NFL Week 9 Picks Against the Spread: Every Game Dissected

Last week the Redskins dropped to 4-4 after falling short to the Lions, the Bengals and Cowboys slid even further into a hole that nobody expects them to ever be able to climb out of, and the Colts put up yet another stunning and dominating performance.

The NFL season is just rolling along, and we have had some interesting matchups in the past few weeks.

This week, however, is ripe with great games and interesting spreads in order to pass your time dissecting every possible scenario.

Hopefully I can help you along, as I take a look at each game and offer my predictions.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons

Harry How/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 31: Michael Spurlock #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a kickoff against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Spread: Atlanta: -8.5

Despite looking strong with a 5-2 record after winning at Arizona last week, the oddsmakers are still showing no love to the Buccaneers.

Pick: Tampa Bay (+8.5) over ATLANTA

Chicago Bears at Buffalo Bills

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears avoids a tackle attempt by Carlos Rogers #22 of the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel

Spread: Bears: -3

The Bears take their show on the road to Toronto, trying to bounce back from a rough week by Jay Cutler, in which he served up four interceptions to DeAngelo Hall.

As long as he doesn't lay another huge egg, the Bears should be able to take this one from the 0-7 Bills with ease, as their defense has been able to win games for them.

Pick: Bears (-3) over BILLS

New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: Percy Harvin #12 of the Minnesota Vikings gains yardage against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Spread: NE -5.5

The Browns have a quarterback controversy. After a good showing against Pittsburgh two weeks ago,  Colt McCoy is the man fans want to see start, while Eric Mangini is leaning toward reinstating injured Seneca Wallace.

It really should not matter, as the Browns defense is no match for the Patriots, who are looking like the best team in the NFL.

Pick: New England (-5.5) over CLEVELAND

New York Jets at Detroit Lions

Leon Halip/Getty Images

DETROIT - OCTOBER 31: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during the fourth quarter of the game against the Washington Redskins at Ford Field on October 31, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Redskins 37-25. (Photo

Spread: N.Y. Jets -5

The NFL whipping boy of the past few seasons is finally starting to put some wins together. Their offense is finally starting to click, and they have put together two wins in the past three games, beating the Washington Redskins last Sunday.

Pick: DETROIT (+5) over N.Y Jets

Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings takes a breather between plays against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Spread: Vikings -9

It seems that the experts have had a tough time trying to pin down the Arizona Cardinals, as they should, considering their poor numbers offensively and defensively despite their ability to stay afloat.

This has made picking their games rather interesting. They do, however, play right into the strengths of Minnesota, who has a reeling offense looking to recover against Arizona's questionable defense, and a strong defense looking to recoup its season.

Pick: VIKINGS (-9) over Arizona

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers

Karl Walter/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 31: Fans of the New Orleans Saints are seen during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won 20-10 over the Steelers. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty

Spread: Saints -7

The Saints seem to have a habit this year of playing up or down to its opponent, leading to wins over Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay, but losses to Cleveland and Atlanta. I'd say go with that trend.

Pick: PANTHERS (+7) over Saints

Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 24: Fred Jackson #22 of the Buffalo Bills is stopped by Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bills 37-34. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Im

Spread: Baltimore -5

Miami has been a veritable Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde team this year. On the road, the Dolphins are immaculate, and at home, not so much. Look for the upset on the road this week.

Pick: Miami (+5) over BALTIMORE

San Diego Chargers at Houston Texans

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 01: Andre Johnson #80 of Houston Texans celebrates with Jacoby Jones #12 after Johnson caught a touchdown pass during the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 1, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Spread: San Diego -3

Nothing in football makes sense. The Chargers, statistically one of the best teams in football, are 3-5, while the Cardinals, one of the worst statistical teams, are 3-4. San Diego is not great on the road.

Pick: HOUSTON (+3) over San Diego

New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Running back Brandon Jacobs #27 of the New York Giants runs for a touchdown past Brandon Williams #59 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Spread: N.Y Giants -7

Matt Hasselbeck is still a rather reliable quarterback this season and, as a veteran, usually keeps his team in the game, except for when they got dismantled by Oakland last week.

This spread looks like an overreaction to a decent Seattle team's bad loss last week.

Pick: SEATTLE (+7) over N.Y Giants

Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 31: Sebastian Janikowski #11 of the Oakland Raiders is congratulated by teammates after he kicked a field goal against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 31, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ez

Spread: Oakland -3

Kansas City has used its surprisingly stingy defense to feast on NFL bottom feeders. The Raiders have seemingly pulled wins from out of nowhere, either winning by a few points or surprising a team with a blowout.

This is pretty much as close to a toss up as you can get.

Pick: Kansas City (+3) over OAKLAND

Indianapolis Colts at Philadelphia Eagles

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 01: Peyton Manning #18 of Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during the NFL game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 1, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Spread: Philadelphia -3

Indy just reeled off three straight wins over good teams in Kansas City, Washington and Houston. Picking against the Colts should feel safe to nobody right now.

Pick: Indianapolis (+3) over PHILADELPHIA

Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Charlie Peprah #26 of the Green Bay Packers in action against the New York Jets on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.The Packers defeated the Jets 9-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/

Spread: Green Bay -8

It seems the oddsmakers have finally stopped accepting Dallas as a good team and are actually throwing out spreads that reflect their record, rather than the players on their team.

Nonetheless, both teams have been in the habit of playing in close games for the majority of the season, so eight points seems high to me.

Pick: Dallas (+8) over GREEN BAY

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

Karl Walter/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 31: James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is seen on the field during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won 20-10 over the Steelers. (P

Spread: Pittsburgh -6

Another bad blood game for Pittsburgh should lead to another win against the usual suspects sitting in the bottom of the AFC North.

Carson Palmer is still too off kilter to trust in a game like this.

Pick: Pittsburgh (-6) over CINCINNATI