NFL Picks Week 9: Teams That Will Use Home-Field Edge to Score Blowout Wins

Contenders should soon start separating from the pretenders now that the NFL season has passed the halfway point. While the top teams will have many different unique characteristics, the one thing all good teams have in common is strong play at home.

In Week 9, several elite teams have a chance to use that home-field advantage to take care of business against overmatched opponents. Let's break down three teams that will have little trouble doing exactly that on Sunday.

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans have been a dominant force all season. The Buffalo Bills are an absolute mess. In other words, Mario Williams' return to Houston isn't likely going to be a memorable one for himself or his new team.

Arian Foster should have a monster day against a Bills defense that is giving up more than 175 yards per game on the ground. Buffalo has also allowed four more rushing touchdowns than any other team. A bye week isn't enough to fix those type of major issues.

Add in the fact Houston's defense should be able to shut down a one-dimensional Bills offense and it's hard to imagine any result besides a Texans rout. The two teams are just on two completely different levels at this point.

Green Bay Packers

It took some time for the Packers to find their stride, but it appears they are finally on the right track. After losing three of their first five games, they have won three straight and should be able to make it four against the Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona's story is the polar opposite. The Cardinals won their first four, including victories over the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, but weren't able to build any momentum and have quickly faded with four consecutive losses.

The main reason the Packers have rebounded so easily is improved play from Aaron Rodgers, who has 18 touchdown passes over the past five games. Expect him to have another big game as Green Bay cruises into its bye with another win.

Atlanta Falcons

Even though the Falcons are only a small favorite against the Dallas Cowboys, this game still has blowout written all over it. The Cowboys are coming off an emotional, disappointing loss to the New York Giants and the Falcons just earned a convincing win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

It's always tough to come back from a defeat like the one Dallas suffered and play with the same intensity. The Cowboys fought all the way back after falling behind 23-0, only to fall short, allowing the Giants to stretch their division lead. There will be a hangover effect.

In the meantime, the Falcons have looked unstoppable at times en route to a 7-0 record. They do have a couple of flaws, most notably their run defense. That said, the Cowboys don't have what it takes to end their streak after last week's letdown. Expect a big victory for Julio Jones and company.