Weekly NFL Picks - Week 9

It's make or break week in the NFL. Halloween is gone, the calendar has flipped to November - Jason Varitek is up on my Red Sox calendar, so I'm hoping I don't have a below-average November - and each NFL team will be placed through the proverbial sieve this weekend.

Each week, a win or two seems to slip through a sieve. For the third straight week, my picks record slipped one more notch in the loss column. The overall mark is still my best in years, so there isn't too much room for complaint.

Let's get to the picks.

Buffalo (5-2) over New York Jets (4-3)

The John Madden Game of the Week won't end well for Madden's favorite living person, Brett Favre, and the Jets. Buffalo is perfect at home in 2008 and will be motivated to bounce back from last week's disappointing loss to Miami.

Chicago (4-3) over Detroit (0-7)

By some unholy act, the Lions have actually gotten worse since Matt Millen's front-office departure. Detroit struggles in every aspect of the game and travels to Chicago's Soldier Field, never an easy assignment for any team. The ugly stays ugly as the Bears retain control of the NFC North.

Jacksonville (3-4) over Cincinnati (0-8)

Speaking of ugly, the Cincinnati Bengals, ladies and gentlemen! The Bungles have made a lackluster return to Cincy and return home this week to host the underachieving Jacksonville Jaguars. My AFC champs aren't looking good but should pull a victory out of Paul Brown Stadium Sunday. If not, the season may be lost.

Baltimore (4-3) over Cleveland (3-4)

Both teams are gaining momentum and will look forward to this AFC North grudge match. Baltimore offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has been getting creative as of late, but the key will be Baltimore's running game. The Ravens rank fifth in the league in rushing offense while the Browns run D ranks 24th. If Cleveland can get its passing game going, though, it could mean trouble for Baltimore.

Tennessee (7-0) over Green Bay (4-3)

Kerry Collins doesn't have a great track record against Green Bay, but the game won't be on his shoulders. The Packers have struggled to stop the run this seasons while the Titans excel in the ground game. If the Packers can shut down the run, look for this game to be a nail-biter. Expect Chris Johnson and LenDale White to be too much for the Pack to handle.

Tampa Bay (5-3) over Kansas City (1-6)

The Bucs stink on the road. Arrowhead Stadium is a tough place to win as a visitor. Everything is in place for an upset, right?
Wrong. Tampa's defense is too good and the Chiefs can't stop anyone. The Buccaneer offense might not be stellar, but its good. This one shouldn't be close.

Arizona (4-3) over St. Louis (2-5)

Say it with me now: Shootout. Neither one of these teams do a spectacular job of stopping the pass, which should give Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger big statistical days. The Cards can stop the run fairly well, ranking 10th in the NFL in rush defense. Despite Steven Jackson's return, Arizona's second-ranked pass offense will give them the edge.

Minnesota (3-4) over Houston (3-4)

I expected much more from both of these teams in 2008. Houston is abysmal away from Reliant Stadium and the Vikings have only lost once at home this season. Adrian Peterson should have a strong performance against the weak Texans run defense as the Vikings remain in the hunt for an NFC North crown.

Miami (3-4) over Denver (4-3)

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Denver's defense is terrible. The Broncos rank 28th against the pass, 29th against the run and 28th in overall defense. Chad Pennington is playing as good as ever and the famed wildcat formation will give Mike Shanahan's crew fits.

Oakland (2-5) over Atlanta (4-3)

The Upset Special returns! I've picked against the Raiders, at home, twice this season. One game ended in a loss for me, the other a narrow victory. The Raiders are tough at home, and while their defense is only middle of the road, Matt Ryan will struggle Sunday afternoon.

New York Giants (6-1) over Dallas (5-3)

Terrell Owens is unhappy and unproductive. Brad Johnson is 81 years old and has a throwing arm resembling a limp noodle. The Giants are tough on both sides of the ball, a fact only expounded when the G-Men play at home. A win for Dallas would be huge but they'll head into the bye week two games out of first place.

Philadelphia (4-3) over Seattle (2-5)

Defense is the story in this one. Philly does it well, Seattle definitely doesn't. Brian Westbrook will give the Seahawks fits - as he does with most opponents - and the Eagles will leave the West Coast with an important victory.

Indianapolis (3-4) over New England (5-2)

Must-win games don't come around too much in early November, but anything less than a win Sunday night could end the Colts playoff hopes. New England should be tough, but Tony Dungy will get Peyton Manning and company ready and the Colts will keep their season alive...for at least one more week.

Washington (6-2) over Pittsburgh (5-2)

Don't expect the most entertaining Monday night match-up of the year this week. These two teams rank amongst the best in the league on defense. The difference in this interconference game will be Washington quarterback Jason Campbell, who was yet to throw an interception this season. The league's leading rusher, Clinton Portis, will team with Campbell as the Redskins will control the clock and earn a hard-fought victory.

Last week: 9-5
Overall record: 73-43