In the two-plus years of writing the Weekend Pickoff, I've penned picks based on song titles, '80s movies, books, the birth of a friend's daughter. I've even talked football in a few of these.

This week, there's more than meets the eye. More than an 18-game winning streak. Or 29 consecutive games with a TD pass. Or getting off the schneid to end the league's longest current losing streaks.

Christina Zitterich and Jason Schoellen, a friend and co-worker, are gettin' hitched Saturday. And those of you who know Jason grasp that he's "marrying up," as we like to say down here where the tea is sweet, the green beans are cooked and the tomatoes are served raw.

So without further ado, best wishes for a lifetime of love songs:

(And a few football thoughts for the hardliners ...)

SI.com's B. Duane Cross weighs in with his NFL forecast. Week 5 -- All Times Eastern   Sunday, 1 p.m. Preview | Matchup Detroit at Atlanta Just smile for me and let the day begin You are the sunshine that lights my heat within I'm sure that you're an angel in disguise Come take my hand and together we will rise Expectations for the Lions were on the rise after ending their 24-game road losing streak, but it'll be déjà vu all over again about 4 p.m. Sunday. Atlanta 24, Lions 14   Sunday, 1 p.m. Preview | Matchup Tampa Bay at New Orleans All my thoughts seem to settle on the breeze When I'm lying wrapped up in your arms The whole world just fades away The only thing I hear Is the beating of your heart The Bucs are tied (with Buffalo) for the longest losing streak in the league (0-fer-6), so with the playoffs a pipe dream, starting Chris Simms is a good move. Saints 21, Buccaneers 14   Sunday, 1 p.m. Preview | Matchup Oakland at Indianapolis Someday when I'm awfully low When the world is cold I will feel a glow Just thinking of you And the way you look tonight The Colts' offense proved last week it can adapt to playing on grass, but back on turf its speed will be the difference against the sloth-like Raiders D. Colts 31, Raiders 21   Sunday, 1 p.m. Preview | Matchup Minnesota at Houston One more night, one more night I've been trying ooh so long to let you know Let you know how I feel And if I stumble if I fall, just help me back So I can make you see If you're looking for an upset, this is a prime candidate. The Texans' offense is rounding into form, while the Vikings' defense is wobbly -- at best. Texans 21, Vikings 17   Sunday, 1 p.m. Preview | Preview N.Y. Giants at Dallas Now, all my hopes and all my dreams Are suddenly reality You've opened up my heart to feel A kind of love that's truly real A guiding light that will never fade There's not a thing in life that I would ever trade For the love you give and won't let go I hope you'll always know Vinny Testaverde is averaging one TD pass for every 38 passes and 297 yards? ... Those numbers could improve against the Giants' secondary. Cowboys 24, Giants 20   Sunday, 1 p.m. Preview | Matchup Cleveland at Pittsburgh Could this be the greatest love of all I wanna know that you will catch me when I fall So let me tell you this Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this Jerome Bettis' five TDs are only two shy of his total from last season -- in 228 fewer carries. The Big 3 should learn to conserve fuel as efficently. Steelers 24, Browns 17   Sunday, 1 p.m. Preview | Matchup Miami at New England How do I Get through one night without you If I had to live without you What kind of life would that be? Oh I, I need you in my arms Need you to hold Your my world my heart my soul If you ever leave Baby you would take away everything good in my life. Are there any superlatives left in Roget's repertoire to describe the Patriots' 18-game winning streak? We've heard 'em all, except for 'fantasmo,' maybe. Patriots 17, Dolphins 9   Sunday, 1 p.m. Preview | Matchup Jacksonville at San Diego Rollin' at sea, adrift on the water Could it be finally I'm turning for home? Finally, a chance to say hey, I love you Never again to be all alone Drew Brees' passer rating is 95.5, which ranks above the likes of Joey Harrington and Jake Plummer, but you don't hear about them losing their job ... Jaguars 21, Chargers 17   Sunday, 4:05 p.m. Preview | Matchup Buffalo at N.Y. Jets I am the man who will fight for your honor I'll be the hero that you're dreaming of We're gonna live forever knowing together That we did it all for the glory of love Be careful what you wish for, Jets fans. The last time the team began 4-0, it finished 9-7 and out of the playoffs. Not that history repeats itself. Jets 24, Bills 14   Sunday, 4:15 p.m. Preview | Matchup Carolina at Denver Somehow ever since I've been around you Can't go back to being on my own Can't help feeling darling since I've found you That I've found my home That I'm finally home Stephen Davis' return would do wonders for the Panthers, but rookie receiver Keary Colbert needs to step up and be a go-to target down the field. Broncos 28, Panthers 21   Sunday, 4:15 p.m. Preview | Matchup Arizona at San Francisco There's no love -- like your love And no other -- could give more love There's nowhere -- unless you're there All the time -- all the way Last week the Cardinals played up to their competition in KO'ing the Saints. Now on the road, we'll see if they play above the competition. Cardinals 24, 49ers 20   Sunday, 4:15 p.m. Preview | Matchup St. Louis at Seattle I need to know that you will always be The same old someone that I knew What will it take 'till you believe in me The way that I believe in you Is it time we dubbed the Seahawks' defense? Some of the great ones had a nickname: Steel Curtain, Purple People Eaters. How about the Shore Patrol? Seahawks 35, Rams 24   Sunday, 8:30 p.m. Preview | Matchup Baltimore at Washington Now I know it's right, from the moment I wake up till deep in the night There's nowhere on earth that I'd rather be than holding you tenderly Remember Clinton Portis' 64-yarder on his first carry? Well, he's now averaging 4.0 ypg -- the same as noted ground-gainer Mike Alstott. Ravens 20, Redskins 14   Monday, 9 p.m. Preview | Matchup Tennessee at Green Bay And ever since the day You put my heart in motion Baby, I realize that there's Just no getting over you The Packers' D-line is in such shambles that the team has re-signed Larry Smith. C'mon, Larry Smith? I just saw him walking to the Headline News set! Packers 21, Titans 17 Last week: 7-7 (50%). Overall: 35-25 (58%). Bye: Bears, Bengals, Chiefs and Eagles

B. Duane Cross is a senior producer for SI.com.