Steve Brownlee

You have to admit, when you really don’t have any idea who’s going to win any given NFL game, doesn’t that make them much more interesting?

Unfortunately, this “wildness” in the outcomes of games can leave you blue if you’re a Green Bay Packers fan as they’re 3-3 when you think they should be much better.

It’s not better for Lions’ fans, too, except they’re one of the few teams you can count on NOT to win as they’re 1-4.

So I’m just going to keep this mantra of “interestingness” in mind as I keep having these 7-7 picking weeks like I just had.

Now onto my choices, which I won’t call “predictions”:

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Today, 8:15 p.m.

New Orleans at Arizona — The Saints seem to be more down than up, which is the same way to sum up Arizona. Give me the home team. Cardinals, 23-20.

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Sunday, 1 p.m.

Cleveland at Baltimore — If they were better, the Lions might be able to challenge the Ravens for having the most frustrating ways to lose. But Detroit hardly ever has a lead and plays catchup just good enough to always fall short.

It’s worse for Baltimore, which is 3-3 despite having a double-digit lead in every one of its games. Nevertheless, I don’t like the Browns’ comeback ability. Ravens, 30-28.

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Tampa Bay at Carolina — Just the antidote for a frustrating loss for Tampa. Buccaneers, 24-16.

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Atlanta at Cincinnati — This is where I’ve got to leave the “expectations” ship in order to get more games right. At the beginning of the season, the Bengals were supposed to challenge for the Super Bowl again, while Atlanta would be among the dregs of the league. Much closer to the opposite is reality. Falcons, 26-23.

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Detroit at Dallas — Whether or not Dak Prescott comes back, whoever is Dallas quarterback will look like the second coming of Joe Montana and Peyton Manning combined when facing the Lions’ defense. Cowboys, 34-29.

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New York Giants at Jacksonville — OK, I’ll drink the Giants’ Kool-Aid, considering they’re doing it with defense. Giants, 20-12.

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Indianapolis at Tennessee — Two teams flying under my personal radar (that means I don’t know a thing about either one). I do see Derrick Henry is supposed to run wild as the Colts have a bad rushing defense. Titans, 27-24.

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Green Bay at Washington — Just like their other “Bay of Pigs” cohort Tampa Bay, Green Bay should be able to lick their wounds against one of the league’s worst. Packers, 24-17.

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Sunday, 4 p.m.

New York Jets at Denver — Speaking of the Giants’ Kool-Aid, I’ll also drink the Jets’ Gatorade. Jets, 23-16.

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Houston at Las Vegas — Houston seems to be playing better than expectations, too, but man, those expectations were REALLY low. Raiders, 30-24.

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Seattle at Los Angeles Chargers — Monday’s game didn’t inspire my confidence in the Chargers, but I’ll take them anyway. Chargers, 29-26.

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Kansas City at San Francisco — Sure, the 49ers should bounce back after a dog of a game vs. Atlanta, but then again, so should KC from its loss to Buffalo. Chiefs, 33-29.

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Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Miami — I’m worried that the only way the Dolphins will stop their freefall is to hit the ground at 240 mph. Steelers, 20-14.

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Monday, 8:15 p.m.

Chicago at New England — Any team that can shut out the Lions must be good, plus New England followed it up with a convincing win at Cleveland. Then I start thinking about Bill Belichick toying with Justin Fields all game long. Patriots, 23-16.

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Last week — 7-7, 50 percent. Season — 50-43-1, 54 percent.

Steve Brownlee can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 252. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.