There are some really interesting games, and plenty of tough ones to pick this week on the NFL slate.

We have Sam Bradford and the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings playing his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles on the road.

We have Seattle Seahawks at the Arizona Cardinals in a game that could, down the line, decide the division title.

We have the San Diego Chargers, who have blown three road leads this season, taking to the road again to face a good Atlanta team in the Georgia Dome. That's Philip Rivers against Matt Ryan, which should be a treat.

There are some dogs on the schedule, but for the most part, as the NFL loves it in mid-October, there are a lot of meaningful games.

Of course, there are also the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers playing games this week, and their seasons are done already.

Now for the picks:

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers

When does Aaron Rodgers turn it around? Is this the week? The Bears aren't great on defense, so I think it will be. Then again, haven't we been saying that for a while?

Pick: Packers 27, Bears 16

New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams

This game will be in London. For the Giants, that victory against the Ravens might have been the thing to get the offense cranked up. The problem is the Rams defense. Health has been an issue there, but I think they will slow the Giants this week. Rams take it in an upset.

Pick: Rams 20, Giants 17

New Orleans Saints at Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs impressed last week at Oakland with their running game and the Saints are 25th against the run. The Chiefs will run it to keep Drew Brees off the field. Their pass rushers will get after him as well. Chiefs are the pick.

Pick: Chiefs 30, Saints 21

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans

The Colts are playing a second successive road division game after blowing the big lead at Houston. How do they regroup here? It won't be easy. The Titans love to run it and Colts are 28th in yards per rush on defense. Titans control the clock and win the game.

Pick: Titans 23, Colts 20

Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles

The Vikings come off their bye as the only unbeaten team. This is the return of quarterback Sam Bradford to face his former team, who traded him before the season. The Eagles have wilted some on defense the past two weeks, but I think they get back on track here against their former teammate. Upset special.

Pick: Eagles 23, Vikings 20

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are home after losing two road games to good teams. They have the perfect tonic in the Browns, who are playing back-to-back road games. Cincinnati starts to turn their season around here with a big victory.

Pick: Bengals 28, Browns 16

Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions

The Redskins have won four straight to get back in the division race. They've done it despite defensive issues. I think that will show up here. This will be a shootout with Matthew Stafford getting the best of it.

Pick: Lions 35, Redskins 31

Oakland Raiders at Jacksonville Jaguars

The Raiders have big-time defensive issues and have to travel a long way for this one. The Jaguars have won two straight, so they feel they are turning their season around. Oakland has won all four of their road games, but this will be their first loss away from home.

Pick: Jaguars 30, Raiders 27

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins might have found something with their running game last week, while the Bills have righted their season. They will start a tough stretch of games after this, so they need this one badly. I think with the way they are playing, they will continue to roll with LeSean McCoy. Bills take it.

Pick: Bills 30, Dolphins 24

Baltimore Ravens at New York Jets

After losing back-to-back road games, the Jets are back home in an almost must-win situation. They just aren't playing good football right now. But the Ravens are playing back-to-back road games in the same stadium after losing to the Giants this week. That's tough. The Jets will get it going here on offense.

Pick: Jets 27, Ravens 21

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers

The Bucs are coming off their bye, and they won at Carolina before that. Can that momentum carry over? It can, but this is a long trip against a team that is desperate for a victory. I think the 49ers get one here. Colin Kaepernick leads the 49ers to a victory.

Pick: 49ers 23, Bucs 20

San Diego Chargers at Atlanta Falcons

The Chargers will have had 10 days to rest before this trip, but it's still a tough one to make. The Falcons are home after two tough road games. They love playing in their dome and they will put on an offensive show here. But Philip Rivers will keep up for a while and keep it close.

Pick: Falcons 31, Chargers 29

New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

This was supposed to be a battle of Ben Roethlisberger against Tom Brady. But with Roethlisberger out, it's Landry Jones against Brady. That's a mismatch. Brady lights up the Steelers defense.

Pick: Patriots 34, Steelers 17

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals

This is a big chance for Seattle to take a big hold on the division lead. The Cardinals haven't looked right so far in the early part of the season, but I think they get it going here and David Johnson will run them to a victory. Upset special.

Pick: Cardinals 23, Seahawks 20

Houston Texans at Denver Broncos

This is the Brock Osweiler homecoming. He shunned Denver last March, which is the big story in this game. The Denver defense probably can't wait to get after him. He played well late against the Colts last week, but not here. Denver takes it.

Pick: Broncos 28, Texans 14

Bye weeks: Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys