NFL Week 9 Picks: 10 Favorites Who Will Sweat Right Up To Final Minute
NFL Week 9 Picks are the subject of my latest article.
These are the close ones. Here I will break down the games that I think will go down to the wire. This is what makes the NFL such an intriguing sport to watch. Every week you have good teams that are pushed to the limit by teams that have no business doing so.
Well here it is, the ten nail biters of week nine.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
1 of 10
This will be a battle for the South. Both teams come into this one with a legitimate claim to first place in the NFC South.
Why the Buccaneers Will Win:
The Bucs have been hot lately. After getting blown out by the Saints in week 6, their offense has been clicking. The Bucs also have the position of being a perfect 3-0 on the road this year. Not many teams can lay claim to that.
Why the Falcons Will Win:
The Falcons are a better team though. The only real issue they will have on Sunday is stopping Tampa Bay's air attack. They are prolific at stopping the run so Michael Turner should be relatively quiet.
Why It Will Be Close:
This is for first place. Whoever wins this game gets bragging rights as well as a boost to team morale heading into the second half of the season.
Prediction:
Buccaneers 24, Falcons 27
Chicago at Buffalo
2 of 10
On paper this looks like a cake walk for the Bears. That would be dismissing some key elements.
Why the Bears Will Win:
Chicago is a far superior team to the Bills. They may have their issues but they should not be highlighted in this match-up. Jay Cutler just received a much needed week off and should be ready for work. If not, Matt Forte has shown he can put enough points on the board himself for a win.
Why the Bills Will Win:
The Bills will win a game this season. They are too good of a team to go sixteen games without a win. Ryan Fitzpatrick consistently puts together fantastic games. They were a field goal away from a victory last week against the Chiefs.
Why It Will Be Close:
The Bills are at home and teams seem to take a win from them for granted. If the Bears issues at offensive line show up this week. We could have an upset on our hands.
Prediction:
Bears 17, Bills 14
New York Jets at Detroit Lions
3 of 10
I had to include this as the Lions looked much better last week against a similar opponent as the one the Jets lost to.
Why the Jets Will Win:
This should be fairly obvious. The Jets are one of the few NFL teams that can call themselves elite. They boast a rock solid defense. Their offense is just as good when the mature Mark Sanchez decides to show up.
Why the Lions Will Win:
I do not, in all reality, think that the Lions will win this game. I do think that they will make it a game though. Detroit has a balanced offense that will get a boost by them getting their franchise QB back in Matt Stafford.
Why It Will Be Close:
The Lions play well against good teams. They lost to the Eagles by a mere three points in week two. Then in week four they lost to the Packers by two points, in Lambeau.
Prediction:
Jets 24, Lions 17
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Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings
4 of 10
Both teams have losing records. The difference is the expectations for the season were much different for the Vikings.
Why the Cardinals Will Win:
I am actually not a fan of the Cardinals this year. I still have no idea how they shocked the Saints in week five. The Vikings are that dysfunctional that they will make this a game.
Why the Vikings Will Win:
The Vikings should win this one. Then again, the Vikings should have more than one win. Minnesota just sent a hall of fame receiver packing, their head coach is under fire and their gunslinger quarterback is old. Things are not looking good.
Why It Will Be Close:
The Vikings should get a morale boost from the home crowd. But as we enter the second half I have realized to lower my expectations every for Minnesota.
Prediction:
Cardinals 20, Vikings 24
Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens
5 of 10
These two teams are very similar on both sides of the ball. The Ravens have just been able to get one more win than the Dolphins. This is a match-up I will be monitoring closely.
Why the Dolphins Will Win:
The Dolphins are very effective at moving the ball. They have one more than one game this year on their ability to get within field goal range. This is a game that will come down to three points.
Why the Ravens Will Win:
Joe Flacco has emerged as a trustworthy leader yet again. After faltering through the first couple weeks of the season, he has put up Pro Bowl numbers.
Why It Will Be Close:
Both teams force close games on a weekly basis. They both have not had one get away from them early. On the flip side is that they haven't blown out a team either. The only exception to all of this is Miami's loss to the Patriots. These two just like it close. Expect no different this week.
Prediction:
Dolphins 24, Ravens 27
San Diego Chargers at Houston Texans
6 of 10
The Texans may have a better record, but the Chargers have much better stats in all of the major categories. Right, you just had to bring up special teams and turnovers.
Why the Chargers Will Win:
San Diego is renowned under Norv Turner to start off poorly and finish strong. Perhaps their win against the Titans last week was a sign of their reemergence. I will reserve judgement until after this bout.
Why the Texans Will Win:
The Texans are a bipolar team. They beat great teams like the Colts and then lay an egg against the Raiders. Their only consistency has come in the phenomenal running back Arian Foster. I expect him to magical again this weekend.
Why It Will Be Close:
This one will be close because the Chargers just can't allow themselves to play a perfect game. There will be mistakes that the Texans will pounce on.
Prediction:
Texans 24 , Chargers 17
Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders
7 of 10
Rivalry games are always close. These clubs hate each other. Well, Raiders fans hate everyone so I guess that isn't saying much.
Why the Chiefs Will Win:
The Achilles heel for the Raiders has been their run defense. The Chiefs are one of the more prolific in that aspect. They will run all over the Raiders. My only concern is how they cover the Raiders in the air.
Why the Raiders Will Win:
The Raiders story is one of two different season. They started 2010 going 1-3 all the while looking confused and over matched. Since that time they have gone 3-1 blowing out both Denver and Seattle. They now boast one of the more productive offenses.
Why It Will Be Close:
This is a long lasting rivalry that always breeds chippy play. Both teams want this for their fan base. There is no doubt it will be a fun watch.
Prediction:
Chiefs 24, Raiders 30
Indianapolis Colts at Philadelphia Eagles
8 of 10
The Colts come into this game at 5-2. They are an elite team with nary any holes. The Eagles are getting back their most powerful weapon.
Why the Colts Will Win:
The Colts have a very balanced team. It is hard to expose a weakness because none exists for the most part.
Why the Eagles Will Win:
Did I mention that Mike Vick will take back the reigns this Sunday. Sure the Colts have a great pass rush. But the last thing you want to do is force Vick from the pocket.
Why It Will Be Close:
With Vick under center these teams are much more evenly matched. It will be great to see two completely different quarterbacks succeed in their own gifted way.
Prediction:
Colts 24, Eagles 27
Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers
9 of 10
The Packers won an ugly one last week. The Cowboys would kill to get even an ugly win at this point.
Why the Cowboys Will Win:
I thought the Cowboys would have begun their winning ways last week against the Jaguars. I guess you can never underestimate the dysfunction on this team. The Cowboys have too much talent to not get close this week. Right? They can't lose every week, can they?
Why the Packers Will Win:
Yes they can. The Packers have their own holes to patch but they are a much better team than the Cowboys, especially at home. Aaron Rodgers will get back on track this Sunday at the behest of the reeling Cowboys.
Why It Will Be Close:
These two teams have blaring weaknesses. The Packers is on the field in the offense line and running game. The Cowboys issues are in their heads. Their mistakes and lack of direction have them on the outs.
Prediction:
Cowboys 20, Packers 24
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
10 of 10
This Steelers have a much better team. This being Monday night, I have a feeling Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco will bring their best games.
Why the Steelers Will Win:
The Steelers are too good of a team not to win this. They can kill the Bengals with the run or in the air. While the Bengals boast great receivers, the Steelers have plenty of personnel to cover them.
Why the Will Win:
Ben Roethlisberger finally showed some rust last week in their loss to the Saints. If he falters again this week the Bengals could make it a game. I also like their two headed monster of Owens and Ochocinco to light it up on Monday night.
Why It Will Be Close:
The Bengals have not yet shown how good they could be on offense. I am playing gut feeling that this could be the week.
Prediction:
Steelers 20, Bengals 17
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