It’s started. They’re slowly coming out of the woodwork, from their half-decade long hibernation during the course of their mediocrity. They’re ready to jump up and claim the glory now that “their team"  is once again good. Who are they?

They’re Dallas Cowboys fans. And it makes me sick.

But we can’t really blame them, can we? After all, bandwagon Cowboys fans are just looking for someone to love them, someone to make them feel good. They just want to be able to say, “Look at me. I’m awesome. My teams great, better than your’s is. How does it feel, sucker?"  And yea, it hurts and pisses us off that we know they didn’t stick it out with their team through the difficult years. But it doesn’t matter to me. Part of being a fan is sticking by your team no matter what, through all the losing seasons, through the decades of turmoil and playoff loses, because in the end it’s that much sweeter when they do win.

But bandwagon Cowboy fan doesn’t get this. They’ve just got to win, and every year, normally to make themselves feel like their better than you because their team’s good. They don’t get it, and that’s fine, they never will. Where were all these Cowboys fans during the Quincy Carter-Drew Henson-Drew Bledsoe era? I’ll tell you where---they were Patriots fans. Remember how there were all those stories of how New England was now “America’s team" because they are Patriots and it symbolizes everything that is right in America, the hard worker, the underdog rising to the top, blah, blah, blah. In actuality, that was just a bunch of twisted justification Cowboy fan was using to make their dynasty-changing team switch look credible. They have to be rooting for a winner; just too tough to stick it out through mediocrity.

And it’s not just their need to root for a winner in football, its all sports. Do you know how you can spot a Cowboys fan? They’ll be wearing a Yankees hat.

I’m ready for all the responses. The name-calling, the warped justification of how they are a “true"  fan. Of course every one of them has “rooted from the Cowboys since they were a kid." Right, just like how you were a huge Yankees fan in the 80’s too?   

They’ll all deny their bandwagoness. Say they’ve suck it out through the years when the team was lousy, but they really didn’t.

But whatever, there’s no need to get too upset over it. Whatever helps them sleep at night…

Onto the picks… (Home team in CAPS)

CHEIFS over Jaguars
Finally some signs of life from KC last week. LJ with over 100 yards rushing and Dwayne Bowe is looking like a young Terrell Owens. Arrowhead is one of the toughest places in the NFL to play, and if the Jags gave up 200 yards on the ground to the Titans, LJ should be in for a big day.

Lions over REDSKINS
Their defense is atrocious, but putting up 34 points in one quarter?!?! That was insane. Jon Kitna has become a leader that his teammates are happy to play for. I’m not quite sold on Jason Campbell being a good NFL QB, what about you ‘Skins fans?

Cardinals over RAMS
I’ll pick em, but I don’t have to like it.

GIANTS over Jets
Twelve sacks in one game is absolutely ridiculous. That Giant defense looks better, but Donavan has to get rid of the ball faster. That being said, the Jets can’t buy a win. Probably has to do something with Mangini’s stabbing of Belicheck in the back.

PATRIOTS over Browns
And just when Cleveland fans were getting excited again…

Seahawks over STEELERS
This Super Bowl rematch will give us a look at just how good each of these teams are. After losing to Arizona, it’s just too tough to go with Pittsburgh.

TITANS over Falcons
The bandwagon’s going to be filling up awful fast. Grab a seat now, because in a few weeks tickets will be sold out.

SAINTS over Panthers
There at home against a team that is banged up and struggling. We keep hearing about how angry they are. They’ve got to win sometime, right?

Dolphins over TEXANS
Perhaps everyone started getting a little too excited too early. Then again, Andre Johnson going down with an injury didn’t help. I really don’t know how Miami isn’t better defensively. They’ve still got the Defensive Player of the Year, Zach Thomas, and they added Joey Porter. Something doesn’t add up. That being said, they should get to Schuab and stuff the Ahmad Green-less Houston running game.

COLTS over Bucs
If they’re going to lose before their Week 9 showdown with the Pats, this would be it. Harrision and Addai are hurt offensively and it seems like half their defense is banged up. That being said, Tampa just lost its starting running back for the season, and I can’t very well go about picking against the defending champs at home with a healthy Peyton Manning.

Chargers over BRONCOS
Easily two of the more disappointing teams in the league. I don’t know how San Diego continues to lose with that much talent. It looks to me like Phillip Rivers might’ve regressed a little as well. As for Denver, they’re two game ending field goals away from being 0-4. They look pitiful.

Ravens over NINERS
Baltimore is looking old on both sides of the ball. Then again, Trent Dilfer is what, 45?

PACKERS over Bears
Brett Favre, Sunday night, Lambeau Field, against the Bears. Does it get any better? Bring on Kyle Orton.

Cowboys over BILLS
The sad thing is the Cowboys have such an easy schedule that they’ll probably go no worse than 13-3. This is lead to the media calling for Romo’s induction to the Hall of Fame. I mean, Brett Favre breaks the all-time touchdown record and the stories seem to be “and you know what, Romo is the next Farve!"  If there is anything right in the world, this team will lose to Green Bay in the playoffs.

Last Week: 8-6
Season: 39-23