Now that I've officially clinched the -273 NFL Picks crown in Picks Bowl III, I can rest my starters and make some crazy out-there picks like "the Falcons will arrive in Philadelphia in the talons of an actual falcon", or "if the Eagles lose again, Michael Wilbon will cry on Tony Kornheiser's shoulder on Monday's PTI". But alas, we only pick the winners here, so here are the penultimate NFL picks:

ATL at PHI: This one could go either way. I could see the Eagles shutting down Michael Vick, and the Falcons therefore having no chance to win, but I could also see Donovan McNabb have no one to throw to without T.O. dancing in the end zone just like the past 3 years. The Falcons are a lot like the Colts though; they look impressive against the bad defenses but wilt against the good ones. 80-some-odd passing yards isn't gonna cut it this week. PHI

NE at PIT: The Steelers ended the Patriots' historic winning streak, so it's about time for us to return the favor. Add to that the fact that Roethlisburger has a noodle arm (he throws sidearmed for god's sake, what the hell is that?) and you've got all the makings of a Pats blowout, but it just doesn't feel right. Big Ben is just like 2001 Tom Brady: no passing yards but doesn't make many mistakes. Well, except for last week when he repeatedly tried to give the Jets the game but they repeatedly gave it back to him. The Pats have effectively stopped Jerome Bettis in the past besides this year's October 31st game, but I think this one will be close. NE