Week 9 NFL Predictions
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
John Fox's mood in this photo describes perfectly how NFL fans feel about it being week 9 already. However, the ratings have been lower throughout the first half of the NFL season. Cam Newton complained in week 8 about the officiating in effect to protecting quarterbacks.
Tom Brady has a good year so far, but no one is talking about the performance of Derek Carr this season. For the past two consecutive weeks, another tie game occurred. This hasn't happened since 1997 when two ties happened in one season. Can we see one for the third straight week?
I went 8-4-1 with my picks last week. I am 72-46-2 on the year.
Atlanta Falcons 24, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17: For the second straight week, Tevin Coleman will be sidelined which means Devonta Freeman will get most of the carries in the backfield. Matt Ryan has been sensational this season. The Tampa Bay defense just gave up over 500 yards passing to Derek Carr. Expect Ryan to torch them.
Detroit Lions 21, Minnesota Vikings 26: Sooner or later the Vikings offense has to wake up. Sam Bradford has shown his true colors the past couple of weeks, but this is a perfect opportunity for him to snap out of it. If he doesn't, Minnesota needs to press the panic button.
Philadelphia Eagles 20, New York Giants 31: The Giants have struggled to beat the Eagles lately. Philadelphia's backs are against the wall because they are 0-2 in the division. The battle at the line of scrimmage will be a war, but the difference in the game will be the Giants wide receivers.
New York Jets 17, Miami Dolphins 22: Is it possible that Jay Ajayi runs for 200 yards in three straight games? I don't see it since the Jets defensive line is pretty good. The difference in the game will be the Dolphins wide receivers.
Jacksonville Jaguars 10, Kansas City Chiefs 31: With Nick Foles starting in place of Alex Smith, the offense might be more lethal. Foles can stretch the field better than Smith can. Which means Maclin and Hill can be both in for a big game. It doesn't matter who is in the Chiefs backfield, they will get the job done.
Dallas Cowboys 28, Cleveland Browns 13: Is this a potential trap game for the Cowboys since they play Pittsburgh next week? This is also the game after they beat division rival Philadelphia. Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and the Cowboys are too good to let this happen.
Pittsburgh Steelers 34, Baltimore Ravens 24: If Ben Rothelisberger is back this week, expect him to toast the Ravens secondary. Even if Landry Jones has to play again he will play well. They need to continue the steady diet of running the ball with Le'Veon Bell, and passing the ball to Antonio Brown. Sammie Coates or Eli Rogers needs to help Brown in the receiver department. The Ravens are banged up on the offensive line and Joe Flacco is struggling.
New Orleans Saints 45, San Francisco 49ers 17: The 49ers defense is so pathetic that the Saints might be able to score on every offensive drive on Sunday. Drew Brees is throwing the ball in the air with ease once again. However, the Saints running game might have a bigger day than him.
Carolina Panthers 41, Los Angeles Rams 20: Did Carolina gain confidence with a big win against Arizona last week? If they did, they should be able to beat Los Angeles convincingly. If not well their season is in jeopardy. Cam Newton seems to be back on track along with the Carolina defense. Case Keenum will have another rough outing for the Rams.
Indianapolis Colts 31, Green Bay Packers 41: Andrew Luck and Aaron Rodgers is going to have a fun time playing football on Sunday. Both teams secondaries are totally brutal and is going to show no signs of improvement anytime soon. Green Bay will win the turnover margin though.
Tennessee Titans 28, San Diego Chargers 24: DeMarco Murray and Melvin Gordon sounds like a good running back match-up. Both are explosive, but the main difference will be that Tennessee will be better on the line of scrimmage.
Denver Broncos 28, Oakland Raiders 35: Derek Carr has been a man on a mission right now. He will continue to do so against a solid Broncos defense. It will be a tall order for Trevor Siemian to keep pace with the Raiders dynamic offense.
Buffalo Bills 10, Seattle Seahawks 16: This is going to be a great battle on the line. The question is which skills players will show up? Seattle has more offensive weapons than Buffalo does.
Byes: Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Cinincatti Bengals, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, and Washington Redskins.
