It's been a while.

The 2009 NFL regular season has been a tumultuous one.  Teams that started strong are fizzling, and those who looked weak are now strong.  And where did Vince Young come from?

Since I'm out of town, my article will be short and sweet, with the Vegas odds from MGM as my reasoning (with a few choice anecdotes thrown in).

The games of the week include the Atlanta Falcons at the Carolina Panthers, the Kansas City Chiefs at the Oakland Raiders, the Philadelphia Eagles at the San Diego Chargers, and the battle for first place in the AFC North between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The classic, awesome match-up will be between the two elite quarterbacks with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots visiting Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

The two teams with byes this week are the Houston Texans, and the New York Giants.

 

Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, 8:20 p.m.

Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers

MGM says 49ers by 3.  I have to agree.  Their loss to Vince Young last week means Singletary is out for retribution.  That, and Jay Cutler is proving more, and more conclusively that Josh McDaniels is a genius.

Winner: San Francisco

 

Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, 1:00 p.m.

Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets

Vegas says Jets by 7.  Jacksonville is so up and down, I would have to pick the Jets as well.  At least when the Jets lose, it's only by a little bit.

Winner: New York Jets

 

Denver Broncos at Washington Redskins

MGM says the Broncos by 3.5. I would think the spread would be more than that.  The Redskins are terrible, and Denver only lost those past two games because they were tired.

Winner: Denver

 

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers

This is the big battle for the AFC North, which is consistently the toughest division in the NFL.  Vegas says Steelers by 7, but it depends which group shows up...for both teams.

Will Cincinnati bring the "Cardiac Cats", or the "Bungles"?  Will Pittsburgh play like they did against Denver last week, or like they did against Chicago in Week Two?

Winner: Pittsburgh

 

Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans

MGM tells me the Titans will win by 7.  It's hard to believe a team that was 0-6 is favored to win anything, but the rejuvenated Vince Young keeps leading his team to victory.  The streak won't end against the dysfunctional Bills.

Winner: Tennessee

 

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings

Just when the Lions looked like they had such promise to win a second game, they lost to the Rams.  Maybe that's why this game has the largest spread of the week, with Vegas saying the Vikings by 17.  Listen here, Lions...Brett had the week off.  Hide.

Winner: Minnesota

 

New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams

The Saints may have been pulling close ones the past couple of weeks, but this is the Rams we're talking about.  Vegas says Saints by 14.  I'd give them 20.

Winner: New Orleans

 

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers

The Falcons have me worried, they haven't been closing.  The Panthers however, still have Jake Delhomme.  Vegas says Falcons by 1.5.  Close game, important game...fun-to-watch game.

Winner: Atlanta

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are crushing with the Wildcat (the only team to successfully do so).  Tampa Bay thinks they can take on the world after beating a highly favored Green Bay for their first win of the season.  Guess what...they can't.  Dolphins by 10.

Winner: Miami

 

Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, 4:05 p.m.

Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders

Vegas says Raiders by 2.5.  I'm not quite sure why, what with all the Tom Cable assault issues, and the having JaMarcus Russell issues, but let's run with it.  Maybe it's because Larry Johnson got his comeuppance.

Winner: Oakland

 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?