Week 9 in the NFL will feature some games that don’t mean anything to games that just may decide that divisions champion. Halfway thru the season, teams are hitting their stride, losing their stride and well, some teams still have not found their stride.
Ravens at Bengals - The Ravens will try to carry the momentum from their victory over the Broncos. The Bengals are at home and will try to establish their running attack early with RB Cedric Benson. Ocho Cinco will have a chance to leap into the crowd a few times this week.
Bengals 27 – Ravens 20
Dolphins at Patriots – The wild cat offense has sputtered a little for the Dolphins. Hopefully they can get it on track this week. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, Patriots’ QB Tom Brady has gotten a little more comfortable with his knee brace and hanging in the pocket. If the Dolphins can get a two score lead, they may be able to control the clock with a wildcat running game. If it’s close Brady will find a way to win. Against my better judgement:
Dolphins 38 – Patriots 32
Chiefs at Jaguars - Which Jaguars team will show up this week? That is the question. They have been very inconsistent this year. The Chiefs need a big running game from RB Larry Johnson this week. Unfortunately he is suspended for two games for questioning his coach, in the media. Larry keep those comments in-house brother.
Jaguars 24 – Chiefs 17
Texans at Colts - The Texans are playing good this year. Now they have to prove they are serious and win this game. The Colts are coming off a sub-par victory over the 49ers, 18-14. Expect Colts’ QB Peyton Manning to come out on fire. He will have to because the Colts’ running game has been missing in action.
Colts 40 – Texans 30
Cardinals at Bears – The Cardinals and the Bears are struggling. Neither have shown their true potential this year. This game will come down to which team will decide that it’s time to play football. Cardinals’ QB Kurt Warner needs protection, he was never that mobile and he is not any younger.
Cardinals 24 – Bears 23
Redskins at Falcons - The Redskins have the same problems, sub-par rushing game, a depleted offensive line, a quarterback who makes bad decisions under pressure and a GM who doesn’t have a clue and does not believe in the head coach. The Falcons have lost two in a row, but should have no problems getting a much needed victory against the Redskins.
Falcons 31 – Redskins 20
Packers at Buccaneers - Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers has been hit/sacked too many times this year. They shouldn’t have that problem against the Bucs. The Bucs will need to sack Rodgers 20 times to have a chance to win this game.
Packers 27 – Bucs 13
Panthers at Saints - The Saints play well at home in the Superdome, but so do the Panthers. The Saints have lost seven in a row at home to the Panthers. The Panthers need to establish a strong running game and play turnover free football against the Saints. The Saints have proven they can win under pressure. Saints’ QB Drew Brees has a lot of weapons at his disposal.
Saints 48 – Panthers 27
Lions at Seahawks - The Lions and the Seahawks are struggling. Expect the Lions to play better than they have this season. But home field advantage will decide this game.
Seahawks 20 – Lions 17
Titans at 49ers - There was a Vince Young siting last week. Fortunately for the Titans QB, RB Chris Johnson had a record-setting day running the ball. It took a lot of pressure off of Young in his first start of the season. The 49ers played the Colts tough last week. Watch for Young using his legs to get out of the pocket and free up some underneath receivers.
Titans 23 - 49ers 20
Chargers at Giants – The Chargers need to beat a team with a winning record. The Giants are on a three game losing streak. The Giants offense is playing bad and so is the defense. Giants QB Eli Manning will not continue to struggle. The Chargers must even out their rush/pass attack.
Chargers 27 – Giants 23
Cowboys at Eagles - I heard a sportscaster say this game is not important. That is only if you are not a Cowboy or an Eagle. This game may decide the direction of both of these teams for the remainder of the season. The Eagles want to prove they are the best in the NFC East. The Cowboys want to prove that they have arrived this season. Can the Eagles keep Dallas in third and long by controlling the Cowboys’ three-headed monster rushing attack of Barber, Jones and Choice. Can another receiver emerge as target for Cowboys QB Tony Romo, other than WR Miles Austin? Can the Cowboys stop the big plays of Eagles’ WR Deshaun Jackson? Can they keep pressure on Eagles’ QB Donovan McNabb?
Cowboys 24 – Eagles 23
Monday Night Football
Steelers at Broncos - The Broncos lost their first game of the season last week. They were exposed by the Ravens’ defense, and that may be their downfall. Can they rebound from that loss? The Steelers are playing good football right now. They have really picked it up since the start of the season.
Steelers 27 – Broncos 23
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