Week Nine NFL Picks and Predictions for Your Office Pool

Week nine of NFL picks and predictions comes on the heels of yours truly having a fairly nice recovery week, including predicting the upset special of Detroit over Washington. The week ended up at a respectable 9-4 and it sets the stage for momentum. I am now ready to get into some serious NFL picks and predictions for week nine. This week, we will look at the picks from a slightly different angle. The playoffs are beginning to take a bit of shape, though many divisions are still completely up for grabs. Still, some teams are beginning to stand out as early favorites. Here is a look at the best free NFL picks and predictions on the web. If you would like to get these free picks every single week, then please choose to follow me beside my name above. (Simply hit follow and you will get an email each week)

Now, on with the NFL week nine picks and predictions:

SUN, NOV 7

Tampa Bay at AtlantaGeorgia Dome

Who would have thought that the Bucs and the Falcons would be fighting it out for first place in the NFC South in week nine? The Falcons are understandable, but the Bucs are a shocker - even to Bucs fans. The maturation of Josh Freeman is responsible for this huge turn around in Tampa Bay, and should not be overlooked. Still, they are not quite ready to overcome Atlanta in Atlanta. I expect this to be a spirited game, but I do think the favored Falcons will come away with the win.

Winner - Atlanta Falcons

Chicago at BuffaloRogers Centre

This is the type of game that the Bears have got to win, and they have struggled to do so this season. Buffalo is still the only winless team in the NFL, and they are really a much better team than that. They will score some points and can be tough at home. Many things here are screaming potential upset, but the Bears are also due a breakout game. They have looked rough for a few weeks, and the Bears are usually good in spurts as well. I expect that they right the ship against the Bills, even in the Rogers Centre.

Winner - Chicago Bears

New England at ClevelandCleveland Browns Stadium

The Browns are another team that is tough to figure out, but one thing is certain - the Browns are not going to beat the red hot Patriots on their home turf, or any other turf. Maybe next year, but not right now.

Winner - New England Patriots

NY Jets at DetroitFord Field

This is a game that could easily be misinterpreted by NFL prediction analysts. The truth is that Detroit just won a huge game against Washington, and the Jets just laid a rotten egg against Green Bay. We need to remember that the Jets are a contender while the Lions are still a young and struggling team. The Jets get better this week in spite of the upset talk.

Winner - New York Jets

New Orleans at CarolinaBank of America Stadium

The Panthers are a team that is working really hard, but seem to be treading water. The wins are slow in coming and the Saints appear to be back on track as they whipped the Steelers at their own game. Still, the Panthers always seem to play them tough. Is there an upset brewing? Not this game.

Winner - New Orleans Saints

Miami at BaltimoreM&T Bank Stadium

The Dolphins weathered a tough storm to pull out the win last week, and now they face the tough Ravens in Baltimore. Can they do it again in week nine? Nope. They are going to hit the wall this week as the Ravens are rested and ready.

Winner - Baltimore Ravens

San Diego at HoustonReliant Stadium

The Chargers finally looked like the Chargers somewhat against a tough Titans squad in week eight. I expect that this is the start of the annual Chargers run at the end of the season. Houston is in the way of that at the wrong time.

Winner - San Diego Chargers

Arizona at MinnesotaMetrodome

Will the Brett Favre fiasco get any weirder this season? A loss against the Cardinals at home would be fitting, though I seriously doubt that will happen. With or without Randy Moss, the Vikings are better than the Cardinals.

Winner - Minnesota Vikings

NY Giants at SeattleQwest Field

The Giants are a team that seems to be flying under the radar in a way. That is tough to do in New York, but Ryan over in Jets land has made it easier by drawing most of the New York attention. Still, the remain a team that controls their own destiny moving forward. All signs point to a positive outcome at the moment, and this week is no exception.

Winner - New York Giants

Indianapolis at PhiladelphiaLincoln Financial Field

Every season, Peyton Manning manages to put his Colts in a position to be successful. This week they face a tough Eagles squad that has not yet found their permanent identity. Manning will take advantage of that on offense and the defense will get just enough stops to handle the Eagles.

Winner - Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City at OaklandOakland-Alameda County Coliseum

We have firmly established that the Kansas City Chiefs are for real but what about those Raiders? Over the years they have given us false alarms before. Not anything like the bells and whistles of the last two weeks, however. The Raiders are playing incredible football on both sides of the ball. The offense looks powerful and the defense is doing more than is needed to win. Can they win this statement game against rival Kansas City at home? I think they can.

Winner - Oakland Raiders

Dallas at Green BayLambeau Field

The Cowboys are dead in the water and have little to no chance in this game. I would never have dreamed that at the start of the season, but it is reality in Cowboy land this season.

Winner - Green Bay Packers

MON, NOV 8

Pittsburgh at CincinnatiPaul Brown Stadium

The Steelers are a team that rebounds well, and the Cincinnati Bengals are not. Simple math here folks.

Winner - Pittsburgh Steelers

Score - Pittsburgh 24 Cincinnati 17

Bye: Denver, Tennessee, St. Louis, San Francisco, Washington, Jacksonville

Week 8 Record - 9-2
Season Record - 65-52