NFL Week 9 Picks: Top 5 Storylines To Watch

The football season will reach its halfway point this weekend. This season has been full of unpredictability—with top teams falling apart and surprising division leaders. Last week revealed the dysfunction of the Minnesota Vikings' front office and coaching, a team commonly picked for the Super Bowl.

The league is full of other story lines. Given that the season has been full of parity—only one team has one loss and no teams are undefeated—one could expect some serious surprises. Here are the Week 9 highlights to watch for over the weekend.

1. How Will Randy Moss Play for Another New Team?

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings adjusts his helmet against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets won 29-20. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

After less than a month, Randy Moss wore out his second welcome with his original team, the Minnesota Vikings. Can he go for gold and make it four teams in one season?

Moss is notoriously difficult to work with. His work ethic and respect for authority are disappointing, despite the fact that he is among the most talented wide receivers in football history.

Jeff Fisher is a much better coach than Brad Childress. He’s already handling a serious personality in Chris Johnson. But dealing with Moss is a whole new ballgame. Can he handle two strong personalities? If he can, this team will be a serious contender in the AFC.

2. Will Brad Childress Have a Job by the End of the Week?

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EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - OCTOBER 7: Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress answers questions from the media during a press conference at Winter Park on October 7, 2010 in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

Last year, the Vikings would have virtually guaranteed a blowout of the Arizona Cardinals. This year, it’s unclear that the Vikings will make it out of the first half without someone retiring, getting traded or (God willing) a coach getting fired.

This year has been a disaster for the Vikings. Despite having one of the most difficult schedules in the league, they should have more than two wins. With Childress’s handling of the Moss situation, there’s a good chance that he will not be around next weekend if the Vikings lose this game.

3. Who Will Win the Battle for AFC West Supremacy?

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 24: Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 24, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Who would have guessed that, come Week 9, the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs would be potential division leaders? The Chiefs have gone from among the worst teams in the league last season to among the best this season.

Perhaps more surprising are the Raiders, who have seemed criminally inept these past few seasons. But with a few odd bounces and the Denver Broncos' self-destruction, these two teams will be facing each other for AFC West supremacy. Is anybody else shocked?

4. The Dolphins Home Away from Home

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 31: Dan Carpenter #5 of the Miami Dolphins kicks one of his five field goals during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Now 4-0 on the road, and 0-3 at home, the Miami Dolphins are doing exactly the opposite of what we expect from football teams. This week they head into Baltimore to face the always tough Ravens. Can they keep the magic going?

5. Who Is More Inept: The Chargers or the Cowboys?

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 24: Portrait of Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers calls a play in front of Darren Sproles #43 against the New England Patriots at Qualcomm Stadium on October 24, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Imag

Both teams were common picks for the Super Bowl, but they are both heading in the wrong direction. This week, both teams hit the road to face top teams in their respective divisions. Can either team stop the meltdown?