Manning vs. Brady and Week 9 Picks

On Sunday, Peyton Manning and the Broncos travel to New England to take on Tom Brady and the Patriots. It will be the 16th meeting,including playoffs, for these two legendary quarterbacks. So much has been written about these two immortal players. Both are in the top five or six greatest QBs in history alongside Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, John Elway, and Dan Marino. What I think makes this year's game so special is that the game is still "The Game" on the schedule for that week. Manning's Broncos are 6-1 and on top of the AFC. Brady's Patriots are 6-2 and riding a four-game winning streak. Both teams are the two best teams in the AFC once again as we hit November. This game is huge for both of them once again. Last year, both teams met in the AFC Championship Game. This year, everyone was jumping on the Bengals and Chargers bandwagon in early September. After Denver lost at Seattle in Week 3 and the Pats got crushed by the Chiefs in Week 4, people were starting to doubt if the Pats and Broncos were still the elite in the AFC this year. A month later, and here we are with both teams settling in for a showdown to prove who is elite in the AFC at this point. Enjoy Manning and Brady once again not only because they are two of the greatest ever to play the game. Enjoy it not only because it is a classic rivalry that we really don't have a lot of anymore in sports. Enjoy it because it proves once again no matter who comes into the league, which team is the hot team at the moment, everything in the AFC revolves or goes through Manning or Brady. I can't wait for Sunday. As for the game, I think Denver is the better team, but I think this is a tough spot for them. The Pats are pretty dominant at home and the weather is supposed to be really crappy-which favors the Patriots. I look for a close game, but look for the Pats to pull it out in the end.

NEW ENGLAND (+3) over Denver

Final Score: Pats-28 Broncos-25

Last Week's Record: 10-5

Overall Record: 58-58-5

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

Here are my other quick picks for Week 9...

San Diego (+2) over MIAMI: I like the Chargers to get back on track.

Jacksonville (+11) over CINCY: The Bengals will win, but they will sleepwalk through this one.

Tampa Bay (+7) over Cleveland: I've been tempted to take the Bucs all week long. I think the Browns will win the game, and it sets up a really good Thursday night game next week at Cincy, but I think Cleveland will struggle for awhile with Tampa in this one.

Arizona (+3) over DALLAS: Looks like Tony Romo is out, and that means I'll take the Cards on the road against Brandon Weeden. 

Washington (+3) over MINNESOTA: RG III returns and pulls out a win on the road for the Skins.

Philly (-1) over HOUSTON: The Eagles will bounce back after that bad loss at Arizona last week.

KANSAS CITY (-8) over NY Jets: The Jets are down and out at 1-7, and I can't see them keeping up with rapidly improving Chiefs in Arrowhead.

SAN FRANCISCO (-8) over St. Louis: The 49ers had a week off after getting pasted by the Broncos two weeks ago, and I think they will be recharged and take care of business at home.

SEATTLE (-13) over Oakland: I have a feeling the Seahawks will be ready for this one and they will dominate from the start.

PITTSBURGH (+2) over Baltimore: This is a really good Sunday night game. I think the Steelers will grind one out and find a way to get past the Ravens at home.

Indy (-3) over NY GIANTS: Too much Andrew Luck for the Giants on Monday night. I expect the G-Men to play really well, but Luck will stick it to them in the end.