Sports - NFL Picks 2014, Week 9

Here are my NFL Week 9 Picks

(11-4 last week, 78-42-1 for the season)

Bye teams: Atl, Buf, Chi, Det, GB, Ten

NO @ Car - It's well-recorded just how bad the Saints are on the road (0-4) vs how well they play at home (3-0).  But there is no doubt they are the better team in this matchup.  They're coming off a big win, are playing in primetime, and get to play a cold Panthers club.  Don't count NO out.

Jax @ Cin - The Bungles are a frustrating team.  They played perfect ball before their bye week, sucked since, but finally win a big game at home vs the Ravens.  They swept Baltimore actually, and have yet to lose in Cincinnati.  The Jaguars come to town & probably come to lose.

TB @ Cle - Here's the 3rd game of Cleveland's "easy" stretch.  They lost the first to the Jags, beat the Raiders, and now face the Bucs.  But this is not your father's Brownies, this is a real football team.  They may lose the majority of their games going forward, but this one is very winable.

Ari @ Dal - When you're a great team and lose a big game, people jump off your bandwagon real quick.  All of a sudden there's a "blueprint" and you've been "exposed".  I'm not doing that here, but Tony Romo isn't playing and the Cowboys' only losses have come at home in Big D.

Phi @ Hou - The Eagles have scored over 200 points on the season, are undefeated at home, and only have 2 total losses.  And yet they don't feel like major contenders or like they're firing on all cylinders.  The Texans are the hotter team right now, are playing at home, and can get after the QB.

NYJ @ KC - I would hate to be a Jet this week.  Their entire team in playing some horrible football, losing seven straight games and turning the ball over like it's their job.  As much as I don't think the Chiefs are a great team, this is a great chance for them to get an easy win at home vs a weak opponent.

SD @ Mia - As a Broncos fan, I'm very glad that the Chargers are on a losing streak and that we played a part in that.  But I think things change this week.  I know they're on the road, but SD is not a bad away team, and the Dolphins are actually 1-2 in Miami.  Could be close.

Was @ Min - I just can't believe that RG3 will be 100% for this game.  He'll be rusty and he'll probably continue to make bad decisions, even vs a defense that's not very special.  Not that the Vikings are great, but they know what's coming, are at home, and have proven that they can win.

STL @ SF - All signs point to a Niners victory and really to SF winning 7 out of their last 9 games.  That would put them at 11-5 and into the playoffs.  It starts here vs a Rams team that they beat in St. Louis 31-17 a few weeks ago.  No reason they can't do that again coming off a bye.

Den @ NE - I've been calling the Broncos the best team in football; it's time for them to prove it.  Peyton showed last season that he can beat Brady, though it's going to be hard to do in Foxboro where the Pats are 4-0.  But Denver has had extra time to prepare coming off a TNF win and can do it.

Oak @ Sea - The Champs have been inconsistent lately and have been very beatable.  Russell Wilson has taken the team on his shoulders in a big way and is forcing his team to straighten up.  This should be a nice week to practice that, as the Raiders are winless & hopeless.  Seahawks win big.

Bal @ Pit - This is not the AFC North of old.  This division is actually scoring points, record numbers actually, with even the Browns getting in on the action.  The Steelers are coming off a big time performance by Big Ben and should have all the confidence in the world.  Don't look for a 9-6 win.

Ind @ NYG - The G-men are streaky, starting off bad, working out their problems, then losing a couple in a row.  The Colts are more consistent, thanks to Luck's stellar QB play, but even they have laid a few eggs.  I'd go with the home team here, but I have more faith that Indy can find a way.