Week 9 NFL Predictions

Sunday
Kansas City at St. Louis: It'll showcase a battle between two bruising tailbacks, Larry Johnson and Steven Jackson. KC is playing better of late, in beating San Diego and Seattle in their last two games. St. Louis, meanwhile, has been going in the opposite direction. But, with the game at home, in the dome, I'm giving an edge to the Rams. The most underrated quarterback in the league right now is the Rams' Marc Bulger.
St. Louis 27 Kansas City 24

Cincinnati at Baltimore: Carson Palmer was sacked a total of 21 times a year ago and he's already matched that number this season in just seven games. That's not a good sign in going to Baltimore. The Ravens' defense has the rep of being aggressive and making like hell for opposing quarterbacks. Just ask Drew Brees of the Saints. Because of Cincy's line (or lack there of), I'm giving the edge to the Ravens and their defense to rattle Palmer early and often, just as they did to Brees last week.
Baltimore 20 Cincinnati 17

Houston at NY Giants: One of the easier picks for me to make this week. Houston is coming off a loss to the mighty Titans and the G-Men have been on a roll of late. This is a no-brainer in my book. G-Men win it handily at home.
NY Giants 28 Houston 7

Tennessee at Jacksonville: The Titans appear to be playing a more conservative offense than Frank Solich would call with Vince Young at quarterback. The strategy has worked some, because opposing teams have been beating themselves. Indianapolis almost did so against the Titans. Which Jacksonville squad will show up? The one that got pounded by the Texans or the one that beat the Eagles last week and held the league's "top" offense to just two field goals? With the game at home and the team pumped thanks to Ron Jaworski's comments, I'm giving the edge to the Jags.
Jacksonville 21 Tennessee 10

Dallas at Washington: Why is Washington a favorite in this game? I don't reallly understand that. Dallas is coming off an impressive victory at Carolina and the Deadskins are looking deader with each and every game. I will be interested to see how well Romo plays in this game following a poor second half against the Giants and then a solid all-around game against the Panthers. Even if he plays average, I'm giving the edge to the Cowboys.
Dallas 24 Washington 17

Green Bay at Buffalo: I have no idea what to think of either team. Buffalo is 2-5, but has looked better than they did a season ago. Green Bay started off very slowly but have clicked on offense lately and have a 3-4 record to show for it. With Ahman Green and Brett Favre playing well, and Buffalo probably showing some rust coming off a bye, I'm giving the edge to the Packers to even their record.
Green Bay 28 Buffalo 21

New Orleans at Tampa Bay: This is a dangerous game for New Orleans. Similar to Tennessee with their rookie quarterback Vince Young, Tampa has forced opponents to beat themselves with rookie QB Bruce Gradkowski. Just look at the game against Philly where defensive back Rhonde Barber ran two Donovan McNabb picks back for touchdowns. I'm tentative about the pick, but am going to pick the Saints to rebound.
New Orleans 24 Tampa Bay 17

Atlanta at Detroit: The only question I have regarding this game is will Atlanta come with as much fire for the Lions as they did for the Steelers and Bengals in the past two weeks? If they do, I see the Falcons winning this one. But, if not, then they might be in trouble. Coming off a bye and likely to be rusty, the Lions may have trouble stopping Atlanta's run game. Look for Warrick Dunn to get back on track in this one for the Falcon W.
Atlanta 27 Detroit 17

Miami at Chicago: A home game for the Bears against the one-win Dolphins? Ha, do I even have to go into this one? The Cardinals, Niners, and now the Dolphins? Four wins between them? It's been an easy road for Da Bearz lately, hasn't it?
Chicago 24 Miami 10

Minnesota at San Francisco: I like Minnesota to win here, but with their style of football, I could see an upset. The Vikes have a shortened week with their Monday night game, are not feeling the best in being embarrassed on ESPN by the Patriots. I'm still picking the Vikes, but if an upset occurs, I won't be too shocked.
Minnesota 17 San Francisco 7

Cleveland at San Diego: This will be a nice opening game for Merriman to miss, a home game against the 2-5 Browns. It won't matter if Merriman's in there or not, the Charger defense should hold Cleveland in check offensively and come out with the W.
San Diego 27 Cleveland 10

Denver at Pittsburgh: Even with Pitt's awful loss last week to Oakland, this is a tough game for me to pick. Pitt's defense gave up under 100 yards in total offense to the Raiders and Denver's offense (outside of the game against Indy) has struggled to put up points. Call me crazy, but I'm going with the Steelers to rebound at home.
Pittsburgh 17 Denver 10

Indianapolis at New England: Early in the season, I would not have seen the Pats at 6-1 and playing better on a weekly basis. Some are riding the Colts' 7-0 bandwagon, but not me. It's hard for me to see a team go unbeaten and have a realistic shot of winning a Super Bowl with the awful run defense they have. With the game in Foxboro and with tailbacks Lawrence Maroney and Corey Dillon there to run all over the porous Colts' defense and more importantly, there to keep Indy's offense on the sideline, I'm going with the Pats.
New England 28 Indianapolis 24

Monday
Oakland at Seattle: Why in the world was this chose as a Monday nighter? Although, I thought the very same thing in regard to the Chicago/Arizona matchup earlier this year. Look for Oakland's defense to keep them in it early on, but without any offense to put up points, they'll have a tough time winning this one in Seattle. Note to Seneca Wallace: As long as you don't pull a Ben Roethlisberger this week, your team should win.
Seattle 17 Oakland 6