NFL Picks, Week 9: Predicting The Weekend's Matchups

There are some really good matchups on the slate for Week 9, but let's take a minute to go over some of the upsets from last week. Shocking pretty much.. the world, the Rams throttled the Saints by a score of 31-21 at home and got their first win of the season. With their backup quarterback. Named AJ Feely. Tell me if you've figured out the NFL, because I sure as sh*t haven't. 

Apart from that, Pittsburgh came up with a big win at home against the Patriots, which I called (brushing off my shoulders), and Kansas City got over .500 with an unlikely win against the Chargers. I ended up going 8-5 last week and that put me at 72-44 on the season straight up (.621). Let's see if I can get the ball rolling this week.

Here are my picks, with the current odds, as they come courtesy of Odds Shark. It's your choice if you want to ridicule them or put your car pink-slip down on them. 

New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills (-1.5): Did you ever imagine before this years that the Bills would be favored at home against the in-state and AFC-rival Jets? Or that they'd be sitting in first place? Well, regardless, that's where we are. This should be a tough matchup for both teams - a high powered offense of the Bills against the sturdy defense of the Jets. The Jets are 0-3 on the road and are coming off their bye. Thus, my pick: Bills.

Seattle Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys (-12.5): Man, I'd love to pick my Seahawks in this one but they're just so damn inconsistent, especially on the road. I think the spread is a bit much, as the Cowboys haven't been all that impressive, but then again the Hawks haven't exactly inspired a lot of respect nationally with the way they've been playing the last two weeks. Pick: Cowboys.

Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texans (-10.5): The Texans seem to be getting their act together, winners of their last two and now atop the AFC South. They host the Browns, who've managed to score 16 points in the last two weeks and I think the Texans will keep things rolling. Pick: Texans.

Atlanta Falcons @ Indianapolis Colts (+8): The Colts are pretty much playing for pride at this point and the Falcons are still in the hunt for their division at 4-3. They've won two games in a row and will look to take advantage of a struggling Colts defense. As much as I'd love to pick the home team here, I can't. Pick: Falcons.

Miami Dolphins @ Kansas City Chiefs (-5): The Chiefs looked like the worst team in the NFL at the beginning of the season but have now won four games in a row. The Dolphins ARE probably the worst team in the league and haven't shown a whole lot of fight yet. I wouldn't bet against the Chiefs at this point. Pick: Chiefs.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints (-7.5): This will be a really interesting game. I gotta go with the Buccaneers here in a tough divisional matchup. The Saints showed they're beatable and I'll be looking for a big game from Josh Freeman and LaGarrete Blount. Pick: Buccaneers. 

San Francisco 49ers @ Washington Redskins (+4.5): The 49ers are one of the surprise top teams this season and sit at 6-1, firmly in control of their division and their destiny. The Redskins have lost three in a row and have suffered some injuries to their starting lineup. I don't see the 49ers stepping off the gas here. Pick: San Francisco.

Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders (-7): The Raiders were a little discombobulated with their QB situation last week, throwing six interceptions and getting completely blown out by the visiting Chiefs. The Broncos have a similar QB mess on their hands but I have to think that Carson Palmer will pick up his game after a bye week to get on the same page as his receivers. Pick: Oakland.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Tennessee Titans (-3): I really have to go with the Bengals in this game. They've got an elite defense and an impressive offense. The Titans have been wholly inconsistent and I think the Bengals stiff defense will present problems for them. Pick: Bengals.

St. Louis Rams @ Arizona Cardinals: The battle of the TITANS! The Rams just beat New Orleans so who knows what the hell they'll do in this one. The Cardinals jumped out to a huge lead on the Ravens last week before melting down and ultimately losing the game, so who knows what they hell they'll do. To me, this is a coin toss. Pick: Rams.

New York Giants @ New England Patriots (-8.5): I really don't see the Patriots losing two in a row. Pick: Tom Brady

Green Bay Packers @ San Diego Chargers (+5.5): This should be a fun game. I'm sticking with my decision to never bet against the Packers and feel confident that this will be a good game. Pick: Green Bay.

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-3): The Ravens are weird. Beginning of the season? Elite. Last few weeks? Lost to Jacksonville and almost to the Cardinals. I bet this week will be weird too and they'll win. Pick: Baltimore.

Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (-7): The Eagles look to finally be clicking. The Dream Team! I don't know though, the Bears are always a wild card with their tough defense. I'm still going to go with the hot hand here, and that's Philly and Mike Vick. Pick: Eagles.