NFL Week 9 Picks!

We hit November in the NFL, and that means that teams start to separate from the pack. Teams that got off to hot start, will start to fade (Chicago and Tampa Bay) and teams that are struggling can start to get hot and make a run (San Diego and maybe Minnesota). Also, caught up in all the hoopla regarding the demise of the Broncos is the fact that I went 10-3 last week and I am standing at 71-44-3 for the season. That puts me at 24 games over .500 as we head into November. Let's see if I can keep my streak of picking games going. Onto the picks for Week 9..........

Last Week's Record: 10-3
Overall Record: 71-44-3
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

BUFFALO (+3) over Chicago (In Toronto): The Bills are playing hard every week and almost won the last two games at Baltimore and KC. They get stuck with their traditional Toronto game, which completely takes away any homefield advantage that they would have. The Bears come in limping 4-3, and their offense is a mess. This might be the week that the Bills get their first win, and the Bears continue their freefall.

HOUSTON (+3) over San Diego: This is the toughest game for me to pick this week. I think San Diego is still a good team, eventhough they shoot themselves in the foot every game. The Texans' defense is not good at all, but their offense can score points. This could be a shootout, but I will take the Texans at home in a nailbiter. This looks like a 34-31 Houston win.

CAROLINA (+7) over New Orleans: The Panthers always play the Saints tough. They almost beat them in New Orleans in the beginning of the year. The Saints beat the Steelers last week, but I'm still not sold that they cured all of their problems. This game will come down to the wire.

MINNESOTA (-7) over Arizona: Is Minnesota done? Do they have life? We will find out this week. I still think they can make a run at 9-7 and that might get them in the wild card slot. They should take care of business over a weak and struggling Cardinals team.

ATLANTA (-7) over Tampa Bay: The Bucs are the "Not Ready for Primetime Players" of the 2010 NFL season. The Falcons are really good at home. They will run the ball and force the Bucs offense into turnovers. This has 31-10 Falcons written all over it.

DETROIT (+4) over New York Jets: Two things that are going to kill the Jets Super Bowl aspirations: Rex Ryan's game management and Mark Sanchez. Rex is lost sometimes in these close games, and if the offense is sputtering or not in rhythm, then Sanchez has a rough time out there. Look out for the Lions. They are getting better every week. This is my hunch game of the week. Lions-22 Jets-20

Miami (+5) over BALTIMORE: I think the Ravens will win the game, but I see this being another close game. This game is huge and will have major implications on the AFC playoff picture down the road. This game will factor in the tiebreakers for the wild card hunt. The Ravens win a close one at home.

New England (-4) over CLEVELAND: Belichick vs. Mangini again! The Browns have played well the last few games, but this line is too low. The Pats will play this close to the vest, but they will get the job done on the road. The Pats go to 7-1 and my preseason pick of them winning the Super Bowl doesn't look so bad right now.

SEATTLE (+7) over New York Giants: The G-Men are the best team in the NFC, but they will go down at Seattle this week. The Seahawks are a different team at home, and they are the favorites to win the West. Qwest Field is a house of horrors for the Giants (See 2205 and 2006), and their problems will continue this week.

OAKLAND (-2) over Kansas City: The last time the Chiefs and Raiders played a meaningful game against each other was 2002. The Raiders ground game has looked great the last two weeks, and you have to think they will be able to run the ball this week. The Chiefs have played well on the road, but my gut says to go with the Raiders this week. Look for Oakland to grind out a close victory at home.

PHILLY(-3) over Indy: The Michael Vick show returns and look for the Eagles to win an entertaining game at home. The Eagles will bottle up Peyton Manning just enough to win this game. Vick makes a play or two at the end to seal it.

GREEN BAY (-7) over Dallas: The Cowboys lost Tony Romo and they have lost their way. The Packers got a huge victory last week at the Jets, and now look to beat up on the defenseless Cowboys, and they will on SNF in Lambeau.

Pittsburgh (-4) over CINCY: No way the Steelers lose back to back games, and Pittsburgh got swept by Cincy last year. They will talking about that all week long in Pittsburgh. The Bengals are falling fast and the question in Cincy will be: What are we going to do with Carson Palmer?

BYE WEEK (-7) over Denver: The Broncos have a bye this week, so they can't lose. The way they are playing their defense couldn't stop anyone even if they weren't playing anyone. At 2-6, I'm stuck waiting for Kyle Orton to break his arm, so I can finally see the Tim Tebow Era begin.