NFL Week 9 Predictions: Latest Odds and Picks Against the Spread

Week 9 features Ben Roethlisberger against Eli Manning, Tony Romo against Matt Ryan, Michael Vick against Drew Brees, and an AFC showdown between the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins. 

Quite a way to usher in the second half of the 2012 NFL season. 

Let's take the time to go through all of this week's action and give against the spread predictions. 

(All lines courtesy of Bovada.lv unless noted otherwise.)

Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers (-9)

Has the AFC West become a one-team race? 

Seems like it. 

The Chargers and Chiefs are fresh off uninspiring losses, games in which both clubs lost the physical battle and frankly, appeared lost. 

In this one, San Diego is the team with more overall talent and Philip Rivers will have a prime opportunity to break out from his six-quarter slump as the Chiefs allow nearly 30 points per game. 

Expect this to be a typical Chargers outing, one in which the team gets out to an early lead that extends into the second half before Kansas City makes a valiant comeback. 

However, the Chiefs' quarterback situation isn't good enough to come all the way back and win this game on the road. 

Some disgruntled Chargers fans may disagree with me, because Norv Turner has been tremendous at giving away games as of late, but San Diego will cover the spread by a point. 

Chargers 24 Chiefs 14

Denver Broncos (-4) at Cincinnati Bengals

Is Peyton Manning better than ever? 

Well, he's on pace for the best statistical season of his career, one with over 4,800 yards, 39 touchdowns and only nine picks. 

Finally, he has a super skill group of wide receivers at his disposal. 

No, he wasn't starved for pass-catching talent in Indianapolis, but Eric Decker is an emerging chain-mover and Demaryius Thomas is a supreme athlete and true game-breaker. 

He faces an average Bengals defense that has pieced together a few solid games, yet was thrashed in two outings by Brandon Weeden, and Ben Roethlisberger moved the ball efficiently a week ago. 

A month ago, many believed the Bengals were a sound 3-1 club no one was talking about, now they've lost three straight and many see Andy Dalton's frequent ineffectiveness will lead to a regression in the win column from a year ago. 

During the losing streak, Dalton has five touchdowns and six interceptions. 

Cincinnati's running game has never really materialized, either. 

BenJarvus Green-Ellis averages 3.4 yards per rush and has scored only two touchdowns. 

Manning won't have much trouble getting the ball into the end zone against the Bengals defense, and although Dalton will likely connect with A.J. Green on a few big plays, Cincinnati won't be able to score with Peyton's attack. 

Broncos 31 Bengals 24

Arizona Cardinals at Green Bay Packers (-11.5)

I'll make this quick. 

The Packers are rolling—don't worry about the way the Jacksonville Jaguars hung in last week. 

Aaron Rodgers has 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions over the last three weeks, and after seeing what Alex Smith did to the Cardinals defense in the desert on Monday Night Football, imagine what Mr. Rodgers will do. 

Take. The. Packers. 

Packers 34 Cardinals 13

(line courtesy of Oddshark.com)

Baltimore Ravens at CLEVELAND BROWNS (+4)

Just because Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb are gone for the year and the Ravens were destroyed by the Houston Texans entering the bye, don't give up on them yet.

Yes, it won't be as easy for them to impose their will on opposing offenses as it's been in the past, but their offense remains one of the most underrated units in the NFL and there are some talented players on the defense even though it's clearly regressing.

The Browns defense shut down Philip Rivers last week, but a steady dosage of Ray Rice will pose a formidable challenge.

Neither Joe Flacco or Brandon Weeden will piece together amazing games, but the running backs will have big outings.

In the end, the overall talent gap, which certainly is closing between these clubs, will be too much for the Browns to overcome.

Just like the first meeting, this AFC North class is highly competitive.  

Cleveland covers the spread, losing by three. 

Ravens 27 Browns 24

Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts (+1)

Ben Roethlisberger against Eli Manning has intrigue, as does Tony Romo against Matt Ryan, but getting a better grasp on how good the Colts and Dolphins really are is the most underrated storyline of Week 9. 

We aren't sure if Ryan Tannehill will play, and although Matt Moore is a capable backup, the team is slightly more offensively limited when the veteran is under center. 

Andrew Luck, slowly but surely, is emerging as a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate. He has orchestrated three fourth-quarter comebacks, and if it weren't for a defensive mishap against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3, that number would be four. 

These teams appear to be evenly matched overall, with the Dolphins boasting a better defense and the Colts possessing a more efficient offense. 

Vegas knows that—hence the one-point spread. 

In a back and forth battle, I like Andrew Luck to lead another late-game drive that ends with an Adam Vinatieri game winner. 

Take the home underdogs in this intraconference clash. 

Colts 23 Dolphins 20

(line courtesy of Oddshark.com)

Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans (-10.5)

Another quick prediction. 

Until the Bills show they can play well on the road against a quality opponent, I see no reason to believe they can keep it close and cover a spread. 

Sure, they're coming off a bye, but so are the Texans. 

Buffalo is healthier, and have performed well after the extended layoff during the Chan Gailey and Ryan Fitzpatrick regime, but Houston's ground game and defensive line is too much to handle for 60 minutes. 

Texans 38 Bills 14

Carolina Panthers (+3.5) at Washington Redskins

The Panthers have to close out a game at some point, right? 

Seems like they never will. 

Actually, this is the week they do it. 

They aren't as talented on defense as the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they have tape on what Dick Lebeau's defense was able to do against Robert Griffin III, and frankly, they played a great game against Jay Cutler's Bears in Week 8. 

Cam Newton and RG3 both treat us to marvelous performances, and the Panthers steal one on the road. 

Panthers 30 Redskins 27

Detroit Lions (-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars

The Lions will use their resilient effort against a stout Seahawks defense and ride it to victory against another good defense in Week 9. 

Matthew Stafford and his pass-catchers are starting to regain the powerful connection they had in 2011, and the Detroit defense is reaching its potential. 

This game will be closer than many expected, because at times, both offenses in this game can be wildly inconsistent, I just can't see Blaine Gabbert's offense sticking with the Lions to cover the spread. 

Detroit by a touchdown. 

Lions 27 Jaguars 20

Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans (+4)

My upset of the week. 

The Bears were extremely fortunate to win against the Panthers in Week 8, and were thoroughly outclassed at home in every phase of the game until late in the fourth quarter. 

They won't get as lucky against an ultra-efficient Matthew Hasselbeck and an improving Titans defense. 

Chris Johnson may have a rough beginning in this one, but the team appears to be fine with dedicating an adequate amount of carries to the runner. 

He'll break a long run in the fourth quarter and he and Hasselbeck will be the determining factors in a huge interconference win. 

The Bears defense is sound, but the underwhelming effort from Jay Cutler a week ago against a rather porous Carolina defense was disconcerting. 

Titans 24 Bears 17

Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks (-5)

The Seahawks are a totally different team at home. 

Don't believe me? 

Russell Wilson's QB rating is more than 50 points higher, and the club has wins over Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady in Seattle. 

In those games, they allowed an average of 14 points. 

Christian Ponder and the Vikings are better than we all expected, but deficiencies along the offensive line will be exploited against Chris Clemons, Bruce Irvin and Co. 

I like the home favorite to win by a touchdown. 

Seahawks 23 Vikings 17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1) at Oakland Raiders

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers still have a ways to go before they're legitimate NFC contenders, but the team is finally buying into Greg Schiano's system and Doug Martin has found his way as a rookie. 

Josh Freeman, a quarterback with all the physical tools you'd ever want, has thrown nine touchdowns and only one interception in the last three games, and the wide receiving talent is tremendous. 

The Raiders were effective in all phases of the game against the Chiefs in Week 8, but that's not saying much. 

Carson Palmer and Freeman will duel in a surprisingly high-scoring contest, but Oakland's quarterback makes a late mistake, and for the second-straight week, the versatile Martin wreaks havoc. 

Buccaneers 35 Raiders 31

Pittsburgh Steelers (+3.5) at New York Giants

I'm psyched for this one. 

No two quarterbacks are as rugged and consistently persevere like Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning. 

They've been in huge, pressure-packed games, with their backs pushed firmly against the wall and have orchestrated fantastic final-minute drives, converted improbable third downs and thrown game-winning touchdown passes when everyone expected them to fold.

Their improvisational skills are unparalleled in today's game. 

The Steelers, like most teams, will have trouble with the Giants' wide receivers, but you know defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau will throw an array of zone blitzes at Manning. 

Conversely, Jason Pierre-Paul and Chris Canty will drive Big Ben out of the pocket often and could force some turnovers. 

In the end, I'll give Eli the edge at home, but they just barely miss covering the spread. 

Giants 27 Steelers 24

Dallas Cowboys (+5) at Atlanta Falcons

Tony Romo had a typical Tony Romo game in the captivating Week 8 battle with the New York Giants. He was dreadful in the first quarter, but shredded the G-Men's secondary en route to an amazing comeback. 

On the road against the NFL's most balanced team, he won't be as effective through the air. 

Matt Ryan and the Falcons should experience some struggles against a noticeably improved Dallas defense, but in a close battle, I like Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez to squeak by the Cowboys. 

Falcons 30 Cowboys 27

Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints (-3.5)

I've been hard on the Eagles this season, mainly due to Andy Reid's unwavering support of Michael Vick. 

Sure, Reid wasn't as unwavering after a disappointing home loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8, but Nick Foles remains on the bench for this Monday Night Football affair. 

Drew Brees and the Saints are in legitimate desperation mode and will channel the prime-time energy from their crowd and will really click on offense.

Although their defense may struggle to limit the Eagles offense, I see Vick making a major mistake late, leading to a seven-point win for New Orleans. 

Saints 30 Eagles 23