And there you have it. At one point, the sure-fire picks were on top of the world. After another losing week (this time 3-5) the season total is now just barely hovering over .500 at 52-51-1. Let’s see if they can get back on track.

Seattle at Houston (-6), 1 p.m. Sunday

If the Texans lose this game, Gary Kubiak might as well clean out his office. He might have to regardless.

Do the Texans have any pride? If they do, they’ll win this game. Sure their playoff hopes are out the window, but the only thing worse than the Texans at home (2-4) is the Seahawks on the road (1-5). Texans -6.

New Orleans (-10) at Atlanta, 1 p.m. Sunday

I expect Matt Ryan will miss this game. If he does, the Saints will win by much more than 10 points. After the Saints’ last close call, they beat down the Bucs. They’ll do the same to the Falcons. Saints -10.

Green Bay (-4) at Chicago, 1 p.m.

In the theme of playing with pride, are the Bears really going to let the Packers walk all over them at Soldier Field. I would think they’d at least make a game of it. Bears +4.

Detroit at Baltimore (-13.5), 1 p.m. Sunday

I have no good reason to pick the Lions here except for the fact that I always think the old Daunte Culpepper will re-emerge one of these days. Odds are I’ll still be waiting for that to happen come Monday. Lions +13.5.

St. Louis at Tennessee (-13), 4:05 p.m.

The Rams are a runaway train for the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft. I doubt they’ll mess that up. If they do, it’s certainly not going to be at Tennessee. Titans -13.

Washington (-1) at Oakland, 4:05 p.m. Sunday

Prior to the season I pegged Oakland as a 7 or 8-win team. Oops. It’s still a possibility, but there’s only one way it can happen. Raiders +1.

San Diego at Dallas (-3), 4:15 p.m. Sunday

Some day you can tell your grandkids you watched Norv Turner match wits with Wade Phillips. Actually, don’t tell them that – they’ll have no idea who you are talking about. This comes down to one team knowing how to win in December, and the other having no clue. Chargers +3.

Arizona (-3.5) at San Francisco, 8:30 p.m. Monday

Remember when the 49ers were 3-1 and the media was all over Mike Singletary like Tiger Woods at a … well, never mind. Those days seem like a distant memory don’t they? Cardinals -3.5.