| Matchup | Adam's Pick | Eric's Pick |
|---|---|---|
Ravens at Falcons | Ravens | Ravens |
Lions at Bills | Bills | Bills |
Vikings at Bears | Vikings | Vikings |
Texans at Jaguars | Texans | Texans |
Titans at Dolphins | Titans | Titans |
Panthers at Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Buccaneers |
Jets at Browns | Browns | Jets |
Bengals at Colts | Colts | Colts |
Chiefs at Broncos | Broncos | Broncos |
Rams at 49ers | 49ers | 49ers |
Cowboys at Giants | Giants | Giants |
Seahawks at Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals |
Patriots at Steelers | Steelers | Steelers |
Eagles at Redskins | Eagles | Eagles |
Adam | Eric | |
Week 9 Record | 8-5 | 8-5 |
Season Standings | 72-58 | 77-53 |
Bye Weeks: Chargers, Packers, Raiders, Saints
To see how the "Experts" stack up: http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks
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The predictions here come from Adam and correspond to his picks.
Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons
This is may be the best matchup of the season so far. We are late enough in the year for the phrase "playoff atmosphere" to apply. The high powered Falcons offense, which plays great at home, goes against the nasty, veteran Ravens defense. I think both units will win their share of battles on Thursday, and the game will actually be decided when Baltimore has the ball. With Ray Rice, Anquan Boldin, and Derrick Mason making plays for Joe Flacco, I think Baltimore will score enough to support their terrific defense. In a game with huge postseason implications, I think the seasoned Ravens win the game.
Prediction: Ravens 24 – Falcons 20
Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills
The Lions are handed a tough break, losing Matthew Stafford. Shaun Hill has proven to be a solid backup, but he hasn't led the Lions to much success in terms of winning games. The Lions are really bad on the road, and somehow, I'm picking the Bills for the second week in a row, though I don't feel good about it.
Prediction: Bills 20 – Lions 16
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Jared Allen and his defensive linemates will get some traction against the Bears' horrendous offensive line, Adrian Peterson will coast over 100 yards on the ground, and if Brett Favre can limit his turnovers, the Vikings should win this game.
Prediction: Vikings 23 – Bears 17
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags are coming off a bye week, and the Texans are coming off a tough home loss to San Diego. This is a divisional game so it should be tight, but Matt Schaub, Arian Foster, and Andre Johnson will ultimately put up enough points.
Prediction: Texans 24 – Jags 21
Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins
I'm not sure how much the addition of Randy Moss really means for the Titans, but I'm pretty sure the Dolphins won't go 0-4 at home. Dolphins win a tough battle.
Prediction: Dolphins 23 – Titans 20
(Ed. note: After learning that Chad Pennington would be starting for the Dolphins this week, Adam decided to change his pick and go with the Titans.)
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Not much doubt about this one.
Prediction: Buccaneers 24 – Panthers 10
New York Jets at Cleveland Browns
This is an interesting game. If you just looked at the teams on paper, you would think this is a walkover game for the Jets. However, the Browns have played really well lately and have their ground attack firing with Peyton Hillis. Eric Mangini has the Browns playing sound, mistake-free football, and I think Cleveland wins the turnover battle and the game.
Prediction: Browns 17 – Jets 13
Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts
Each time the Colts have played poorly this year, they have responded with strong efforts the following week. I think the Bengals can present some real issues for Indy if they stick to their potentially punishing ground attack and then utilize play action to Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco. I also like Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph as a corner tandem. Still, playing at home against a downtrodden team, I have to go with the Colts.
Prediction: Colts 28 – Bengals 27
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos
Another division battle in a week full of division games. I can't really say why I'm leaning towards Denver. I think it has something to do with Kansas City not having quite enough offense.
Prediction: Denver 23 – Kansas City 20
St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers
Believe it or not, if the Niners and Cardinals win this week, San Francisco will be only one game back from the division lead. That is how bad the NFC West is. Let's go get it boys!
Prediction: 49ers 24 – Rams 17
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
The Cowboys may get some spark from the coaching change, but at 1-7, the players don't have the motivation to play their hearts out. Plus, New York is rolling right now.
Prediction: Giants 31 – Cowboys 20
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
Two of the four lowest scoring teams in the league matchup here. Matt Hasselbeck may or may not start, but I'll just go with home field in a battle of bad teams.
Prediction: Cardinals 20 – Seahawks 17
New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers
Another great game, in fact these are the two teams I predicted will meet in the AFC Championship Game in our Midseason Review. I like Pittsburgh's defense and offensive balance. Tom Brady has to be great for New England to win, and it's really hard to be great against the Steelers.
Prediction: Steelers 28 – Patriots 23
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins
The Redskins will ride emotion and the home crowd for a while in this divisional battle, but in the end, Michael Vick and company are just much more explosive than Washington.
Prediction: Eagles 30 – Redskins 23
This is may be the best matchup of the season so far. We are late enough in the year for the phrase "playoff atmosphere" to apply. The high powered Falcons offense, which plays great at home, goes against the nasty, veteran Ravens defense. I think both units will win their share of battles on Thursday, and the game will actually be decided when Baltimore has the ball. With Ray Rice, Anquan Boldin, and Derrick Mason making plays for Joe Flacco, I think Baltimore will score enough to support their terrific defense. In a game with huge postseason implications, I think the seasoned Ravens win the game.
Prediction: Ravens 24 – Falcons 20
Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills
The Lions are handed a tough break, losing Matthew Stafford. Shaun Hill has proven to be a solid backup, but he hasn't led the Lions to much success in terms of winning games. The Lions are really bad on the road, and somehow, I'm picking the Bills for the second week in a row, though I don't feel good about it.
Prediction: Bills 20 – Lions 16
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Jared Allen and his defensive linemates will get some traction against the Bears' horrendous offensive line, Adrian Peterson will coast over 100 yards on the ground, and if Brett Favre can limit his turnovers, the Vikings should win this game.
Prediction: Vikings 23 – Bears 17
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags are coming off a bye week, and the Texans are coming off a tough home loss to San Diego. This is a divisional game so it should be tight, but Matt Schaub, Arian Foster, and Andre Johnson will ultimately put up enough points.
Prediction: Texans 24 – Jags 21
Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins
I'm not sure how much the addition of Randy Moss really means for the Titans, but I'm pretty sure the Dolphins won't go 0-4 at home. Dolphins win a tough battle.
Prediction: Dolphins 23 – Titans 20
(Ed. note: After learning that Chad Pennington would be starting for the Dolphins this week, Adam decided to change his pick and go with the Titans.)
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Not much doubt about this one.
Prediction: Buccaneers 24 – Panthers 10
New York Jets at Cleveland Browns
This is an interesting game. If you just looked at the teams on paper, you would think this is a walkover game for the Jets. However, the Browns have played really well lately and have their ground attack firing with Peyton Hillis. Eric Mangini has the Browns playing sound, mistake-free football, and I think Cleveland wins the turnover battle and the game.
Prediction: Browns 17 – Jets 13
Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts
Each time the Colts have played poorly this year, they have responded with strong efforts the following week. I think the Bengals can present some real issues for Indy if they stick to their potentially punishing ground attack and then utilize play action to Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco. I also like Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph as a corner tandem. Still, playing at home against a downtrodden team, I have to go with the Colts.
Prediction: Colts 28 – Bengals 27
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos
Another division battle in a week full of division games. I can't really say why I'm leaning towards Denver. I think it has something to do with Kansas City not having quite enough offense.
Prediction: Denver 23 – Kansas City 20
St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers
Believe it or not, if the Niners and Cardinals win this week, San Francisco will be only one game back from the division lead. That is how bad the NFC West is. Let's go get it boys!
Prediction: 49ers 24 – Rams 17
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
The Cowboys may get some spark from the coaching change, but at 1-7, the players don't have the motivation to play their hearts out. Plus, New York is rolling right now.
Prediction: Giants 31 – Cowboys 20
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
Two of the four lowest scoring teams in the league matchup here. Matt Hasselbeck may or may not start, but I'll just go with home field in a battle of bad teams.
Prediction: Cardinals 20 – Seahawks 17
New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers
Another great game, in fact these are the two teams I predicted will meet in the AFC Championship Game in our Midseason Review. I like Pittsburgh's defense and offensive balance. Tom Brady has to be great for New England to win, and it's really hard to be great against the Steelers.
Prediction: Steelers 28 – Patriots 23
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins
The Redskins will ride emotion and the home crowd for a while in this divisional battle, but in the end, Michael Vick and company are just much more explosive than Washington.
Prediction: Eagles 30 – Redskins 23
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