Guaranteed Picks for NFL Week 9

 The Contenders and pretenders continue to separate.  The Broncos came crashing back to Earth, as did the Packers.  The Colts were pushed, and the Giants were pushed around.  Tennessee returned from the dead, Dallas continued to climb, and the middle of the pack grew.  Business as usual, NFL style.  Here’s what’s coming in week 9, and, as always, a look at last week’s picks.  There were some amazing picks, and a few busts to keep them company.  Shall we?

Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Cincinnatti Bengals (5-2)

Suddenly a huge AFC North game.  The Ravens, fresh off of dismantling Bronco dreams, are ready to re-assert themselves after a skid.

Prediction:  Baltimore in a wild one.  Ravens 31 Bengals 28

Washington Redskins (2-5) at Atlanta Falcons (4-2)

The Falcons aren’t quite ready for the top level.  Fortunately the Redskins are no top level team. 

Prediction:  Falcons big.  Falcons 35 Redskins 10

Green Bay Packers (4-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-7)

To say the Packers’ play calling is suspect would be an understatement.

Prediction:  This used to be a great rivalry.  Not any more.  Packers 38 Succaneers 17

Arizona Cardinals (4-3) at Chicago Bears (4-3)

Neither of these teams is anything resembling consistent.  This one is simply a matter of who’s on this week.

Prediction:  Cardinals bounce back in a shootout.  Cards 34 Bears 31

Houston Texans (5-3) at Indianapolis Colts (7-0)

The Colts were truly tested against the Niners; They can win a tight one, too.

Prediction: Won’t be tested this week.  Colts 35 Texans 17

Kansas City Chiefs (1-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4)

The Jags were unfortunate enough to be there for the Titans’ rising.  There will be no Chiefs’ rising.

Prediction:  Jags somehow stay in the playoff hunt for one more week.  Jags 31 Chiefs 20

Miami Dolphins (3-4) at New England Patriots (5-2)

The Dolphins are in must win mode pretty much for the rest of the year.

Prediction:  Dolphins live to fight another day.  Dolphins 31 Pats 27

Carolina Panthers (3-4) at New Orleans Saints (6-0)

So the Panthers had a bit of a resurrection this week.  Does this mean the Saints should be wary?

Prediction: Uh,…. no. Saints 45 Panthers 21

Detroit Lions (1-6) at Seattle Seahawks (2-5)

Still another garbage bowl.

Prediction: Wins are hard to come by when you suck.  Fortunately for the Seahawks, the Lions suck more.  Seahawks 28 Lions 13

Tennessee Titans (1-6) at San Fransisco 49ers (3-4)

Vince Young and Alex Smith both returned this week.  Who takes that next step?

Prediction:  Wouldn’t it be something if the Titans ripped off 10 wins in a row?  Titans 27 49ers 24.

San Diego Chargers (5-3) at New York Giants (5-3)

Three weeks ago we were wondering if they were the NFL’s best.  Now we’re wondering if they’re a playoff team.

Prediction:  The Giants need this one.  Giants 31 Chargers 21

Dallas Cowboys (5-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)

Gettin awful crowded at the top of the NFC east.

Prediction:  Romo continues his ascent.  Cowboys 34 Eagles 31

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) at Denver Broncos (6-1)

The Steelers will just have to settle for knocking off a 1 loss team.

Prediction:  Two teams headed in different directions.  Steelers 31 Broncos 20

Week 8 Summary:  The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly

Seattle Seahawks (2-4) at Dallas Cowboys  (4-2)

The Cowboys may have found the identity they’ve been searching for against the Falcons.  A walkthrough home game against the Seahawks gives them more momentum and confidence.

Prediction: The ‘Boys start rolling…  Cowboys 38 Seahawks 14

Results: Cowboys 38 Seahawks 17.  Doesn’t get much better.  All Pro

Houston Texans (4-3) at Buffalo Bills (3-4)

The Texans find a way to prove me wrong every week.  Let’s see what they do if I pick ‘em big.

Prediction:  Houston starting to look like a playoff team?  Texans 31 Bills 1

Results: Texans 31 Bills 10.  Go figure.  Almost a perfect pick.  All Pro

New York Giants (5-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-2)

Left to wonder if the Giants were that good after all…

Prediction:  The Giants maintain a semblance of legitimacy.  Giants 28 Eagles 24

Results: Eagles 40 Giants 17.  It’s official; the Giants aren’t nearly as good as anyone thought.  Bad

San Fransisco 49ers (3-3) at Indianapolis Colts (6-0)

It won’t matter how inspiring Singletary has his team playing; not against the Colts

Prediction:  Colts O most unstoppable this side of the bayou.  Colts 38 49ers 21

Results: Colts 18 49ers 14.  The Niners were much tougher than anyone thought, but the colts pass a test. Good

Cleveland Browns (1-6) at Chicago Bears (3-3)

This game will give Bears fans one more week to pretend they’re playoff bound.

Prediction:  Cutler almost looks like he deserves that contract… for a week.  Bears 31 Browns 6

Results:  Bears 30 Browns 6.  Not to hard to pick well against the Browns, but this one was still pretty sweet.  All Pro

Miami Dolphins (2-4) at New York Jets (4-3)

This is suddenly a huge matchup.  The Dolphins season isn’t over, but if they lose here it might be.

Prediction:  The Dolphins keep hope alive.  Dolphins 28 Jets 24

Results: Dolphins 30 Jets 25.  Another pretty good pick.  Dolphins just won’t die.  Good

St Louis Rams (0-7) at Detroit Lions (1-5)

If the Rams are going to win a game, it might need to be here.

Prediction:    The Rams find the “1″ in their 1-15 year.  Rams 20 Lions 14

Results: Rams 17 Lions 10.  Good thing for the Rams, otherwise it was 0-16.  All Pro

Denver Broncos (6-0) at Baltimore Ravens (3-3)

Broncos will be tested again..

Prediction:  And again they will pass the test.  When will we believe?  Broncos 27 Ravens 24

Results: Ravens 30 Broncos 7.  That loud crash was the Broncos crashing back down to Earth.  Bad.

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3) at Tennessee Titans (0-6)

The Titans look like a team that has thrown in the towel.  Now is where we find out just how good Fisher is.

Prediction:  The Titans awaken.  Titans 24 Jaguars 20

Results:  Titans 30 Jaguars 13.  The return of Vince Young.  All Pro

Oakland Raiders (2-4) at San Diego Chargers (3-3)

The Chargers are looking alive.  The Raiders aren’t.

Prediction:  No surprise here.  Chargers 31 Raiders 10

Results: Chargers 24 Raiders 16.  The Chargers are such a lackluster team sometimes.  Utterly unimpressive,but it was a win.  Good

Minnesota Vikings (6-1) at Green Bay Packers (4-2)

This one is huge not only because that guy comes back to Lambeau, but a Packers win puts them back towards the top.

Prediction: Favre made his statement in the dome;  The Packers make theirs here.  Packers 38  Vikings 24

Results:  Vikings 38 Packers 26.  I thought Dom Capers was a genius?  Why is it everyone in the world knows you need to keep Favre on his backside but the Packers?  Bad

Carolina Panthers (2-4) at Arizona Cardinals (4-2)

The Cardinals quietly find themselves in the same place they were last year… at the top of a weak NFC west.

Prediction:  Cardinals still playing for this year… Cardinals 35 Panthers 24

Results: Panthers 34 Cardinals 21.  Hey, is that the Panthers creeping up in the rear view? Bad

Atlanta Falcons (4-2) at New Orleans Saints (6-0)

Falcons can’t stop decent teams… 50 more for the Saints.

Prediction:  The machine keeps rolling.  Saints 48 Falcons 24