I'm so foolish. After the Tampa Yucs were drilled last week 48-3 by San Francisco, I figured Buc Nation would come to its senses and admit the team is not particularly better than Miami and Jacksonville. In other words, they all suck.

 

But admit that? No way -- especially when their quarterback leads the league in self-denial. Here's your Josh Freeman on how he's doing right after that 45-point defeat:

 

"No, honestly, I feel better as a quarterback, better as a passer, seeing things, throwing the ball. Even today [Sunday after the loss], I thought the ball was coming off great. I was putting the ball right where I wanted to."

 

Uh, how about the interceptions, Josh?

 

"I wish I could have them back."

 

Well, at least that makes sense.

 

I see three more victories on the Bucs' schedule for a 6-10 season. And if that happens, perhaps I will owe them an apology -- because Miami and Jacksonville won't do nearly as well.

 

And speaking of disappointments...

Carolina (1-4) at Atlanta (2-3) -- Falcons favored by 4 -- If this spread seems modest, it's the "Newton Factor" at work. Everybody wants to love Cam Newton now despite club's one victory in five tries. And when Cam was asked by a reporter if he was surprised by his quick success in the pros, Newton replied: "If you write a good article, do you surprise yourself?" -- If I'd been the reporter, my answer would be "Every time." But Cam does not play defense and, in particular, look for Atlanta TE Tony Gonzalez to have a monstrous day.

        Jerry says: Falcons but just by 1.

 

Indianapolis (0-5) at Cincinnati (3-2) -- Bungels favored by 7 -- Now we're in that terrible period where we're afraid to pick against the Dolts on the theory that they've got to win sometime. But unlike the Yucs' quarterback, here's Dolts' DE Robert Mathis: "Complete collapse, bottom line. We're scraping the bottom of the barrel. I wish I could hit the reset button." -- What a great idea, Robert. If only we all had a "reset button." As for the Dolts, they're on their own.

        Jerry says: Bungles by 10.

 

San Francisco (4-1) at Detroit (5-0) -- Lions favored by 4 -- Tell me you predicted that this would be the Week 6 Game of the Week. Lions caught on short week after emotional Monday night victory over Bears, but Niners have lost best two WRs. And bet you didn't know that the higher-rated passer is Niners' Alex Smith (104.1) over Lions' Matt Stafford (101.4). -- Special salute to Detroit K Jason Hanson, who was the first player ever to appear in 300 games for the same team. Yes, he's been a Lion for 20 years. Finally, he's having some fun.

        Jerry says: Lions but just by 1 on a Hanson kick.

 

St. Louis (0-4) at Green Bay (5-0) -- Cheeseheads favored by 15 -- Can you imagine any way that the Lambs can win this game other than a satellite falling on the Cheesehead huddle? Lambs have 3, maybe 4, healthy CBs that are mediocre on the best of days. Sunday will not be the best of days.

        Jerry says: Cheeseheads by merciful 19.

 

Buffalo (4-1) at East Rutherford Giants (3-2) -- Giants favored by 3.5 -- -If one word describes the Bills, it's "opportunistic." They are plus 11 in turnover/takeaways and have scored on an intercepted pass in three consecutive games. And if anyone can contribute the key turnover, it's Giants QB Eli Manning (5 picks and 2 lost fumbles).

        Jerry says: In a King-of-New-York-New-Jersey Upset Special, Bills by 5.

 

Jacksonville (1-4) at Pittsburgh (3-2) -- Steelers favored by 12 -- Remember Josh Freeman's denial at the start of this column? Here's Gags Interim Coach Jack Del Rio about his rookie QB Blaine Gabbert: "I think he's been terrific." -- Yeah, that 71.2 passer rating is money in the bank, Jack.

        Jerry says: Steelers by 17.

 

Philadelphia (1-4) at Washington (3-1) -- Eagles favored by 1.5 -- Got to love this point spread. What do the Eagles have to do to be a 'dawg? Eagles have a league-high 15 giveaways and league's worst turnover margin at minus 10.  And 10 of the turnovers belong to QB Mike Vick. Said WR DeSean Jackson: "We're kind of shooting ourselves in the foot." -- Foot, DeSean, foot? What about the hand, the head and the heart?

        Jerry says: In a Shouldn't-Be-An-Upset Upset Special, Native Americans by 3.

 

Houston (3-2) at Baltimore (3-1) -- Ravens favored by 7.5 -- Hard to visualize much scoring in this one. We know and respect the Raven D but must recognize the improvement in the Texans counterpart. It's a copout but turnovers will decide it.

        Jerry says: Quote the Ravens, win by just 4.

 

Cleveland (2-2) at Oakland (3-2) -- Raiders favored by 6.5 -- Breaking news: Nobody cares. More breaking news: Terrelle Pryor is eligible for Raiders' use. Says Terrelle: "I will be at quarterback and I will be a very effective one." -- What more do you need than that?

        Jerry says: Raiders by 10.

 

Dallas (2-2) at New England (4-1) -- Patriots favored by 7 -- Where else do you get this stuff? Do you know that the Patsies have scored at least 30 points in 13 consecutive games? And do you know that the last time they were held under 30 was in 2010 against Cleveland -- when Dallas defensive coordinator Bob Ryan came up with the plan to stop them? Now you know -- the rest of the story.

        Jerry says: Patriots by 8 as in 29-21.

 

New Orleans (4-1) at Tampa Bay (3-2) -- Saints favored by 4.5 -- You know who is the leading receiver for both teams? Graham. For the Saints it is TE Jimmy Graham with 32 catches, while for the Yucs it is RB Earnest Graham with 23. Call me crazy but I like the Saints' Graham better.

        Jerry says: Saints by 11.

 

Minnesota (1-4) at Chicago (2-3) -- Sunday night -- Da Bears favored by 3 -- So how are things, Bears LB Brian Urlacher? "Defensively, we stink. We can't stop the run, we can't stop the pass." -- Other than that? But after a Monday night failure, won't Da Bears put it together for a second prime time try?

        Jerry says: Da Bears by 6.

 

Miami (0-4) at East Rutherford Jets (2-3) -- Jets favored by 7 -- Jets lost 3 straight on the road and go back on the road for 2 weeks after this. They'd better not blow this chance.

        Jerry says: Jets by 17.