NFL Week 9 Picks: Quick Picks for Every Game on the Schedule

Week 8 proved once again that the 2011 NFL season is as unpredictable as any in recent memory.

When the winless St. Louis Rams beat the powerful New Orleans Saints and the San Diego Chargers drop a sure win to the Kansas City Chiefs, you know anything is possible.

Still, it's my job to soldier on and attempt to pick winners on a weekly basis. With that in mind, here are my early picks for Week 9 of what has been an insane season.

New York Jets (4-3) at Buffalo Bills (5-2)

The Bills have been incredibly solid in all three phases of the game this season and somehow keep winning despite dismal preseason expectation. The Jets are just far too shaky offensively to rely on at this point.

Buffalo 27, New York (Jets) 21

Seattle Seahawks (2-5) at Dallas Cowboys (3-4)

While the Cowboys have been alternately impressive and horrendous, I still think they can put things together against a Seahawks team that has no real team identity. Being at home will help lift Rob Ryan's defense after an awful performance against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8.

Dallas 35, Seattle 13

Atlanta Falcons (4-3) at Indianapolis Colts (0-8)

The Falcons had a tough 2-3 start to the season but have rebounded nicely with solid wins over the Carolina Panthers and the Detroit Lions. Coming off their bye week, they should be able to dispatch the winless Colts without much difficulty.

Atlanta 35, Indianapolis 21

Miami Dolphins (0-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-3)

The Chiefs have won four straight after an 0-3 start and appear to be getting things together under unshaven coach Todd Haley. The Dolphins have blown late leads in consecutive weeks and don't appear any closer to notching their first win.

Kansas City 24, Miami 15

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3) at New Orleans Saints (5-3)

I have no idea what happened to the Saints in Week 8, but their loss to the Rams was inexcusable. The Buccaneers beat New Orleans 26-20 just three weeks ago, but have since lost to the Chicago Bears (24-18) and are coming off their bye. I think the Saints bounce back at home in a big way this weekend.

New Orleans 42, Tampa Bay 24

San Francisco 49ers (6-1) at Washington Redskins (3-4)

Sinking ship, meet well-oiled machine. The Redskins have looked terrible since jumping out to a 3-1 start, while the 49ers just keep chugging along. Don't expect anything to change on Sunday.

San Francisco 28, Washington 10

Cleveland Browns (3-4) at Houston Texans (5-3)

The Texans found a little magic during their last two wins, and Arian Foster finally looks like the guy who dominated NFL defenses last season. Meanwhile, the Browns are mired in mediocrity and running back Peyton Hillis will likely not be at 100 percent if he plays in Houston. 

Houston 34, Cleveland 13

Green Bay Packers (7-0) at San Diego Chargers (4-3)

As a Chargers fan, I have to say I'm completely embarrassed by this San Diego team. Somehow the Bolts will keep this one relatively close, but they'll blow any chance at a win late in the contest—just like they always do.

Green Bay 38, San Diego 31

Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) at Tennessee Titans (4-3)

The Bengals have won four straight thanks in large part to their stout defense. The Titans lost back-to-back games to Pittsburgh and Houston by a combined 55 points before they pounded Indianapolis on Sunday. Still, the Titans are struggling and the Bengals are moving in the right direction. I expect Cincinnati to win in a nail-biter.

Cincinnati 17, Tennessee 14

Denver Broncos (2-5) at Oakland Raiders (4-3)

Carson Palmer will notch his first win in the silver and black as Tim Tebow will continue to prove that he is not ready to be an NFL quarterback.

Oakland 31, Denver 13

New York Giants (5-2) at New England Patriots (5-2)

The Patriots are simply too good offensively for the Giants, a team with a very weak secondary. This might be close for three quarters, but Tom Brady will end up out-dueling Eli Manning.

New England 30, New York (Giants) 21

St. Louis Rams (1-6) at Arizona Cardinals (1-6)

The clunker of the week will be this matchup between two teams wallowing near the bottom of the NFL. The Rams somehow pulled off a shocker against the Saints in Week 8 to get their first win of the year, while the Cardinals have dropped six straight. Still, in the end I like the Cardinals in a close one because I don't think Rams quarterback Sam Bradford will play. 

Arizona 27, St. Louis 21

Baltimore Ravens (5-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)

The Steelers have turned into a juggernaut, winning four in a row impressively after a 2-2 start. Meanwhile, the Ravens somehow lost to the Jaguars in Week 7 and barely slipped by the Cardinals in Week 8. I love Baltimore's defense, but until quarterback Joe Flacco proves to be more consistent, I can't pick the Ravens in big games.

Pittsburgh 34, Baltimore 24

Chicago Bears (4-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-4)

The Eagles have won two straight and have the league's top rushing attack (179.9 yards per game). They will be too good offensively for a schizophrenic Bears team to stop with any consistency.

Philadelphia 38, Chicago 28