NFL Week 9

We have just about reached the halfway point in the NFL season. Some teams have ascerted their dominance (Colts and Saints), while some teams have ascerted their incompetence (Rams, Buccs, Titans, Lions, etc. etc.). But then there is the middle group. The teams that are 3-4 or 4-3, or maybe even 5-2, the teams that we just can't be sure about. This group encompasses nearly 50% of the league. It's basically anyone who is in 2nd or 3rd in their division (with the exception of the Oakland Raiders, who have no place being a 3rd place team) and right now it looks like most of them are fighting for 4 total wild card spots. It's going to ugly very quickly.

Anyways, here are my week 9 picks, hope you enjoy:

(Home team in CAPS)

Kansas City (+6.5) over JACKSONVILLE
Ummm... yeah... so there!

Baltimore (-3) over CINCINNATI
I still don't trust the Bengals. I am much more inclined to believe that the Ravens will pull it together and start crushing people on defense again. All the pieces are still there. True, the pieces are aging quickly, but they are still in place. Also, I do believe that, at some point, the Bengals are going to implode and return to 2008 form. I still maintain that the Steelers and Ravens are the creme de la creme of that division.

INDIANAPOLIS (-9) over Houston
I am punishing Gary Kubiak for benching my star fantasy RB. So maybe Steve Slaton has been having some fumbling issues. You sit him for a series or 2, not the whole game! And now you announce that we are going to see a 3 back rotation with Slaton, Ryan Moats, and Chris Brown (not be confused with criminal/recording artist Chris Brown). How dare you, Kubiak. How dare you.

ATLANTA (-10) over Washington
I see no reason to pick the Redskins. None whatsoever. You can't even use the "coming off a bye week" argument because they have been taking byes since week 4. They should be completely fresh by now, exerting no effort for 4 weeks. On the other hand, the Falcons were a tipped pass that was intercepted in the red zone, and better clock management in the last 2 minutes from taking the Saints to overtime. They had heaps and heaps of momentum at the end of the game, and if they had played another quarter, I think they win by 14 points.

Green Bay (-9.5) over TAMPA BAY
I don't think the Buccs are the worst team in football. Obviously they are in the bottom 5, but I don't think I would pick them to lose in every conceivable match-up. Like if they had played the Lions last week, without Calvin Johnson, or if they played the Rams, I would take them in a heartbeat. Unfotunately, their schedule has been rather unkind to them and they really don't have many opportunities left. That being said... I don't think this is the week. The Packers need it too much.

Arizona (+3) over CHICAGO
This has got to be, by far, the most difficult game to pick EVER. These 2 teams have been all over the place. One week they are beating a playoff team, next week they are down big to Carolina or Cincinnati. I don't get it. So I'm taking the points with Arizona because it makes my odds of winning just a tiny bit higher. That's really it.

NEW ENGLAND (-10.5) over Miami
I will continue to choose the Patriots until then give me a reason not to. Not to mention, the Dolphins could not get their offense going at all. If Ted Ginn Jr. doesn't shred up the Jets special teams... TWICE, the Dolphins don't win that game.

NEW ORLEANS (-13.5) over Carolina
I'm loving that extra half point the Saints are getting right there. Can the Saints win by 14? Of course they can. Can they win by more than 14? Well I don't know. Fortunately, I don't need to address that conundrum. Thank you, oddsmakers.

SEATTLE (-10) over Detroit
We still aren't sure if Calvin Johnson is playing this week, so it's sort of difficult to decide on this one. I'm just gonna go ahead and pick the Seahawks because I fell like they should win the game either way. They have to beat teams like Detroit if they are going to have any kind of playoff run.

SAN FRANCISCO (-4) over Tennessee
Have people forgotten about the first 6 weeks of the Titans season? How can the 49ers only be giving 4 points at home against a 1-6 team who's starting QB might off himself right there on the field if he throws a pick. The line should be at least a touchdown. Easy game to pick.

San Diego (+5) over NEW YORK GIANTS
Pshh. I scoff at this line. Do you hear that line? You are being scoffed at. The Giants are coming apart at the seems worse than Andy Reid's sportscoat. Their secondary is letting guys run wide open down the field, and Philip Rivers WILL find them if that happens. Also, it turns out when Eli Manning was 11 years old, he tragically lost his arm in a windsurfing accident, and the only thing they had to replace it with was a wet noodle. How many INTs in this game Pasta Bravo? 3? 4?

Dallas (+3) over PHILADELPHIA
The Eagles lost to the Raiders. It happened. One doesn't forget.

Pittsburgh (-3) over DENVER
Come on Steelers! COME ON!!!!!!!!!!

Fantasy Time:

WeLikeSportz - Tom Brady, Cedric Benson, Steve Slaton/Ryan Moats, Vincent Jackson, Calvin Johnson, Michael Crabtree, Fred Davis, David Akers, Packers D

I haven't decided which Houston RB to start yet, ok? I don't know what to do. I HATE Gary Kubiak.

League of Imported Spirits - Peyton Manning, Michael Turner, Pierre Thomas, Andre Johnson, Hines Ward, Brent Celek, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Johnny Knox, Kris Brown, Ravens D