Week 9 Predictions - 2012

Denver Broncos (4-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-4):

We always knew the offense was there. Shutting down the Saints last week proved the Broncos defense is now there as well. Cincinnati will put up more points than the Saints did, but look for Willis McGahee to provide some more entertainment this week.

Denver Broncos: 27-17

 

Baltimore Ravens (5-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-6):

Even with the porous defense and critical injuries right now, the Ravens still have too much talent, coming off a bye, to lose this game. Cleveland gave Baltimore a scare last time and managed to pick up a marquee win over San Diego last week, so it’s unlikely the Ravens overlook them this week.

Baltimore Ravens: 24-17

 

Arizona Cardinals (4-4) at Green Bay Packers (5-3):

My dark-horse pick for the NFC Wild Card spot isn’t looking so dark … or horse-ish right now. As much trouble as Green Bay’s defense may be in, the Cardinals simply don’t have enough weapons to walk into Lambeau and outscore Aaron Rodgers, lockdown defense or no.

Green Bay Packers: 23-10

 

Chicago Bears (6-1) at Tennessee Titans (3-5):

The Bears looked positively sloppy against Carolina. If not for another unlikely pick-six, Chicago’s walking into this game at 5-2. On the flip side, if not for a sloppy fourth quarter, Tennessee walks in at 4-4. The Bears have way too many offensive problems right now, and the Titans are finding their offensive groove at just the right time to pull off this upset.

Tennessee Titans: 21-17

 

Miami Dolphins (4-3) at Indianapolis Colts (4-3):

It didn’t take long for either of these teams to prove themselves legitimate playoff contenders. Miami has struggled to run the ball as of late, and until Ryan Tannehill is fully healthy again, it’s something they’ll need to focus on. Thankfully, they come up against one of the worst run defenses in the league this week, which should be a good remedy.

Miami Dolphins: 21-20

 

Carolina Panthers (1-6) at Washington Redskins (3-5):

Carolina looked good against Chicago last week, but attribute that more to Chicago’s sloppy play than stellar Panther play. The Panthers will get some serious yardage this week, but in the end, RGIII’s composure should give him an edge of Cam Newton.

Washington Redskins: 31-28

 

Detroit Lions (3-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6):

If the Lions want to come back to Detroit at 4-4, they have to get Megatron going for the whole game, rather than utilizing him solely in the fourth quarter, and a decent Jaguars defense will demand this. Blaine Gabbert should be able to find some easy targets through the air, but the lack of anything resembling a run game is going to hurt Jacksonville in this one.

Detroit Lions: 24-17

 

Buffalo Bills (3-4) at Houston Texans (6-1):

Bills D, meet a real running back. Arian Foster, meet … nothing. It’s like there’s nothing there.

Houston Texans: 38-20

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4) at Oakland Raiders (3-4):

Tampa Bay’s offense gets better every week, with a new player exploding onto the scene each time. Oakland will have to focus on stopping Doug Martin, and I say that gives Mike Williams a chance to shine this week. Of course, Carson Palmer continues to be the quarterback nobody notices, and with a healthy receiving corps and a porous secondary, the Raiders should be able to ignore their red-zone woes by simply scoring from 40 yards out. A lot.

Oakland Raiders: 31-24

 

Minnesota Vikings (5-3) at Seattle Seahawks (4-4):

The Vikings needed that win last Thursday, not only for record’s sake, but for Christian Ponder’s composure. Now he goes into the toughest stadium in the league with two straight bad games. Seattle’s defense won’t be able to contain Adrian Peterson, but it will do enough to take over this defensive struggle.

Seattle Seahawks: 17-13

 

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) at New York Giants (6-2):

I don’t like this game one bit. Pittsburgh has to fly in on the day of the game. It’s a short travel and a small thing, but it disrupts routines and that has a way of amplifying, especially when that time should be going towards figuring out how to stop both Eli Manning and Ahmad Bradshaw. Giants are gonna steal this one.

New York Giants: 23-20

 

Dallas Cowboys (3-4) at Atlanta Falcons (7-0):

A lot of people like the Cowboys in this one. Arguably the best secondary in the league, and a potentially high-scoring offense could give Atlanta trouble. That said, this is in the Georgia Dome, Matt Ryan is healthy, and DeMarco Murray is not. The Falcons should survive one more week.

Atlanta Falcons: 27-20

 

Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) at New Orleans Saints (2-5):

Ew. An Eagles team that just won’t win versus a Saints team that simply can’t. This should be interesting. Michael Vick and Lesean McCoy should both have field days against a horrendous Saints defense, and Drew Brees should continue his record-setting pace, but all it will take is a couple of held possessions for the Eagles defense to turn the tide in this one.

Philadelphia Eagles: 35-28