Week 9 NFL Predictions

Washington at New York Jets

Line: Redskins by 3.5

Might as well throw up a white flag, Jets, your season’s finished. And to think, all they needed to do was start Kellen Clemens about eight weeks earlier and they might have a fighting chance. Redskins 24, Jets 14

Green Bay at Kansas City

Line: Chiefs by 2.5

Herman Edwards is circling the wagons yet again, taking a team with no QB’s, no WR’s, an aging TE and an overworked RB to a 4-3 record and a tie for the division lead as they near the midway point. A little ball-control and some tough D and they should knock off the Pack to maintain their momentum. Chiefs 21, Packers 13

Arizona at Tampa Bay

Line: Buccaneers by 3.5

Does Jon Gruden have that same scowl on his face when he’s getting the mail or walking the dog? ESPN should do a reality show to find out. They should do another reality show on retired coaches and figure out of Dennis Green’s gained about 20 more pounds in an effort to keep up with Mark Mangino. Buccaneers 20, Cardinals 19

Carolina at Tennessee

Line: Titans by 4

No truth to the rumor that Steve Buerlein has been contacted for a QB job. Maybe the Panthers should go after Steve DeBerg next. Just think how dangerously close we were to watching Vinny Testaverde vs Kerry Collins and breathe a huge sigh of relief. Titans 13, Panthers 10

San Francisco at Atlanta

Line: Falcons by 3

A few weeks ago, a Falcons fan was popping off on a Niners’ message board about Alex Smith being a bust. This leads me to wonder what’s worse, drafting a QB who never lives up to his promise because of the team around him, or drafting a QB who takes a bad team to the playoffs a few times but enjoys making hot dogs in the offseason and ultimately screws the team (and himself) over? Falcons 23, 49ers 17

Jacksonville at New Orleans

Line: Saints by 3.5

Not drinkin’ the Saints’ Kool-Aid. Their three game winning streak has come against three teams that are not playing good football. All Jacksonville has to do is run the ball the way they did last week and the Saints’ D is at their mercy. Jaguars 24, Saints 17

San Diego at Minnesota

Line: Chargers by 7

It appears the Chargers have rallied around their embattled coach and are playing with the same explosion that won them 14 games last year. After the Minnesota game, however, the schedule gets difficult starting with a showdown against the Colts. Chargers 38, Vikings 17

Denver at Detroit

Line: Lions by 3

Feel the wrath of the Lion growl . Detroit is on the prowl and they’re about to double their win total by the halfway mark of the season. As woeful as Denver’s run D has been, expect Kevin Jones to have one of those 150+ yards/3 TD games against them. Lions 31, Broncos 21

Cincinnati at Buffalo

Line: Bengals by 1

JP Losman is starting! Any rumors of a Buffalo win have since been quickly put to rest. Bill Simmons maybe getting screwed in his column for picking Buffalo, but being that I can wait till Sunday to make my picks, I have the freedom to adjust! Bengals 17, Bills 13

Seattle at Cleveland

Line: Browns by 1

How on earth does Mike Holmgren keep his job? Are they so delusionally overjoyed by the ‘Hawks Super Bowl appearance that they can’t see this guy is wasting the prime of several talented players’ careers? Anyways, if there were a NOW segment for this column, the rapidly-improving Browns would be the NOW team of the present. Browns 23, Seahawks 20

Houston at Oakland

Line: Raiders by 3.5

Andre’s back! It’s gotta work now Texans! Show them you’re more than just a last place team. At least you can beat the Raiders, right? Texans 21, Raiders 20

Indianapolis at New England

Line: Patriots by 5.5

This is it! The game of the year! All the hype, all the questions all the Super Bowl 41 and a half talk, and now the two best teams in the National Football League take the field. Who has the edge this time? Indianapolis has done nothing to disappoint as their defense has overcome injuries to post an impressive 7-0 record, but since the Pats added Moss, Welker and Stallworth, they’ve taken their biggest weakness and made it their biggest strength. So far, they’ve dominated every team they’ve played hands down, as not one game has been closer than 21 points. Do the Colts have what it takes to make this a ballgame? Sure they do, as I don’t think the Pats’ defense will have much success stopping them. But can the Colts stop the Patriots’ offense? It just may be too tall a task. Patriots 38, Colts 35

Dallas at Philadelphia

Line: Cowboys by 3.5

The Eagles are 0-2 in the division and didn’t look particularly competitive against either the Redskins or Giants. That’s too bad because the Cowboys are easily the toughest divisional opponent. Unless Philly figures out a way to score overnight, it’s going to be a long night. Cowboys 23, Eagles 10

Baltimore at Pittsburgh

Line: Steelers by 9.5

This is a divisional rivalry often determined by which offense looks worse since the defenses always bring their A-games. This year, it looks like Baltimore’s on the short end of the stick, as Roethlisberger’s motorcycle wounds have healed. Still, it’s a divisional rivalry and you never know if the Ravens suddenly show up to play after looking so inconsistent in their first seven games. Steelers 20, Ravens 14

Week 8 vs Spread 4-9

Season vs Spread 51-57-8

Week 8 Straight up 6-7

Season Straight up 73-43