NFL Week 9

Week 8 had some very interesting and close games along with a few surprise upsets.  My predictions were....well, lets not look at them too closely.  If batting .500 is considered great, then I rocked, but this is football, and that is a whole different ball game.  Ok enough bad jokes.  Here are my week 9 picks.

San Diego at Houston

The Chargers have been one of the NFL’s best second-half teams over the previous four seasons, leading to as many division titles over that stretch.  They looked very strong last week, defeating the Titans handily.  The Texans had a very strong start of the season, but haven't been playing all that well as of late.  The Colts humiliated them last week.  This is a tough game to call, since both teams are healthy, and if Houston gets their mojo back, this promises to be a great game.  I'm reluctantly calling it for the Chargers. SD - 24  HOU - 21.

Arizona at Minnesota

After an ugly and public parting with Randy Moss earlier this week, the Vikings will try to get their season back under control when they host the struggling Cardinals on Sunday.  While Minnesota was aware of the Moss’ negative reputation after he spent his first seven seasons with the organization, the Vikings hoped his immense talent would overshadow his personality issues.  That didn’t happen.  Could anyone have seen that being problematic?  70 year old, and injured Brett Favre looked old, tired and pathetic against the Patriots last week, and we are seeing the once great QB descend into lameness, in more ways than one.  The Cardinals have their own problems, and they are going to start Derek Anderson once again, a totally unimpressive QB who is mediocre at best.  Call this Loser Bowl Week 9.  Both teams stink on ice.  AZ - 21  MN - 10

New Orleans at Carolina

The Saints opened up a big can of whoop-ass on the Steelers last week, and it looked like the old Saints are back.  Carolina is competing with the Bills and Lions for worst team in the NFL.  The Saints will readily handle the Panthers.  NO - 41  CAR - 10


New England at Cleveland

I'm not going to waste my time on this mismatch.  NE - 32  CLE - 12

Tampa Bay at Atlanta

The Bucs barely got past the terrible Cardinals last week in a horribly hard game to watch.  Their record is far better than the quality of the team.  The Falcons beat a tough Bengals team 2 weeks ago and had a bye week to rest up.  I'm looking for them to beat the Bucs this week.  ATL - 32  TB - 28

Chicago at Buffalo

The Bears are over .500, but haven’t been playing as well as their record indicates.  The Bills are at the other end of the spectrum, remaining the NFL’s lone winless team despite playing competitive football.  I'm going out on a limb today and predicting that the Bills pick up their first seasonal win.  BUF - 24  CHI - 17

Miami at Baltimore

The Ravens had a tough win over the Bills last week, and are still looking playoffs bound.  The Dolphins are 0-3 on the road, and had a tough time against the Bengals last week.  Both teams are better than their records, and this promises to be one of the better games of the week.  I'm going to go with the Ravens.  BAL - 28  MIA - 24


New York Jets at Detroit


Rex Ryan proclaimed his Jets the NFL’s best team as they went into their bye week. They didn’t provide much evidence to back up his words upon their return.  They were completely shut out offensively by the Packers last week.  The Lions have scored an NFC-best 28.2 points per game since Week 2 and have averaged 37.7 in three home games.  That’s a pace the Jets’ brash coach doesn’t think they can maintain Sunday.    “I just don’t believe that’s going to happen,” Ryan said. “Come out and prove me wrong, but I doubt it. This is a proud group right here on defense.  “Do you expect to shut out Detroit? Of course not, they’ve got a very talented team and all that kind of stuff, but this is a great defense coming into town.”

If the Jets don't get serious and play a serious game against the Lions, this could go ugly early.  Still, after being humiliated by the Packers last week, I'm calling it for the Jets.  NYJ - 32   DET - 30



New York Giants at Seattle

The Giants come out of their bye week with plenty of momentum. They’ll need it to overcome some daunting numbers in their next game against a fellow first-place team.  New York (5-2) has won four straight to take over the top spot in the NFC East, putting a rough start in the rear view mirror with a streak marked by dominant defense and versatile offense. The Giants defeated Dallas 41-35 on Oct. 25, limiting the Cowboys to 254 yards and knocking quarterback Tony Romo out with a broken collarbone.

The Seahawks will need their home-field advantage, having limped back to Seattle after a 33-3 loss at Oakland last week. The team lost five starters to injury, including quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who is out after suffering a concussion.

This game falls in the category of "when they are good, they are very very good, and when they are bad they are awful".  I'm calling it for the Giants, just because I'm a fan. NYG - 24  SEA - 14


Indianapolis at Philadelphia

The Colts finally have sole possession of first place in the AFC South, but they are not about to take anything for granted.  The Eagles are tanned rested and ready, coming off a bye week.  After missing the last three games following a rib injury suffered against Washington on Oct. 3, Vick is expected to start in place of Kevin Kolb.  Look for a low scoring game, with a dominant Colts beating the Eagles in a nail biter.  IND - 17  PHL - 13

Kansas City at Oakland

This promises to be another great game on Sunday.  The Raiders trounced the Seahawks in an amazing upset.  The Chiefs are playing well, but could make a lot of improvements.  But the way the Raiders have been playing lately, it is their game to lose.  OAK - 27  KC - 24

Dallas at Green Bay

Jerry Jones' self proclaimed "America's Team" will be the Packers bitch on Sunday night.  Romo is out for the season, and I watch the Cowboys games just so I can laugh at their pathetic performance.  GB - 42  DAL - 20.  Did I ever mention that I hate the Cowboys?

Finally, Monday night's game could be a good one.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati

After coming up short in one prime-time road showdown, Pittsburgh tries to bounce back at Paul Brown Stadium by extending Cincinnati's four-game skid and keeping pace in a division race that doesn’t look like it will include the defending champions.  Defending division champion Cincinnati (2-5) that can’t seem to finish. The Bengals completed an 0-4 October by falling 22-14 to visiting Miami on Sunday, their fourth straight loss in a one-possession game.  The Bengals have been playing decent ball, but haven't been able to win.

The Steeler offense will make the day and will lead them to a win.  PIT - 32  CIN - 21

Well, those are my picks.  There are a lot of tough picks this week.  What are your predictions?  Feel free to put them in the comments section.

Update 1: "I'm not going to waste my time on this mismatch.  NE - 32  CLE - 12"  Yes I blew that one big time, but all in all I did pretty good this week.  Bite men Nephew Ben. LOL

Update 2:  The Steelers got by the the Bengals, and 70 year old Brett Favre actually played a good game.

I did well this week.  Is anyone taking up a collection for Wade Philips?  <crickets> I didn't think so.