Sure didn't see those three Mitchell Trubisky fourth-quarter touchdown passes coming last week. But, hey, give a guy a break. Last week's Star Tribune Upset Special: Cardinals 24, 49ers 21. Final: Cardinals 24, 49ers 20. And, yes, shameless boasting like that has now jinxed this week's Upset Special.
Last week's picks: 9-7. Vs. the spread: 9-6-1
Vikings (+3) at Colts: Colts by 7
Philip Rivers' gambling nature leads to enough head-scratching turnovers to give the Vikings' embattled 32nd-ranked (as in last) defense hope. A year ago, Rivers turned the ball over four times in a 39-10 Chargers loss to the Vikings. But Indy's offensive line is far superior. And, right now, the Vikings defense is a far cry from the one that destroyed Rivers in Los Angeles nine months ago. Colts 31, Vikings 24.
Rams (+1½) at Eagles: Rams by 3
It doesn't get any easier for Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, who was sacked eight times and turned the ball over three times in an upset loss to Washington in Week 1.
Panthers (+9) at Buccaneers: Bucs by 7
Tom Brady made a bad decision and a bad throw on his pick-6 last week. Bruce Arians gave the honest, obvious answer when asked about it. And the sports media has been aghast ever since. What have we become?
