NFL Predictions Week 9: Favorites That Will Choke This Weekend

All but four Week 9 spreads are more than a field goal as of Thursday afternoon. Vegas expects a blowout weekend of sorts, but a few underdogs should surprise, as they always do in the NFL.

Look no further than the San Diego Chargers' performance last week as an indicator. The Chargers were only two-and-a-half point underdogs against the lowly Cleveland Browns, a number widely regarded as a "sketchy line."

Sure, the Chargers had not played to expectations halfway through 2012, but Brandon Weeden and Co. weren’t even being given a complementary field goal against an explosive Charger offense.

You know the rest. San Diego choked its guts out, and the Browns’ doubters winced all afternoon. Here are the teams that will pull the same upset magic one week later.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Oakland)

Besides the long trip for the Buccaneers, there’s no reason for the Raiders to be favored in this game.

You can’t sell me on the Oakland defense in which above-average quarterbacks have torn it apart for 300 yards or more at regularity. Josh Freeman has started to find his stride the last few games, culminating with a three-touchdown performance in Minnesota last Thursday.

Smells like another big day for Freeman and Vincent Jackson full of downfield connections.

Philadelphia Eagles (at New Orleans)

Philadelphia's locker room has been on the brink of chaos during this three-game losing streak, with a trip to a hostile environment in New Orleans up next.

Luckily, Michael Vick and Andy Reid will get to right the ship thanks to the porous Saints defense. The Eagles offense can take its pick: Vick, LeSean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin, DeSean Jackson, any or all could go off against a Saints unit giving up 474 yards a game.

If Reid finally succumbs to giving McCoy the rock 25 times or more, “Shady” will single-handily save Reid’s job. Regardless, a win is imminent. Book it. 

Indianapolis Colts (vs. Miami)

A quarterback carousel in Miami will doom the Dolphins’ gameplan for Sunday, as the Colts will continue to put points on the board at home. At Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts are 3-1 and have scored an average of 23 points in those contests.

We all know what Reggie Wayne did four months ago in that same building against Green Bay; he’ll be revved up to beat his hometown team and help him team pile up 23 points, which should be enough for a win.