Zone Blitz: NFL Week 9 Preview

 

Music to listen to:  What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 4) by DJ Shadow

Time for my picks for week nine of the NFL season (home team in CAPS):

CINCINNATI (+3.5) Denver:  The Broncos are a better team but the Bengals are a desperate team that needs this home victory to save the season.  Cincinnati’s head coach Marvin Lewis expressed a desire for two of his players, Andy Dalton and Ray Maualuga, to show more leadership within the team.  The concern for an analyst in this situation is that your head coach shouldn’t have to make this statement but I think it will rally the team to a victory.

GREEN BAY (-10.5) Arizona:  Weren’t the Cardinals once 4-0 and the talk of the NFL?  When you go from averaging 23 points per game in your four victories to only nine per contest in your last four games, all losses, that may have something to do with it.

INDIANAPOLIS (+2.5) Miami:  The Dolphins looked outstanding against the Jets last week, but I think that’s more of an indictment of New York than the talents of Miami.  I actually liked Matt Moore at quarterback before the season for Miami before the Dolphins decided to start the season with rookie Ryan Tannehill, who may not play on Sunday due to leg injuries.  However, the Colts have shown life as well this season and had a gritty overtime victory at Tennessee last week to bring it into this contest.  I’ll take the home team.

Baltimore (-3.5) CLEVELAND:  Classic good team over bad team pick, even if the Ravens are on the road.

HOUSTON (-10.5) Buffalo:  Mario Williams’ homecoming to Houston will be ugly for his Bills, who have underachieved so far this season.  Houston is coming off of a bye and are at home against an inferior opponent.  That’s looks like a double-digit victory for the Texans.

WASHINGTON (-3) Carolina:  Cam vs. RG III.  The rookie has been more consistent and shown more maturity than the second-year signal caller so I’ll take the Redskins at home.

JACKSONVILLE (+4) Detroit:  The Lions are the better team and look poised to make a run.  The Jaguars are a bad team.  I still think Detroit will win but it will be closer than expected.

Chicago (-3.5) TENNESSEE:  Jay Cutler comes home to Nashville where he became a legend for my Vandy Commodores and leads the Bears to a nice victory that helps build the home-field playoff chances for Chicago.

SEATTLE (-4.5) Minnesota:  The Seahawks play better at home and will earn the tough victory.

Tampa (+1.5) OAKLAND:  Tough game to call because both teams have been inconsistent this season.  However, I’ll take the Bucs to earn the road win.

NY GIANTS (-3) Pittsburgh:  The Giants are notorious for dropping home games against inferior teams but the Steelers seem a little off this season and have to travel into New Jersey on Sunday morning due to hurricane Sandy.  That may be the difference.

Dallas (+4) ATLANTA:  The Falcons are very strong at home and Tony Romo will throw at least two interceptions.  However, I’m sensing Atlanta needing a late Matt Bryant field goal to earn the victory.

NEW ORLEANS (-3) Philadelphia:  The Eagles’ struggling defense against Drew Brees on the road.  Give me the home team.