Here are my NFL Week 9 Picks
(12-1 last week, 82-38 for the season)
Bye teams: Ari, Den, Det, Jax, NYG, SF
Cin @ Mia – Everyone is ready to anoint the Bengals as the Super Bowl champions, which should mean that they lose this game & look completely befuddled. Cinci needs to buck the trend of losing to bad teams, and I think this is the week they do it vs a pretty bad Dolphins team.
KC @ Buf – The Chiefs showed that they are beatable last week in a close win over the Brownies. They’re not an elite scoring team and so are always one defensive lapse away from a loss. That said, their D is the best in the league and I don’t see them letting the Bills score much.
Atl @ Car – There’s not much hope for the Falcons as they are in a free fall & can’t win on the road. The Panthers boast the league’s stingiest defense and will be after Matty Ice all day. I think it’s about time for Atlanta to admit defeat & trade Tony Gonzalez. Why not, right?
Min @ Dal – This one would be a no-brainer if it weren’t for Dallas’ penchant for finding a way to lose. But Romo & the Boys score a ton of points (2nd only to Denver), win at home (3-1), get to play an awful Vikings team that seems to be constantly confused, and should win this game.
NO @ NYJ – The Jets are confusing, beating the Pats one week & getting creamed by the Bengals the next. They definitely prefer to play at home, which is in their favor, but I think the Saints will prove too much for them. If Andy Dalton can light them up what can Drew Brees do?
Ten @ STL – I like what I saw from the Rams last week, almost beating the Seahawks. The trouble is, they have Kellen Clemons as their QB & he can only take them so far. I think they have enough in their favor to win this game, one that could be the most evenly matched of the week.
SD @ Was – The only team that has allowed more points this year than Washington is Jacksonville. That’s not the sort of company you want to be in. After getting lit up by Peyton & the Broncos last week, I look for the Redskins to lose in similar fashion to Phillip & the Chargers.
Phi @ Oak – The Raiders are playing decent ball under the radar. Their defense is solid, they do very well at home, but their offense just doesn’t score enough points. Pryor has a ton of ability, but he needs to get into the endzone more if this team has any hope of making a late season playoff run.
TB @ Sea – This could be a sad, sad game. The Seahawks are unbeaten at home & boast the 3rd highest net points on the season. The Bucs on the other hand are winless & score less per game than everyone except the Jaguars. This could be a big blowout with Seattle getting yet another win.
Bal @ Cle – This one’s a toss-up, as neither team is playing well & no one seems to have the advantage. The Brownies gave KC a run for their money last week so maybe that gives them the confidence needed to beat the Super Bowl champs who aren’t playing like an elite team right now.
Pit @ NE – People want to say that Tom Brady is washed up & that the Pats are no good, but they’re still one of the best teams in the AFC even though they’re not playing lights out. Their D is strong, Brady finds ways to win, and they’ll only get better every week until the playoffs.
Ind @ Hou – The Colts are coming off a bye week & a big win over the Broncos. The Texans are coming off five straight losses. Even though these division games tend to be tight, I don’t see much of a competition in this one as Luck & Indy have the much better team & should win.
Chi @ GB – Earlier in the year I’m sure this looked like a great MNF matchup, but not so much anymore. The Bears are hurting, with Cutler out & McCown in. The Pack, meanwhile, are hot & undefeated at home. It’s still a good rivalry, but this game should be all Green Bay all the time.