NFL Predictions Week 9: Top QBs Who Will Struggle

Being a quarterback in the NFL is a tough job.

You get beat up, both physically and emotionally, and it can be a tortuous stretch when you are struggling and the whole world seems to be against you.

This week, I see three big-name quarterbacks in particular wishing they had never stepped onto the football field.

Here they are.

Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (at Atlanta Falcons)

One week he's good, one week he's bad.

Expect Tony Romo to be bad this week...and not the good kind of bad.

Romo may have passed for 457 yards against the New York Giants last week, but he also averaged a mediocre 7.1 yards per pass attempt while tossing one touchdown to four interceptions.

Now Romo faces an Atlanta pass defense that has notched 10 interceptions this season. The Falcons have also frustrated quarterbacks such Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, Robert Griffin III and Michael Vick.

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens (at Cleveland Browns)

Another inconsistent quarterback, Joe Flacco played well against the Dallas Cowboys one week and stunk it up against the Houston Texans the next.

After going 21-of-43 for 147 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions against the Texans, Flacco now faces a Browns pass defense allowing 6.9 yards per attempt while registering 10 interceptions.

Philip Rivers went 18-of-34 for 154 yards and no touchdowns in the San Diego Chargers' 7-6 loss to the Browns last week.

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Denver Broncos)

The main thing that has plagued second-year pro Andy Dalton this season has been interceptions. He has 10 picks so far, tossing at least one in every game.

Now he faces a Broncos squad that has allowed 6.4 yards per pass attempt (sixth in the NFL) and that forced Drew Brees into an interception last week.

It's not exactly the best scenario for Dalton, facing the Broncos after they dismantled the New Orleans Saints 34-14.