NFL Week 9 Picks: Score Predictions for Every Game on the Schedule

If you've been following my picks over the past few weeks, you are fully aware of how difficult games have been to peg down this year. The 2011 NFL season has been as crazy as any I can remember. 

But have no fear loyal readers, I have a feeling this is the week I actually turn things around. No, seriously. I promise I've got a good feel for things this week. Just give me another chance. Please?

Here are my picks for Week 9

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

The Bills have been solid and consistent all season, while the Jets are shaky offensively and their defense hasn't been as good as everyone expected. An anemic running game and Mark Sanchez's wild swings of fortune will doom them against Buffalo.

Buffalo 27, New York (Jets) 21

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

The Cowboys seem to alternate between impressive and horrendous on a weekly basis. You have to believe Rob Ryan's defense will rebound after being pasted by the Philadelphia Eagles 34-7 in Week 8.

Dallas 35, Seattle 13

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

The Falcons have rebounded nicely after a 2-3 start and the Colts are just plain awful. Atlanta will run away with this one in the third quarter.

Atlanta 35, Indianapolis 21

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

Unshaven head coach Todd Haley has his Chiefs rolling after an 0-3 start. Kansas City has won four straight and looks like a completely different team than it did early in the year. The Dolphins are horrible, and though they might hang around for a while in this one, the Chiefs will pull out their fifth win in a row.

Kansas City 24, Miami 15

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

The Saints suffered an inexcusable loss to the St. Louis Rams in Week 8, and Tampa Bay knocked off New Orleans just three weeks ago. Still, I think Drew Brees and his offense will be salty after being embarrassed against St. Louis. New Orleans will lay down a beating on the Buccaneers to get back on track.

New Orleans 42, Tampa Bay 24

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

The Redskins appear to finally have realized that they aren't actually any good, while the 49ers continue to prove they are for real. Both of those trends will continue on Sunday.

San Francisco 28, Washington 10

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

The Texans have found their footing despite not having their best defensive (Mario Williams) and offensive (Andre Johnson) players available. While Williams is done for the year, Johnson should be back in a few weeks. It doesn't really matter though, because running back Arian Foster is looking like his old self and racking up yards at a prolific rate. He'll continue to lead the way against a hapless Browns team that won't have its running back, Peyton Hillis, at 100 percent on Sunday.

Houston 34, Cleveland 13

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

San Diego continues to look like a team that just doesn't care if it wins football games or not. The Chargers will put up a fight at home, but the Packers are coming off a bye and should dispatch Norv Turner's bunch in a close contest.

Green Bay 38, San Diego 31

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

The Bengals have won four straight thanks to a stout defense that is allowing just 297.4 yards per game. They have also gotten steady play out of rookie quarterback Andy Dalton. Meanwhile, before pounding a hapless Colts team 27-10 on Sunday, the Titans had lost back-to-back games to Pittsburgh and Houston by a combined 55 points. Tennessee is struggling, and the Bengals are rolling. Both teams will continue down these paths, but I expect a close game.

Cincinnati 17, Tennessee 14

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

New quarterback Carson Palmer will get his first win with the Raiders and Denver quarterback Tim Tebow will continue to be exposed as not ready for NFL football. Oakland will roll.

Oakland 31, Denver 13

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

This one will remain close for three quarters, but Tom Brady and his offense will not be held down. Two late Brady-engineered drives will sink Eli Manning and the Giants.

New England 30, New York (Giants) 21

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

This is easily the worst game on the schedule in Week 9. While the Rams did come up with a big and shocking win over the Saints in Week 8, expect them to suffer a letdown. For one week Kevin Kolb and Larry Fitzgerald will get on the same page and lead Arizona to a comeback win with a few late scores.

Arizona 27, St. Louis 21

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

It took the Steelers a few weeks to get over the 35-7 pounding the Ravens handed them in Week 1, but now Pittsburgh is rolling. The Steelers will get revenge for that embarrassing opening week loss this Sunday, as Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco will continue to look lost under center.

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). The Bears are just not consistent in any phase of the game, and Philadelphia will expose them on both sides of the ball. 

Philadelphia 38, Chicago 28