against the Indianapolis Colts put the clincher on another 3-2 weekend for me. My season record now runs to 27-19. Belichick has earned the right to make the call he did, but he obviously liked his offense’s chances of getting two yards a lot better than thinking that Indy could be held back. The Cincinnati Bengals pulled the minor upset over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Maurice Jones-Drew went all-universe in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ win over the New York Jets. The Arizona Cardinals and San Diego Chargers took expected victories.

In the battle of 1-8 squads you have to take the home-team Detroit Lions over the woeful (is there a stronger word we can use?) Cleveland Browns. Can Bernie Kosar still suit up?

As a believer in coach Mike Singletary, I’d like to see the San Francisco 49ers beat the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. But San Francisco is traveling and Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense have this game and the Lions’ game on Thanksgiving to try to win back the fan’s hearts before a tougher stretch comes on. Go with the Packers.

The Atlanta Falcons and the New York Giants both stand at 5-4. On paper, the Falcons are still considered on the rise, though they haven’t come through in big games this year. Can the Giants really lose five straight? No. It’s a home game for the men in blue and they’re coming off a bye week. They’re refocused, right?

The Houston Texans have an outside chance for a wild card berth. The Tennessee Titans, with a renewed Vince Young, have won three straight, but against weak competition. It’s the Monday night contest, it’s in Houston, the Titans used to be the Houston Oilers, but the Titans have more to play for. Texans take this one.

Can Baltimore (which didn’t look all that hot on Monday Night Football) catch the Colts off-guard as they come off the big win over the New England Patriots? The game is in Baltimore, but it won’t matter. Baltimore just didn’t impress anymore on MNF, and LB Terrell Suggs will be out of the line-up for the Ravens.

A couple of weeks ago the match-up between the Chargers and the Denver Broncos was shaping up as a pretty good contest. No longer. Denver QB Kyle Orton is out (his magic was waning anyway) and the Chargers are on the rise. San Diego takes the lead in the AFC West with this victory. However, there still is the Norv Turner factor. Don’t worry, Charger fans. The Turner Effect won’t hurt you until the playoffs and then, like always, it will break your heart.