Week 9 NFL Predictions
Welcome back, fans! Another great week of action we have coming at us in week 9! Only two divisional games – I don’t know about you, but those are my favorite!! Regardless, let’s get down to business with Week 9’s predictions for the 2012-2013 NFL Season!!
NOTE: Overall Records are in ( – ); Divisional Records are in [ – ]
AFC EAST
New England Patriots – (7-1) [2-0]
Miami Dolphins – (4-3) [2-0]
Buffalo Bills – (4-3) [1-1]
New York Jets – (2-6) [0-4]
AFC WEST
San Diego Chargers – (5-2) [2-1]
Kansas City Chiefs – (3-4) [1-1]
Denver Broncos – (3-4)[1-1]
Oakland Raiders – (2-5) [1-2]
AFC NORTH
Cincinnati Bengals – (5-2)[3-1]
Baltimore Ravens – (5-2)[1-1]
Pittsburgh Steelers – (5-2)[1-0]
Cleveland Browns – (1-7) [0-3]
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans – (6-1) [2-0]
Tennessee Titans – (2-6) [1-1]
Indianapolis Colts – (1-6) [1-1]
Jacksonville Jaguars – (1-6) [1-1]
NFC EAST
Philadelphia Eagles – (6-1) [1-0]
Dallas Cowboys – (4-3) [1-1]
New York Giants – (3-5) [2-2]
Washington Redskins – (2-6) [0-1]
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49er’s – (7-1)[2-0]
Seattle Seahawks – (2-6) [2-1]
St. Louis Rams – (2-6) [1-1]
Arizona Cardinals – (2-6) [0-3]
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers – (6-2)[1-0]
Detroit Lions – (5-2) [2-0]
Chicago Bears – (4-3) [0-2]
Minnesota Vikings – (1-7) [0-1]
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons – (6-1) [1-0]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (6-1) [1-1]
Carolina Panthers – (4-3)[2-1]
New Orleans Saints – (2-5) [0-2]
Kansas City (3-4) @ San Diego (5-2)
Match up to watch: Tamba Hali v.s. Jared Gaither
Kansas City is a very intriguing team this season. Lately I have been watching NFL Total Access, just about every day, and every time the topic is surprise teams this season, Kansas City always seems to top the list. No wonder why. The team is built to compete. After suffering major injury set backs last season, expect KC to pick up where they left off in 2010. The only thing standing in their way to an AFC West title at the moment is the San Diego Chargers. San Diego is on a roll this season with QB Philip Rivers playing absolutely lights out. Expect Rivers and his fellow Bolts to continue playing at a high level, but KC pulls off a tight victory on the road.
Kansas City – 23 San Diego – 17
Denver (3-4) @ Cincinnati (5-2)
Match up to watch: DJ Williams v.s. Benjarvis Green-Ellis
Anytime we, in general, think of Denver, we now automatically think of Peyton Manning. Let’s not forget how Denver was winning games last year. A terrific defense can keep even the worst of teams in any game. Now, I love Ryan Clady. But, Denver’s offensive line is NOT built for a drop back quarterback. Which is a problem, especially with a quarterback coming off of numerous neck surgeries. Even so, Denver is still in the thick of things in the AFC West. Cincinnati is standing in their way this week. This Bengals team is furious after giving up their lead in the AFC North. Expect Cincy to get back to their winning ways this week against a questionable Denver team.
Denver – 20 Cincinnati – 23
Baltimore (5-2) @ Cleveland (1-7)
Match up to watch: Anquan Boldin v.s. Joe Haden
This Baltimore team is beginning to run out of time to make a Super Bowl run, aren’t they? Yes sir, they are. The team still boasts a great defense. The best defensive back field in the game, in my mind…Not to mention the team has a great offense. Although, losing Ben Grubbs in free agency to New Orleans will hurt, the team can learn to do without. Cleveland is another story. The team has little to no talent across the board. Although, the Browns do have hope for the future with promising rookies. Not to mention an under-rated defense with serviceable starters. Baltimore should run away with this one.
Baltimore – 34 Cleveland – 13
Arizona (2-6) @ Green Bay (6-2)
Match up to watch: Patrick Peterson v.s. Greg Jennings
Arizona has talent, yes. But, the whole season depends on whether or not the team can find steady quarterback play. The Cardinals have a great receiving corp and a decent run game. The only issue is the offensive line. Yet, they neglect to address it during the draft – WHICH PUZZLES ME!!! Anywho, the team also needs a little help on defense. Possibly a switch to a 4-3 defensive scheme would help out a bit, but that’s just me. No question who the top team in the NFC is, though. Green Bay chews each team they face up, and spits them out. The Packers are loaded with an unfair amount of talent across the board at almost every position (except safety which is a small hole in the defense). Expect Green Bay to win this one with ease.
Arizona – 17 Green Bay – 30
Chicago (4-3) @ Tennessee (2-6)
Match up to watch: Brian Urlacher v.s. Chris Johnson
Chicago addressed a lot of issues during the offseason and it has shown. The team is still in the thick of things in a tight NFC North. Yet again – same issue as Arizona – the team neglects to address the offensive line through the draft for the most part. Yes, the team selected Gabe Carimi in the 2011 Draft. He will be a solid NFL Lineman. But one guy does not make an offensive line. But, they seem to be getting things done. Tennessee is now led by the young and intelligent Jake Locker. Locker gives the Titans offense a little spark by possessing the ability to throw it deep or pull it down and run with it. I like this Tennessee team. After underachieving for a few weeks, are you ready for an upset?
Chicago – 20 Tennessee – 27
Miami (4-3) @ Indianapolis (1-6)
Match up to watch: Jake Long v.s. Dwight Freeny
Miami boasts one of the top run defenses in the entire NFL. The team is still in the race for the AFC East this season – Maybe the Pats will slip up? Retooling the right side of the offensive line was probably the best thing Miami has done all offseason. It’s definitely showing. The team is lead by a three headed monster at the running back position, and Head Coach Joe Philbin is using versatile running backs Reggie Bush and Lamar Miller to perfection in the new west coast offense. Indianapolis is led by the young Andrew Luck. Luck hasn’t been so lucky lately. Although the team is “technically” only one game out of second place in the division at the moment, I wouldn’t expect the team to have much success this season. The Colts are set up GREAT for the future with awesome rookies in the skilled positions on offense. Expect the teams 2013 draft to be dominated by defensive players.
Miami – 23 Indianapolis – 14
Carolina (4-3) @ Washington (2-6)
Match up to watch: Steve Smith v.s. DeAngelo Hall
Carolina has been quite a pleasant surprise this season. Although a super bowl is clearly not in the talks for the team (regardless of what Center Ryan Kalil believes), the team should be able to muster a .500 record or better. Weapons to surround the young and talented Cam Newton will be the talk of the offseason as to what the team can do to take the next step. The same can be said for a youthful Redskins team. Washington clearly has the quarterback of the future in Robert Griffin, but I’m not sold on Pierre Garcon being a number one guy. Santana Moss is almost done, and Josh Morgan is awesome – as a number 2 receiver. Until the Skins get some help on offense and some solid defensive back play, the team will not be much of a threat in a stacked NFC East. Carolina should RUN right over this Washington opponent.
Carolina -29 Washington – 21
Detroit (5-2) @ Jacksonville (1-6)
Match up to watch: Stephen Tulloch v.s. Maurice Jones-Drew
Detroit is definitely in the thick of things. Challenging Green Bay for the NFC North crown is the first step. This young and hungry Lions team could do that this season. But, with holes in the defensive back field, I wouldn’t expect them to take over Green Bay as the kings of the NFC North. Jacksonville has NO chance at making the playoffs and may struggle to win 3-4 games this season. The organization CAN NOT give up on Blaine Gabbert. The kid is good and has the talent to be GREAT. Throwing a young quarterback into the wolves with little talent is not a great way to start out a young man’s career. Help on the offensive line and at wide receiver would help Gabbert do great things. Don’t expect much of a contest here.
Detroit – 37 Jacksonville – 17
Buffalo (4-3) @ Houston (6-1)
Match up to watch: Mario Williams v.s. HOUSTON
Buffalo has done great things in the offseason leading to a decent record after 8 weeks. BUT, the team still has question marks along the offensive line, no threat at tight end and Fitzpatrick is a shaky quarterback. Lights out one week, and a junior high quarterback the next. Houston has lost more than it has gained, BUT the team has the talent on the roster to shake off the losses. The Texans should follow Arian Foster and Ben Tate to the finish line this season. Not to mention a healthy Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson will do wonders for this team. Mario Williams’ return to Houston will not be a pleasant one.
Buffalo – 20 Houston – 33
Minnesota (1-7) @ Seattle (2-6)
Match up to watch: Matt Kalil v.s. Chris Clemons
Minnesota has been hurting this season. Ponder has played to the best of his ability with what he has – weapons wise. The only issue is, he has no weapons. Given, Harvin and Peterson are great talents but one is injury prone and the other is recovering from an ACL tear. Until Minnesota brings some offensive talent in, this team will not get far in a very competitive NFC North. Seattle, in theory, has a chance at the playoffs. With an excellent defensive back field, the team is set up for future success. BUT, like Arizona, the team’s success hinges on the quarterback play. If the team’s leader can manage the game, Seattle will be in the thick of things. If not….that’s another story. No question who wins this one here.
Minnesota – 14 Seattle – 27
Tampa Bay (6-1) @ Oakland (2-5)
Match up to watch: Vincent Jackson v.s. DeMarcus Van Dyke
Tampa has been one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Not only are the Bucs’ in the thick of things in the NFC South, they’re also in the thick of things in the entire NFC. Seemingly, the additions to the team during the offseason have paid off! Not to mention Josh Freeman is healthy and better conditioned for the season. Although the team still has a few holes on defense, do not sleep on this Tampa Bay team. Oakland lost a lot of their defensive backs this offseason. Losing Chris Johnson and Stanford Routt may hurt this team in the long run. Hopefully the teams best corner, by default, “DVD” can make the leap this season as a potential shut down corner. Oakland’s defensive backs could lead to the team dropping this game, but I feel like Oakland’s speed on offense could take over the game.
Tampa Bay – 21 Oakland – 24
Pittsburgh )5-2) @ New York Giants (3-5)
Match up to watch: Ben Roethlisberger v.s. NYG Pass Rush
Pittsburgh seemed like they were too old at the beginning of the season, but the team’s experience has kicked in lately and the team is HOT. The Steelers picked up some offensive linemen in the draft, which should help the team down the road. Not to mention the team may have not only the fastest receiving corp in the NFL but also one of the best defenses in the NFL. New York has been underachieving badly this season. The defending champs were supposed to make another run this season, what happened? I’m not sold on Eli continuing his epic playoff run throughout the 2012-2013 season. It just won’t happen. The team has talent. But losing Terrell Thomas will hurt. Not to mention the team is weak at the linebacker spot. But, I feel like New York is backed into a corner and must win here. They will.
Pittsburgh – 24 New York Giants – 27
Dallas (4-3) @ Atlanta (6-1)
Match up to watch: Bruce Carter v.s. Michael Turner
This is a potential playoff match up, here. I love it. Dallas has been hot the past few weeks. Tony Romo has been helping this talented offense steam roll opponents. Not to mention this smothering defense is getting after the quarterback. But, the team still has a shaky offensive line and wide receivers made of glass. Atlanta could be the favorites in the NFC South this season. This high octane offense could potentially be the best in the NFL. Losing Lofa Tatupu will hurt. Now the team is thin at linebacker. All I know is that this game is one worth watching.
Dallas – 28 Atlanta – 27
Philadelphia (6-1) @ New Orleans (2-5)
Match up to watch: Lesean McCoy v.s. Curtis Lofton
Philadelphia is atop my favorites in the NFC. Although, their season lies upon Michael Vick’s shoulders. If Vick plays like I think he will, the Eagles are the favorites. If he does not, the Packers are the favorites. Philly has all of the talent in the world on offense and defense. The team is shaky at linebacker still, but with a few young additions and a Pro Bowl caliber player acquired through trade, the team has solidified that up for the future. Philly is not going away anytime soon. All eyes will be on New Orleans this year. Can New Orleans overcome the adversity that has been going on throughout the offseason and become relevant again? Who knows. With Drew Brees leading this team, anything is possible.
Philadelphia – 29 New Orleans – 22
Bye: St. Louis (2-6) , New England (7-1) , New York Jets (2-6) , San Francisco (7-1)
Man was that exciting or what? A few upsets here and there, along with a few blow outs! No shut outs yet this season! Although, it is pretty hard to predict a shut out 🙂
Keep your fins up fans!!!
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