The Week 9 Picks!
Last week: 6-7 Season: 51-60-6
San Diego (-3) at Houston
The NFL's top aerial attack going against the league's worst passing defense. The Texans are in trouble, even if Philip Rivers is throwing to Seyi Ajirotutu, Patrick Crayton and Gary Banks. Anyway, this is usually the point in the season when Norv Turner's Chargers make their run.
Arizona (+8) at Minnesota
There is the thinking that Minnesota will be able to put together a solid game- at home- against one of the league's worst run defenses. But then there's this and this, and you wonder if the Vikings will be able to win by more than a touchdown.
New England (-4) at Cleveland
My only interest in this contest would be for the postgame handshake between Bill Belichick and his former protege Eric Mangini- which usually lasted less than one second when Mangini was coaching the Jets.
Tampa Bay (+8.5) at Atlanta
Apparently the sportsbooks aren't listening when Raheem Morris continues to proclaim Tampa Bay as the best team in the NFC, as shown by this spread. I don't think the Bucs will win this game, but 8.5 points is a lot for a team playing the "nobody believes in us" card.
Chicago (-3) vs Buffalo (Rogers Center)
The Bills haven't won at home in their last 11 games (not counting the Week 17 30-7 victory against an Indianapolis team resting all its players.) How devastating would it be for Buffalo if its team gets its first "home" victory of the season in a different country? I'm just going to close my eyes, pick Jay Cutler's Bears, and hope for the best.
Miami (+5) at Baltimore
Miami is 4-3 on the season, with all four wins coming on the road and three losses at home. But I thought home field advantage meant everything in the NFL!?!?!? Glad I'll be able to watch this game tomorrow.
New York (-4.5) at Detroit
New York's game against Green Bay last week was eerily similar to last year's 10-7 home loss to Atlanta late in the season. But I don't think Mark Sanchez and Co. will have any body language issues this week in Detroit, as I expect a big day for the Jets offense.
New Orleans at Carolina (+7)
New Orleans rebounded nicely from their 30-17 home loss to Cleveland with a key win at home against Pittsburgh. But they have only blown out one team this year (Tampa Bay by 25) from a schedule that has included San Francisco, Carolina, Arizona and Cleveland. Carolina may have one of the NFL's worst offenses in years, but they were leading New Orleans on the road- in the 4th quarter- earlier this year.
Indianapolis (+3) at Philadelphia
I know Andy Reid is 11-0 following the bye. I know Mike Vick is returning for Philly. I know... wait a minute, Peyton Manning as a 3-point underdog? Sign me up!
New York at Seattle (+7.5)
Charlie Whitehurst is starting for Seattle, but is there really that much of a drop-off between him and Matt Hasselbeck? My worry is with New York knocking out quarterbacks left and right, Zac Robinson would be next if Whitehurst goes out. (Shuddering at this thought.) But I've been fooled by Seattle before, so I'll take them at home- where they seem to resemble a good team.
Kansas City (+1) at Oakland
This is the first relevant game for the Oakland franchise since its Super Bowl loss to Tampa Bay in 2003. With the Raiders being horrible throughout my high school years, it's easy to see why I've had such a hard time coming to grips with the fact that they could actually be decent. But if they win this week, I'll give them some respect. (At least that's what I keep telling myself.)
Dallas at Green Bay (-7)
If there were ever a week when NBC needed to flex to a better game, it would have to be Week 9. Unfortunately, this only comes into effect for the last seven weeks of the season, so we're stuck with Dallas in the night game. And after reading these quotes from their head coach, I don't think I'll be picking Dallas for a very, very long time.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (+5)
We will look back on the Bengals not claiming Randy Moss as one of the most disappointing things of the 2010 NFL season. Tell me anyone who would not watch Moss/Owens/Ochocinco- on a weekly basis! Anyway, Cincy did beat Pittsburgh twice last year, and I think they get up for this Monday Night home game.
As always, enjoy the games!
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