NFL Week 9 Predictions

MIKE

CIN (-3) vs. MIA

CIN 23-14 (CIN covers spread)

QB Andy Dalton is making it known that he is not messing around this year. He has thrown for an impressive 1,034 yards, 11 TD’s and only 2 INT’s in the Bengals past three wins, and has his team in firm control of the AFC North. On the other hand, Miami has dropped four straight decisions to land themselves at 3-4. A win this week at home on Thursday night would put them back in the hunt for both the division and wild card. QB Ryan Tannehill has had an up-and-down season and the running game really hasn’t picked up steam. The ‘Fins will fight hard in this one, but will ultimately be outclassed by a better all-around football team.

ATL vs. CAR (-8)

CAR 31-19 (CAR covers spread)

The Falcons are done. That performance last week at Arizona was disappointing to say the least for a team that desperately needed a win. QB Matt Ryan is starting to feel the pressure of having to overplay on a poor football team, evidenced by his 4 INT’s last week. Meanwhile, the Panthers are playing at a very high level on both sides of the ball. A win this week will move them to 5-3 and help them keep pace with the division-leading New Orleans Saints. QB Cam Newton is doing it through the air and on the ground this season, piling up 1,552 yards, 12 TD’s and 5 INT’s along with 229 yards and 3 TD’s rushing. Their defense has only surrendered 38 points in the past three weeks, and they are getting enough help from RB DeAngelo Williams (477 yards, 1 TD) to have them very much in the conversation in the NFC.

MIN vs. DAL (-10.5)

DAL 45-27 (DAL covers spread)

A struggling Minnesota group is the perfect medicine for QB Tony Romo and the Cowboys to rebound at home this Sunday. That last-second loss vs. the Lions last week was devastating, and gave hope to a few other NFC East teams. Romo has once again been lighting it up during the regular season, with 2,216 yards, 18 TD’s and 5 INT’s. The Vikings really haven’t had a quarterback all season, and the only way they can remain competitive in games is through RB Adrian Peterson. Peterson will have a big day against a Dallas defense that has created turnovers but given up significant yardage this season (422.5 YPG- 32^nd in NFL). Expect another Texas shootout, with the home team moving to 5-4.

NO (-6.5) vs. NYJ

NO 26-21 (NYJ beats spread)

The Dr. Jekyll of the Jets’ will show up this week in challenging the Saints. The Jets have maintained their consistent inconsistency throughout the season, in losing a game then winning a game for the eight game stretch. Rookie QB Geno Smith has been impressive in some games, and dreadful in others. He will play well at home this week and give the Saints defense major headaches in both the running and passing games. It’s hard for me to pick against one of the premier quarterbacks in the game in Drew Brees, who has tossed 19 TD’s this season with 8 of them going to perennial TE Jimmy Graham. The Saints average 310.7 yards passing per game, which ranks them at 3^rd in the NFL. Even though the Jets defense has been impressive for the most part this season, expect Brees and co. to have a solid all-around day and come up with a win at MetLife Stadium.

TEN (-3) vs. STL

TEN 24-16 (TEN covers spread)

This will be one of the games with the lowest television ratings in Week 9. Tennessee is a boring, conventional football team that does nothing too impressive or flashy. St. Louis fought hard in Monday night’s loss and nearly won the game at the end, but not too many people are excited about watching QB Kellen Clemens quarterback an offense. The fact that QB Sam Bradford is out for the year makes me lean towards the Titans in this one. The Rams showed up big time in the trenches vs. the Seahawks, and mandhandled them on the defensive and offensive lines for the entire night. The Titans will look for a mistake-free game from QB Jake Locker and a solid day from their 13^th ranked defense to pull one out on the road.

KC (-3.5) vs. BUF

KC 19-16 (BUF beats spread)

Buffalo is always a tough place to play in, especially once the weather starts to get colder. I like what I’ve seen from fill-in QB Thad Lewis, as he has shown the ability to compete hard and play with intensity. The Bills will utilize that two-headed monster they possess in the backfield with RB’s C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson to create problems for the Chiefs. The Chiefs defense has not allowed a team to score 20+ points on them this season, and don’t expect that to change this week. The Bills will beat the spread and keep this one close, but a late defensive stand from Kansas City will preserve this one.

SD (-1.5) vs. WAS

WAS 28-24 (WAS beats spread)

QB Philip Rivers and the Chargers are sitting at 4-3 in the toughest division in football. Rivers has played at an elite level this season, compiling a 111.1 QB rating. However, I don’t like the Chargers traveling across the country in a hostile environment against a team, despite being 2-5, in their division race. San Diego has built the reputation of being an inconsistent bunch, and I see a couple mistakes in crucial situations hurting them here. Redskins QB RGIII and RB Alfred Morris will be able to exploit the 23^rd ranked San Diego defense and come out of Landover with a big win.

PHI vs. OAK (-3)

OAK 27-24 (OAK covers spread)

Philadelphia will once again be hard-pressed to generate a semblance of a running game on the road against the 6^th ranked Oakland rushing defense. QB Terrelle Pryor showed some serious play-making ability by setting the record for longest quarterback touchdown rush in NFL history last week vs. the Steelers with a 93-yard scamper. He is proving himself capable of being a starting quarterback in this league, and will notch another win to get the Raiders to .500 this week. QB Nick Foles will get the start for the Eagles, and being that he’s been their best option this season, I see this one going down to wire with the “Polish Cannon” K Sebastien Janikowski ending it with seconds remaining.

TB vs. SEA (-16)

SEA 24-7 (SEA covers spread)

Seattle got outplayed for much of Monday night’s game vs. division rival St. Louis, and was lucky to hold on in the end. They will get it cleaned up against a weak opponent with the 12^th man behind them this Sunday. Although Bucs QB Mike Glennon has looked decent since he replaced QB Josh Freeman, he has not indicated he can hurt a top tier defense such as Seattle. QB Russell Wilson had a tough game last week and will put together a solid performance against the visiting Bucs. The Seahawks average 140.6 rushing yards per game, and will salt this one away with a ball control, possession approach.

BAL (-3) vs. CLE

BAL 24-20 (BAL covers spread)

Although these teams have comparable records at this point in the season, I trust the Ravens experience and quarterback situation much more than the Browns. Divisional games are always tough, especially in the AFC North, and this one will be no different. RB Ray Rice has underperformed this season, only averaging a measly 2.8 yards per carry, and he will need to pick up his production in order for the Ravens to truly contend this year. QB Joe Flacco has been average this season, and will also need to return to the form he displayed in last season’s playoffs for the Ravens to make a run for the division title. Ultimately, Flacco will outplay QB Jason Campbell and the Ravens defense will limit the Browns enough to preserve the victory.

PIT vs. NE (-7)

NE 21-20 (PIT beats spread)

At 6-2, the Patriots are doing things the ugly way. I know that doesn’t sound right, but they, including QB Tom Brady, have looked anything but a Super Bowl contender thus far. The Steelers took a step back last week by losing to the Raiders, and face a must-win this week in Foxboro. You would have to think at 2-6, Pittsburgh would be unable to rebound in order to make a push. That’s why I see this game being tightly contested throughout. You have two multiple Super Bowl winners going head to head in what will be a street-fight. QB Ben Roethlisberger will have an efficient day through the air with a couple of big strikes to WR Antonio Brown. Let’s face it, even though the Steelers have picked up their running game in recent weeks, they will win and lose on the right arm of Roethlisberger. Expect a highly-physical, playoff-type game where the home Patriots will squeak out another win to move to a shaky 7-2.

IND (-3) vs. HOU

IND 30-20 (IND covers spread)

The Colts come off their bye to play a struggling Houston team who may be without star running back Arian Foster. Indianapolis will have lean more on their other receivers, notably T.Y. Hilton, Colby Fleener and Darius Heyward-Bay, to cope with the season-ending injury WR Reggie Wayne suffered vs. Denver. Texans QB Case Keenum is the guy for the remainder of the season, and will be forced to make more plays if Foster is unable to go. Lucky for him, he’s got WR Andre Johnson to throw the ball to as his primary target. The Indianapolis defense has forced 16 turnovers this season, and will force another 2 big ones along with a couple of sacks from DE Robert Mathis. QB Andrew Luck continues his big-time play and leads the Colts to 6-2.

CHI vs. GB (-11.5)

GB 37-24 (GB covers spread)

I was a little skeptical about the 11.5 point spread in this game between old-time division rivals. But then I remembered that Josh McCown is playing quarterback for the Bears, and Aaron Rodgers is playing quarterback for the Packers. Rodgers showed a great deal of chemistry with WR Jordy Nelson last Sunday night vs. Minnesota, hitting him on a couple of big strikes. I know the Bears are sliding and this seems like a perfect game for them to bounce back, but I don’t see it here with Green Bay starting to hit its stride. This is a big game in the NFC North, as Chicago is only one game behind the Packers for first place, but their quarterback situation prevents me from having strong belief in them being able to make enough plays in order to keep A-Rod and that explosive offense off of the field. 

ADAM

Bengals (-3) vs Dolphins

24-16 Bengals

The Bengals are riding a huge high coming off a 40 point win against the Jets last week while the Dolphins come into this Thursday Night matchup losing two games in a row they feel they should’ve won. Andy Dalton has been on fire lately and will continue his hot play and will lead the Bengals to a victory over Miami and cover the spread.

Chiefs (-3.5) vs Bills

23-10 Chiefs

I’m surprised the Chiefs are only 3.5 point favorites going into this matchup. Even though the Bills are at home and the Chiefs may be looking ahead to their matchup with Denver a little bit, I see Andy Reid being able to get his team to focus on the game at hand. Chiefs will ride their strong pass rush that will cause problems for Thad Lewis and the Bills offense. Chiefs win by 13.

Falcons vs Panthers (-8)

24-17 Panthers

The Panthers have been rolling as of late. Cam Newton’s confidence is extremely high and the Panthers defense has been smothering its opponents. The Falcons have been struggling lately with their many injuries and Matt Ryan’s poor play last week doesn’t bode well for this week. Panthers will come out on top against the struggling Falcons but they won’t cover the spread.

Vikings vs Cowboys (-11)

33-16 Cowboys

The Cowboys offense has been firing on all cylinders as of late. Despite their last second loss last week, the Cowboys will bounce back and Tony Romo and Dez Bryant will have a field day against the Vikings secondary en route to a big Dallas victory.

Saints (-6.5) vs Jets

23-17 Saints

Last week was a performance the Jets will want to forget. No better way to forget about a 40 point loss than to beat the Saints at home. Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening. I think the Jets D and Geno will give a better performance than last Sunday but ultimately Drew Brees and the Saints offense will be too much for the Jets who will beat the spread but lose the game.

Chargers (-1.5) vs Redskins

20-17 Chargers

Neither of these defenses have been playing well so far this season. The Redskins offense looked improved last weekend against Denver but I’m going to go with a rested Phillip Rivers in this one. Chargers will hit a late field goal to win this one.

Titans (-3) vs Rams

17-13 Titans

The Rams shocked everyone with their Monday Night performance last week against the Seahawks. Their defense looked great while their offense left much to be desired. A rested Jake Locker should be all the Titans need to cover the spread and win this matchup with the Rams inability to get into the endzone.

Eagles vs Raiders(-3)

14-13 Raiders

In a matchup of Nick Foles vs Terrell Pryor, I’m going to have to go with Pryor. Pryor was very impressive last week with his arm and his feet. I don’t think the Eagles defense will be able to keep up with him for 4 quarters. With the added factor of the Raiders being at home I am going with the Raiders to squeak by the Eagles.

Buccaneers vs Seahawks (-16)

31-9 Seahawks

Even though the Seahawks beat the Rams last week it was clearly not their best performance. With this game at home the Seahawks will easily beat the Buccaneers this week and will keep the Bucs winless. Fire Schiano anyone?

Ravens (-3) vs Browns

17-14 Browns

The Browns were close to dethroning the undefeated Chiefs last week and I see them being able to handle the Ravens at home. There won’t be too much scoring in this one but the Browns will do enough to come away with a divisional victory.

Steelers vs Patriots (-6.5)

26-14 Patriots

The Steelers can be very bad at times and this will be one of those times. Tom Brady should be able to have a good showing on Sunday against this Steelers secondary. Patriots will easily win this one at home and will cover the spread.

Colts (-3) vs Texans

24-14 Colts

I like the Colts coming off a bye week here despite the loss of Reggie Wayne. Andrew Luck will be in control against the Texans defense and I like the matchup of the Colts D against Case Keenum. Colts won’t be the same without Wayne but will come away with the win on Sunday night.

Bears vs Packers (-11.5)

26-10 Packers

Aaron Rodgers has been playing like the bad bad man Stephen A. Smith describes him as. An already struggling Bears defense without Lance Briggs doesn’t look to be much of a match for Rodgers and his offense. Packers will cover the spread and win big on Monday night at Lambeau.