in NFL Free Picks

The top 12 money teams this week looks dramatically different than what we featured last week. Even the top team on the list has changed this time around. Plus, the jockeying at the bottom of the rankings continues, as the Jags and Chiefs vault back into contention. Meanwhile, we’ve left off the Saints for now. Don’t worry, a big win this week and they’ll be right back on the list.

Rank    (PVR)              Team                Reason

1             2                     Bears               Welcome the Bears back to the top of the heap. Unfortunately, with the top ranking also comes the pressure to win. A loss in New England this week and they could fall a couple of spots.

2             1                     Colts                 Talk about a tough crowd. Indy loses one measly game and we pull them from the top. Well guess what; they have a statement game at home to win this week.

3             4                     Chargers          There is absolutely no quit in this team. Throw in the fact that they’re 3-0 without Merriman and you can see why we are high on them.

4             5                     Ravens             The offense is rounding into form to compliment a Ray Lewis-less defense that has gone 2-0 in his absence. I smell a playoff bye for them.

5             6                     Patriots             Speaking of statement games, they certainly took care of business at Lambeau. Should they win this week, we may just have to significantly upgrade them.

7             3                     Broncos            You can recover from one small slip. But, if they slip again on Thursday night, it’s a very slippery slope.

8             12                   Cowboys           Can we finally say they are on this list to stay? Dallas is 3-1 with Romo starting and we haven’t even mentioned T.O. in a couple of weeks!

9             10                   Panthers           They’re going on that traditional second half run. Pencil in another win this Sunday in D.C.

10           11                   Jaguars             Jacksonville has been unpredictable at best and they just lost their defensive captain in Darius. But, they are gutsy S.O.B’s, aren’t they?

11            -                     Chiefs                Trent Green didn’t have to do too much in a narrow win over the Raiders, but he definitely came through when needed. KC can really get their season on track with a Thanksgiving win.

12            7                    Giants                Injuries and an inconsistent QB have killed this team of late. I believe they’re in trouble in Tennessee this weekend.

Honorable Mentions

Saints (Stop turning the ball over!), Seahawks (A healthy Hasselbeck should get them back on track), Eagles (Let’s see what the former pro bowler Garcia can do), Falcons (Jim Mora Jr. could be in trouble if they lose this week), 49ers (It’s not the Young or Montana years, but they’re getting better).

Matthew@BetUS.com