One of the things that I enjoy about reading other pundits' picks is how they make reference to insider info and sources that are totally unverifiable and never mentioned again if the information turns out to be incorrect. And that's in addition to the wild speculation that about 75% of teams will make the playoffs. In celebration of this, my picks this week will feature completely made-up "rumors" that I will pass off as fact and wild predictions with no basis in reality.

MIN at GB: Word out of Vikings camp is that Chester Taylor is not happy with his reduced workload in recent weeks, causing divisiveness in the locker room. Look for the Packers to take advantage of this lack of focus on the opposing sideline. GB

JAX at TEN: Vince Young hasn't been running much this year, and rumor has it that this is due to an injury he suffered in training camp that he is being paid to cover up by Electronic Arts so as not to draw more attention to the dreaded "Madden Curse". TEN

DEN at KC: Veterans in the Broncos' locker room have quit on their coach after last year's benching of Jake Plummer in favor of rookie Jay Cutler. Unfortunately for Denver fans, this quitting won't be nearly as effective as when the New England veterans quit on their coach after the release of Lawyer Milloy, lost one game, then won the next 21 in a row. KC

BUF at MIA: John Beck took 50% of the snaps in practice this week and will see some action at quarterback this week for the Dolphins, not that it makes a lick of difference. BUF

STL at NO: Looking at the Saints schedule I don't see any games they will lose from here on out, and that includes the Super Bowl! NO

CLE at PIT: Hines Ward is playing with a chip on his shoulder after comments this week by Ravens players that his blocks were dirty in Monday night's victory. During practice he sent two scout team corners to the hospital with chest pains, and he should be good for 150 yards against the porous Browns pass defense. PIT

PHI at WAS: "Andy Reid should retire and spend more time with his family" says the majority of the sports media, many of whom also spend most of their time on the road yet do not have PTI talking about the shortcomings of their own children. Look for Donovan McNabb to have a big week in order to justify his comments earlier in the season that reporters were picking on him because he is black and not because he consistently choked in big games and was repeatedly injured. PHI

ATL at CAR: The Falcons have really turned it around as an organization thanks to that one win they had last week. Seriously, I've totally forgotten about everything that has happened up until that point and that last week's game was against the 49ers. CAR

CIN at BAL: Word out of Bengals camp is that players are considering committing violent crimes under the rationale that they had a much better record when they were more felonious. BAL

CHI at OAK: The Bears have finally found their quarterback of the future! Brian Griese has looked much more poised while throwing interceptions than Rex Grossman has, and coaches are raving about the way he rallies the team to recover from deficits that he causes. CHI

DAL at NYG: Sources in New York say that the Giants are much happier because {insert one of the following: Tom Coughlin is a big teddy bear, Tiki Barber is gone, Plaxico Burress is only dropping 50% of balls thrown to him instead of 75%}, not because they have been winning. Their 13-10 victory over the winless Dolphins shows just how dominant they are. DAL

DET at AZ: Not only has Jon Kitna converted the Lions locker room to Christianity, but also opposing players, fans, and the local media, all of whom are so blinded by their newfound faith that they haven't noticed the Lions' upcoming schedule. DET

IND at SD: Under Norv Turner's brilliant tutelage, the Chargers are gearing up for a run at mediocrity in the league's easiest division, but sources say that LaDainian Tomlinson stormed out of practice when Coach Turner mocked Shawne Merriman's "Lights Out" dance after Philip Rivers completed a pass to a wide receiver for the first time this week. IND

SF at SEA: When teams are knocked out of the playoff picture, they often lose their edge because they have nothing to play for. The 49ers really have nothing to play for, since they won't be able to win enough to make the playoffs and even if they lose every game and secure the #1 draft pick next year, that pick goes to the Patriots. Oh, and Shaun Alexander has lost two steps, maybe three. SEA