NFL Predictions Week 9: Picking Winners of Elite Matchups

There are four elite matchups this week. These games have division-leading implications in every instance.

These are the games:

Tampa Bay at New Orleans

The Saints have to rebound from their embarrassing loss to the Rams. The Bucs are coming off the bye week, and they defeated the Saints in their first matchup.

The running games will be key; both teams have been eradicated on the ground in their recent losses, while not mustering up a run game of their own.

The Saints are deeper and healthier in the backfield. They are also the better team. The Saints will win this one and regain full control of the NFC South.

NY Jets at Buffalo

The Jets have not stopped the run all season; they are 25th in the NFL against the run. The Bills' Fred Jackson is having one of the best years of any RB in the NFL (721 yard rushing and 353 yards receiving with six TDs).

The Jets have not established a run game yet, and their once-vaunted defense scares no one. They have only shut down subpar offenses like Miami and Jacksonville. Every other opponent is averaging over 30 points against them.

The Bills will win and seize control of the AFC East.

Green Bay at San Diego

The Packers are undefeated, and the Chargers are unbeaten at home. Someone's zero must go, and it will be the Chargers. Philip Rivers has been mediocre with 11 INTs to only seven TDs.

Turnover problems and a unstoppable Packers offense is too much for the Chargers to overcome. The Packers will continue to roll and stay perfect.

Baltimore at Pittsburgh

The nastiest rivalry in the NFL is renewed. The Ravens took the first matchup in the opening week, but things are different now. The Ravens have struggled offensively as of late, and the Steelers are playing the best football in the league—yes, even better than Green Bay.

The Ravens defense is tough, but they can't win this one alone. With the Steelers clicking on all facets, they will defeat Baltimore handily