NFL Pro Football 2009 Week 9 Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2009 Week 9 Picks

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Fearless Rick's NFL Week 9 Picks - Early Games

Rick Gagliano | November 8-9

All times Eastern - Click here for late games.

Sunday, Nov. 8

(Byes: Buffalo, Cleveland, Minnesota, N.Y. Jets, Oakland, St. Louis)

Washington at Atlanta (-10, 42), 1:00 pm - Atlanta nearly spoiled the party in New Orleans Monday night, and one has to wonder how much of a hangover the Falcons will have after that trying contest. Of course, playing the Redskins is somewhat akin to having a bye week, so this could be more or less a walk-through for Matt Ryan and his fellow offensive players.

The Atlanta defense couldn't stop Dallas or New Orleans, but they're certainly good enough to limit Washington's inept fumblers to less than 17 points. While the Redskins are ranked 5th defensively, they are a horrible 29th on offense. Sooner or later, that lack of offense results in the defense spending too much time on the field and tiring late. If the falcons can get a lead here, they should be able to hold off the 'Skins, who aren't exactly known for comebacks.

PREDICTION: Falcons 33 Redskins 17

Arizona at Chicago (-3, 45), 1:00 pm - Here's a key battle for potential playoff positioning where something has to give between a pair of 4-3 teams. Making matters more indecipherable, Arizona is 3-0 on the road, while the Bears are 3-0 at home. One would have to give the Cardinals the edge, as their road wins were against the Giants, Jaguars and Seahawks, whereas the Bears home victories have come at the expense of the Lions, Browns and Steelers.

On the face of it, the Cardinal road wins came over teams with combined 10-12 records; the Bears beat teams with a total of 7 wins and 15 losses. Statistically, the two are virtually even, with this odd twist: the Bears are slightly better offensively while the Cards are a little better on D.

A tough call where both need a win, the points may prove valuable.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 23 Bears 21

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Baltimore (-3, 43 1/2) at Cincinnati, 1:00 pm - About a month ago, the Bengals went into Baltimore and dealt the Ravens the second of three consecutive losses, sandwiched in between tough losses at new England and Minnesota. It was a game the Ravens lost by 3 points when Carson Palmer connected with Andre Caldwell with 22 seconds left.

Now, Baltimore seeks revenge and potentially a share of the AFC North lead. It's crowded near the top with both Cincy and Pittsburgh at 5-2 and the Ravens a game back at 4-3. The problem for Baltimore is that the Bengals know how to beat them and they are getting points at home. Call me silly, but I'll take the home boys with the better record, getting points.

PREDICTION: Bengals 24 Ravens 20

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Houston at Indianapolis (-9, 48), 1:00 pm - The 7-0 Colts nearly met their match last week against San Francisco, but managed to stay perfect with an 18-14 win over the 49ers. Meanwhile, the Texans were mopping up in Buffalo, easily handling the offensively-challenged Bills by a 31-10 score.

The Texans are really beginning to come together as a team. After a 1-2 start, they've won four of their last five and three straight. Prior to the Bills, they beat the 49ers and Bengals, two pretty good teams, so there's reason to believe that they will give the Colts all they can handle. Naturally, the Colts are probably giving 3-4 more points than they should, but that's how it goes. Either you lay the heavy point line or suck it up and take the dog. This game looks like a perfect spot to not only take the Texans with points, but if a friend wants to give you say, 3-1 odds for an outright win, it would be worth a shot as the Texans almost turned the trick last year, losing by 4 and 6 in their two meetings with Manning and Co.

The third time may be the charm for an upset.

PREDICTION: Texans 34 Colts 31

Kansas City at Jacksonville (-6 1/2, 42), 1:00 pm - KC took a needed week off last week and may be a little better prepared for this road game, though their dealings with RB Larry Johnson (serving a two-game suspension) have been a major distraction. The Chiefs are also banged up in the secondary and they've surrendered their QB, Matt Cassell, 24 times to sacs this season. They are one of the most inept offensive units in the league, though the Jaguars aren't that much better, scoring only 4 more points per game on average, though gaining 100 more yards than the Chiefs.

Defense will probably win this game, and the Chiefs do have some of that. Jacksonville has the dubious distinction of becoming the first team to lose to the Titans this season, and also almost were beaten by the Rams, so there's reason to believe that the Chiefs can hang with them and maybe find a way to win on a turnover or two.

PREDICTION: Chiefs 20 Jaguars 16

Miami at New England (-10 1/2, 46 1/2), 1:00 pm - The Pats are once again a powerhouse, but they've beaten some pretty bad teams, including the Titans and Buccaneers, the last two to face the wrath of Tom Brady, Wes Welker and Randy Moss. What's maybe more impressive is that the Patriot defense has only allowed one touchdown in the past two games, both of them lopsided wins. They could have easily let down with their team ahead by so much, but kept playing hard for all 60 minutes. Now, with a bye under their collective belts, they should be ready to stick it to their main nemesis in the AFC East, Miami.

The Dolphins are a battle-tested bunch, especially after nearly beating New Orleans and then gutting out a win over the Jets, in New York (well, New Jersey, actually), last week.

Normally, I'd love the 10+ points being handed the Dolphins, but this time, there's a feeling that New England will have finally figured out the wildcat offense and really pound these guys. By the end of this, there will be little doubt as to which team is the class of the division.

PREDICTION: Patriots 38 Dolphins 17

Green Bay (-9 1/2, 43 1/2) at Tampa Bay, 1:00 pm - The Packers are just a play or two away from being a really great team, but because the schedule has them playing some very good teams all season, they may not make the playoffs. At least they're done with the Vikings, but ahead of them lie Dallas, San Francisco, Baltimore, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Arizona. The only breaks are here, then at Detroit on Thanksgiving and home vs. Seattle in week 16.

Considering what's ahead, they may be lucky to get to 8-8 (they're 4-3 now), so a win here is a must and Tampa hasn't offered much resistance at all, so the Pack should win this one big.

PREDICTION: Packers 28 Buccaneers 13

All times Eastern - Click here for late games

Copyright 2009, 2010, Rick Gagliano, Downtown Magazine. All rights reserved. Downtown Magazine is located in the Uinted States of America and is not affiliated with the National Football League or the NCAA. For more information, contact us here. Use of this site is for entertainment purposes only.

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