NFL Week 9 Picks: Why the Oakland Raiders Will Win Big

This is the time of year things really get interesting, when teams start pushing for those glorified playoffs. By now, teams know to a certain extent what they have, what their strengths and weaknesses are, and what adjustments need to be made.

But even with all the stats and how teams match up on paper, there are always games that surprise pundits and experts, and leave fans either ecstatic or depressed, like what the Saints did to the vaunted Steelers on Halloween.

Here are my Week 9 NFL picks.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons rushes away from Keith Rivers #55 and Leon Hall #29 of the Cincinnati Bengals at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Point spread: Atlanta by 8.5

As much as I'm rooting for the Buccaneers, who have really turned out to be quite the story, I can't imagine them going into Atlanta and beating a Falcons team that looks like they can run anyone out of the house right now. And Tampa Bay's run defense could have a nightmare against Michael Turner and the rest of his fellow backfield mates-the Bucs are allowing a league-worst 5.2 yards per carry this season.

Pick: Atlanta 21, Tampa Bay 17

Miami at Baltimore

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BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 24: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens passes against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Bills lead the Ravens at the half 24-20. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Point spread: Baltimore by 5.5

Miami is not a bad team. Their running game is always solid with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams and the defense has given up only 3.8 yards per carry on the year.

But...I really like Baltimore this year. Their defense has, indeed, not looked as good as previous years, but that all goes out the window when you have an emerging quarterback in Joe Flacco and a key acquisition in Anquan Boldin. Not to mention a superstar in running back Ray Rice.

Pick: Baltimore 24, Miami 14

Chicago at Buffalo

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears celebrates a defensive touchdown against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Gett

Point spread: Chicago by 3

I would probably go against the Bears at this stage if they were facing a good defense, given Jay Cutler's perennial struggles in throwing the ball to the wrong team.

However, the Buffalo Bills have an atrocious defense that basically commands that the offense score 30-plus points a game to stay in the game, and Chicago has a decent enough defense to hold off an offensive explosion.

Jay Cutler may still make a couple boneheaded plays, but not enough for the Bears to lose.

Pick: Chicago 23, Buffalo 17

New Orleans at Carolina

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 31: Drew Brees #9 and Lance Moore #16 of the New Orleans Saints celebrate a touchdown during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Sha

Point spread: New Orleans by 6.5

Let's put it this way...if the Panthers beat the Saints in Week 9, it would surely be the biggest upset this season. Carolina may not have the 0-7 distinction the Bills have, but their team is just as bad at 1-6. Their one win came against San Francisco, which isn't saying much these days, and excluding the SF game, they've scored 21 points total in three games at home this season. So much for homefield advantage.

After the Saints' inspiring 20-10 win versus Pittsburgh last week, this game could get out of control quickly.

Pick: New Orleans 27, Carolina 9

New England at Cleveland

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: Tom Brady #12 of New England Patriots reacts after a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Point spread: New England by 4.5

Cleveland is better this year, but New England is the best team in the league right now in my opinion. Their only loss of the season came in Week 2 versus the Jets and they made the poor Vikings look like amateurs late in the game in Week 8.

This team, now at 6-1, always looks like their in control-even when players get hurt or get sent away- and that should come as no surprise to anyone who has watched the Patriots play in oh, the past decade.

I think the game will be closer than a lot of people think, but the Patriots will still come away with the "W."

Pick: New England 27, Cleveland 17

New York Jets at Detroit

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Point spread: New York by 4

It's easy to look at last week and say the Lions might have a chance in this one at home...then your brain takes over.

Sure, the Lions stunned Washington 37-25 in Week 8, and the Jets got shut out 9-0 at home against Green Bay, but we all know who the better team is here.

The Jets are going to be rearing to go after the embarrassing home loss last week, and they'll throw all the have against the Lions. QB Mark Sanchez might even throw some passes into the endzone. Not even Megatron will be able to save them.

Pick: New York 27, Detroit 17

San Diego at Houston

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.

Point spread: San Diego by 3

I'm tempted to give the game to San Diego this week based on their 33-25 stunner against Tennessee in Week 8, but I just don't think the D will be able to contain this offense.

As shaky as Matt Schaub can sometimes be, and as good as the Chargers have been against the run and pass (their record really doesn't indicate this team's talent), I can't see them going into Houston and miraculously outscoring the Texans.

If it was in San Diego, I might tip the scale. Plus, they might be without Antonio Gates this game.

Pick: Houston 24, San Diego 21

Arizona at Minnesota

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings interacts with teammate Adrian Peterson #28 before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Ima

Point spread: Minnesota by 8

Despite all of Minnesota's turmoil and how badly this team has played, I can't see them allowing the Arizona Cardinals to come into Minnesota and take one from them. Especially because the entire second half of the season will be do-or-die mode for the Vikings.

Arizona's QB situation isn't exactly comforting for the team, and the D is allowing 4.4 yards per carry to opposing running backs. Minnesota just so happens to have one Adrian Peterson, who leads the league with 776 rushing yards already.

Pick: Minnesota 24, Arizona 13

New York Giants at Seattle

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants looks to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Point spread: New York by 7

Hmmm, let's see...the Giants score 25 points per game, Seattle gives up the fourth-most passing yards per game in the league, and Oakland just scored 33 points against Seattle in Week 8.

Is there really any question here? I do think Seattle is a better team than what it showed against the Raiders, but not nearly in Giants territory. Eli Manning could have a field day.

Pick: New York 30, Seattle 14

Kansas City at Oakland

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 31: Darrius Heyward-Bey #85 of the Oakland Raiders is lifted in the air by Marcel Reece #45 after he ran in for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 31, 2010 in Oakland, California.

Point spread: Oakland by 2.5

I was shocked when I heard Oakland was favored for this game in Vegas.I know they've been rolling, but the Chiefs are generally accepted as the better team so far.

Nonetheless, I do like the Raiders here. The Chiefs are very good and I think their running game has the chance of blowing the game open against a mediocre-at-best Raiders run defense, but I think if the Raiders stack the box against the KC running game and force Matt Cassel to throw, I don't think the Chiefs receivers stack up well against an always-strong Raiders secondary.

Also, the Raiders have a strong running game of their own that will need to carry them for them to pull off the upset. And never underestimate The Black Hole, one of the most ferocious crowds in the NFL.

The Chiefs almost lost to the winless Buffalo Bills last week, and the Raiders have absolutely throttled their last two opponents (albeit Denver and Seattle) by a combined score of 92-17.

KC is due to have a letdown, and I think this is it.

Pick: Oakland 23, Kansas City 20

Indianapolis at Philadelphia

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)

Point spread: Philadelphia by 3

The way the Colts are playing right now, I don't even see a stingy Philadelphia squad bringing them down. Indy made Houston look like a weak team in Week 8, beating them 30-17. Peyton Manning is in control as always.

Pick: Indianapolis 24, Philadelphia 20

Dallas at Green Bay

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: The defense of the Green Bay Packers celebrate a play against the New York Jets on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Point spread: Green Bay by 7.5

These are two teams headed in completely different directions. Green Bay just took down the mighty Jets, shutting them out at their home field, Dallas is coming off an embarrassing 35-17 loss against Jacksonville, is 1-6, and its coach Wade Phillips is in danger of losing his job.

Could get ugly on Sunday.

Pick: Green Bay 30, Dallas 14

Monday Night Game: Pittsburgh at Cincinnati

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 31: Fans dressed as Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers pump their fist 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 Ste

Point spread: Pittsburgh by 5

This may have been a good scheduling choice last year, but this year it could be a laugher. The Bengals look in disarray lately, its defense can't stop anybody, and Carson Palmer does not look good.

Against a ferocious defense that just got upset by the Saints, the Bengals might find themselves on the wrong end of a whiplashing. Pittsburgh will come out in full force. Let's just say the Bengals better figure some stuff out really quick to stay in the game Monday.

Pick: Pittsburgh 24, Cincinnati 14