Nov 21, 2015 4 min read

The NFL is tough to predict on a weekly basis.

You don’t think so? Then take a look at what has transpired in the past week.

No fewer than six teams – Philadelphia, Denver, St. Louis, Houston, Dallas and Indianapolis – will have different starting quarterbacks this week than they had the last time they played because of injuries or ineffectiveness.

The guess here is that the majority of those teams will lose. I’m picking those teams to go 1-5 this weekend – though after my abysmal 3-10 record last week, you might doubt that.

In only one of those situations will the new starter – Dallas’ Tony Romo – be a guy returning from an injury.

The Cowboys’ record without Romo, who missed seven games with a broken collarbone, was 0-7.

That’s what makes what the Steelers have done without Ben Roethlisberger so impressive.

Roethlisberger has missed four starts and parts of three other games because of injuries. Pittsburgh’s record in those games is 5-2.

That’s not to suggest that the Steelers don’t miss their star quarterback when he’s not in there, but they have found ways to win without him.

That’s a tribute to the job offensive coordinator Todd Haley has done.

He’s developed game plans to win with Mike Vick at quarterback. He has done the same with Landry Jones.

And last week against Cleveland, he had to scrap his entire run-heavy game plan centered around Jones starting and go with one in which a hobbled Roethlisberger came off the bench early in the first quarter after Jones was injured.

The Steelers wanted to protect Roethlisberger’s sprained foot, so they limited the plays that had him line up under center and went almost exclusively with a shotgun offense.

They basically thew out everything they had worked on all week.

It was a testament to Haley’s ability to change on the on the fly and the amount of preparation he has put in with this offense, getting it ready for anything.

Add to that the other issues he’s had to deal with, being without key starters, and Haley should be in the conversation for assistant coach of the year. If you were picking an offensive MVP for the Steelers, then Haley would have to be high on that list.

It also wouldn’t be surprising to see him get some looks as a head coach again at the completion of the season, even though his opportunity in Kansas City didn’t end well.

Rex Ryan always talks the talk vs. the Patriots. He rarely walks the walk.

Take New England, 34-20

Texans haven’t allowed a touchdown in their last two games, but T.J. Yates will likely start at QB.

Take the Jets, 17-14

Washington (plus 7) at Carolina

The Redskins have been very good at home, not so much on the road.

Take Carolina, 26-17

Tony Romo will be back for this one, but he might be rusty.

Take Miami, 24-20

The Packers have lost three straight since starting the season 6-0. I have a hard time believing they’ll make it four in a row.

Take Green Bay, 27-24

Even Baltimore’s defense isn’t bad enough to lose to Case Keenum, right?

Take Baltimore, 20-16

Here come the Chiefs, winners of three straight. Make that four.

Take Kansas City, 23-17

The Cardinals can inch closer to taking control in the NFC West while the Bengals are leaving the door open for the Steelers.

Take Arizona, 27-20

John Fox exacts a little revenge on the Peyton Manning-less Broncos.

Take Chicago, 24-23

The Seahawks got embarrassed at home last week by Arizona.

Take Seattle, 26-13

Mark Sanchez starts for the Eagles in place of injured Sam Bradford. The Eagles should just get by here.

Take Tampa Bay to cover in a 24-23 loss

The Lions might have won their Super Bowl last week, winning in Green Bay for the first time since people were talking about stained blue dresses in the White House.

Take Oakland, 31-17

The Falcons have a chance to right the ship coming out of their bye week.

Take Atlanta, 28-20

Last Week: 5-8 ATS; 3-10 straight up

Overall: 70-63-4 ATS; 88-49 straight up

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.