The Pick ‘em Express hit a wall last week as we went 0-2-1 which dropped the season record to 9-7-1. We were losers on Buffalo (that’s what happens when your starting QB gets knocked out of the game) and on the over-under on the Titans-Ravens. Only Indianapolis’ wild comeback against Houston kept the day from being a total washout.

Oakland at New Orleans (-7). I hate giving more than a field goal but I think Oakland is going to fall of the edge of the earth. New Orleans has a short week after losing a Monday night game to Minnesota that the Saints should have put away by halftime. The Saints are more talented, have greater motivation and are far better coached than the Raiders. On Monday night, it was hard to believe all those good things about the Saints the way they hurt themselves with turnovers and penalties but this is a quality organization at the moment and quality outfits bounce back. The Raiders are coming off a bye week but are adjusting to a new, untested coach in Tom Cable after the firing of Lane Kiffin. Pick: Saints, giving 7.

Dallas at Arizona (+5). The Cardinals have been erratic and although I’m a big Kurt Warner fan, I think it will tough for the Cards to duplicate the effort they had against Buffalo -- especially playing perhaps the best team in the NFL. Tactically, this game is decided by the Dallas defense. If the Cowboys can control the Cardinals running game without putting eight in the box, which they should be able to do, then they can go with extra coverage and toss in the occasional blitz to frustrate Phoenix’ passing attack. Pick: Dallas, giving 5.

Carolina at Tampa Bay (-1). The Panthers are looking like the team that went to the Super Bowl in 2003 and the NFC Championship in ‘05. They’re playing great defense, they’re persistent with the running game and quarterback Jake Delhomme has been protecting the ball. Jeff Garcia will be starting at quarterback for Tampa Bay, which – I think –makes the Bucs a better team. This is a huge game within the NFC South with Carolina at 4-1 and the Bucs 3-2. Delhomme is 7-1 against Tampa Bay. Pick: Carolina, getting 1.