Let's get to the picks...!
Week 9 Picks
Atlanta (-3.5) at Tampa Bay
Oh yay...it's...it's a Thursday nighter. I...I can't.........wait.
Pick: Falcons
Dallas (-7.5) at Cleveland
This one feels about two touchdowns light.
Pick: Cowboys
New York Giants (-2.5) vs. Philadelphia
I'll be at this game with a truck load of Giants fans, sooo...
Pick: Eagles
Baltimore (-2.5) vs. Pittsburgh
These games are almost always tight, and it's typically the underdog who comes out on top. I have no evidence to back up that claim and it might be entirely made up, but since when did this article feature actual research?
Pick: Steelers
Miami (-3.5) vs. New York Jets
And the Jets forward march to a mediocre record by beating up on the REALLY awful teams of the league continues...!
Pick: Jets
Minnesota (-6.5) vs. Detroit
This is kind of a tricky one. Two weeks ago, it seemed like Minnesota suffered a bit of a hiccup but that they would obviously right the ship against the Bears. Then Monday happened. Detroit still feel like a team that should be winless to me, and I know that doesn't really make any sense. I guess what I'm saying is, I have no idea what's happening here. I'm finishing up this article while my wife sits across from me watching Extra, and Beyonce just jiggled across my screen. So I really don't care who wins this one either. How's that for analysis.
Pick: Vikings
Kansas City (-8.5) vs. Jacksonville
Part of me says this line is too high and that the Chiefs rarely blow anyone out. But the more logical part of me says, Blake Bortles Blake Bortles Blake Bortles Blake Bortles Blake Bortles Bla...
Pick: Chiefs
Carolina (-2.5) at Los Angeles
Carolina showed us all that they're not quite ready for that knockout punch just yet, and a California date with a doormat is just the thing to keep the season going on the right track.
Pick: Panthers
New Orleans (-3.5) at San Francisco
The Saints might actually be good, but I'm going to see a bit more than one game before I declare it so. The Niners, meanwhile, are coming in rested off the bye week and should at least keep this one within a field goal.
Pick: Niners
San Diego (-5.5) vs. Tennessee
Well considering Philip Rivers will be throwing to Tony Martin and Mark Seay this week (Get it? Because everyone else is injured!), I don't see any reason they'll go away from their classic "let's win or lose by as little as humanly possible". Great for ratings at least.
Pick: Titans
Green Bay (-6.5) vs. Indianapolis
Toughest game of the week designation here, if only because they can both look so awesome and so terrible within minutes. They're like an old episode of Lost.
Pick: Packers
Oakland (-0.5) vs. Denver
I'm not saying this just because I'm a Raider hater (although that certainly helps), but this Oakland team isn't THIS good. They're a 9-7, 10-6 type of team that happens to be on an awesome run. But I still can't shake the feeling that they're an easy out for whoever happens to lock up with them in the playoffs. Denver, meanwhile, is still the champ until proven otherwise.
Pick: Broncos
Seattle (-6.5) vs. Buffalo
Just when it looks like Buffalo is turning things around a bit, they run into a brick wall called the Patriots. Meanwhile, Seattle is coming off a bad loss to the Saints and finds themselves back in the comforts of home. I don't think the Bills can keep this one close.
Pick: Seahawks
BEST BETS: Steelers, Panthers, Broncos, Seahawks
LOCK: Denver Broncos
LAST WEEK
Overall: 6-7
Best Bets: 2-2
Lock of the Week: 1-0
YEAR TO DATE
Overall: 69-51 (57%)
Best Bets: 15-17 (46%)
Lock of the Week: 3-5 (37%)
POWER RANKINGS
Team Name W/L (Prv)
1. Patriots 7-1 (1)
2. Cowboys 6-1 (3)
3. Broncos 6-2 (5)
4. Falcons 5-3 (6)
5. Vikings 5-2 (2)
6. Seahawks 4-2-1 (4)
7. Packers 4-3 (7)
8. Steelers 4-3 (8)
9. Chiefs 5-2 (9)
10. Raiders 6-2 (11)
11. Eagles 4-3 (10)
12. Texans 5-3 (13)
13. Redskins 4-3-1 (14)
14. Bengals 3-4-1 (15)
15. Cardinals 3-4-1 (12)
16. Giants 4-3 (16)
17. Saints 3-4 (21)
18. Chargers 3-5 (17)
19. Lions 4-4 (18)
20. Ravens 3-4 (20)
21. Panthers 2-5 (23)
22. Rams 3-4 (22)
23. Bills 4-4 (19)
24. Bears 2-6 (30)
25. Colts 3-5 (24)
26. Dolphins 3-4 (26)
27. Jets 3-5 (27)
28. Titans 4-4 (29)
29. Bucs 3-4 (25)
30. Jaguars 2-5 (28)
31. 49ers 1-6 (31)
32. Browns 0-8 (32)
