NFL Week 9 Picks: 3 Teams That Will See Their Confidence Sink Even Further

The saying goes, "It's not how you start, it's how you finish."

Every team in the NFL knows this, but that doesn't mean they aren't bound for disappointment down the line.

As we head into the second half of the season, several teams are beginning to slip in the standings.

Here are three teams whose confidence will continue sinking like it's embedded in quick sand.

Yes, I just used that line.

Baltimore Ravens (5-2)

I actually have the Ravens as a potential trap team for their Week 9 foe, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

But, nonetheless, I don't see them ultimately winning at Heinz Field.

The Ravens may have won in Week 8, but it's only because they pulled out a squeaker against one of the worst teams in the league, the Arizona Cardinals.

Before that, the Ravens lost, 12-7, to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Ravens beat the Steelers in Week 1, 35-7, and they historically play their AFC rivals tough, but the fact of the matter is both teams' offenses are miles apart right now. While Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger posted 365 yards and two touchdowns against the New England Patriots in Week 8, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco had trouble once again. While his yardage numbers looked good, he also threw the ball 51 times.

The Steelers are on a roll while the Ravens are still trying to get out of a rut.

Washington Redskins (3-4)

After winning three of their first four games, the Redskins have come crashing back down to earth, losing their last three games and forced to depend on underwhelming quarterback John Beck.

Now the Redskins, after getting shut out by the Buffalo Bills, have to face the San Francisco 49ers, who are giving up an NFL-best 15.3 points per game.

Not good.

Head coach Mike Shanahan's face is getting redder and redder, a combination of anger and embarrassment.

San Diego Chargers (4-3)

I called the Chargers one of the most overrated teams in football before Week 8.

Then Week 8 came...and proved my point.

The Chargers had every opportunity to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, but they reverted back to the inconsistent team they've been for years.

I love how everyone is making the excuse, "But...Philip Rivers is a great quarterback."

Yeah, he is, but he's not playing like one now, and that's all that matters.

Rivers has thrown seven touchdowns to 11 interceptions so far and he threw zero touchdowns and two interceptions against the Chiefs.

Guess who he gets to face in Week 9?

That's right, the 7-0 defending champion Green Bay Packers. Yay!