Week 9 NFL Predictions: Fantasy Stats and Picks for Prime Time Games

If you like offense—chances are you do—then Week 9's prime-time showdowns will be an exquisite way to cap off your football weekend. 

Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys will look to knock Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons from the unbeaten ranks, and on Monday Night, Drew Brees and Michael Vick will square off in what should be billed as the Desperation Bowl in the NFC. 

Let's make some statistical predictions and give picks for each prime-time contest. 

Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons

The 7-0 Falcons have been the NFL's most balanced and consistent club to start the year, while the Cowboys have arguably been one of the most unbalanced and sporadic. 

We saw how talented Dallas is and how good it can really be when the Cowboys stormed back against the New York Giants in the second half last week, but the team's hopes start and end with Tony Romo. 

This tweet from ESPN's Adam Schefter doesn't bode well for the Cowboys, or fantasy owners of Bryant.

"

SalPal reported Cowboys have "major concerns" about Dez Bryant's injured hip for tonight's game vs Atlanta.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 4, 2012"

The Falcons will move the football, but it won't be easy with Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr matching up with Julio Jones and Roddy White on the outside. 

Atlanta's underrated defense has forced 17 turnovers this year, the third-most in the NFC. 

My prediction is that Romo plays better than he did in the first half against the G-Men, but a few second half turnovers ultimately doom the Cowboys on the road. 

Falcons 34 Cowboys 30

Tony Romo

26-of-38, 320 yards 2 TD, 1 INT

Miles Austin

6 catches, 85 yards 1 TD

Jason Witten 

9 catches, 100 yards 1 TD

Matt Ryan

24-of-36 276 yards, 3 TD 

Julio Jones

5 catches, 70 yards 2 TD

Roddy White

9 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD

Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints

What do we make of this game? 

At the start of the season, we all had this as a clash between two of the elite teams in the NFC, but we're not getting that at all. 

Sure, each team possesses vast potential, but they have combined for only five wins to date. 

Check this ridiculous tweet from Bleacher Report's Scott Kacsmar on Drew Brees' illustrious career inside the Superdome:

"

Drew Brees in the Superdome/prime time: 13-3, 33.1 PPG, 69.7%, 8.42 YPA, 40 TD, 12 INT, 109.3 PR. bleacherreport.com/articles/13923… #Saints #Eagles

— Scott Kacsmar (@CaptainComeback) November 1, 2012"

The Eagles defense is solid, but it was exploited by the Falcons in Week 8 in Philly. 

In what should be a highly-entertaining game full of big plays, New Orleans, although Darren Sproles is out, will move the ball more efficiently on offense with a healthy Jimmy Graham, Pierre Thomas and Lance Moore. 

Saints 38 Eagles 31

Michael Vick

24-of-39 276 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT

LeSean McCoy

19 rushes, 105 yards, 4 catches 60 yards 1 TD

DeSean Jackson

4 catches, 90 yards 1 TD

Drew Brees 

31-of-44, 335 yards 3 TD, 1 INT

Pierre Thomas

16 rushes, 90 yards, 6 receptions 65 yards 1 TD

Marques Colston

8 receptions, 120 yards, 1 TD

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