NFL Week 9 Picks: Favorites That Are Going to Have No Trouble Covering

The best part about being at the halfway point of the NFL season is that you have a pretty good grasp of what each team can and can't do.

Nevertheless, this is a season that has been nearly impossible to predict. I blame that on the lockout, because it's convenient to do so.

No matter what is causing all the unpredictability, you can rest assured that there's going to be more of it in Week 9. That's just how the cookie is crumbling this year.

You just won't find it in the four games listed below. The NFL may be unpredictable, but things are going to be exactly how the oddsmakers have drawn them up.

Note: all spreads according to Sportsbook.

Atlanta Falcons (-7) at Indianapolis Colts

This one is almost too easy. The Colts have lost three straight games by double digits and they're facing a Falcons team that has had an extra week to prepare for them.

I would love to give the Colts the benefit of the doubt, but I just can't do that this week. They're a mess offensively and a mess defensively. The Falcons, on the other hand, seemed to be hitting their stride in the two weeks preceding their bye.

In particular, I love how the Falcons have recommitted themselves to the running game, and Michael Turner is the kind of back who is going to give the Colts fits.

Thanks in large part to Turner's efforts, this one's not going to be close.

Falcons 28, Colts 14

Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans (-11)

I'm typically wary of double-digit spreads, but this one actually seems kinda obvious.

The primary reason for this is that the Browns are a terrible offensive team. They don't have a running game, and Colt McCoy wouldn't be starting on the majority of teams in the NFL. They struggle to gain yards, and they struggle to score points.

The Browns will not be helped by the fact that they will be facing a tough Texans defense. They rank in the top 10 against both the run and the pass, and they will be giving the Browns a tough time.

Couple some good defense with more studly work from Arian Foster and solid play from Matt Schaub, and you've got an easy win.

Texans 24, Browns 10

San Francisco 49ers (-3.5) at Washington Redskins

I'll disclose right here and now that I am a Raiders fan. Have been for years.

But even a Raiders fan like myself has to dig what the 49ers are doing this year. They have an outstanding defense, Frank Gore is back to being a stud and even Alex Smith is having a good year.

Not much is going to change when the 49ers take on the Redskins on Sunday. The Redskins are a sinking ship, and one shudders to think what their dreadful offense is going to be able to muster against the 49ers defense. For the second week in a row, they may not muster anything at all.

That actually wouldn't surprise me. I think the 49ers are going to put forth a dominant effort on defense, and they'll keep pounding away with Gore until the Redskins relent.

It's a simple formula, but it's working fine for the Niners this year.

49ers 21, Redskins 7

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5)

The first time these two teams hooked up this season resulted in a 35-7 romp that went in favor of the Ravens. Shortly thereafter, people started whispering about Pittsburgh's demise.

So much for that. The Steelers are on a four-game win streak, and they seem to be getting stronger every week. The Ravens, on the other hand, have hit a lull. This is particularly true of their offense, and particularly true of Joe Flacco. In his last four games, he has one touchdown pass and four interceptions.

To be sure, this game will be a defensive struggle. But I think you have to give the Steelers the edge because they've been playing very efficient offense in recent weeks. They were even able to hold the ball for over 39 minutes against the New England Patriots.

In the end, I think they'll take this one by a comfortable margin.

Steelers 20, Ravens 13