At the end of last week's slate of games I was left looking at my NFL office pool, scratching my head, and trying to figure out if I knew anything at all about half the teams in the league. That has been the case too often in what has been just a mystifying season at times this year - more so even than normal. This week will be better, though. It has to be. Here's how this week's straight up office pool picks set up:

Dallas at Chicago: The Cowboys misfired badly last week against the Eagles - a major disappointment. Luckily for them, though, the Bears are an excellent remedy for what ails them. Chicago played one good quarter last week but then disappeared for the next three. They are an outclassed mess. Take the Cowboys.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati: The Steelers also tried to play just one quarter and also failed to pull it off. They are a hard team to read right now. Of course, Cincinnati only barely escaped against a really bad Tampa Bay team. This could go any way. Take the Bengals at home.

St. Louis at Washington: St. Louis just beat the Raiders 52-0. If the Redskins are any better than the Raiders at all right now it is only by a tiny margin. Take the Rams.

N.Y. Giants at Tennessee: The Giants last won the first week of October. Tennessee won a week later, but that was their only win since their opener - which was a stunning win at Kansas City. Neither team wants this one - or is good enough to trust. Take the Giants. I guess.

Carolina at New Orleans: I don't trust them given how they have been playing overall, but the Saints are coming off an impressive, gritty win at Pittsburgh. The Panthers haven't done anything impressive in a year. Take the Saints.

N.Y. Jets at Minnesota: Monday night's moments of competence aside, the Jets have done very little to impress me all year. The Vikings are far from great, but they have won three of their last five, and they play with real toughness. Easy pick - take the Vikings.

Baltimore at Miami: Miami needs to look in the mirror - hard - for a lot of things that happened on Monday night. So does Baltimore after throwing away a 10-point lead at home with six minutes left against the Chargers. Not happy with either team, but I'll take the Dolphins at home. .

Indianapolis at Cleveland: Cleveland has a real live quarterback controversy - more intense than what they have had all year. They are too fragile to deal with that - especially against a good team that will score plenty of points. Take the Colts.

Tampa Bay at Detroit: Tampa Bay is a total mess, and they absolutely know it, but they are incapable of doing anything about it. Detroit shook off their funk on turkey day and should be in an offensive groove for this one -- something the Bucs certainly aren't capable of handling. Take the Lions.

Houston at Jacksonville: I give the Jaguars all kinds of respect for getting a win at home last week. Two in a row is just too much to ask. Take the Texans.

Buffalo at Denver: I really like how tough this Buffalo team is and wish them nothing but the best, but I can't take them on the road in this spot. I don't really trust the Broncos this year, but I like them more than enough to pick them here. Take Denver.

Kansas City at Arizona: A couple of weeks ago this would have been a much tougher pick than it is now. The Cardinals have been deflated by the Palmer injury, while I still like this Chiefs team despite their setback. Take the Chiefs.

Seattle at Philadelphia: Best game of the week - and one of the toughest to pick. Philadelphia is just a win or two away from all but locking up their division. Seattle is suddenly right back in the picture in theirs. When I think of the game I imagine Sanchez being constantly frustrated by the resurgent Seattle defense. That will be the difference, Take the Seahawks - though doing that on the road against a good opponent across the country makes me very nervous.

San Francisco at Oakland: San Francisco has some issues. More than some, really. They look like perfection on the gridiron next to the Raiders team we saw last week, though. What a mess. Take the 49ers.

New England at San Diego: I really liked this Chargers team. Then I didn't. Now I'm coming around on them again. Sooner or later they are going to get a signature win, and as much as I like what New England is doing this year, I am going to gamble and say that this will be the week. Take the Chargers.

Atlanta at Green Bay: Fans of the Falcons will tell you that this team is in first place and has won three of four so they deserve respect and attention. Those fans are completely delusional. This is a lousy team benefitting of late from a laughable schedule. Green Bay is the best team in the league right now, and they are the easiest pick of the week. Take the Packers.

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