After a mediocre week of picking 7 winners and 7 losers, my season record now stands at 57 games correct and 32 wrong. Here are the week 9 picks:
Kansas City at San Diego – the Chargers have gained a reputation as massive underachievers over the years, but Kansas City has major problems, including a quarterback controversy. San Diego wins at home.
Buffalo at Houston – Texans’ star RB Arien Foster has to be salivating at the thought of facing the Bills’ porous run defense, ranked at the very bottom of the entire NFL. Houston should win this game handily.
Denver at Cincinnati – the Bengals are becoming desperate and should be a tough out at home, but Peyton Manning is starting to settle in with his new teammates in Denver, and the Broncos are beginning to look like an AFC power. Denver wins a close one.
Baltimore at Cleveland – the Ravens are still trying to plug injury holes on defense. Unfortunately, the Browns don’t have the firepower to take advantage. Although Cleveland rookie RB Trent Richardson should have a good game, the Ravens will win a low-scoring affair.
Arizona at Green Bay – after opening the season with 4 straight wins, the Cardinals have lost 4 in a row. The Packers will send them to their fifth on Sunday.
Miami at Indianapolis – both of these clubs are off to surprising starts, but Miami looks like they’re ready to contend for a playoff spot. The Dolphins pull out a hard fought win on the road.
Detroit at Jacksonville – the undermanned Jaguars are fighting hard under coach Mike Mularkey, but Detroit needs this game badly to try to stay alive in the NFC North. The Lions will win.
Chicago at Tennessee – I don’t see Titan RB Chris Johnson having much success against a tough Bear defense. After surviving a scare against Carolina last week, Chicago will be ready and will win here on the road.
Carolina at Washington – last year’s rookie phenom QB, Cam Newton, faces this year’s, Robert Griffin III. Opposing defenses are beginning to figure out how to stop Newton, while I expect RGIII to rebound from a poor showing against the Steelers. The Redskins get a win.
Tampa Bay at Oakland – a battle between 2 clubs with rookie head coaches that are fighting for respect. The Buccaneers have been a little more consistent, and I expect them to win this game.
Minnesota at Seattle – the Vikings are the type of opponent, despite their success so far this year, that is ripe to be overwhelmed by the Seahawks and their home crowd. Seattle wins at home.
Pittsburgh at New York Giants – although I feel the Giants are the better team, I also feel that this is the type of game they may sleepwalk through since they have a comfortable lead in their division. The Steelers win on the road.
Dallas at Atlanta – it’s taken almost half the season and a 7-0 record to finally convince me that the Falcons mean business this year. Atlanta throttles an up-and-down Cowboy team.
Philadelphia at New Orleans – the 2012 Disappointment Bowl. Both of these teams should be playoff contenders but are struggling badly. At this point, the Saints are a better bet to perform at a high level, even though their defense is horrible. New Orleans wins.