NFL Week Nine Predictions

Well, nine weeks into the NFL season, we finally have some inkling of how good any given team is. Also, Josh finally overtook Abe atop the picks lead while I'm still fending off Phil by a hair. Anyway, this is where the real pros step it up and the pretenders fall by the wayside. Who's got what it takes to get into the playoffs? More important, who's going to win the picks?

Overall

Last Week

Sunday, November 6, 2005

Atlanta (5-2) at Miami (3-4) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Anyone who doesn't pick Atlanta here should probably just go sit in a corner and cry.

Abe says: The Falcons are at the top of the NFC. They have a bona fide defense and a powerful running game. Will Mike Vick play? It won't matter as Atlanta wins big.

Phil says: This game is going to be a battle on the ground. Warrick Dunn, the only healthy part of DVD, is averaging 4.6 yards a carry and is showing no signs of slowing down. Atlanta will control the ground on both sides of the ball and bring their record to 6-2.

Josh says: Miami is getting real run production from Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Yes, Ricky Williams still knows how to play football. Unfortunately, the Dolphins can't pass worth...well they can't pass. Atlanta gets a road win.

Carolina (5-2) at Tampa Bay (5-2) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Tampa Bay just lost to San Francisco. Yes...the same team the Redskins torched for 52 points. So that's why I'm picking the Panthers.

Abe says: Steve Smith vs. a solid secondary presents us with a marquee matchup this weekend, but experience at quarterback makes this one an easy choice. Jake Delhomme leads the Panthers to a win down south.

Phil says: The Panthers and Bucs are very similar squads that focus on defense and controlling the football. The biggest difference between the teams is the deep threat that Steve Smith and Jake Delhomme give the Panthers. This is what makes them better and that's what will give them the win.

Josh says: Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith are possibly the NFL's best passing combination this year. Steve Smith is unstoppable. Panthers win.

Cincinnati (6-2) at Baltimore (2-5) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: I am going to be riding the Carson Palmer Cincinnati Bengals Bandwagon for as long as I can. Besides, the Ravens are just terrible.

Abe says: Baltimore is bad. Just plain poopy. The Bengals take a bite out of the Ravens in Baltimore. Player to watch: Bengals tailback Chris Perry.

Phil says: The Ravens and Bengals are not even comparable. Everything that goes wrong with Baltimore seems to go right with Cincinnati. The Johnson's, Chad and Rudi, will dominate the game, giving the Bengals the W.

Josh says: With or without Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, the Ravens will need some of Chad Johnson's trademark Pepto-Bismol this week against one of the top receivers in the league. Carson Palmer should have a good game in Baltimore and the Bengals win.

Detroit (3-4) at Minnesota (2-5) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Unfortunately, both teams in this game can't lose. If I have to pick a winner, I'm just going to go with the Lions who, as screwed up as they are, are nowhere near as dysfunctional as the hapless Vikings.

Abe says: Brad Johnson is starting at QB for the Vikings. Yes, that Brad Johnson...

Phil says: Neither team deserves to win, as they both are in the NFC North, easily the worst division in the NFL. Chicago will win the division, so really this game doesn't matter. Advantage Detroit because they at least made it to overtime last week.

Josh says: Brad Johnson is starting for Minnesota (yes, that Brad Johnson). Need I say more?

Houston (1-6) at Jacksonville (4-3) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: There's no way that Houston wins two in a row. That's like saying I could be starting linebacker for the Redskins. It just isn't happening.

Abe says: Houston had a nice win last week, but let's be honest, the Texans couldn't beat Blair's football team the way they're playing.

Phil says: Houston won last week (as I predicted) but now that we know that they can't go winless they lose all underdog appeal. Jacksonville's defense will eat them alive and the Texans will be crawling back to the gutter.

Josh says: Houston won their first game last week vs. Cleveland but they snap back to reality this week against a formidable Jaguars team.

Oakland (3-4) at Kansas City (4-3) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Oakland just can't seem to catch a break. They have one of the hardest schedules in football, and it sure doesn't get any easier trying to take on the Chiefs.

Abe says: The Chiefs have the best offensive line in football and a dynamic duo behind it. Priest the Beast and L-Jizzle punch the Raiders in the gut.

Phil says: Kansas City has a defensive unit that can compete with their offense for the first time in years. But that's mostly because the offense has fallen off. Even though they've had some inconsistency in the passing game, look for Tony Gonzalez to be a key component in an offensive outburst against a weak Raiders D.

Josh says: At home, following an unlucky loss to powerful San Diego, the Chiefs rebound to beat their division rival. Although Lamont Jordan is turning into an NFL star, Kansas City already has two stars at the tailback position in Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson.

San Diego (4-4) at New York Jets (2-5) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: San Diego is going to destroy the Jets. As Mr. Becht told me on Thursday, LT has more touchdown passes than anyone on the Jets active roster. Seriously. I'm not kidding.

Abe says: The two words this week are as follows: Antonio Gates.

Phil says: Ok, I say it every week even though they are only 3-4. How can you lose with LT?

Josh says: See LT. See LT run. See LT run for a touchdown. See that again. See LT pass. See LT pass for a touchdown. Can't touch LT.

Tennessee (2-6) at Cleveland (2-5) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: This is another one of those games where someone has to win. I think it'll be Tennessee. Just a gut feeling, no tangible reason why.

Abe says: The Browns lost to the lowly Houston Texans in week eight, while the Titans were thrashed by the Raiders. Great, another awesome matchup provided by the NFL's schedule-makers. Ugh, do I have to pick a winner? Tennessee wins because of Chris Brown, but this game should be played in a high school stadium. Seriously.

Phil says: The Browns lost to a team that was 0-6. Enough said.

Josh says: The nastiest game ever. I flipped a coin and I lost so I picked Tennessee. I guess Chris Brown is good. I really don't care who wins this game.

Chicago (4-3) at New Orleans (2-6) in Baton Rouge, LA - 4:05 p.m.

Pratik says: Did I call the defensive touchdown last week for Chicago or did I call the defensive touchdown for Chicago? Ah...I must say that was a lucky stroke, but seriously, the Chicago defense is really, really good. It's aggressive and fast and every single person on that team can tackle. On that note, New Orleans has no chance.

Abe says: Chicago is a lock to win the NFC North. Can you say "Playoffs," Chi-town fans? I can. The Bears' defense is maybe the stiffest in the league, and rookie gunslinger Kyle Orton is a poised kid with a big arm. New Orleans has no home field advantage in this one- mostly because they don't have a home.

Phil says: The only real team in the NFC North rolls on through their easy schedule. With Deuce McAllister out, the Saints have no chance against the Bears swarming defense. Chicago keeps it going.

Josh says: New Orleans was booed last week in front of a "home" crowd. Chicago has been the surprise of the season. This is a classic case of two teams that were projected to be bad going in different directions. Chicago is on the rise.

New York Giants (5-2) at San Francisco (2-5) - 4:05 p.m.

Pratik says: If San Francisco wins, I swear I'll go a day of school without saying a word. My friends know how hard that would be for me. Besides, a quarterback wiht a name like Pickett is just screaming to get picked off, no?

Abe says: The 49ers are completely devastated at quarterback. They lost rookie and top gun Alex Smith to injury, then backup Ken Dorsey. The Niners traded away their only experienced and healthy QB to the Bucs- Tim Rattay. So in week nine, the team looks to third-stringer Cody Pickett. Who? Exactly. Giants win big.

Phil says: After blanking the second ranked offensive unit, the Redskins (sigh) last week, the Giants seem to have figured out how to win on both sides of the ball. The poor 49ers have to face a team coming off one of the season's most impressive performances. Ouch. Did I mention that San Francisco lost to the Redskins 52-17?

Josh says: Against a team that the Redskins thrashed, expect the team that dominated the Redskins to come away with a resounding win. Tiki Barber is also "sik wit it."

Seattle (5-2) at Arizona (2-5) - 4:15 p.m.

Pratik says: If only Arizona had some defense to go along with that explosive offense, then maybe they'd win a lot more games. Besides, I can't trust Dennis Green anymore if he's even thinking about starting Kurt Warner. Again.

Abe says: Kurt Warner is back to lead the Cards to a...well, he's back, that's really all I can say. The Cardinals won't win until they establish a running game, get a defense and find a team like Houston or Cleveland on their schedule.

Phil says: If they're not on the east coast, the Seahawks are near unbeatable. With four or five more Shawn Alexander touchdowns this week, Seattle beats another division rival.

Josh says: Shaun Alexander is amazing and unfortunately for the Cards, Kurt Warner is starting this week. This is a unique case in which a starting quarterback can return and make a win more unlikely for a team.

Pittsburgh (5-2) at Green Bay (1-6) - 4:15 p.m.

Pratik says: Pittsburgh won't be playing with Big Ben in this one, but it shouldn't matter as long as Tommy Maddox doesn't throw the game away. Again.

Abe says: Brett Favre should retire...Sunday. Favre has lost every important piece around him. The Pack has no defense, no running game, no wide receivers and no luck. The Steelers, on the other hand, have momentum and a monstrous defense. Pitt wins handily in this one.

Phil says: Green Bay still has potential as long as they have Favre and are facing an injury plagued Steelers squad, but the way the Packers defense has been playing even a third stringer like Charlie Batch can pick them apart.

Josh says: Pittsburgh can run the ball. Green Bay can't stop the run. Game over.

Philadelphia (4-3) at Washington (4-3) - 8:30 p.m.

Pratik says: I'm going to chalk up last week's utter obliteration at the hands of the Giants to being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Philly's got some problems of it's own though, what with T.O. going bonkers. Again. As long as the Eagles still keep passing the ball 72 percent of the time, the 'Skins should have no trouble shutting down the Eagles offense.

Abe says: No T.O. means no O for the Eagles, who limp into this Sunday nighter with no running game to speak of, an ailing quarterback and a beatable defense. I'm hoping we can all agree to erase week eight from our minds as Redskins fans. Brunell and company will be back and better than ever in prime time.

Phil says: With out Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens what does a team that can only pass do? Lose!

Josh says: Philly is banged up and T.O. might not be playing. The Redskins can use the help. Mark Brunell rebounds from last week's performance and leads the 'Skins to a win over their division rival.

Monday, November 7, 2005
Indianapolis (7-0) at New England (4-3) - 9:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Seriously, you can't make this stuff up. This goes beyond Hollywood, beyond crazy sci-fi books...heck, it almost reaches the absurdity of Bollywood! It's Peyton Manning and the perfect Colts vs. Tom Brady and the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. The Colts seem poised to reach the Super Bowl this year. But every year, Brady and the Patriots have checked their ascent into football's ultimate stage. Every year, in a pivotal matchup to determine home-field advantage, the Patriots have won. Every year, the pressure has been building. Manning can't take his team deep into the playoffs. Manning can't beat Belichick. Manning can't beat the Patriots. Manning can't play in the rough, raw weather of New England. Every year, the Colts have tried to break through against this dynasty and every year they have been turned away. But not this year...

Abe says: The Patriots are Manning-killers, and Monday night is the perfect stage for New England to send a message to the rest of the NFL that they're back. Tom Brady is the best two-minute drill QB there is, period. Manning will once again be confused by the Patriots' defensive schemes and blitz packages. Tedy Bruschi...Tedy Bruschi...Tedy Bruschi...

Phil says: These two teams are nothing like they were the last few times they faced each other. The Colts are looking like the Super Bowl champs and Patriots are looking like a below average team. Peyton Manning will light it up and bring the Colts to a double-digit victory.

Josh says: Even though the Patriots have owned the Colts in the playoffs the last two years, this year the Colts will stick with their running game and Edgerrin James. Edge has had a great season thus far, and looks to be on the road to keeping the MVP in Indianapolis. Even with Bruschi, the Colts finally get past their mental block and beat the Pats.