2013 NFL Week 9 Preview

Week 9 Preview

At the end of this week, most of the teams in the NFL will have played eight games, marking the halfway point of the year. I’ll do an evaluation of what we’ve seen so far this season next week, but for today I just want to get into the games. And if you want, check out my NBA season predictions to see who I think will win the NBA Finals and much more. Here are Week 9’s games.

CIN vs MIA (+2.5) - I had the Dolphins winning this game outright, and I was pleased to find that they did not disappoint. It was such an obvious pick. The Bengals had won four straight, and people were starting to gain confidence again. Meanwhile, the Dolphins had lost four straight after a 3-0 start and were reeling. Seems like an easy win for Cincinnati, right? That’s where they get you. There’s a reason I didn’t pick them to make the playoffs before the season started, and even if they do win the North, my reasoning holds true: you can’t count on Andy Dalton to lead a team to the upper echelon, and just when you think they are a quality team, they lay an egg and make sure you remember why you didn’t have confidence in them in the first place. Andy Dalton, fresh off of lighting up the Jets, threw three interceptions, and took a safety in overtime to lose the game. Furthermore, the loss of Geno Atkins is devastating; he is their best defensive player, and the rock right in the middle of the D line. This will come back to haunt them down the road, and while the Bengals are sitting at 6-3, but I don’t think there is any way they can make the AFC Championship Game down the road, and that is the best case scenario. As for Miami, it was a nice win, but they won’t make the playoffs; they are too inconsistent to be a real threat this year.

ATL vs CAR (-7.5) - The Falcons just are not good this year, and they are awful on the road. Meanwhile, the Panthers look like they might have hit a groove; we’ll see if they are serious playoff contenders if they can take care of business at home against an inferior opponent. Atlanta 20, Carolina 28

KC (-3.5) vs BUF - I know crazy things happen in Buffalo, but Jeff Tuel against the Chiefs defense? If he can hang around in this one, then all the credit in the world to him. I’ll believe it when I see it. Kansas City 20, Buffalo 13

MIN (+10.5) vs DAL - Rule 1 of football betting: NEVER take the Cowboys at home as a double digit favorite. Minnesota 16, Dallas 23

TEN (-2.5) vs STL - I don’t know how the Rams lost on Monday Night last week after manhandling the Seahawks, but they couldn’t get it done. You saw the talent, though, that made me like them before the season. I think Tennessee is just better than St. Louis, even on the road. Tennessee 24, St. Louis 20

NO vs NYJ (+5.5) - I can’t go all the way on this Jets team, but I do think that their underrated pass defense (while they got steamrolled by Cincinnati last week, I think that was an outlier type of game) can give Drew Brees and Sean Payton a battle. Rex will want to outduel his brother Rob, and Gang Green is pretty good at home. I have to take the Saints to win the game, but close. Let’s see if Geno Smith has what it takes to take down Drew Brees. New Orleans 27, New York 24

SD (+0.5) vs WAS - Incredibly even game. Right now the Chargers have great balance on offense, and I think they can put pressure on RGIII. But really, anything could happen in this one. Do not bet on this game. San Diego 28, Washington 27

PHI vs OAK (-2.5) - Not only are the Raiders favored in a game, but they actually can get to 4-4 if they win this game! Whoa! And I think they will, as Terrelle Pryor has been pretty dynamic at quarterback. The Eagles just don’t have it this year. Philadelphia 20, Oakland 31

TB vs SEA (-16.5) - Blowout. What is going on with the Buccaneers? Everything has gone wrong this year, and they will have a new head coach very soon. The Seahawks will bounce back after a very ugly win on Monday Night. Tampa Bay 13, Seattle 34

BAL vs CLE (+2.5) - The Browns couldn’t close the deal against the Ravens early on this season, but I think they are good enough, hopefully, with Jason Campbell at quarterback to make it happen at home. I’ve lost a little faith in the Browns after picking them to make the playoffs this year. If they lose this game, it’s over. But could you imagine if team had actual competent quarterback play this year? They could be 5-3 at least right now! I still have faith that the Ravens will make a second half surge, and maybe it starts with a divisional road win. Baltimore 17, Cleveland 20

PIT (+7.5) vs NE - Two traditional powerhouses who have looked very underwhelming this season, even though the Pats are sitting at 6-2. I picked this game as an upset before the season started, and I’m sticking with it. I think that the Steelers can rattle Tom Brady, while pounding the ball with Le’Veon Bell and having Big Ben make his classic third quarter scrambling conversions. This will be a win for the Steelers where they will look like they did five years ago. UPSET ALERT!!!!!! I’m taking Pittsburgh to defeat the Patriots, and take back their pride. Pittsburgh 27, New England 24

IND (-2.5) vs HOU - The Colts have lost Reggie Wayne for the year, but they are still better than the Case Keenum-led Texans. Houston, like Atlanta, is a team that had such high expectations but is watching them crumble. Luck looked phenomenal in his last primetime game, and I think this time he gets it done on the road. Indianapolis 24, Houston 14

CHI (+11.5) vs GB - You think I would learn by now to never pick against the Packers in Lambeau. Especially on a Monday Night. But this is a rivalry game, and I think the Bears will really fight to keep this one close. The Packers still win, but I’ll take the Bears with the points. Chicago 20, Green Bay 27

Lock of the Week: MIN (+10.5), OAK (-2.5)

Performance of the Week: Terrelle Pryor, Ben Roethlisberger

Surprise of the Week: All four AFC East teams will be in one-possession games that get decided in the final minutes. MIA was already one of them.