NFL Week 9 Picks: Plus San Diego Chargers Playing on a Wing and a Prayer
You heard right sports fans, the San Diego Chargers won a football game last Sunday!
Yes, the team that is ranked first in overall offense, overall defense, passing yards per game, and defensing the pass, finally won their third game of the season, bringing their record up to 3-5.
Not that a slow start is anything new in San Diego, it's the way they went about getting there that has many fans jumping off of the bandwagon.
The funny thing about the Chargers victories this year is that they all have two things in common.
1. They were home games.
2. They were all blacked out on local television.
That's right, no one who legally watches football in San Diego has been able to watch any of the Chargers victories this season, unless they went to the game. Simply amazing.
Blackouts aside, the Chargers are trying to do what only they have been able to do consistently over the past four years. They are trying to go from worst to first in the last half of the season.
From slow start to blazing finish is their habit, but many fear that they will not have the horses to get them there in 2010.
The wing that I refer to above is the right arm of Philip Rivers. Due to early deficits and fumbling issues, Rivers has been forced to throw the ball more than most would prefer. Definitely more than defensive backs would prefer.
At the turn, Rivers has thrown for 2,649 yards and 15 touchdowns. His yardage total is more than any other quarterback in the history of the NFL has been able to accomplish in the first half of the season.
He proudly passed former Charger Dan Fouts for this honor. For that feat, Rivers was awarded the AFC Player of the Month award, which would surely be more appreciated if his record over that month had not been 1-3.
The prayer is that the injury bug goes and bites someone else for a change. The Chargers have had a record number of injuries and have already had more players on the field of play this half than they did the entire season last year. I believe the total is around 66 now.
The receiving corps is the most damaged with significant injuries to Floyd, Naanee, Davis, and Gates. Yes, I said Gates! The guy is playing like a man possessed, but the truth is that most of the week he is in a walking boot and unable to practice.
He was a beast on Sunday against the Titans where he had five catches for over 120 yards and was clearly the go-to receiver on third down.
More on the Bolts later. Let's get to this week's picks and see if I can get some pride back after having a poor Week 8.
Season Total: 63 - 54
Last Week: 7 - 6
Enjoy the games!
Tampa Bay Buccanners @ Atlanta Falcons
1 of 13
This is a bad matchup for a team that doesn't defend the run well and has to go on the road. That team is the Bucs.
The Bucs will enter Sunday's game with the 30th-ranked run defense and line up against Michael Turner and the No. 5 rushing offense.
Both teams are 5-2 and looking for an above-average first half.
Bucs 20 Falcons 24
Chicago Bears @ Buffalo Bills
2 of 13
The other day I was trying to decide who would win this game and someone called my name. I quickly turned my head and banged it on the computer monitor.
That was the exact moment that I decided that the Buffalo Bills were going to win a football game this week! Yes, the Bears are walking into a trap in Western New York.
If the Bears can get the ground game going against the porous Buffalo run defense, they should be able to run away with this one.
However, the Bills have been playing pretty good football lately, even in losing. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is turning into a solid starter and has been putting points on the board.
Perhaps now that the Buffalo defense has newcomer Shawne Merriman watching from the sideline, they will start to play with the edge necessary to stop the run.
Okay, it's a stretch, but anyone can pick the favorites all week.
Bears 27 Bills 30
New England Patriots @ Cleveland Browns
3 of 13
The Cleveland Browns are coming off of the win of their year so far! They stepped up and embarrassed the reigning world champion New Orleans Saints! Then they had an extra week to scheme for beating the New England Patriots and the evil genius Bill Belichick.
That, in theory, could be enough to pull off another upset this week. In practice, that is not very realistic.
Sorry, Browns fans but I can't go so far out on a limb as to give my pick to the Browns over the Pats. I wish I could. As a Chargers fan, I have no love for the Pats. Respect, yes...Love, no.
Pats are too tough for the Browns. Simple as that.
Patriots 31 Browns 13
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New York Jets @ Detroit Lions
4 of 13
I really want to pick the Lions in this game. The Lions are coming off of a big win and the Jets are coming off of a disappointing shutout at the hands of the Green Bay Packers.
Funny thing is that I think the shutout is why I am picking the Jets in this one. To me, there is nothing more embarrassing than getting shutout by another team. The Jets are coming into Detroit determined to execute on offense and show that they are not overrated.
The Lions defense allows on average over 130 yards per game. That fact should help LaDainian Tomlinson get going again and prove that he has gas left in his tank after a great start in New York.
After having a game reminiscent of his performances the last couple of years in San Diego, doubters will swoop down on LT soon if he doesn't have a good game.
I also worry about young quarterback Matthew Stafford going up against the talented New York secondary, even if Darelle Revis doesn't play.
Jets 27 Lions 24
Arizona Cardinals @ Minnesota Vikings
5 of 13
Allow me to rename this matchup: Arizona Cardinals @ Adrian Peterson
There, that looks better. Yes, I think the only reason that I am going with the Vikings in this matchup is that Adrian Peterson is a beast and Arizona gives up a arse full of yards on the ground.
Now that Favre has lost his deep threat (you may have heard about that), and is physically falling apart like a sand sculpture at high tide, Adrian Peterson will have to tie on his cape and show that he is still Superman.
Cardinals 18 Vikings 24
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
6 of 13
The inconsistent, run-challenged Saints showed up last week and took it to my pick to win this year's Super Bowl.
It appears that the Saints are figuring out how to play without their best two running backs, just in time.
It appears that Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas are not far from returning, but for now, the passing attack will be more than enough to beat the lowly Panthers.
Saints 34 Panthers 16
Miami Dolphins @ Baltimore Ravens
7 of 13
This is a very nice game. The Dolphins will bring their perfect road record with them to Baltimore this week. Going by the numbers, this is a very close matchup. Both teams average about the same on both offense and defense.
The thing that strikes me is that the Ravens have played better in big games and have been able to come out with victories against the Steelers, and Jets, and lost to New England in overtime.
The Dolphins, on the other hand, have lost to the Steelers, Patriots and Jets. Their biggest win was an overtime win against the Packers.
Could go either way.
Dolphins 23 Ravens 27
San Diego Chargers @ Houston Texans
8 of 13
All right, if you have been reading my weekly picks, you know that I'm going to pick the Bolts every week. Sometimes I pick them because I think they will win and other times just because I can't pick against my team. This week I've been going back and forth. Here is why:
1. The Chargers have not won on the road this season (0-4)
2. The Texans are 2-2 at home
3. The Texans only average two points less per game than the Chargers
4. The Chargers average a touchdown better on defense
5. Arian Foster had his coming-out party this year as the Texans running back
6. The Chargers have the league's No. 2 defense against the run, giving up just over 86 yards per game
7. Matt Schaub is a talented quarterback and has an outstanding wideout in Andre Johnson. Add that to the fact that the Titans exposed the Chargers secondary and confused them with combo routes. If the Titans quarterbacks were as accurate as Schaub, they may have won.
8. The Chargers still have the No. 1 pass defense in the league (177 yards per game)
Here are the keys for me and why I actually think the Bolts win on the road this week.
9. Although the Chargers have had to deal with numerous injuries, Philip Rivers is on a pace to throw for more yards than any quarterback in league history. The Texans' pass defense is their weak spot.
10. The Chargers running game is taking shape with Sproles getting more touches, Tolbert beating up would-be tacklers, and rookie Ryan Matthews finally healthy and making some tough yards while still out racing defenders to the corner of the end zone.
Not to mention the fact that if the Chargers can get to the bye week 4-5 instead of 3-6 they may feel that they still have a chance for the playoffs. There are several starters who are primed to come back after the bye, including three wide receivers (Floyd, Naanee, and hold out Vincent Jackson).
As long as Gates is able to force himself to play and play anything close to last week, the Chargers should win going away. No Gates and all bets are off.
Chargers 33 Texans 24
New York Giants @ Seattle Seahawks
9 of 13
Oops! Wrong Giants. Oh well, you get the point.
The Seahawks have one thing going for them this week. They are playing at home where their fans get flat out NOISY!
One more thing could be helpful, they have a starting quarterback this week whose nickname is "Clipboard Jesus" in San Diego. That's right, it is time for Charlie Whitehurst to show why Pete Carroll wanted him so badly.
Last week, starter Matt Hasselbeck got knocked silly in their embarrassing, blowout loss to the Raiders.
The Giants will not hesitate to knock Whitehurst down, no matter how much he looks like Jesus. Frankly, I don't see the Seahawks putting up too much of a fight this week. Sorry Seattle, you're going down.
Giants 42 Seahawks 10
Kansas City Chiefs @ Oakland Raiders
10 of 13
Darren McFadden is all grown up and running like a man amongst boys. At least for the last two weeks, the Raiders have been demolishing opponents and playing like their rabid fans have always envisioned when they drink their Raider-Aid before each game.
Now, before they start scheduling their trips for Dallas in February, they do need to remember that their opponents the last two weeks were not God's gift to football.
That being said, I don't want to take anything away from their accomplishments. The Raiders are playing like a team that has a chance to make the post-season for the first time in a long time. A win on Sunday, against the first place Chiefs would go a long way toward making that happen.
That brings us to the Chiefs. The Chiefs have an outstanding running attack, a adequate passing attack and a pretty solid defense. In KC, I would think that would be enough to beat the Raiders.
This game is not in KC. This game is being played in the Black Hole and I would have to think that the Raiders may actually sell this one out. If they don't, they deserve to lose. This is the first meaningful game in Oakland in a long time.
I look for this game to be a hard fought, low scoring game. Look for both teams to have long drives that stall out near the red zone.
The team that can punch in a couple of touchdowns instead of kicking field goals, has the best chance of winning. My guess is that team will be the home team, unless the Raiders make a quarterback change and blow their chemistry.
Chiefs 23 Raiders 27
Yes, I picked the Raiders. I'll be right back. I have to go shower now.
Indianapolis Colts @ Philadelphia Eagles
11 of 13
The Colts are another team that has realistic Super Bowl hopes. Any team with Peyton Manning has that hope every year.
This could be a tough one for the Colts as they travel to Philly. My biggest problem with Philly is that they can't make up their mind about who there starting quarterback is.
Now, I guess it's Michael Vick again. Whatever! Kolb has done very well in Vick's absence and he could get knocked out again at any time, so Kolb better be ready.
Colts 27 Eagles 20
Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers
12 of 13
What looked to be a great matchup back in Week 1, now looks like a waste of time. The Packers defense sucked it up and threw a shutout against the Jets (after the Jets' bye week I should add) last week. The Cowboys defense forgot to show up at all.
What is the deal with America's Team's defense? I get that Romo is out and Kitna has to try to carry the offense. To me, that is when the defense needs to step up and keep teams out of the end zone.
Instead, they have rolled out the red carpet and allowed teams to enter the end zone with the frequency of waitresses getting Tiger Woods' phone number. I just don't get it.
So much for the home Super Bowl for Jerry and Co.
Cowboys 18 Packers 30
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals
13 of 13
When I first looked at this matchup, I thought that it may be a trap game for the Steelers. Then the Steelers went and lost to the Saints. Now, the Steel Curtain defense won't be looking past anyone.
My only concern is how badly James Harrison is bothered by his fines for excessive hits in the last three games. For some reason though, I'm not too worried about his killer instinct.
The Steelers are No. 1 one against the rush so look for them to key off of the passing attack of the Bengals and their two egomaniac receivers, T.O. and Ochocinco.
I expect Troy Polamalu to have a big game patrolling the field, looking for picks.
Steelers 30 Bengals 10
Hope to see you next week. Enjoy the games and tell me about your picks!
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