NFL Week 9 Picks: Predicting Teams That Will Make Playoff Race Interesting

Playoff races officially "heat up" after the midway point of the season.

These three teams will make the races even more interesting after Week 9's action...

Tennessee Titans

The Titans are a team that no one's really talking about at this point in the season. I get it. They're 1-2 in their last three games and the win came last week against the Indianapolis Colts. Their "star" running back Chris Johnson is averaging 2.8 yards per carry and their defense is middle-of-the-pack.

I'm high on the Cincinnati Bengals' potential this season, and Andy Dalton is giving Cam Newton a legitimate opponent for the Rookie of the Year award, but I don't trust them enough to win their second straight road game.

Matt Hasselbeck has quietly transformed to 2005 Matt Hasselbeck and the Titans should be able to throw against Cincinnati.

This will be a low-scoring affair. 

I haven't seen enough from the Bengals offense against good competition, especially on the road to make me think they can win this one. 

After a Titans victory this week, there could a handful of AFC teams at 5-3.

Kansas City Chiefs

Wasn't I slating Andrew Luck to the Chiefs and calling for Todd Haley to be fired like a month ago?

I was.

Now, they're leading the AFC West.

Thank you, NFL parity.

With win over the inept Miami Dolphins, the Chiefs move to 5-3. The Raiders should take care of business against the Broncos and will have the same record at the halfway point of the season.

A few weeks ago, the AFC West looked like two-team race, but three teams will be vying for the crown down the stretch.

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are another team that has turned it around rather nicely. Well done, coach Smith. You're finally giving the ball to Michael Turner and it's paying major dividends.

On the road against the Colts, they'll run Turner often and their improving defense should make enough plays against Curtis Painter to secure victory.

I see the Saints beating the Buccaneers at home so Atlanta's win will be critical to keep things tight in the AFC South.