Last week, Ben Roethlisberger had an easy game in which to return to playing status, facing the Cleveland Browns at home and beating them easily, 28-10.  This week the Steelers go on the road to face a tough but somewhat inconsistent Miami Dolphins.  The Dolphins are 3-2, but oddly 0-2 at home, while the Steelers have won both of their road games, including a hot one in Tampa Bay.  This won’t be an easy game for Pittsburgh, but their superior defense should easily control Chad Henne and the Dolphins’ ground game.  Pittsburgh should win, 20-10.

Last week I broke even, 3-3, for a season record of 20-17.  Can I get back into a winning record this week?

• Vikings at Packers – The Pack is perhaps the best .500 club in the league, losing two games they should have won.  The Vikings are 2-3 for a reason, although they played well enough to beat the 1-4 Cowboys, all but ending their playoff hopes.  At home, the Packers have to win this game at least as much as the Vikes have to win this one on the road.  I’d rather the Vikings win, but I think the Pack stays on track this time and beats the Vikings, 24-14.
• Giants at Cowboys – The Cowboys have lost both of their home games and the Giants are 1-1 on the road.  The Giants have looked better recently and now have a 4-2 record, while the Cowboys keep finding ways to beat themselves.  At some point, Dallas will have a breakout game and finally play up to the level of their talent.  Will this be the game?  I think it will be, because another home loss means that Jerry Jones will start dealing players and coaches and look for a rebuilding season.  Cowboys find a way to beat the Giants, 27-24.
• Cardinals at Seahawks – Seattle has really turned themselves around after a couple of seasons of futility, playing strong enough to beat the Bears last week on the road.  They’re unbeaten at home this year so far and facing the inconsistent Cardinals, whom they should easily handle.  23-14, Seahawks.
• 49ers at Panthers – The Pathetic Bowl.  San Francisco beat the Raiders for their first win of the season last week, and they’re 0-3 on the road.  Carolina hasn’t won a game yet this season, one of two teams without at least one win (Buffalo Bills being the other), and are 0-3 at home.  One of those streaks will get snapped today.  Which one?  Who cares?  I’ll still pick San Francisco, which has been at least competitive in most of its games, 28-20.
• Bengals at Falcons – ESPN gave Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco their own talk show this season, which is appropriate, because most of the Bengal’s accomplishments this year have to do with their mouths.  After getting into the playoffs last year, they’re off to a 2-3 start and are falling behind Pittsburgh and the Ravens in the AFC North.  They’re not going to do much better against the Falcons, who are playing solid if not spectacular football this season.  Falcons will outplay and outlast the Bengals, 31-24.

My prediction for suspensions after this weekend for helmet hits: three.