Week 9 Picks

My hatred for the Stealers has never been higher...I've always detested the one sided logo of the team. Their brash boorish fans and their granite jawed, expectorating coach. Now, I hate them for not being dependable and messing up my Lock of The Week. I mean geez, its the Raid-uhs. Now they have the same record as the one-timed ridiculed Oakland squad and uh-oh is that an angry Broncos squad riding into town??? The Tuna made me look like a fool again. Giving me new reason to hate the Pokes, the Bengals are getting harder to figure and the rest of the league is rapidly developing that quagmire status. Oh well, thats the fun of picking the games. In a happy note, the Eagles, Cards, Panthers and Jets are the last teams to have a bye and we get back to a full slate of games next week. My next speculation will now be as to who gets the handpicked Sunday Night game. The Bears-Giants game being moved to prime time this week is a no-brainer, both the G-Men and the Bears are leading their respective divisions and the Bears should be unbeaten. My spec is that the Bengals Saints and the Colts-Cowboys games will be moved to the late day and the primetime respectively. Especially if the Colts are still unbeaten. But in any case fresh off a 7-7 week, more picks and speculation for your review and consumption.

NFL SCHEDULE – WEEK 9
BYE WEEK: Arizona (1-7); Carolina (4-4); NY Jets (4-4); Philadelphia (4-4)

Sunday, November 5

Falcons (5-2) @ Lions (1-6)
Ford Field, Detroit-1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Falcons by 5
Its A FactKevin Jones of the Lions is averageing 105.7 yards of total offense.
The Falcons have figued out that Michael Vick can really throw the ball (no kidding!). He really doesn't have to throw the ball much. As the Lions pourous defense will have enough trouble slowing down much less stopping the Falcons running game, If Vick needs to throw he'll have an easy time picking on the Lions weak-willed secondary. The Lionsoffense is capable enough, but they ill have to play perfect to keep up with the Falcons. That ain't happenin'
Pick-Atlanta

Bengals (4-3) @ Ravens (5-2)
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Ravens by 3
Its A Fact-After been dominated by the Ravens the past eight years. The Bengals have won the last three meetings
The Bengals aren't afraid of the Ravens anymore and this is turning into a nasty rivalry. The Ravens have suddenly found a potent offense and with the trouble that the Bengals defense has with strong running games that could pose a problem. I just have a feeling that Carson Palmer who played decently against a good Falcons defense will continue to play strong and the offense will have just enough to make the AFC North even tighter.
Pick-Cincinnati

Cowboys (4-3) @ Redskins (2-5)
FedEx Field; Landover, MD-1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Cowboys by 3
Its A Fact-The Cowboys are 15-3 against the Redskins since 1998
The Pokes are feeling good after their stunning rout of Carolina. Tony Romo may not be the long term answer but he is playing well enough to keep the Pokes dream of a playoff berth alive. The Skins are a mess and it won't be long before Redskin nation calls for Jason Campbell to play. The Cowboys have to simply key on Clinton Portis and wait for Mark Brunell to make his usual dumb mistake and cash in on a rapidly deteriotating team.
Pick-Dallas

Packers (3-4) @ Bills (2-5)
Ralph Wilson Stadium; Orchard Park, NY-1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Bills by 3
Its A Fact-Ahman Green and Vernand Morency th had 100 yards rushing against the Cards last week.
The Bills are revamping their offensive line so JP Losman doesn't take more of a beating. These two teams have more questions than answers but I think that the Bills will have a harder time containing the Pack's solid running game and I'll take Brett Favre over JP Losman in crunch time decision making.
Pick-Green Bay

Texans (2-5) @ NY Giants (5-2)
Giants Stadium; East Rutherford, NJ-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Giants by 13
Its A Fact-The Giants are one of the few teams that the Teaxns own a winning record against, beating the Giants in their only meeting 16-14 in 2002.
The Giants have better things to worry about than a sad-sack Texan team still trying to find its way. Sage Rosenfels may be taking theQB reins for the Texans who may have finally given up on David Carr. The Giants should have no problem here unless they get caught looking to their prime-time tilt with the Bears next week, then the Texans might keep it interesting for a while.
Pic-New York Giants

Chiefs (4-3) @ Rams (4-3)
Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Rams by 2.5
Its A Fact-This is only the second time these teams have met since the Rams moved to Missouri in 1995.
The Chiefs have suddenly found a high powered offense putting 30+ points up in back to back shockers against San Diego and Seattle. The Rams defense scares no one but their fans. That should be good news for Larry Johnson. Marc Bulger is capable of putting up some good numbers but how often will he get the chance??? Look for the Chiefs to grind the ball and keep the Rams offense off the field a good part of the game.
Pick-Kansas City

Dolphins (1-6) @ Bears (7-0)
Soldier Field, Chicago-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Bears by 13.5
Its A Fact-The last time the Bears played the Dolphins and were undefeated they lost 38-24 in 1985
Everything is there for an upset, a Bears team looking to a big game with the Giants next week, the Dolphins come in rested and ready. The Bears having played one soft team after another...who am I kidding??? Joey Harrington is shaking in his shoes seeing what Da Bears did to the Niners. This game will get ugly fast. But the Bears had better have fun as a rugged three game roadie awaits.
Pick-Chicago

Saints(5-2) @ Buccaneers (2-5)
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa-1:00 FOX
Favorite-Saints by 1
The Saints got taken to the woodshed by a rugged Ravens squad while the Bucs were brought down to earth by a tough Giants team. The Saints may not be with the services of Reggie Bush and Joe Horn which may pose a problem if they were playing anyone but the luckless Bucs whose offense makes anemic look strong. The Saints have more than enough to roll easily.
Pick-New Orleans

Titans (2-5) @ Jaguars (4-3)
Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Jaguars by 9
Its A Fact-The Jags won the last two meetings by a combined score of 71-41
The Titans are riding their first two game winning streak since 2003 and Vince Young has sparkled in both wins. The Jags have an uneven defense, solid in wins against strong teams like the Jets and Eagles but shoddy in losses to weak teams like the Redskins and Texans. Which team shows up? I'll take my chances and say the good defense slows Young down and the Jags win a tight one.
Pick-Jacksonville

Vikings (4-3) @ 49ers (2-5)
Monster Park, San Francisco-4:05 (FOX)
Favorite-Vikings by 6.5
Its A Fact The Niners have won the last four meetings in San Francisco
The Vikings were embarrassed by the Pats and the Niners were blasted by the Bears, which team comes in with a bigger hangover? The Niners can't possibly spread the field like Tom Brady did on Monday and they don't have near the running game to keep the Vikings honest. Look for the Vikes to bounce back strong, they have winnable games from here on out to a matchup with the Bears in December.
Pick-Minnesota

Browns (2-5) @ Chargers (5-2)
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego-4:15 (CBS)
Favorite-Chargers by 12.5
Its A Fact-The only wins on the road the Browns have had in their last none road games have been two in Oakland.
The Chargers thumped the Rams by pounding LT and utilizing the precise passing of Philip Rivers. The Browns sorry run defense will be easy picking for Tomlinson. The Chargers defense will miss Shawne Merriman who will start his four game suspension this week, but not much, the Chargers dont play a team ranked higher than 18th in offense during Merriman's absence.
Pick-San Diego (Lock of the Week)

Broncos (5-2) @ Steelers (2-5)
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh-4:15 (CBS)
Favorite-Steelers by 3
Its A Fact-After giving up but 2 touchdowns in their first 6 games the Broncos gave up four in their home loss to the Colts.
The Broncos lost a shootout last week, but they have to encouraged by their offensive showing. The Steelers are now in panic mode after their stunning loss to the Raid-uhs. The Broncos will move the ball just enought to get points while the hard charging Bronco defense will be in Ben Roethlisberger's face enough to force him into mistakes. The Steelers lofty hopes of a stretch run will continue to fade after today
Pick-Denver

Colts (7-0) @ Patriots (6-1)
Gillette Stadium; Foxboro, MA-8:15 (NBC)
Favorite-Patriots by 1
Its A Fact. The one-time division rivals have a long history with the Pats leading the series 43-25 and having won 6 of the last 7 meetings.
The Colts face the second of their two stern road tests. Peyton Manning excorcised some of his demons with a monday night rout of the Pats last year but critics point to the absence of defensive anchors Rodney Harrison and Richard Seymour. The Colts are better this year, but their run defense remains a liability. I think the game will be tight all the way, and the Colts will score some points/ But you know that Bill Belichick will come up with some extraordinary scheme to neutralize Manning's playcalling and the Pats seem to step it up a notch at home . I seem them slugging out a tough win.
Pick-New England

Monday, November 6

Raiders (2-5) @ Seahawks (4-3)
Quest Field, Seattle-8:30 (ESPN)
Favorite-Seahawks by 7.5
Its A Fact-The Raiders have won more times than the Seahawks have appeared on Monday Night (36-21)
The Raiders are feeling fine after thumping the Cards and stunning the Steelers, the fun ends in Seattle where the Seahawks, reeling after being routed by the Vikes and coming up short agains the Chiefs, with or without Shaun Alexander (likely without) the Seahawks will take advantage of the Raiders offensive weakness and roll to a solid win
Pick-Seattle

Last Week 7-7
Overall 71-43