NFL Picks Week 9: Teams That Will Earn Pivotal Victories This Weekend

Several teams enter Week 9 in search of a tide-turning victory. 

The Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins are both sporting losing records and multiple games below .500 through the first half of the 2013 season, but they can stay alive in the NFC East race with a win this weekend.

However, they aren't the only teams who can pick up momentous wins.

Here are my game picks for Week 9, along with three teams sure to earn pivotal victories on Sunday afternoon.

NFL Picks Week 9

Matchup/Prediction

Cincinnati Bengals 23, Miami Dolphins 17

Dallas Cowboys 34, Minnesota Vikings 24

Tennessee Titans 20, St. Louis Rams 16

Kansas City Chiefs 20, Buffalo Bills 13

New Orleans Saints 27, New York Jets 23

Carolina Panthers 24, Atlanta Falcons 21

Washington Redskins 38, San Diego Chargers 35

Oakland Raiders 26, Philadelphia Eagles 17

Seattle Seahawks 30, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10

Baltimore Ravens 20, Cleveland Browns 17

New England Patriots 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 21

Indianapolis Colts 21, Houston Texans 18

Green Bay Packers 31, Chicago Bears 20

Dallas Cowboys

After letting one get away in the last minute at Detroit in Week 8, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a familiar place, sitting at .500 and in search of a win.

Fortunately for Tony Romo and the Cowboys, the NFC East has been dismal this season and, oh yeah, the 1-6 Minnesota Vikings are coming to town this weekend. Not only have the Vikings dropped three in a row since picking up their first win in London in Week 4, but they are 0-3 on the road in 2013.

In addition to getting no production from the quarterback spot, Minnesota ranks dead last in the NFL in time of possession.

Given what we've seen from both teams thus far, this game is clearly Dallas' to lose—so much so that the oddsmakers favor the Cowboys by 10 points in Week 9, per VegasInsider.com.

Tennessee Titans

Losers of three straight, the Tennessee Titans will return from a bye to take on the St. Louis Rams in Week 9. While both teams are on the outside looking in at the playoff race in their respective conference, the Titans have looked the better team in 2013.

Tennessee plays relatively mistake-free football on the offensive end (seven turnovers in seven games) and had an impressive defensive showing at Seattle in Week 6. Overall, Tennessee ranks 10th in the league in scoring defense, holding opponents to under 21 points per game.

With Jake Locker's health improving under center, the Titans look set to earn a vital victory on the road in Week 9 as they aim to get back to .500 and into the AFC South division race.

Losing quarterback Sam Bradford for the season kills any shred of hope that St. Louis had to sneak into the playoffs and is sure to haunt the Rams the rest of the way.

Keep in mind that St. Louis will be on a short week in Week 9 after playing on Monday Night Football.

Carolina Panthers

Prior to Week 8, the Panthers hadn't been over the .500 mark since 2008. A week later, they have a shot to get two games above .500.

The Panthers can run their winning streak to four games in a row on Sunday while remaining within striking distance of the NFC South-leading New Orleans Saints.

Carolina will host the reeling Atlanta Falcons in Week 9. Surprisingly, the defending NFC South champions have yet to win a game on the road. That certainly bodes well for the Panthers' chances. 

Expect Carolina to continue to dominate defensively this weekend. The Panthers rank second in the NFL in scoring defense and have allowed more than 15 points just once all season long. And only Houston and Seattle are allowing fewer yards per game than Carolina in 2013.

When Cam Newton and the offense play up to their potential, this is a playoff-caliber team capable of beating anyone. Watch for the Falcons to be their next victim in Week 9.

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