Week 9 is one of those important mid-year games where teams have to either go big or go home. Analysts call it “testing your mettle”. They say things like this, and “upside potential” and “trap game” because they run out of things to say sometimes. Anyway here’s Week 9, home teams in CAPS:
Houston (+4.5) over MINNESOTA
Yes Adrian Peterson is going to run for 4000 yards in this game. We’ve heard it a ton of times this week. No, the Texans do not have a run defense to stop him. But everyone forgets that it’s not about whether Peterson runs for 200 yards, it’s about whether or not Tarvaris Jackson is going to make mistakes that will give the game away. Oh and don’t forget about Andre Johnson who has racked up a total of about 600 receptions in the last 4 weeks. Defenses have about as much of an answer for him as they do for the weather.
Prediction: Texans 28, Vikings 20
Jacksonville (-7.5) over CINCINNATI
The only way I’m ever picking Cincinnati from here on out is if they’re playing themselves. The Dolphins ruined my dream last season of seeing a team go 0-16. The Bengals have once again revived that dream.
Prediction: jaguars 34, Bengals 14
Tampa Bay (-8.5) over KANSAS CITY
The Bucs looked like pushovers last week in Dallas, while Tyler Thigpen proved that he was anything but a pushover putting forth the best game of his young career at the Meadowlands last week. But the Chiefs are going to need A LOT more than just a solid effort by their quarterback to start winning games. For starters, Larry Johnson can try not assaulting women at bars.
Prediction: Buccaneers 30, Chiefs 17
Baltimore (+1.5) over CLEVELAND
I don’t know about this one, Cleveland seems to be on a roll as of late, they’ve won 3 in a row. But I think the Ravens defense will prove to be too much for Jamal Lewis, who has been the key to winning for the Browns. When he has a big day, so does Cleveland, and he’s opening up the passing lanes for Anderson to find Edwards and others. But Baltimore shuts down Lewis and the Browns and squeak by in OT.
Prediction: Ravens 23, Browns 20 OT
BUFFALO (-5.5) over NY Jets
Does anybody want to argue that Brett Favre was one of the best quarterbacks of his era and a sure first ballot HOF’er? No, no one wants to argue that. However does anybody want to argue that he’s a few years past his prime and that most defenses have already figured out his “Just Chuck It Up and See What Happens” gameplan? That’s what I thought.
Prediction: Bills 35, Jets 24
ST. LOUIS (+3) over Arizona
The Rams fired Linehan and then beat the Redskins and Cowboys before falling to the Patriots in a game that wasn’t decided until the last few minutes. If the Rams want to continue their bid of trying to restore hope in a desperate fan-base, they can start by beating the division leaders at home. For some reason the Rams seem to be playing hard for Haslett, most likely because he’s not Scott Linehan. And Marc Bulger to Donnie Avery is the new Warner to Bruce.
Prediction: Rams 27, Cardinals 24
CHICAGO (-12.5) over Detroit
I’m iffy about this one too. I mean, 12.5 points is a lot for a team with Kyle Orton as its quarterback. But then again, it’s the Lions. It’s rare that I still have 2 teams by Week 9 that are looking 0-16 straight in the eye. Anyway, the Lions defense can’t stop Matt Forte, blah blah, Jon Kitna sucks. It’s also worth noting that Forte needs to have a big game this week because my fantasy team has lost 2 in a row after a 6-0 start and if I lose another game before the season’s over it’s not going to be pretty.
Prediction: Bears 38, Lions 10
Green Bay (+5) over TENNESSEE
I’m getting a little tired of everyone jumping on this Titans bandwagon. Frankly, I don’t think it’s very big and if too many people start getting on I’m afraid there’s going to be a weight limit problem. Not going to be 8-0. Nope. Because the Pack are facing somewhat of a must-win situation, I think.
Prediction: Packers 19, Titans 16
Miami (+3) over DENVER
You see, I’m disappointed in the Broncos because they have so much potential to be a great team. They have so many offensive weapons, they just don’t have a defense. They’ve tried, but they just can’t pull it off. The whole defending thing just isn’t their schtick. Especially their run defense. This game has BIG DAY FOR RONNIE BROWN/RICKY WILLIAMS written all over it. And hey, Chad Pennington will have plenty of time to complete the 4 and 5 yard passes that he usually completes.
Prediction: Dolphins 33, Broncos 30
Atlanta (-3) over OAKLAND
The first quarterback to be picked in the 2008 draft goes up against the first quarterback picked in the 2007 draft. Even after losing to Philadelphia last week, the Falcons are still in a good spot, as long as they can pick up the slack against a struggling Raiders team. The only downside for Atlanta is that they play in a division with the Panthers, Bucs and Saints, who are all at least .500 or better.
Prediction: Falcons 26, Raiders 13
Dallas (+8.5) over NY GIANTS
I know that Tony Romo is hurt and Jason Witten is hurt and T.O. isn’t getting the ball (he’s emotionally hurting), but making the Giants 8.5 point favorites? I’m not sure if I agree. I mean, no matter how beat up the ‘Boys are, it’s still an NFC East game. And in NFC East games anything can happen. I’m not saying that the Giants are going to lose, I’m just saying that I’m not sure if they’re going to run them out of the stadium on Sunday. And if they do, then I’ll be even happier.
Prediction: Giants 24, Cowboys 17
Philadelphia (-6.5) over SEATTLE
I don’t have very much to say about this game. The Eagles are getting healthy again, Westbrook seems to be back at full-strength and Kevin Curtis is finally back from his sports hernia. So as long as McNabb stays in the game, Philly has a good shot at poking their head into the NFC playoff picture. As for Seattle, it’s another 6 months of rain.
Prediction: Eagles 34, Seahawks 20
New England (+6) over INDIANAPOLIS
Here’s the deal: Pretty much every year these two teams play during Week 8 or Week 9 and it’s the marquee match-up of the season in the AFC. Usually one or both of the teams are undefeated, it’s Tom Brady and Peyton Manning and all the hoopla. This season: Matt Cassel goes up against a Peyton Manning that looked, on the bench during the end of last week’s game in Tennessee, like a boy who just found out his dog didn’t really get sent to a “farm”. But still, I’m not making the Patriots 6 point underdogs. If anything this game should have been a pick ‘em because it can honestly go either way.
Prediction: Patriots 26, Colts 21
Pittsburgh (+2) over WASHINGTON
The Steelers lost a lot more than just the game last week against the Giants, they lost a long-snapper and about 6 other key players. Pittsburgh is battered and beaten-up and Roethlisberger has already taken more hits this season than Ricky Williams’ bong and to top it off they’ve been pushed around by the NFC East, already losing to Philly and the Giants. But their run defense shut down the tandem of Jacobs and Ward last week and held them to 85 yards on 35 carries. So as long as they can keep Portis in check and make sure Santana Moss doesn’t have another game like he did last week, they can break the NFC East curse.
Prediction: Steelers 13, Redskins 10
One additional football-related note: I’m going to be dressing as Michael Vick for Halloween tonight. I think it’s time that America salutes his comedic value, once and for all.
