Week 9 NFL Picks: Most Shocking Upsets to Watch for on Sunday

There is plenty of upset potential brewing in Week 9's NFL action, which will only add to the shock value as the season continues through the halfway point.

Teams will be fighting to salvage forgettable starts on Sunday, while others will look to play spoiler for those who have Super Bowl aspirations. As the intensity level of the season continues to ratchet up, more bizarre outcomes are bound to happen.

Here is a trio of stunners you won't see coming this weekend.

Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens

There was a slight adjustment period for No. 1 CB Joe Haden coming off of a four-game suspension, but the Cleveland defense has given up an average of just 12 points per game over the past two weeks.

A lot of that is due to Haden being back to Pro Bowl-caliber form. Since his return, the Browns have actually won two of their past three games.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco hasn't had a very successful track record against the Browns, but offensive coordinator Cam Cameron can't seem to resist putting the ball in the fifth-year quarterback's hands.

Trent Richardson is playing through a painful injury to his ribs, but those not in the loop wouldn't have realized it in Week 8. The No. 3 overall pick ran for a season-best 125 yards and the game's only touchdown in the 7-6 win over San Diego.

Cleveland's 2-6 record is a little bit deceiving, because the Browns have been competitive in every game this season. The heavier reliance on the running game is a good sign for rookie signal-caller Brandon Weeden, who has been asked to throw far too many passes given the inexperienced supporting cast surrounding him.

That said, Weeden may be in for the best game of his career thanks to a decimated opponent. The Ravens' defense is ailing with season-ending injuries to legendary linebacker Ray Lewis and stud cornerback Lardarius Webb.

Terrell Suggs may return to the lineup for Baltimore, but it remains to be seen how he reacts in a game situation after an Achilles injury in the offseason.

This will be the second consecutive slugfest in Cleveland, and the Browns will get revenge from their narrow Week 4 defeat in M&T Bank Stadium.

Final score: Browns 17, Ravens 13

Tennessee Titans vs. Chicago Bears

As poorly as the Titans' defense has played this season, the offense has been sparked in the past month thanks to the reemergence of running back Chris Johnson.

The Bears defense has been sensational through the team's first seven games, and once again bailed its inconsistent offense out in the Carolina game by snagging a pick-six from Panthers QB Cam Newton.

Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall have been sensational in reconnecting from their Denver days, but Cutler is still prone to mistakes. With the sporadic protection provided by the offensive line, Chicago labors to consistently produce in the passing game.

An injury to rookie Alshon Jeffrey has temporarily taken away the Bears' best big play receiving threat aside from Marshall. Tennessee will be able to stack the box against Matt Forte and cover Marshall with safety help.

Middle linebacker Colin McCarthy finally returned for the Titans, and he racked up 11 tackles in the overtime heart-breaker to the Colts. His presence alone helps the defense immensely, as evidenced by the 13 points the unit let up to Indy in regulation.

At 6-1, the Bears are due for a letdown, while Tennessee is still scrapping to stay relevant in the AFC South and wild card picture. A win over Chicago could spark a two-game burst to get the Titans to .500 entering their Week 11 bye.

Final score: Titans 23, Bears 20

Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons

It's gut check time for the Cowboys as they travel to the Georgia Dome for a Sunday night matchup with the undefeated Falcons.

The Cowboys' pass defense has been ranked near the top of the NFL for the entire season, but outlier performances against conservative, run-first offenses and inexperienced QBs seemed to overrate that statistic.

That is, until their second matchup with the New York Giants, where Eli Manning went just 15-of-29 for 198 yards and a pick. No one has been able to shut down Manning like that all season.

Even after the nightmare start to the Giants game and six turnovers, the Cowboys very well could have pulled off an improbable comeback from 23-0 down. If not for Dez Bryant's out of bounds hand on what would have been the game-winning TD catch, Dallas' 3-4 record would be flipped.

It wasn't meant to be, but this week, the Cowboys will come out and play their best game of the season.

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is nearly unbeatable at home. However, he will be forced to throw on the Cowboys' extremely tough secondary, facing complex blitz packages from defensive coordinator Rob Ryan along the way.

Everyone is counting the Cowboys out, but they will finally play to their potential this week to squeeze out a tight road win to keep the promise of the playoffs alive.

Final score: Cowboys 31, Falcons 23