Nov

2

Site Editor Matt Loede’s NFL Picks for Week 9

Posted by Matt Loede under Picks 

Romo

Last week there were more tough games with the spread, and with it I went 5-7 for the week to bring my yearly mark to 52-56-4. Here are my picks for what should be an exciting week 9.

San Francisco at Atlanta (-3)

Two teams going nowhere battle at the Georgia Dome, but hey, someone’s got to win – right? Well, I guess based on the rosters and playmakers, I overall like the talent of the 49′ers a bit better here. They should be able to get that awful offense moving a bit against the Falcons, and I wouldn’t doubt some turnovers for their defense against Falcons QB Joey Harrington. Look for 9′ers back Frank Gore to have a solid game and lead the 9′ers to a win. San Francisco 23 Atlanta 17

Cincinnati at Buffalo (-2.5)

The Bills are two seconds away from being 4-0 at home, as their only loss was that Monday night melt down to the Cowboys. As for the Bengals, they are 2-5 and a loss here all but ends their season, as they are not going to go 8-0 the rest of the way. J.P. Losman starts for the Bills, and against that ugly Bengals defense he feels he has something to prove. The Bengals should have Rudi Johnson and Kenny Watson making up a solid 1-2 backfield punch, but overall the team is reeling, and the Bills are confident at home. Buffalo 19 Cincinnati 14

Denver at Detroit (Even)

The question here is can the Broncos bounce back after a tough Monday night loss to the Packers at home? The Lions are looking like they are for real, and last week they swept the Bears with a win in Chicago, which has been a tough place for them over the years. Their offense will be able to run and throw against Denver, and I am not so sure the Broncos offense can keep up. Kevin Jones also adds a solid run game to the Lions, which may be the key to the rest of their season. Detroit 28 Denver 20

Green Bay at Kansas City (-2.5)

Can the Pack continue their magical run after a huge OT win Monday night in Denver? It’s going to be tough, as they come off the short week and play at KC, which is never an easy place to get the job done. Plus add in that the Chiefs had the bye, and that makes it even more tough for the Pack. Koren Robinson could give the Packers another option in the passing game, and they need Ryan Grant to run with the same success he did Monday night. Still, this is a tough spot for the Packers. Kansas City 17 Green Bay 13

San Diego (-6.5) at Minnesota

The Vikings seem to have some big problems, as they are hurt at QB, have no threats at wide outs, and their run game with rookie Adrian Peterson doesn’t get enough touches. Now they host a Chargers team that is starting to hit on all cylinders, and that could lead to a long day for the Vikings at home. Look for San Diego to use a lot of Phillip Rivers, as the Vikings still boast a great run defense. The Chargers defense should dominate the Vikings though, and the Chargers offense should not need many points here. San Diego 24 Minnesota 10

Jacksonville at New Orleans (-3.5)

Look out, the Saints are starting to find that stride that got them within a game of the Super Bowl last season. Jacksonville will be a solid test for the Saints, as they have a solid D, and an offense that can move the ball and does not make many mistakes. The big thing here will be the turnovers. If the Saints can avoid them, I think they win, and the last few weeks as they have woken up, they have been fairly mistake free and should have enough to win here. New Orleans 24 Jacksonville 14

Washington (-3.5) at New York Jets

The Jets are a mess, and this week after seeing enough of Chad Pennington will turn to Kellen Clemens at QB. Their running game has been gaining only 3.5 yards per carry, and the defense has allowed 12 TD passes and just six picks. The Redskins were demolished last week in New England, but should be able to get some points and yards here. They have to open up the offense a bit, and quit with the same Joe Gibbs offense from 1983. Campbell, Portis and Moss should all have a solid enough day to beat the not so good Jets. Washington 27 NY Jets 17

Arizona at Tampa Bay (-3.5)

The Cardinals are looking to take a step to the next level, but keep making costly mistakes like penalties and turnovers. Against the Bucs, they can ill afford those, as the Tampa D will take advantage of them as will the Bucs offense with Jeff Garcia. Tampa Bay lost game they should have won last week 24-23 to the Jags at home, as Garcia struggled for the first time this year. The key here will be the Cards D-line, do they have it to get to Garcia and force some mistakes? This is a tough game to call. Tampa Bay 20 Arizona 17

Carolina at Tennessee (-4.5)

The Titans defense has been solid all season, as DT Albert Haynesworth has put last seasons issues behind him and may be the most dangerous defender in the league right now. They should be able to hold the Panthers in check here, as they are very aware of David Carr from his days in Houston. The big question will be the Titans offense, which has not been very good the last two home games vs the ugly Falcons and Raiders. The burden falls on Vince Young, who despite being less than 100 percent has to start making a few plays with his arm. The Titans defense should dominate here. Tennessee 16 Carolina 6

Seattle at Cleveland (-1.5)

This one could be a shootout as the Hawks can score, as can the Browns, and both teams will be pressed to stop the other. Seattle coming off a bye should have both Deion Branch and D.J. Hackett back at wide out, which will challenge the Browns secondary. The Browns have been great since that opening day loss to the Steelers, as they have won three of four. Of course one thing to keep in mind is the last two weeks they have beaten the winless Dolphins and Rams. Take Seattle and the points in what should be a close game. Seattle 27 Cleveland 26

New England (-5.5) at Indianapolis

The mid-season Super Bowl in Indy has two great teams in what should be a great game. Or will it be? The Pats have just laid to waste each and every team they have played, and while the Colts want this one for respect, they also are a little banged up with Marvin Harrison and Dwight Freeney both missing days of practice this week. Tom Brady has not been stopped yet, and if the running game can produce even a little, and it should, Bob Sanders will have to have his eyes open as can’t just play the pass. That should open up the field nicely for the Pats, who will put up their usual 34 here. As for the Colts offense, I just see some struggles, as they have had their moments of struggle this season. The best thing that could happen is Joseph Addai runs for about 130 and keeps the Pats offense off the field for stretches. That will be tough. I think the injuries will hurt the Colts, and while the world is picking and wanting a close game, I think this is going to be another day for the Pats to reign. New England 34 Indianapolis 17

Houston at Oakland (-3)

Josh McCown is back for the Raiders, and that should generate some offense for this team that has gone backwords in that area. The last three games the Raiders have scored 14,10 and 9 points. McCown may be a bit rusty, but he should be able to move the ball. As for the Texans, the luster of a 2-0 start is long gone, and they are 1-5 in their last six games. Sage Rosenfels gets the call at QB, and while he played well the last time he took the field, the Raiders now get a few days to prepare for him. The Texans have turned the ball over 23 times in 2007, and the Raiders should have some more here in a rare win. Oakland 20 Houston 10

Dallas (-3) at Philadelphia

This is do or die time for Philly, as a win here and they are .500 and inching closer back in the division. A loss and they fall to 3-5, four games back of Dallas with 8 to play. The Cowboys come off a bye week, and continue to play well minus that bump in the road vs the Pats two weeks ago. They should have a decent amount of success and throwing, but the Eagles do have a solid run D, so expect to see a lot of Tony Romo putting the ball up. The Eagles offense puts up 354 yards per game, but still struggles inside the 20. Philly needs to keep Donovan McNabb on his feet or they don’t have a chance. Dallas 27 Philadelphia 20

Baltimore at Pittsburgh (-7.5)

The Steelers are trying to put a strangle hold on the division as they beat the Bengals last week, have the Ravens at home this week, and host Cleveland next Sunday. A win here and they go up two games on the Ravens, who come in after a bye rested and ready for a physical game. What the Ravens won’t find is a banged up, struggling Ben Roethlisberger, which is what they found in their two wins against them last year. Big Ben has been as solid as ever in 2007, with a rating of 102.2 and 15 TD’s and 6 interceptions. Look for the difference to be that Steelers defense, which at home has only allowed 19 points in three games, and play with a different feel at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh 26 Baltimore 10


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