The Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oakland Raiders hasn't meant much for a long time. However, this Sunday they meet in a battle of first and second place teams in the AFC West. Oakland is on a tear their last two teams, while the Chiefs are out to prove that they aren't the most fraudtastic 5-2 team in NFL history.Week 9 - Sunday, November 7
Tampa Bay (5-2) at Atlanta (5-2), Atlanta favored by 8 1/2
Buccaneers fans are excited about the Bucs 5-2 start but Vegas obviously isn't buying in, inserting the Falcons as 8 1/2 points favorites in this one. Tampa hasn't beaten a good team all season, and was blown out at home when facing good teams like Pittsburgh and New Orleans. The Falcons are almost unbeatable at home, so the Bucs will go a long way towards silencing their critics if they can pull off the upset. They won't completely silence their critics are they lose on Sunday, but they will hang with the Falcons and show the league that they will be a true contender this season.
Prediction: Atlanta 27, Tampa Bay 21
Toronto, Canada: Chicago (4-3) vs. Buffalo (0-7), Chicago favored by 3
The Bills have come so close in their last two games to finally getting that elusive first win. They took both Baltimore and Kansas City to the wire on the road, both of which are very difficult places to play. The Bills just can't get their team on the same page. If the offense plays well, the defense struggles, and vice versa. The Bears are a mess, losers of three of four after a 3-0 start. The bye week probably didn't cure their awful offensive line and they seem like the perfect team for the Bills to get their first win against.
Prediction: Buffalo 20, Chicago 13
New England (6-1) at Cleveland (2-5), New England favored by 4 1/2
The Patriots have the best record in the NFL, and also got another win this week as they swindled the Vikings out of a third round pick to use Randy Moss for four weeks. The Browns had a week off after their shocking upset in New Orleans. QB Colt McCoy may get another chance to start this week and prove to the Browns that he is their quarterback of the future. The Browns may not be as bad as their record indicates but I don't think they will keep it that close against New England.
Prediction: New England 24, Cleveland 14
New York Jets (5-2) at Detroit (2-5), New York Jets favored by 4
The Lions would go 16-0 if they could play the Redskins every week. The Jets were embarrassed at home against the Packers, getting shut out. That means the Lions will pull off another upset at home this week, right? I don't think so. The Jets defense is far better than the Redskins defense and won't let Calvin Johnson kill them like the Skins did. I think the Jets will get their running game going enough to open up the passing game and hold off the Lions. Ndamukong Suh is quite the beast, huh?
Prediction: New York Jets 23, Detroit 16
Arizona (3-4) at Minnesota (2-5), Minnesota favored by 9
Right after I had gotten my #84 Randy Moss jersey out of mothballs, the Vikings waived him and once again made it a throwback jersey. Vikings coach Brad Childress should have known what he was getting into with Moss, and maybe fans should have known that with Moss' history Childress wasn't the type of coach to control Moss. WR Percy Harvin will really miss Moss, as he had started looking more like the receiver we saw last year. The Vikings have to win this game to keep alive their faint playoff hopes. The Cardinals are going back to Derek Anderson at quarterback after figuring out that an undrafted rookie probably wasn't going to take them to glory.
Prediction: Minnesota 27, Arizona 20
New Orleans (5-3) at Carolina (1-6), New Orleans favored by 6 1/2
The Panthers nearly shocked the Saints at the Superdome in the teams first meeting. New Orleans got to face Jimmy Clausen in this game, now they take on the man, the myth, the legend, Matt Moore. Saints QB Drew Brees still is throwing way too many INTs and doesn't look nearly as smooth as he did last year. It definitely hurts the Saints to be missing both Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. However, the defense came alive last week and caused turnovers, which was their strong point last season. I think they continue that trend this weekend.
Prediction: New Orleans 30, Carolina 14
Miami (4-3) at Baltimore (5-2), Baltimore favored by 5 1/2
The Dolphins undefeated streak on the road likely comes to an end on Sunday. Baltimore is one of the toughest places to win, and the Ravens have yet to lose their this season. Baltimore also had an extra week to prepare for Miami. The Ravens defense looked awful against Buffalo two weeks ago but I expect a much stronger performance on Sunday. The Dolphins show signs of being a contender but they just can't seem to put it together on a consistent basis. Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter won't be able to kick enough field goals to win this game.
Prediction: Baltimore 23, Miami 20
San Diego (3-5) at Houston (4-3), San Diego favored by 2 1/2
Down 19-7 to Tennessee last weekend the Chargers season was teetering towards being over. However, QB Philip Rivers threw the ball to his no name receivers, and TE Antonio Gates continued to be by far the best TE in the game, allowing the Chargers to get the come from behind win. The Texans were dominated by the Colts and continue to slip back to their normal level of mediocrity. All that being said, I like the Texans in this game. Their is a chance that Gates will finally have to miss a game with his various injuries, and the Chargers have yet to prove they can win on the road this season.
Prediction: Houston 30, San Diego 24
New York Giants (5-2) at Seattle (4-3), New York Giants favored by 6 1/2
When I first saw the spread for this game I couldn't believe it. The Seahawks are undefeated at home, and the last time the Giants came to Seattle they had 11 false start penalties. Then I heard that QB Matt Hasselbeck was out with a concussion, and Charlie Whitehurst would be forced to make his first start against a team that has been knocking out quarterbacks on a weekly basis. Not an ideal opponent for Whitehurst to start his career against, but you have to start somewhere. I would have picked the Seahawks to win if Hasselbeck could start, but I will stick with picking them to cover at least.
Prediction: New York Giants 21, Seattle 15
Kansas City (5-2) at Oakland (4-4), Oakland favored by 2 1/2
So are the Raiders really a contender or the beneficiaries of playing bad teams in Seattle and Denver? We may know a little better after they play the Chiefs. I don't think the Chiefs are as good as their 5-2 record indicates, but I certainly think their defense is good enough to not allow the Raiders to pile up 500 yards of offense on them. Both of these teams strengths are running the ball and they have the horses to do it. It will be Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones vs. Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. I'm not sold on the Raiders yet, I think the hype machine quiets down after this weekend.
Prediction: Kansas City 24, Oakland 21
Indianapolis (5-2) at Philadelphia (4-3), Philadelphia favored by 3
Not often you find the Colts listed as an underdog. The Eagles get back QB Michael Vick for this game. Vick may be out just as quickly as he returned if Robert Mathis or Dwight Freeney have their say. It is amazing how the Colts are able to hum along when missing guys like Joseph Addia, Austin Collie and Dallas Clark. Petyon Manning truly is amazing, even with his various playoff failures. I have consistently picked against the Eagles this year and for the most part they have proven me wrong. They get another chance this weekend.
Prediction: Indianapolis 27, Philadelphia 26
Dallas (1-6) at Green Bay (5-3), Green Bay favored by 8
The way Dallas laid down at home against Jacksonville on Sunday might have been one of the most pathetic performances I have ever witnessed. It definitely was hilarious to watch though. This team has proven consistently that when any expectations are placed on them they shrink under the pressure. Now with no expectations heading into this game, that is why I think they will cover and not completely embarrass themselves at Lambeau. These guys are still professionals, and I have to think that playing on national television will force them to play with some pride.
Prediction: Green Bay 27, Dallas 20
Monday, November 8
Pittsburgh (5-2) at Cincinnati (2-5), Pittsburgh favored by 4 1/2
Things are quickly unraveling in Cincinnati, another team that has shown they can never handle expectations. Pittsburgh has dominated the Bengals in Cincinnati, up until last season, which was a game they gave away. Their could be a total overhaul in Cincinnati if the season continues down this path, but then again Mike Brown has never really show any drive as an owner. I expect Pittsburgh to win this game, and the complaining between TO and Ocho has to start at some point.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 26, Cincinnati 13
Last Week Straight Up: 9-4
Overall Straight Up: 48-41
Last Week Against the Spread: 9-4
Overall Against the Spread: 47-40-2
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