NFL Week 9 Predictions: 5 Players Poised for a Big Week

LeSean McCoy, Michael Vick, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees are all in action this week, and all are looking to further their teams chances of making the playoffs.

Week 9 could prove pivotal for teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and the Oakland Raiders, who need wins to stay in the hunt. 

It should be an exciting week of football, and it's now time to figure who will be the biggest performers. 

Here are five players poised for a big day come Sunday. 

Hakeem Nicks

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 12: Hakeem Nicks #88 of the New York Giants goes up for a his second touchdown reception against Captain Munnerlyn #41 of the Carolina Panthers on September 12, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New J

Hakeem Nicks has been one of the most productive wide receivers in the league this year, and he has turned into Eli Manning's favorite target. 

The former North Carolina Tar Heel is on pace for over 100 catches, over 1200 yards, and 18 touchdown grabs. He has been virtually unstoppable all year long, and I expect him to have one of his best games of the season this week in Seattle. 

The Seahawks are near the bottom of the league in pass defense, allowing 267.7 YPG through the air.

Eli Manning and the potent Giant offense will take advantage of the week secondary, with Hakeem Nicks reaping the benefits. 

I see Nicks with over 150 yards receiving and multiple touchdown grabs. 

Colt McCoy

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 24: Colt McCoy #12 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on October 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Colt McCoy, the highly touted draft pick from University of Texas, has had a season that one would expect from a rookie quarterback. 

In three starts, he's thrown for one touchdown and two interceptions as he plays to the tune of a 76.5 percent quarterback rating. His completion percentage is actually a respectable 65.3 percent, which is why I expect him to have a big day against the New England Patriots. 

The Patriots pass defense has been terrible all year. They let up 282.4 YPG through the air, which is second worst in the league. Despite that, they continue to win ballgames because of a bend-but-don't-break attitude, letting up the short completions and keeping a safety over the top. 

Colt McCoy averages 7.25 YPA, and I expect him to complete a high percentage of short to intermediate range passes as he puts up his highest QB rating of the season. 

Michael Turner

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown past Keith Rivers #55 of the Cincinnati Bengals at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Michael Turner, the workhorse running back for the Atlanta Falcons, is going to have a huge day against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

The Bucs have one of the worst run defenses in the league, and Turner will be looking to exploit their porous line for plenty of yards. 

Turner has been inconsistent this year; he's either averaged over 5.0 YPC or under 4.0 YPC in every game this season. Expect the former this week. 

Last year coming out of the bye week, Turner rushed for three scores. This year, look for more of the same. Turner should eclipse the 150 yard mark and rush for multiple touchdowns in a physical NFC South match up. 

Philip Rivers

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers looks down field for an open receiver against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on October 31, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeate

Philip Rivers, the most prolific passer in the NFL this season, is facing the Houston Texans, the team with the worst pass defense in the league. 

Need I say more?

Win or lose, Rivers puts up huge numbers and this week should be no different. The Texans secondary is more like a sieve than a safe, so expect Rivers to pass for over 350 yards in a game that will have no shortage of points. 

Somewhere, Don Coryell will be shedding tears of joy as Rivers carves up the Texans en route to... well, who knows if they'll win or not?

The Chargers have been doing this all year, putting up huge numbers before handing the game to the other team. 

The winners in this game Sunday will be the Houston Texans and any of Rivers' fantasy owners. 

Drayton Florence

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 29: Drayton Florence #29 of the Buffalo Bills deflects a pass intended for Ted Ginn Jr #19 of the Miami Dolphins at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 29, 2009 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo won 31-14. (Photo by Rick Stewart

Drayton Florence, cornerback for the Buffalo Bills, will have a big game Sunday against Chicago and the seemingly colorblind Jay Cutler. 

The Bills actually have the 6th best pass defense in the league, and I expect Florence to pick off Cutler once, if not twice in this game. 

Florence has eight passes defensed this season, and six in his last three games. He hasn't gotten a pick yet this year, but what better week to get your first than with Jay Cutler coming to town?

Who knows, behind the play of Florence, the Bills might even win their first game this week!

Mike Osterberg is a student at Penn State University and a writing intern at BleacherReport.com. Follow him on twitter @Mike_Osterberg.