Week 9 Predictions: Cheeseheadmania Is Running Wild!

 It has been a few weeks since my last article, but I am back with predictions for week

9. It has been a wild season full of surprises, injuries, upsets and benchings. My

fantasy start of the week is Ryan Grant. Sure he hasn't done much this season, but he

is going up against one of the worst rush defenses in the NFL, the Tampa Bay Bucs.

The Pack should roll this week and it will be because of Ryan Grant. He will establish

the running game and once the Packers have a big enough lead, they will lean on him.

I'd start all my Packers this week, including sleepers like James Jones. Grant has had a

mediocre season, but he will have a huge week and lead your team to victory. On to

the predictions.

 WAS@ATL

 Prediction: WAS 14 ATL 17

 Despite the Redskins struggles this season, I'd still start most of them this week

against a weak defense like the Falcons. I expect this game to be close to the end.

Both teams should put up points, but I would lower my expectations for Matt Ryan.

He has struggled recently and the Redskins have a strong secondary. The Falcons

will probably lean on Michael Turner more this week.

Studs: C. Portis, S. Moss, M. Turner, R. White, T. Gonzalez, both defenses

Duds: M. Jenkins

Sleepers: J. Campbell, F. Davis

 AZ@CHI

 Prediction: AZ 27 CHI 24

 The Cardinals looked awful last week after upsetting the Giants, but they seem to

play better on the road. The Bears have struggled this season, but not so much at

home. Something has to give and the Cardinals have more talent than the Bears.

Matt Forte finally had a huge week against the hapless Browns last week, but he goes

up against one of the top run defenses in the league so lower expectations.

Both teams should score so I'd stay away from both defenses.

Start all your studs in this one.

 Studs: K. Warner, L. Fitzgerald, A. Boldin, T. Hightower, J. Cutler, D. Hester, G. Olsen

 Duds: M. Forte, both defenses

 Sleepers: B. Wells, S. Breaston

 BAL@CIN

 Prediction: BAL 24 CIN 17

 This is a revenge game for the Ravens, whose defense finally woke up last week.

They are fired up after the loss to the Bengals earlier in the year, so expect all the

Ravens to play well other than Derrick Mason. Mason will be locked up by shutdown

corner Leon Hall and he was shut down by him in the last match-up. If you have

better options than Mason then use them. Expect Ray Rice to have a huge game and

for the Bengals to put up mediocre stats.

 Studs: J. Flacco, R. Rice, Ravens defense, C. Ochocinco, C. Benson

 Duds: C. Palmer, Bengals defense

 Sleepers: M. Clayton, C. Henry, T. Heap

 HOU@IND

 Prediction: HOU 24 IND 27

 This one will be close since the Colts are hurting on defense after losing some key

players, like Bob Sanders. I expect this to be a shoot-out so start your studs this

week. Despite Steve Slaton's awful game last week and benching, I still expect him

to be heavily involved in the game and put up solid numbers. I would start Ryan Moats

as a flex since the Colts defense might struggle.

 Studs: M. Schaub, A. Johnson, K. Walter, S. Slaton, P. Manning, R. Wayne, D. Clark

 Duds: J. Addai, both defenses

 Sleepers: R. Moats, A. Collie, P. Garcon

 KC@JAX

 Prediction: KC 24 JAX 27

 This one should be a shoot-out with both defenses struggling this year. This might be

the highest scoring game of the week so I would start all my studs and plug in sleepers

like Torry Holt, Mike Thomas, Jamaal Charles and even Matt Cassel.

 Studs: M. Cassel, J. Charles, D. Bowe, D. Garrard, M. Jones-Drew, M. Sims-Walker

 Duds: Both defenses

 Sleepers: B. Wade, M. Thomas, T. Holt, M. Lewis

 MIA@NE

 Prediction: MIA 17 NE 24

 The Patriots will be ready for the wild-cat offense after facing them last year and

coming off a bye week. I would start Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, but keep

expectations lower since the Pats intend on stopping them this week. I would start

most of your Pats, but would only consider Williams and Brown for Miami. The one guy

I can't figure out is Laurence Maroney. He is so up and down that it is hard to rely

on any Pats running back, but if you need to I'd start Maroney. The Pats might have

a big lead and run with Maroney late in the game so he could have some value.

 Studs: R. Brown, R. Williams, T. Brady, R. Moss, W. Welker, Pats defense

 Duds: All other Dolphins

 Sleepers: B. Watson, S. Aiken, L. Maroney

 GB@TB

 Prediction: GB 31 TB 7

 The Bucs will test their new starting rookie quarterback in Josh Freeman, but expect

him to struggle in his first NFL start against a veteran Packers defense. I would start

all my Packers skill position players with confidence. I'd stay away from all Bucs other

than maybe Kellen Winslow Jr. The Pack will be angry after the Vikings loss and they

will take it out on the Bucs. The Bucs will remain win-less.

 Studs: A. Rodgers, R. Grant, D. Driver, G. Jennings, Packers defense, K. Winslow

 Duds: All other Bucs

 Sleepers: J. Jones, S. Havner, D. Lee

 CAR@NO

 Prediction: CAR 21 NO 31

 The Saints should continue to roll here and I'd stay away from any Panther besides

Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Start all your Saints with

confidence this week and Pierre Thomas should reclaim his starting job after Mike

Bell nearly fumbled the game away last week. Thomas is so explosive and Mike

Bell has struggled recently so expect Thomas to get the majority of carries and

touches.

 Studs: S. Smith, J. Stewart, D. Williams, D. Brees, M. Colston, P. Thomas, J. Shockey,

Saints defense

 Duds: All other Panthers, M. Bell

 Sleepers: R. Bush, D. Henderson, R. Meachem

 DET@SEA

 Prediction: DET 10 SEA 21

 The Seahakws couldn't of asked for a better situation this week. They are at home

against a team that hasn't won a road game in years. They are tough to beat at home

and the Lions best play-makers are coming off injuries in Calvin Johnson, Kevin Smith

and Matt Stafford. The Seahawks should win easily this week and I would spot start

their defense if I could.

 Studs: C. Johnson, K. Smith, M. Hasselbeck, N. Burleson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh

 Duds: All other Lions

 Sleepers: J. Jones, Seattle defense

 SD@NYG

 Prediction: SD 24 NYG 27

 This should be another high scoring affair as both defenses have struggled this year.

The Giants defense is especially hurting so start most of the Chargers and start most

of the Giants with confidence. The Giants are in a must win situation so they will

be fired up and play well at home.

 Studs: P. Rivers, L. Tomlinson, V. Jackson, A. Gates, E. Manning, S. Smith, H. Nicks,

M. Manningham, B. Jacobs, A. Bradshaw

 Duds: Both defenses

 Sleepers: M. Floyd, D. Sproles, K. Boss

 TEN@SF

 Prediction: TEN 14 SF 17

 I expect this game to be closer than some people think. Vince Young brings a whole

new element to the Titans offense and despite his recent struggles, I think he will

help this offense as a whole. Teams now need to game-plan for Young, unlike Kerry

Collins. The team looked rejuvinated last week and I think they play hard from here on

out. I'd only start Chris Johnson with confidence until we see how the Titans play with

Young more, but there could be some sleepers. I would play most of the Niners since

the Titans defense has struggled. Expect Alex Smith to have a big week and connect

with Michael Crabtree for his first NFL touchdown this week.

 Studs: C. Johnson, A. Smith, V. Davis, F. Gore, M. Crabtree, Niners defense

 Duds: L. White, J. Gage, J. Morgan, I. Bruce

 Sleepers: K. Britt, B. Scaife

 DAL@PHI

 Prediction: DAL 17 PHI 24

 The Cowboys are a hot team coming into Philadelphia, but the Eagles saved

themselves last week, after the embarrassing loss to the Raiders the week before.

Both defenses have struggled at times this year, but the Eagles defense has been

more consistent and usually get to Tony Romo. I think this will be close, but the Eagles

will come away with the win at the end. Play all your studs here.

 Studs: T. Romo, M. Barber, J. Witten, M. Austin, D. McNabb, D. Jackson, B. Celek,

B. Westbrook, Eagles defense

 Duds: R. Williams, Cowboys defense

 Sleepers: L. McCoy, J. Maclin

 DEN@PIT

 Prediction: DEN 14 PIT 21

 The Steelers need this game more than the Broncos so expect them to play well.

Despite having a solid season, I would sit the Broncos defense here. I'd stay away

from most of the Broncos in this one other than Brandon Marshall since the Steelers

defense is elite. Play most of your Steelers and expect them to pull away at the end.

 Studs: B. Marshall, B. Roethlisberger, H. Ward, S. Holmes, R. Mendenhall, H. Miller,

Steelers defense

 Duds: K. Orton, E. Royal, K. Moreno, C. Buckhalter, Broncos defense

 Sleepers: M. Wallace, M. Moore

This should be another wild week of NFL games so good luck and enjoy the games!