NFL Week 9 Preview

Arizona Cardinals @ Chicago Bears
Spread: Bears, -3
o/u: 44.5
Last week Matt Forte finally had a strong showing. Last week was also the only week the Bears will face the Cleveland Browns. While Arizona has a decent run defense, their pass defense should be easy pickings for Jay Cutler. The fact that Chicago's defense isn't all that great, either, should keep the score close, but they'll cover in the end.
Pick: Bears 28 - Cardinals 24

Washington Redskins @ Atlanta Falcons
Spread: Falcons, -10
o/u: 41.5
Washington only managed a 2-4 record againt winless teams, so does anyone really expect them to win here? The Falcons looked good last week in a loss to New Orleans, and almost managed a last second win. The Redskins aren't even close to being the Saints.
Pick: Falcons 31 - Redskins 14

Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots
Spread: Patriots, -10.5
o/u: 46.5
The Pats may have been the first team to fall to the Wildcat, but it won't be happening again. After that initial loss, the Dolphins went down big in their next meeting, 48-28. With a year to work on it, I don't see this game being a blowout, but I don't see the Dolphins winning, either. Especially with New England coming off two blowouts and a bye week.
Pick: Patriots 38 - Dolphins 31

Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts
Spread: Colts, -9
o/u: 48
The Texans may have rattled off three straight wins, but it ends here. With Bob Sanders now out for the season, the Colts run defense will be hurting. Taking on Ryan Moats and fumblemonster Steve Slaton this week is a good way to start the stretch without him. BTW, the Colts are perfect at home against the Texans.
Pick: Colts 35 - Texans 17

Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals
Spread: Ravens, -3
o/u: 43.5
A lesson in recent history: The Ravens lost three straight earlier this year, including a 17-14 loss to the Bengals, but are coming off a win against previously undefeated Denver. The Bengals have mostly winning games on late drives, but are coming off a blowout of the Bears and a bye week. Bangals RB Cedric Benson also broke the Ravens streak of games without allowing a 100 yard rusher. Ray Lewis may not be happy with this, but the Bengals home field advantage will make this a home win.
Pick: Bengals 28 - Ravens 24

Green Bay Packers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Spread: Packers, -9.5
o/u: 43.5
The Bucs are handing the starting QB duties t orookie Josh Freeman for the first time. He may help the team, and he may play well, but it won't get them a win against the Packers. The Pack defense is giving up less than 200 yards passing per game, and is gaining almost 100 more yards than they give up. Against a bad team like the Bucs, its almost an auto-win.
Pick: Packers 35 - Buccaneers 10

Kansas City Chiefs @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Spread: Jaguars, -6.5
o/u: 42
Last week, Maurice Jones-Drew rushed for 177 yards on 8 carries, but the Jacksonville D gave up even more rushing yards, and they lost 30-13. The Chiefs have a terrible rushing game, and a worse rushing defense. Will he repeat last weeks 22 ypc? I don't know, but he'll try.
Pick: Jaguars 35 - Chiefs 14

San Diego Chargers @ NY Giants
Spread: Giants, -4.5
o/u: 47.5
This is a matchup of two teams that should be good, but just look bad. Yet everything about this game says "Giants Win." They have the better offense, the better defense, Ahmad Bradshaw and his broken foot are outrushing both of the Charger's backs, and the game will be played in Giants Stadium. Giants win.
Pick: Giants 28 - Chargers 24

Detroit Lions @ Seattle Seahawks
Spread: Seahawks, -10
o/u: 43
This is one of two games this week that is kind of weird. You have a clearly bad team taking on a team that has been so inconsistent they blow out an opponent one week, and get blown out the next. What will give Seattle the win is the fact that the Lions are giving up almost 30 points a game. I don't think Seattle will score 30, the Lions will probably cover the spread, and if this were in Detroit I might give the win to the Lions, but Seattle will find a way to win.
Pick: Seahawks 24 - Lions 17

Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints
Spread: Saints, -13.5
o/u: 51.5
Last week, the Panther found some way to completely disrupt the Cardinals offense, just like what the Cardinals did to them in last years playoffs. Surprisingly, they actually have the leagues best pass D. Good thing for the Saints that the pass D is ranked 24th. As much as the Siant look like a passing team, they have the leagues 4th best rushing game. They also lead the league in points scored, which leads us to the next surprising stat: the Panthers are 23rd in points allowed.
Pick: Saints 42 - Panthers 21

Tennessee Titans @ San Francisco 49ers
Spread: 49ers, -4
o/u: 41
This is the other weird game of the weekend: the Titans finally won their first game, but the 49ers have been almost as inconsistent as the Seahawks. Still, even with the run game putting up big numbers last week, the Titans defense is so bad that I have to give this one to the 49ers.
Pick: 49ers 28 - Titans 17

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles
Spread: Eagles, -3
o/u: 48
Don't let anyone fool you, this is the most important game of the weekend, and maybe the season. With the Cowboys suddenly good and running off three straight wins, they need one more here to take first place in the NFC East. Of course, standing in their way are the Eagles, who won't give up first without a big fight. The Dallas defense has looked good since laying down in the first two weeks of the season. But Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook are among the best in the league at finding an opponents weakness. With both expected to play this week, I'm giving this one to the Eagles.
Pick: Eagles 38 - Cowboys 21