Brian's Week 9 NFL 2009 Predictions and Picks

After a mediocre 8-6 record last week, it's time to get right back to business.

Washington @ Atlanta- The offensively challenged Deadskins are exactly what the doctor ordered for the struggling Falcons. Most importantly, one team's owner (Atlanta's Arthur Blank) understands that you must hire highly knowledgeable football people to make your team a winner, while the other owner (Washington's Daniel Snyder) should know his role and shut his mouth.

The Winner: I like the Falcons in this one.

Arizona @ Chicago- This should be an interesting game featuring two NFC playoff hopefuls. The Bears are undefeated at home (3-0), while the Cardinals are becoming a team tough on the road (3-0). I look for Arizona to test the Bears defense with a steady dose of Beanie Wells and taking their shots downfield to test Chicago's cover two defense. The Bears hasn't been able to generate much of a running game and will need Jay Cutler to play turnover free football in order to keep its slim division hopes alive.

The Winner: I like the Cardinals in close game.

Houston @ Indianapolis- The new kids on the block versus the team that has been there and done and that. I think the Colts have three things going in their favor for this match up. 1. Peyton Manning, no explanation needed. 2. The better defense. Yes you can still run on Indy's defense, but Houston's greatest strength is their passing game, ranked 3^rd overall in passing with 282 yards a game. Indy's pass defense is 7^th overall at 180 yards a game given up. If Indy has an early lead in this game, look for Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis to get after Texans quarterback Matt Schaub and try to take him out of his rhythm. 3. The winning edge over the Texans. The Colts have dominated this series between these two teams, winning 13 out of the 14 match ups overall. The question for the Texans is can they apply pressure on Peyton Manning and force him into mistakes? Thus far, no one else has been able to do it.

The Winner: I believe the Colts experience will help them edge this one out by a field goal.

Baltimore @ Cincinnati- The Ravens got a much needed win against the previously unbeaten Denver Broncos last Sunday. Baltimore's aging defense also decided to join the party well. Can the Ravens slow down Bengals running back Cedric Benson who racked up 189 yards on 37 carries against the Bears? The Ravens will be looking for revenge after losing a heartbreaker 17-14 at home about a month ago. The Bengals can now be classified as a physical team. Why? The Bengals are a running team, 9^th overall in rushing at 127.7 yards per game, 5^th in yards given up (88 per game). The Ravens will look to expose the Bengals' 30^th ranked passing defense.

The Winner: I like the Ravens in a close one.

Kansas City @ Jacksonville- The formula for a Jacksonville victory is very simple; give the ball to Maurice Jones Drew. That little dude is very durable and tough. When is Kansas City going to realize Matt Cassell is overrated? He was a backup before last year for reason.

The Winner: I like Jacksonville in a closer than expected victory.

Green Bay @ Tampa Bay- The Pack look to get back on track against a very bad Tampa Bay team. The Buccaneers were humiliated in London by New England 35-7

two week ago. Coming off a bye week Tampa Bay is still in search of its first victory, but that won't be easy. Quarterback Josh Freeman will be getting his first start of his career. Expected the Packers to confuse Freeman and go after him early and often. If Green Bay's defensive line doesn't get to him, cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson will be looking for the pick six.

The Winner: I like Green Bay in a blowout win.

Miami @ New England- Joey Porter's trash talking always seems to have a way of inspiring the other team. Why did he say you ask? He said Tom Brady has his own set of rules, basically implying the rough the passer rules have been tailored to keep Tom Brady upright. The Patriots fresh off a bye week have had time to decide how they will shut down Miami's wildcat offense and Miami's sudden improved kick/punt return game with Ted Ginn. I look for Tom Brady to find Moss and Welker in the end zone quite frequently against Miami's 21^st pass defense. Let's not forget the 38-13 beatdown Miami laid on the Pats last year in New England.

The Winner: I like the Patriots in a rout.

Carolina @ New Orleans- New Orleans, you are on upset alert this week. Why?

Two weeks in a row, you have been in highly contested games against superior football teams. You have a short week to prepare for Carolina after winning a squeaker against the Falcons on Monday Night Football. Jake Delhomme is 8-2 in his career against the Saints. New Orleans' last loss was to the Panthers last year 33-31 in the season finale. Can the Panthers get its potent running game against a Saints team that has Super Bowl aspirations? We'll shall see.

The Winner: New Orleans in a closer than expected victory.

Detroit @ Seattle- This is the game of the weak. Seattle wins this game because they have more talented players.

The Winner: I like the Seahawks by two touchdowns.

Tennessee @ San Francisco- This is a match up of two teams trying to find out if they're quarterbacks are ready to fulfill their potential. There's no disputing Alex Smith has looked more confident than ever since he was reinserted in the starting lineup a few games ago. Vince Young overcame his demons by managing the game and leading the Titans to its first victory against a Jacksonville team knocked him out of the first game last season. The Titans will look to establish the run, which will be an extremely difficult task because the 49ers just happen to be number two overall in rush defense. Will the 49ers open up the offense and try to exploit the Titans 32^nd ranked pass offense?

The Winner: I like the 49ers in this one.

San Diego @ N.Y. Giants- To steal a mocker from rapper Enimem, "Will the real New York Giants please stand up?" Eli Manning has not looked good lately, but neither has the defense, especially the defensive line, which was supposed to be a major strength of the Giants. Now the Giants are looking for leadership. Yikes!!!!!!!! Where is it going to come from? I expect Phillip Rivers to light up the Giants secondary like a Christmas tree, if they don't get pressure on him. If New York can get some stops defensively, then they might be able to exploit a Chargers run defense that's 27^th against the rush.

The Winner: San Diego Super Chargers.

Dallas @ Philadelphia- This is arguably the best game of the week. Both teams are loaded offensively. Both are solid on the defensive side of the ball as well. Philadelphia has a hard time stopping the tight end, so Jason Whitten could be in store for a big game. Coach Andy Reid loves to throw the ball, but he must stay balanced offensively. Dallas' secondary must keep track of where DeSean Jackson is because he's becoming the Eagles most explosive threat. Dallas must avoid 3^rd and long because the Eagles love to bring the heat and will look to force Tony Romo into mistakes. Dallas can erase some demons from last year by winning in Philadelphia. Dallas must avoid the foolish penalties because you don't want to give the Eagles extra chances at making big plays.

The Winner: I like the Cowboys in the upset of the week 34-28 because Dallas is more balanced offensively.

Denver @ Pittsburgh- This should be another interesting game featuring two teams that are flat out nasty on the defensive side of the football. Denver will look for the Mile High crowd to give its team a much needed emotional lift after a disappointing loss to the Ravens last week. Did you know Mike Tomlin is 4-0 on Monday Night Football as the Steelers coach? Big Ben is the straw that stirs the drink for the Steelers. For Denver to have any chance, they will need to force Big Ben into making mistakes with the football. Pittsburgh's special teams will need to be alert of kick/punt returner Eddie Royal. If you like hard hitting, you will love this game. I expect this to be a very low scoring affair. This game will come down to the quarterback who avoids the big turnover.

The Winner: I like the Steelers on the road 17-10 over the Broncos.

I'll be back for Week 10 Picks, Have a great week.

Mister B's Win-Loss Record

(28-14 on Associated Content, weeks 4, 6, and 8)