NFL - Week 9 Predictions

Ringer's Record
Last Week ATS: 4-9
Last Week SU: 8-5

Season ATS: 58-57-1 (50%)
Season SU: 80-36 (69%)

NY Jets (+1.5) at Buffalo
This is a pivotal game in the AFC East. The winner will be right in the thick of things for a division title. The Jets come in with consecutive victories and riding some momentum. They must travel to Buffalo where the Bills are undefeated on the season. Buffalo has used an opportunistic defense and a balanced attack on offense to get them off to a quick 5-2 start. If they want to be a legitimate contender in the AFC playoff race, this is a game they need to win at home - and they will.

Prediction - Buffalo 21 NY Jets 19

Seattle (+11.5) at Dallas
Dallas returns home hoping to forget about the beating they took in Philadelphia last Sunday night. They host the Seattle Seahawks, who are looking to forget about a beating of their own that they took at the hands of Cincinnati. This is a must win for Dallas. They cannot afford to lose a home game to a bad team. Seattle has been dreadful on offense and Rob Ryan's defense should be able to keep them in check and allow the Cowboy offense to control the football.

Prediction - Dallas 28 Seattle 16

Cleveland (+11.5) at Houston
This is a matchup of two defenses that have surprised many with the way they have played this season. Houston is playing the best defense they have since the team made its debut in 2002. This has helped them get off to a 5-3 start which is good for 1st place in the AFC South. The Texans have been solid offensively as well despite being without Andre Johnson for the last 4 games. Cleveland has been woeful on offense, which is why their stout D hasn't equated to as many wins as Houston. The Texans will get more offense and the win in this one.

Prediction - Houston 28 Cleveland 13

Atlanta (-7.5) at Indianapolis
The Falcons look to be headed in the right direction and are in search of their 3rd straight win. They face the NFL's worst team on Sunday when they travel to Indy to play the 0-8 Colts. The Colts have been miserable on both sides of the ball. This seems like the perfect opportunity for Matt Ryan and Michael Turner to pick their games up a notch. Jim Caldwell needs to get his team to play with some heart or they are in danger of being blown out again.

Prediction - Atlanta 30 Indianapolis 13

Miami (+5.5) at Kansas City
After starting the season 0-3, the Kansas City Chiefs have reeled off 4 straight wins and are tied for the top spot in the AFC West. Miami also began the season 0-3, but unfortunately for Dolphins fans 0-3 has spiraled into 0-7. Miami has battled the last two weeks but blown 4th quarter leads in each. The talent differential is not that great between these two teams, but Kansas City should be able to get their 5th win in a row.

Prediction - Kansas City 24 Miami 19

Tampa Bay (+5.5) at New Orleans
The Saints inexplicably lost to a winless Rams squad last week. Had they won, it would have opened up their lead in the NFC South. With the loss, they are on the verge of losing their division lead if they can;t take care of business against Tampa Bay. The Bucs beat the Saints in New Orleans just a few weeks ago. With a series sweep it will be Tampa Bay leading the NFC South. This should be a close game, but the Saints will bounce back at home.

Prediction - New Orleans 28 Tampa Bay 24

San Francisco (-3.5) at Washington
The San Francisco 49ers appear to be back. Just 7 games  into the season, they have already opened up a 4-game lead in the NFC West. They travel east this week where they have found luck so far this year. Washington welcomes in the 49ers looking to avoid their 4th consecutive loss. The Redskins are a mess offensively as John Beck is yet to win a game as an NFL starter. It won;t get easier for Beck against this D. I anticipate San Francisco moving to 7-1.

Prediction - San Francisco 21 Washington 10

Denver (+8.5) at Oakland
All eyes will be on the QBs in this rivalry game. For Denver, Tim Tebow is still looking to prove that he belongs in the NFL as a starting QB. Tebow struggled for 3 quarters against Miami before leading his team to 18 unanswered points to win the game. Then last week he looked awful for the entire game as they got blown out by Detroit 45-10. The Raiders new QB, Carson Palmer, didn't look much better in his only action of the year. Palmer threw 3 picks in a 28-0 shutout loss to Kansas City. One of these men will play better and get the win - that man will be Carson Palmer.

Prediction - Oakland 23 Denver 13

Cincinnati (+3.5) at Tennessee
How many people saw this Week 8 matchup as 2 teams in contention for the lead in their division? Certainly not this guy. The Bengals have started out 5-2 despite the fact that their biggest offensive playmakers are rookies. Their defense has been great and has been the catalyst to their start. Tennessee has gotten great play out of Matt Hasselbeck to make up for the lack of contributions they have gotten from Chris Johnson. One of these teams have got to start to go down hill. I'll take a guess and say that team is Cincy.

Prediction - Tennessee 20 Cincinnati 17

St. Louis (+4.5) at Arizona
I foolishly thought that these would be the teams that would battle it out for the NFC West title before the season started. Now we are half way through the season and both teams only have 1 win. Someone will get their 2nd win on Sunday. The Rams just their 1st win last week as they shocked everyone by beating a very good New Orleans team. The Cardinals nearly had a stunning win of their own, but blew a 21-point lead to lose in Baltimore. This game will probably feature both backup QBs too. I'll take the Cards close at home.

Prediction - Arizona 21 St. Louis 20

NY Giants (+8.5) at New England
These teams have not met since the Giants ruined the Patriots perfect season in Super Bowl XLII. Eli Manning was named MVP of that game. Manning's play has slipped a bit since, but he has regained that form so far in 2011 and is looking for another upset of New England. Remember though, the Patriots don't lose at home. And Tom Brady is putting up terrific numbers as well. The Giants should be able to give New England a scare, but Brady leads the Pats to victory in the end.

Prediction - New England 28 NY Giants 24

Green Bay (-6.5) at San Diego
Green Bay enters their Week 9 game in San Diego as the NFL's only undefeated team. Aaron Rodgers has the Packer offense clicking on all cylinders. the Pack are without a doubt the current favorite to win back-to-back Super Bowl trophies. Many thought that San Diego was a team that could dethrone Green Bay this season. that doesn't appear likely at the moment. Phillip Rivers has struggled more than at any point in his career. those struggles will continue as Green Bay moves to 8-0.

Prediction - Green Bay 31 San Diego 21

Baltimore (+3.5) at Pittsburgh
I detest saying this since I was born and raised a fan of the Cleveland Browns, but this has become the best rivalry in the entire NFL. Both teams are down right nasty on defense. This game is always violent. The 2nd edition of 2011 should be no different. Baltimore obliterated Pittsburgh in Week 1, but the Steelers have rebounded to a 6-2 start. The Ravens need a win here to prove to themselves that they are the big boys on the block in the AFC North. I just don;t see it happening twice in the same year.

Prediction - Pittsburgh 20 Baltimore 17

Chicago (+8.5) at Philadelphia
Don't look now, but here come the Eagles. The self-proclaimed "Dream Team" got off to a 1-4 start, but have won their last 2 and appear to be on their way back into the playoff hunt. Chicago has rebounded from a sluggish start of their own. One of these teams will win a 3rd consecutive game this week. Philly needs to play like the contender everyone thought they were. I expect the Eagles to continue soaring on Monday night.

Prediction - Philadelphia 26 Chicago 17