NFL Week 9 Picks and Predictions: Which Teams Will Walk Away as Victors?

Can you believe it? It's Week 9 already—where has the time gone? 

The previous eight weeks have been flat-out incredible with nearly every game being action-packed and certainly had its own appeal to large amounts of viewers. 

Entering Week 9, we have quite a few intriguing matchups on the slate: a rematch of Super Bowl XLII with the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, a NFC South battle between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a heated rivalry game with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, as well as many more phenomenal matchups. 

With that being said, allow me to kick off your weekend with my Week 9 picks and predictions. 

Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys

Prediction: Dallas 42, Seattle 10

This is the kind of game in which the Dallas Cowboys will simply impress all viewers and stir up the illusion that they're a legitimate playoff contender. 

The Cowboys are by far one of the most talented teams in the NFL, and it will show against the less-talented Seattle Seahawks. 

By no means should the Seahawks be able to find a way to make this game interesting as this game should not be any type of measuring stick for the Cowboys. 

Dallas will dominate. 

Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts

Prediction: Atlanta 35, Indianapolis 7

No chance. The Indianapolis Colts will have no chance at being the smallest bit competitive in their game against the Atlanta Falcons. 

The Falcons are legitimate playoff contenders while the Colts are legitimate Andrew Luck contenders.

Should this game even be played? Indy is just going to get run off the field. 

New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills

Prediction: New York 28, Buffalo 17

With the New York Jets coming off of a bye, they should be well rested and well prepared to take on the upstart Buffalo Bills. 

This is a huge test for both teams, as the Bills will try to prove that they were contenders while the Jets will try to win their third straight game, improving their record to 5-3. 

The loser of this game will likely forfeit any shot at competing with the New England Patriots for the AFC East divisional crown—but that does not mean that they won't have a shot at competing for a wild-card spot. 

Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans

Prediction: Houston 31, Cleveland 20

Yet another game without wide receiver Andre Johnson, but the Houston Texans will find a way to rally and put up decent offensive firepower. 

The 5-3 Texans will have a great opportunity this weekend to improve their standing in the AFC South with a very winnable game against the Cleveland Browns. With the victory, the Texans will gain some much-needed insurance in the AFC South. 

On the other hand, if the Browns have any intentions of putting together any sort of a playoff run, they need to start it this weekend, as they sit at 3-4—that will likely not be happening. 

San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Redskins

Prediction: San Francisco 23, Washington 7

With both the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Redskins not having the best offensive attacks, this should be a defensive battle between San Fran's 10th-ranked defense and Washington's 14th-ranked defense. 

The 49ers are 6-1 for a reason, with key victories over the Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles and should eat 'Skins quarterback John Beck alive this Sunday afternoon. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints

Prediction: New Orleans 30, Tampa Bay 23

This should be a very close game, with the outcome likely being only a touchdown differential. 

Both the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playoff contenders and always put up a good fight against each other. 

The Bucs do have the better defense, but Drew Brees and the Saints offensive attack are just a bit better to give New Orleans a quality home win this weekend. 

Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Prediction: Kansas City 27, Miami 14

The Kansas City Chiefs proved to the football world that they are contenders in the AFC West with a solid overtime victory over the San Diego Chargers last Monday night. 

The Chiefs may not be one of the NFL's best teams, but they are definitely good enough to be able to beat up on bad teams like the Miami Dolphins. 

Miami's pitiful season will get even worse this Sunday with their eighth consecutive loss. 

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans

Prediction: Cincinnati 17, Tennessee 14

This will be a good ole-fashioned defensive battle with Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals topping the Tennessee Titans. 

Both teams' defenses are solid and have fared well this season, but the lack of Tennessee's offensive firepower will be the death of them Sunday. 

Rack up another win for the rookie, Mr. Andy Dalton, as his Bengals will improve to 6-2—can you believe it? 

Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders

Prediction: Denver 21, Oakland 10

In Carson Palmer's first start as an Oakland Raider, he will be without running back Darren McFadden and the team will be very sluggish offensive against the Denver Broncos.

So what does that mean? Tim Tebow will get a victory and his season will be extended as starting quarterback for the Broncos.

After Denver's embarrassing 45-10 loss against the Detroit Lions, Tebow's back is against the wall and he will flourish against the Raiders. 

New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

Prediction: New England 45, New York 35

This is arguably the season's most anticipated game: a rematch of Super Bowl XLII, where the New York Giants upset the undefeated New England Patriots. 

I highly doubt that Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots will be thinking about gaining revenge on the Giants, as that was nearly four years ago, but New England will be looking to avoid a second consecutive loss. 

Belichick's team has done a fantastic job over the years as New England's head coach, as the Patriots have rarely lost back-to-back games. 

New England's offense will simply be too much for the Giants to keep up with Sunday at Gillette Stadium. 

St. Louis Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals

Prediction: St. Louis 17, Arizona 16

This game is ultimately a toss-up as it is a battle of backup quarterbacks with A.J. Feeley for the St. Louis Rams and John Skelton for the Arizona Cardinals. 

I'm sorry, but will anyone be watching this game outside of Arizona or St. Louis? 

Green Bay Packers vs. San Diego Chargers

Prediction: Green Bay 42, San Diego 21

Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers' struggles will continue Sunday against the near-unstoppable, 7-0 Green Bay Packers.

The Chargers have absolutely no chance at winning this game, especially after their lousy 23-20 overtime loss against the Kansas City Chiefs last Monday. 

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will simply continue to roll over their opponents Sunday against San Diego. 

Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Prediction: Pittsburgh 24, Baltimore 21

Can the Baltimore Ravens complete the season sweep against the Pittsburgh Steelers? Unfortunately, no they will not. 

The 6-2 Steelers are coming off of an impressive win against the New England Patriots while the Ravens struggled against the Arizona Cardinals and lost against the Jacksonville Jaguars a week ago—the Steelers are simply clicking right now while the Ravens are struggling. 

I personally cannot wait for this Sunday night battle. It is going to be a good one. 

Chicago Bears vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Prediction: Philadelphia 27, Chicago 21

This Monday night will feature quite a battle with two desperate teams: the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles.

The 4-3 Bears will come into Philly needing a victory to keep up with the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers while the 3-4 Eagles will need a victory to stay alive in the playoff race in the NFC. 

Philly is an extremely talented team, we all know that, and they should be able to pull off a key home victory over Jay Cutler and the Bears, making their way back to .500.