Thursday Night Football Pick!

NFL Network's Thursday Night Football package got off to a good start last week. Host Atlanta defeated Baltimore late in 26-21 win. It was a good start to the weekly TNF games, but there are a few things about the NFL Network broadcast that drives me nuts. First, if you have Rich Eisen, Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders and two sideline reporters at the site of the game, then why do you need to have four broadcasters also doing coverage from back at the NFL network studios in Los Angeles? Secondly, I enjoy the quality of the NFL Network broadcast. They have cool graphics, do a nice job with all the different camera angles, but they should do more on the field, pre-game exclusives. Also, they should be able to have cameras and microphones inside the locker room and get access that no other network should get while doing NFL games. Third, I love Bob Papa as the play-by-play guy, and he works well with Matt Millen. Why did the NFLN add a third person to the booth? If you were going to add a third person, WHY IN THE HELL WOULD YOU ADD JOE THEISMANN????? Anyway, onto the pick for this week's TNF game on NFLN...........

MIAMI (-1) over Chicago: Everyone might jump back on the Bears bandwagon after they knocked off Minnesota last week, but I'm not going to. Has there ever been a more flawed 6-3 team in the history of the NFL? Classic Jay Cutler last week: Up 20-13, deep in Minnesota territory, and the Bears have a third and goal. Cutler rolls right throws back across his body into a group of defenders in the endzone and gets picked off. That play simply sums up Jay Cutler's NFL career so far. Everyone will look at the fact that the Bears have won two in a row, and Miami is starting third string QB Tyler Thigpen. Thigpen can play, and he will be effective. I like the Dolphins in this rematch of the 1985 classic Monday Night game. Fish win it 22-16