Crystal ball: The Redskins will fall

Fans who want to fire the head coach, the coordinators, the assistants and most of the receptionists ought to love the Washington Redskins.

Owner Daniel Snyder is more impatient than most fans. He disposes of coaches the way the rest of us dispose of paper napkins. Since he bought the Redskins in 1999, his head coaches have included Norv Turner, Terry Robiskie, Marty Schottenheimer, Steve Spurrier, Joe Gibbs and Jim Zorn.

What's the result?

Lots of temps, little success and two wins this season despite a schedule full of homecoming candidates such as St. Louis, Detroit and Tampa Bay.

Starting over is exciting. Let the Jim Zorn era begin! But continuity -- knowing what you're supposed to do and for whom -- is underrated.

Even though the owner has abandoned patience and common sense, however, the Washington fans I know in Charlotte refuse to abandon their team. They understand how being a fan works. They become infuriated. But they don't walk away. As frustrated as they are, they wait for their team to become good again.

In case it's today, thousands will show up at Bank of America Stadium to watch the Redskins and Panthers play.

The Panthers had a bye last week. I did not.

I went 12-2 and nailed my Upset of the Week and Lock of the Week. I can't take credit, however. It's as if a lower-level deity channeled his picks through me.

I am Nostrathomas. All rise.

For the season I'm 44-18. My Upset of the Week (picking an underdog to win) is 2-1. My Lock of the Week (all but guaranteeing a winner against the spread) is 2-2.

This week's picks with the home team in CAPS:

Games of the week

CAROLINA 3 over Washington: Fans keep waiting for last season's 12-4 Panthers to emerge. Did they wait last season for 2007's 7-9 Panthers to emerge?

The Panthers suffered a quick knockout in their opener against the Eagles and played well enough in a loss at Atlanta. But the loss to Dallas, a team that came out willing to lose, exposed Carolina. What's wrong with the Panthers? They aren't very good.

New England 2 over DENVER: If it weren't for the Broncos, my record this season would be 48-14. What's the bigger surprise -- the Broncos going 4-0 or Brandon Marshall turning lovable and nice?

Both are temporary.

Upset of the week

Atlanta 2 over SAN FRANCISCO: I love what Mike Singletary has done with the 49ers, a 21/2-point favorite against Atlanta. Like their coach, they are tough, purposeful and opportunistic. But they won't score enough to beat the Falcons.

The rest

BUFFALO 8 over Cleveland

Dallas 4 over KANSAS CITY

Minnesota 8 over ST. LOUIS

N.Y. GIANTS 18 over Oakland

Pittsburgh 7 over DETROIT

BALTIMORE 7 over Cincinnati

SEATTLE 2 over Jacksonville

ARIZONA 3 over Houston

Indianapolis 6 over TENNESSEE

New York Jets 2 over MIAMI

Lock of the week

PHILADELPHIA 141/2 over Tampa Bay: You think Donovan McNabb might show off a little in his return? You think Tampa Bay is capable of stopping him? Why 141/2? Why not 17? Why not 22? I like 22.

Nostrathomas has spoken.

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