Picks for Week Nine in the NFL:
New York Jets at Buffalo Buffalo is looking to regain the AFC East lead this week with the Pats in Indy. Should be a balanced offensive game on both sides – an emphasis on ball-control with a few calculated risks here and there. Home field advantage is the difference here. Bills 30, Jets 27
Detroit at Chicago The offensive juggernaut Chicago Bears? At least for this week. Bears 34, Lions 10
Jacksonville at Cincinnati Probably going to be an ugly game. When in doubt, side with the team that has something to play for. Jaguars 16, Bengals 13
Baltimore at Cleveland Big game for the AFC North – certainly some wild-card implications here. The Ravens won this match-up in Baltimore earlier this year. Expect Cleveland to settle the score. Browns 28, Ravens 10
Green Bay at Tennessee There’s no Titans-hating here, but they have to lose some time. Big day for Greg Jennings. Packers 26, Titans 24
Tampa Bay at Kansas City Upset? It’s hard to believe Kansas City can win without Larry Johnson. But expect a good showing. Bucs 19, Chiefs 17
Arizona at St. Louis Kurt Warner is returning to his old stomping grounds, where he operated Mike Martz’s “Greatest Show on Turf.” Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt were good for Warner back then, but Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are better. Cardinals 31, Rams 24
Houston at Minnesota Vikings need a win, eh? Bernard Berrian takes the Gus Bus to another 100-yard, 1 TD receiving performance. Vikings 35, Texans 21
Dallas at New York Brad Johnson has a way of making defenses look good this season. Giants 17, Cowboys 13
Philadelphia at Seattle Who would’ve thought that Seattle’s season would turn out this way? It’s fair to blame the injury bug – er, plague – but some Seattlites have to be wondering why Okahoma City couldn’t have stolen their football team instead. Eagles 35, Seahawks 9
Miami at Denver The Dolphins’ Chad Pennington-led ball-control offense meets the downfield Broncos attack. Time of possession is key here – if Miami’s run game and Wildcat set keeps the ball out of Jay Cutler’s hands, they could walk out of Denver with the upset. Broncos 31, Dolphins 25
Atlanta at Oakland Should be a close one. Raiders 19, Falcons 17
New England at Indianapolis Colts fans are probably excited about bringing this rivalry into their new crib. Peyton will have a good time playing against the Pats’ suspect secondary. Colts 27, Patriots 14
Pittsburgh at Washington Biggest home test for a Redskins team that has already won on the road in Philly and Dallas. If Jason Campbell can protect the football like he has all year, the Redskins might be able to catch the more talented Steelers on an off week. Redskins 23, Steelers 20
