NFL Week 9 Picks

Due to some time restraints on my part, I’m going to have to keep this introductions nice and short. My record last week was among the worst of them as my sure things became busts and my upsets were anything but. That said, I finished 6-8 on the straight picks and 5-8-1 against the spread. Improvement shouldn’t be a hard task this week after such a pitiful performance.

Season Stats:

66-50 / 66 of 116 (.570) Straight picks

60-53-3 (.517) Against the spread

----Picks against the spread in red----

ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN

Open Date: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers

Sunday, November 2^nd, 2008

New York Jets(4-3) at Buffalo Bills(5-2) 1:00PM

Buffalo will be looking to take back the score board after last weeks lose in Miami. I expect the Buffalo defensive line to spend all night in Favre’s facemask.

Buffalo rebounds with a home win

(Buffalo -5.5)

Detroit Lions(0-7) at Chicago Bears(4-3) 1:00PM

I’m sure Detroit is bound to create an upset sooner or later. I just don’t see them doing it against the Bears at Soldier Field.

Bears keep the Lions winless

(Lions +13)

Jacksonville Jaguars(3-4) at Cincinnati Bengals(0-8) 1:00PM

With two winless teams left you would have to figure one of them would break the streak this week, but no Palmer, no prayer.

Jaguars pull it together to regain .500 on the season

(Jaguars -8)

Baltimore Ravens(4-3) at Cleveland Browns(3-4) 1:00PM

Browns struggled at the beginning of their season when they had to travel to Baltimore and suffer a loss to the Ravens. Now they are showing some signs of life and have the opportunity to return the favor.

Browns tie up this division series

(Browns -1.5)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers(5-3) at Kansas City Chiefs(1-6) 1:00PM

Following a tough loss to Dallas last week, the Buccaneers will have to battle another road game in a harsh environment, Arrowhead. Lucky for them, the Chiefs have been full of mistakes and mishaps on and off the field.

Buccaneers take a win on the road

(Chiefs +9)

Houston Texans(3-4) at Minnesota Vikings(3-4) 1:00PM

Houston has been on a winning streak that has started to get their season turned around. Unfortunately, that won’t make this trip any easier. This week the Texans are traveling to Minnesota to test their win streak against a tough and rested defense.

Vikings hold down the home field and finish out with a win

(Vikings -4.5)

Arizona Cardinals(4-3) at St. Louis Rams(2-5) 1:00PM

The Rams win streak was ended last week, but I somehow don’t think we’ve heard the last of this team. This week they will look to recover their position in the win column as they host the Cardinals. Unfortunately, with the return of Anquan Boldin, the Cardinals have other plans.

Cardinals continue to dominate the NFC West

(Cardinals -3)

Green Bay Packers(4-3) at Tennessee Titans(7-0) 1:00PM

The Titans have done it. They have gone 7-0 and done it against by going through the Colts. But at the same time, just how good are the Colts this year? Before going into the bye week, the Packers defeated the Colts by an even larger margin. Now, with both teams coming off big wins against the Colts, the Packers will look to end the Titans undefeated season while the Titans must continue to prove they are worthy of such an impressive record.

Titans take advantage of home field and pull off the win in a close game

(Packers +6)

Miami Dolphins(3-4) at Denver Broncos(4-3) 4:05PM

Just call me a Homer this week. The Broncos turnover ratio has been ridiculously horrid and their defense as porous as a sponge, but their offense continues to be a huge threat when healthy and holding onto the ball.

Broncos bounce back after bye.

(Broncos -3.5)

Dallas Cowboys(5-3) at New York Giants(6-1) 4:15PM

Cowboys came away with their first win without Romo last week, but playing a division rival on their home field can always prove to be a challenge. Especially when that rival is the 6-1 Giants playing in Giant Stadium…and your still without your starting QB. Johnson is going to be seeing a lot of blue jersey this week, most likely followed by green turf.

Giants take advantage of a Romo-less Cowboys

(Giants -9)

Atlanta Falcons(4-3) at Oakland Raiders(2-5) 4:15PM

They may not be the best team in the NFC South, and they may not be playoff bound this year, but the Falcons have shown miles of improvement with the rookie Matt Ryan at the helm.

Falcons find a way to soar over the Raiders

(Falcons -3)

Philadelphia Eagles(4-3) at Seattle Seahawks(2-5) 4:15PM

I had honestly expected more from Mike Singletary’s debut game as an NFL coach, but instead the Seahawks took their opportunities where they can find them. Somehow I don’t think the Eagles will be as accommodating this week. Even on the road.

Eagles take a win to keep the entire NFC East above .500

(Eagles -7)

Sunday, November 2^nd, 2008, Sunday Night Football

New England Patriots(5-2) at Indianapolis Colts(3-4) 8:15PM

At the seasons start, I don’t think anyone would have been surprised to see this match up as the game of the undefeated. However, I don’t think anyone expected a Brady-less Patriots and a below .500 Colts to be matching up on the ninth week of Sunday Night. Truth is, I think the Patriots are 5-2 on luck, and the Colts have been unstable, but capable of pulling out the win on any given Sunday.

Colts take down the Patriots

(Colts -6)

Monday, November 3^rd, 2008, Monday Night Football

Pittsburgh Steelers(5-2) at Washington Redskins(6-2) 8:30PM

It looks as if we’ll have another Monday Night game worth watching as the Steelers hop over to FedEx Field for another slug-fest, this time with the Redskins. Both teams have seen some nicks and scraps over the season as well as dealt out their own bumps and bruises.

Redskins hold on for a narrow home win

(Redskins No Line)

And that would be a wrap. Sticking with the short…May the Football Gods shine upon your team (unless I picked against them) and enjoy your Football filled weekend!