NFL 2011 Week 9 Predictions

Much better week last week, even with short rest on my part. Things are getting clearer.

Week 9 Picks: 

Cowboys -11.5 over Seahawks, 30-13

-This is a lot of points but is the opportunity the Cowboys need to get right. The aerial offense should be all set after this game.

Falcons -6.5 over Colts, 24-7

-This is a game where the Falcons go up quickly and play grind it out offense with a zone defense for the rest of the game. The Colts are just terrible.

Chiefs -4 over Dolphins, 21-10

-I cannot believe the Chiefs are going to be 6-3 after next week. Too bad their schedule is horrid after that.

Saints -8.5 over Bucs, 34-24

-Bucs have a lot of minor injuries to people like Freeman, Blount, and McCoy that may allow them to play but won’t let them be at 100%. It is in New Orleans, and the Saints won’t allow their offense to be shut down like that two weeks in a row.

49ers -3.5 over ‘Skins, 21-6

-John Beck is bad. No Santana Moss, who knows who is running the ball, and even Fred Davis is injured. 49ers aren’t explosive but this is the best team matchup for them to dominate a game.

Texans -10.5 over Browns, 24-10

-The Browns are seemingly great against the pass, but they haven’t played anyone (Fantasy Focus Podcast today mentioned the best QB they have faced is Matt Hasselbeck), and the Texans will do a ton of damage via the run and short passing game. Haden will be wasted without Andre out there. Hillis being injured, the Texans revving up, this could be ugly to watch.

Giants +9.5 over Patriots, 34-38

-Pats win but Giants cover an excessively large line. I will not be watching any pregame prep and the words “Tyree”, “helmet”, or “perfect season” shall not be mentioned in my presence. Neither team can cover receivers (Giants due to injury, Patriots due to…scheming? Lack of talent?), neither can run the ball (Giants due to injury, Patriots due to….schedming? Lack of talent?). Aerial shootout it is!

Raiders -7.5 over Broncos, 24-10

-When Carson Palmer is by far and away the best QB in the game, you have a problem. Do you realize in the part of the game last week that mattered last week Tebow was 8-23 for 50 yards? That is so pathetic it is amazing. Brady Quinn! Brady Quinn!

Chargers +7.5 over Packers, 33-31

-Tale of two teams:

The Chargers’ season can go two ways. They can self destruct. Or they can shift into November mode and run off 8 victories.

The Packer season can continue to role on to the perfect tune. Or, they can succumb to the bye week curse and have 1 or 2 let downs on the way to a deep playoff run. The injuries in the secondary have to affect them sometime.

-So, I see this as the game where at least a team covers and stays close, and I think the Chargers need this victory so much more.

Ravens +3.5 over Steelers, 21-20

-I know it is in Pittsburgh but the Ravens just match up so well on paper. Ray Rice willing them to another victory over Pittsburgh puts them well into the driver’s seat for the division and probably the best team in the AFC. At the very least, take the points here.

Bears +7.5 over Eagles, 24-23

-Eagles played so well last week but this is the perfect team to run into them. Out of all the teams the Packers have played in their last 16 games, the Bears have given them the most trouble because of how tough they play and their focus on running the ball and attacking LBs with their pass catching RBs. The same matchup issues exist with the Eagles and Bears. The Bears are also motivated because in all likelihood this is a competition for a Wildcard Spot.

Record last week:

Straight Up: 8-3

By Spread: 7-4

Record this year:

Straight Up: 65-29

By Spread: 52-43

Lifetime record:
Straight Up: 321-162
By Spread: 261-221

BLISS