NFL 2010 Week 9 Predictions

WEEK 9 NFL predictions and statements:

At this point, we should know who teams are and what the situation is. And, I thought we did. The AFC was better than the NFC. Pittsburgh, NE, NYJ, BAL, and IND were playoffs locks, opening up only 1 other AFC spot. The NFC was hurting, with the Saints and Packers having injury and consistency issues.

Now? Not so much. The NFC won more conference matchups than the AFC last week, the Packers and Saints dominated previously dominant AFC teams, and Troy Smith led the 49ers to a victory.

Funny, we thought we had a lot figured out and then things went wrong. Despite that, I had my best prediction week to date. Nothing makes sense. Oh, and Randy Moss is a Titan.

So, here goes:

My top 8: previous ranking in parenthesis

1. New England (2) – No homer pick, by record they are best team in the NFL. Tom Brady is doing more with less and might be the frontrunner for the MVP. That secondary is really growing. The schedule is lined up really well for them and they could be looking at 13-3.

2. Indianapolis (4) – That win was impressive, overcoming injuries and odds, and the team that embarrassed them a few weeks before. They have Peyton, so they will still win 11 games. NE-IND should be awesome this year.  

3. Baltimore (3) – They didn’t lose.  

4. Atlanta (4) – See above. I think they win convincingly this week, setting up a high seed in the playoffs.

5.  Pittsburgh (1) – This is still a really talented team, but I still don’t trust them. The loss of Aaron Smith really hurts, as it did last year. Also, they will really miss Troy Polamalu when he is invariably suspended for 3 seasons for speaking out against the commissioner.

6. New York Giants (7) – They have been impressive, and I would give them good odds to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. They have pass rush, good running game, and have a QB that has won it all.

7. New York Jets (5) – They lost in a bad and I do not trust Sanchez. But, the defense is still really good.

8. Kansas City (NR) – We will see. I honestly had to rank someone, and I think they are really talented. However, they may lose their spot with a loss this week to Indy.

On the bubble: New Orleans, Tampa Bay (I know, right?)

My bottom 4: previous ranking in parenthesis

29. Cleveland (NR) – We will see Colt, we will see.

30. Buffalo (32) – Ryan Fitzpatrick is trying really hard, of course that is probably the position they will address in the offseason.

31. Denver (29) – That was terrible. And it was San Francisco too.

32. Carolina (31) – Over under on Steve Smith punching someone out soon? 2.5 games?

NFL 2010 week 9 picks:

Vikings -8 over Cardinals, 27-13

-The Vikings really needed this game, and I have no idea how the Cardinals will stop Adrian Peterson. Oh, and Derek Anderson is starting.

Chicago -2.5 over Buffalo, 24-20

-I totally agree with the pundits and specifically Bill Simmons that Chicago is a terrible team, badly put together. However, it is still better than Chicago, this is a neutral field game, and Cutler might throw for 500 yards. With like 6 sacks.

Miami +6 over Baltimore, 23-27

-I think Baltimore will win, but they haven’t had a truly dominant game yet. Miami will stay close, and cover. They can also just win outright, but the lack of their ability to run versus Baltimore might prevent that.

Saints -6.5 over Carolina, 34-10

-I know the Panthers played them close a few weeks ago, but really? Carolina is terrible, who knows who the QB will be, and don’t have their best player. The Saints got right last week, and the bye is finally in sight to shore up their injuries. They will be focused to enter the bye 6-3 and in good position. Carolina might not get in the end zone here.

Patriots -4.5 over Cleveland, 30-13

-Okay, so the case for the Browns is: they play tough, they are at home, and they have Eric Mangini (vs. Belichick). The case for the Pats: they are better at every position except RB and have better coaching. And Colt McCoy vs. Bill could be humorous.

Lions +4 over Jets, 24-23

-Upset alert! The Jets are a false team. They only beat Denver by getting bailed out by an official, and we know how bad Denver is now. In addition, the Packers exposed who they really are on offense, limited the running and cutting in Sanchez’s lanes. The Lions have some good pieces, and are still alive in that horrid division.

Falcons -8.5 over Bucs, 27-13

-Falcons clamp down on the Bucs, who are a nice story but not elite. Also, the Falcons are awesome at home.

Giants -6.5 over Seattle, 28-20

-The GMen are dangerous to take here, because Seattle is so good at home. However, then I heard Charlie Whitehurst was starting.

Colts -3 over Eagles, 24-20

-Colts haven’t lost in November in 4 years. Colts are a consistent team, and the Eagles are continually in flux. Colts can score on this defense, and the Eagles will not be able to catch up, and Vick may get leveled by Freeney/Mathis. The Colts defense may be the perfect one to line up with Vick.

Chiefs -2.5 over Raiders, 24-19

-Oakland cannot keep this up. The Chiefs haven’t lost in Oakland since 2002. And this is one matchup (one of like 3) in which I trust Matt Cassel more than the other QB. Romeo will stop Run DMC, and the Chiefs will pound it at Oakland.

Packers -8.5 over Dallas, 27-17

-Kitna may get pick sixed twice, and the Packers need this game. Dallas officially packs it in here.

BLISS

Record last week:

Straight up: 8-2

Against the Spread: 7-3

Record this year:

Straight up: 52-29

Against the Spread: 39-43

Lifetime record:
Straight up: 170-97
Against the Spread: 139-129