NFL Week 9 Picks: Score Predictions for Every Marquee Matchup

The second-half of the NFL season—when the real drama unfolds. 

Sounds like a good ending to an NFL Network commercial, right?

OK, so maybe I don't have a future writing advertisement slogans, but I gave it a shot. 

With many more pivotal division games upcoming and inter-conference showdowns, the Week 9 docket is the start of a handful of marquee games with playoff implications that will occur the rest of the season. 

Got to love it.

Here's how I see this weekend's biggest games shaking out.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans

Both of these teams have shown glimpses of greatness, then they've fallen flat to lesser competition—especially the Saints. 

The Buccaneers squeaked one out against New Orleans in Tampa Bay. Josh Freeman out-dueled Drew Brees and the Bucs running game was the difference. 

Playing inside the Superdome completely changes things. The Saints seem like a revived bunch every time they step on that field. 

After the humiliating loss to the Rams (was it the old-school St. Louis uniforms?) you better believe the Saints offense is going to come out firing. 

Brees rebounds, as usual, and shreds the Buccaneers defense. Freeman has a big day as well but can't keep up with New Orleans' fiery attack. 

Shootout, anyone?

Saints 34, Buccaneers 24

New York Jets at Buffalo 

This game has enormous playoff implications (it's awesome to type those two words together). The Jets are 0-2 coming off the bye under Rex Ryan and cannot afford to start slow against Fred Jackson and the Bills in front of their home crowd. 

This is a tough one to predict, because the Jets secondary is unbelievably good, but their run defense is so-so. Mark Sanchez has been decent this season, and the Bills secondary has proven to be susceptible to the pass. 

What gives?

I think the Bills feature Jackson throughout and create some big turnovers in the second half to win their fifth home game in as many tries this year. 

Bills 24, Jets 21

New York Giants at New England

For as much as the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers confused Tom Brady and the Patriots offense, I can't imagine them losing two-straight—especially with this week's game in Gillette Stadium, a place in which Brady hasn't lost since 2006. 

The defensive line of the Giants will cause problems for the Patriots once again, but I think Bill Belichick tweaks his offensive game plan and New England moves the ball more effectively. 

Eli Manning is quietly piecing together a phenomenal season for New York, but this is the type of road game I see him making a critical, late-game mistake. 

New England to 6-2.

Patriots 35, Giants 27 

Baltimore at Pittsburgh

One of my favorite matchups of the year. Scratch that. It is my favorite game of the year.

The Ravens entered the season opener starving to beat down the Steelers after Pittsburgh's playoff dominance over them. 

You think the Steelers have that 35-7 defeat fresh in their minds?

Definitely. 

Pittsburgh makes more big plays through the air than ever before, and I simply cannot envision Joe Flacco creating enough offensive fireworks to keep Baltimore in this one.  

Steelers 30, Ravens 17

Chicago at Philadelphia

The Eagles, like many predicted at the beginning of the year, are playing like legitimate playoff contenders. 

Their defense turned in their best performance against the Cowboys last week, and surprisingly their running game, thanks to the one and only LeSean "Shady" McCoy, is the best in the league and the heartbeat of their offense. 

Jay Cutler has played better over the last few weeks, but does Chicago have enough offensive weapons to win a new-school shootout with Michael Vick and Co. 

I don't think so. 

Eagles 31, Bears 23