Just came out of my first losing week; I went 2-3 (12-9 for the season). The Denver Broncos take the New England Patriots in OT. I guess the Broncos are for real. Kyle Orton “out-Brady’d” Tom Brady! The Miami Dolphins re-found the Wildcat and more than met the challenge of the New York Jets’ quick strike style (even with newbie Jet Braylon Edwards making a big contribution). The Baltimore Ravens’ loss to a gutsy Cincinnati Bengals shows how the two teams are going in opposite directions. The Atlanta Falcons got back on track and the Arizona Cardinals survived a late spurt from the Houston Texans.

If the San Diego Chargers have any desire to capture the AFC West crown then they will need this weekend’s home game against the 5-0 Broncos. I keep saying the Broncos will lose each week, but are they this year’s version of the 2008 Tennessee Titans? The Chargers are at home and the Broncos are coming off the hysteria of their victory over the Patriots. Letdown? Go with the Chargers.

Arizona and the Seattle Seahawks are still right there with an NFC West title in sight, along with the San Francisco 49ers. Seattle won big over the woeful Jacksonville Jaguars last week. Can Coach Jim Mora keep this team moving forward? Can Matt Hasselbeck stay healthy? Since the Cards had a hard time disposing of Houston at home last week, you know they’ll have it rougher on the road: go with Seattle.

Baltimore will go down against the Minnesota Vikings. Atlanta (3-1) hosts the Chicago Bears (3-1) in a “Let’s see who’s going to be a legitimate threat this year” game. Big Respect is on the line. Atlanta has not lost at home this year. Slight edge to the Falcons.

Sean Payton has the 4-0 Saints believing in themselves again. The New York Giants are 5-0, but have played weaker competition. With the game being in New Orleans you know the place will be jumping! Go with the Saints marching on.

How about the wide range of emotion on display from Denver coach Josh McDaniels last week against mentor Bill Belichick’s Patriots? You probably caught him yelling at staff on the sidelines, gripping hard, then letting loose after the victory. Did you see his former players from the Pats coming over and offering heartfelt congrats? All this for the guy who “botched” the Jay Cutler situation in the preseason and whose stint in Denver was then predicted to be a major bomb. Think he’s getting major love from the Denver faithful now? Those god-awful Denver bumble-bee, throwback uniforms are looking mighty haute-couture now, baby!