So after a miserable Week 8, I bounced back last week with a 9-4 record. Let’s hope the 2nd half of the season continues to go as well as it started out. I have a reputation (sort of) to uphold and I need to retain what’s left of it after the horrible season I’ve had. Week 9 certainly had it’s share of craziness. 3 overtime games, A huge upset in Cleveland over New England and another near one in Detroit until they let it slip away against the Jets, and another embarrassing Dallas lost that finally resulted in the firing of Wade Phillips. And don’t look now, but Philip Rivers is carrying the Chargers on his back and they are only 1 and a half games behind Kansas City for the AFC West lead. The picks are in early this week because we have a Thursday night game, so here are my Week 9 predictions. Feel free to post what you like or hate, or just post your own picks in the reply section.
Last Week: 9-4 .692
Season: 71-59 .546
MNF: 4-6
No-Brainers: 6-3
Teams Used: Dolphins, Packers, Patriots, Colts, Saints, Steelers, Ravens, Titans, Giants
Thursday, November 11th
8:20
Baltimore @ Atlanta
Both teams come into this game 6-2 and battling for their respective division lead. Joe Flacco has played been red hot in his last game, throwing for 7 touchdowns and no interceptions. I think that, combined with the way their defense will hand Ryan and Turner, will help the Ravens win this one by 7.
Baltimore 20
Atlanta 13
Sunday, November 14th
1:00
Carolina @ Tampa Bay
Tampa came within 3 yards of beating Atlanta last week and leading the NFC South, but couldn’t make it happen . Carolina is 1-7 and it looks like both DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart could miss the game as it’s looking like Mike Goodson will get the start. I like how Josh Freeman has played this year under pressure, so if my Atlanta prediction is right and this is too…Tampa could find themselves a half game up in the division.
Carolina 16
Tampa Bay 23
Detroit @ Buffalo
Matthew Stafford’s return was nice to watch but short-lived as Shaun Hill will return to the starting lineup on Sunday. Both of these teams play with a ton of heart and it’s a shame that their records don’t indicate that. This is Buffalo’s perfect opportunity to get their first win, however I like Detroit’s offense enough even without Stafford in there to win by 7.
Detroit 28
Buffalo 21
Minnesota @ Chicago
Several players have come out in the media this week and anonymously stated that the the team as a whole dislikes Brad Childress, but that they will not “give up like Dallas” and they will keep playing for eachother and “win despite him.” So maybe now that the Vikings have something to rail against, the will come out and play angry and this could get a win streak going for them. Chicago has looked bad lately so Minnesota was going to be my pick either way, but this sealed it.
Minnesota 19
Chicago 14
NY Jets @ Cleveland
Braylon Edwards has done his best to make headlines in his first return to Cleveland since being traded last season. What he’s so angry about is what’s difficult to understand. All he did was drop passes, and as “punishment” he was traded to a team that made it to the AFC Championship game his first year there. I see it backfiring for him, with not many opportunities to catch the ball. However, the Jets are the better team and I don’t see another upset brewing here.
NY Jets 24
Cleveland 17
Cincinnati @ Indianapolis
Two dangerous offenses will square off when Palmer, Ochocinco, T.O. and Shipley visit Manning, Wayne, Garcon, Tamme, and whoever else they decide to plug in that Peyton will make look like a Pro Bowler. Owens is not showing his age one bit, having another great game against Pittsburgh. Peyton has his work cut out for him with the secondary of Joseph and Hall, but I think he does just enough to get the Colts the home win.
Cincinnati 20
Indianapolis 30
Tennessee @ Miami
Chad Henne has been pulled as the starter after throwing no touchdowns and 3 picks in the 26-10 loss to Baltimore last week. Chad Pennington will have to shake the rust off if the Dolphins are going to get the win. Randy Moss will play his first game as a Titan and will likely be covered by up and coming corner Vontae Davis. I personally don’t think this game is even going to be close. I know Henne was terrible last week, but I don’t agree with benching him. He is the quarterback of the future and all this does is set his confidence back.
Tennessee 27
Miami 10
Houston @ Jacksonville
I look for a high-scoring game here with two potent offenses and the league’s worst pass defense in Houston. David Garrard has been hot as of late, and this is the perfect opponent for him in order for that to continue. However, I think however much he accomplishes, Schaub does that much more and gets some nice help on the ground from the league’s leading rusher Arian Foster.
Houston 35
Jacksonville 26
4:05
Kansas City @ Denver
The Chiefs lost an overtime heartbreaker to Oakland last week while Denver had a bye following their loss in London to the Niners. Kansas City still leads the division by a half game and I think Jamaal Charles takes complete advantage of Denver’s inability to stop the run. 14 point win for the Chiefs at Mile High.
Kansas City 31
Denver 17
4:15
Dallas @ NY Giants
Anyone have anything positive to say about Dallas? Crickets Well you never know how they’ll play under interim coach Jason Garrett, but I can’t imagine there’s going to be much difference made in just one week. Maybe if they were playing a lesser opponent, but they got stuck with the Giants at the worst possible time. Blowout written all over this one.
Dallas 10
NY Giants 38
Seattle @ Arizona
The Seahawks and Cardinals have both really fallen apart lately. Seattle lost their last 2 and were outscored 74-10 while Arizona lost their last 3 including a complete meltdown against Minnesota last week. I’m going with the Cards based on the simple facts that they’re at home and Matt Hasselbeck isn’t healthy.
Seattle 16
Arizona 20
St. Louis @ San Francisco
I look for this to be an evenly matched game. I think San Francisco has improved enough to give St. Louis all they can handle if not more. I was surprised how well Troy Smith played in his debut against Denver. 8 wins could easily win the NFC West afterall. Maybe less…sad but true.
St. Louis 17
San Francisco 19
8:20
New England @ Pittsburgh
A possible AFC Championship preview here, or at least a playoff matchup of some sort. Here’s what it comes down to for me. If Cleveland’s defense can hold New England down, what is the Steelers’ D going to do to Brady and company? I’ll take the home team.
New England 21
Pittsburgh 23
Monday, November 15th
8:30
Philadelphia @ Washington
The Eagles have Mike Vick back who looked like he never missed a beat. Mike Shanahan apparently has no confidence in Donovan McNabb when the game is on the line, pulling him late in the game 2 weeks ago for…Rex Grossman?! Really? And this is supposedly one of the smarter coaches we have in the NFL? Phily is at full strength and I think they have to be the pick here.
Philadelphia 30
Washington 24
Enjoy the games, TSJ!
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