Week 9 Picks:

by Npurinto

Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills – Bengals 

It’s easy to place the blame for the Bengal’s poor record on their defense.  And that would be correct.  I wonder about the security of Head Coach Marvin Lewis’ job.  I even heard a rumor the other day about the Bengals cleaning house starting with WR Chad Johnson.  I can’t imagine Cincinnati giving up on their current nucleus of talent.  Owner Mike Brown ought to consider a change but my guess is that Lewis stays after this season.

Denver Broncos at Detroit Lions – Broncos

The Broncos are a maddening 3-4, entering a critical road game against the resurgent Detroit Lions.  The Broncos need this game as they can ill afford to fall too far behind in the nascent AFC Wild Card race.  The Broncos have an offense that has yet to reach its potential.  Against an average Detroit defense, they should be able to score enough points to squeak by at Ford Field.

San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – Falcons

I am one of the few people that think Joey Harrington is still capable of putting points on the board in Atlanta.  He is a better fit in the Falcons offense than Byron Leftwich.  The game is a toss up but I am suddenly overcome with a feeling that Atlanta will win this game.

Carolina Panthers at Tennessee Titans – Titans

For his sake, I hope David Carr plays better than he did last week.  When a 43-year old can come in off the street on Wednesday and put up better numbers on Sunday than you, despite six months in the system, you shouldn’t expect to be in the league much longer.  What a strange year in the NFL.

Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs – Packers

I can’t decide whether or not Green Bay deserves consideration for the top spot in the NFC.  They shocked me with their dramatic victory over Denver last Monday night at Mile High.  Will there be a hangover after such an emotional win?  Maybe, but I can’t envision the Chiefs putting up enough points to win this game.

San Diego Chargers at Minnesota Vikings – Chargers

The Chargers are hitting their stride right now while the Vikings have Tarvaris Jackson under center.  I’ll take the Chargers who I like over Pittsburgh as the third best team in the AFC.

Jacksonville Jaguars at New Orleans Saints – Saints

The Saints continue their march to the NFC South Division championship.  The Jaguars can’t possibly win two straight with Quinn Gray as their quarterback.

Washington Redskins at New York Jets – Redskins

The Jets finally made a change at quarterback as Coach Eric Mangini installed Kellen Clemens as the starter.  This team is going nowhere fast and it’s tough to recognize how this team made the playoffs a year ago.  The substitution of Clemens was the first positive step for the Jets in 2008.

Arizona Cardinals at Tampa Bay Bucs – Bucs

' Can the Cardinals possibly win with a banged up Kurt Warner as their starting QB on the road in Raymond James Stadium?  Even with the bye week, I don’t see it.  The Bucs defense will force the Cards to win through the air and with Warner hurting, I expect the Bucs to blitz aggressively.  The Bucs win with a decent start from Jeff Garcia who played terribly last week against the Jags.

Seattle Seahawks at Cleveland Browns – Browns

' Who would have thought the Browns would be 4-3 entering Week 9?  Well, how about 5-3 entering Week 10?

Houston Texans at Oakland Raiders – Raiders 

In an epic battle, Sage Rosenfels starts against the Raiders Josh McCown.  Similar to Manning against Brady, ehh?  Hmm, I think I’ll take the Raiders.  The Raiders defense combined with a strong running game on the other side of the ball should be enough for Oakland at home at McAfee Stadium.

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles – Cowboys 

A sudden image just popped into my head, Tony Romo being interviewed by Suzy Kolber on ESPN following a Sunday night victory in Philadelphia.  Yes, it is true that I have lost faith in Donovan McNabb and the Eagles, but the Cowboys will be ready for this game.  This game kicks off an important three game stretch for Dallas against divisional opponents.  By the end of it, I see Dallas a game up on New York and two behind Philadelphia in the standings.

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers – Steelers 

I don’t know how anyone can take Steve McNair or Kyle Boller seriously.  Against the Steelers defense on Monday night in Heinz Field, I don’t see any possible scenario that includes Boller or McNair playing well.  The Steelers have enough big play potential in Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward to get by Baltimore at home.

New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts – Patriots

One of my good friends is from Indy; another is from Concord, New Hampshire.  Each put $100 on their squad for Sunday’s AFC Championship preview.  Am I going too far?  Am I speaking a bit too soon?  Probably, what, with the way the Browns are playing.  I like the Patriots ability to stop the Colts in key situations.  As I told my friend earlier this week, I can’t envision Pats Head Coach Bill Belichick coming up with a way to disguise his schemes against Manning who has faced the Pats and Belichick fourteen times in his career.