Both Gabe and I took quite the beating last week as we both are still trying to make sense out of what has been a schizophrenic season thus far. However, despite the fact we both lost the final four games of last week, I still outpointed Gabe by 1(6-7 to 5-8), which puts me back up 3 for the season(70-46 to 67-49).
Anyway, here's our picks for Week 9:
Chiefs (+6.5) at Jaguars
Dave: Chiefs - I don't think the Jags are good enough to be favored by 6 over anyone. Lest we forget, this team needed overtime to beat the Rams by 3 and they got clobbered by a then-winless Titans team last week. They have no pass rush and no real identity on offense. I like the addition of Chris Chambers for KC and I think they use the momentum from the Larry Johnson suspension to notch their 2nd win.
Gabe: Chiefs - The Jags have the worst pass defense in the league. The Chiefs are starting Jamaal Charles at running back and he has played very well when given the opportunity. Overall though, this game is going to suck. Upset Special? I guess. There ain't a damn thing special about it though. I'll take the Chiefs to win a game that not even David Garrard's mom wants to watch.
Gabe: Chiefs - The Jags have the worst pass defense in the league. The Chiefs are starting Jamaal Charles at running back and he has played very well when given the opportunity. Overall though, this game is going to suck. Upset Special? I guess. There ain't a damn thing special about it though. I'll take the Chiefs to win a game that not even David Garrard's mom wants to watch.
Ravens(-3) at Bengals
Dave: Bengals - Good battle of different types of momentum here. Ravens are coming off a big upset win of formerly undefeated Denver. Cincinatti is coming off a bye week. The Bengals beat this Ravens squad in Baltimore not too long ago in a game that featured Cedric Benson being the first runner to eclipse the century mark on the Ravens D since 1742....or something like that. I think this one is won in the closing seconds, and I'll take the points on this one.
Gabe: Ravens - This game is about revenge and antics. The Ravens are mad they got beaten by Cincy at home earlier this year, and then Chad Ochocinco pulled his deodorant stunt. Cincy RB Cedric Benson was the first running back to gain over 100 yards against the Ravens since Jesus was a lieutenant. I doubt the Ravens have forgotten that. I'll take the Ravens to play killer defense and win by more than 3.
Gabe: Ravens - This game is about revenge and antics. The Ravens are mad they got beaten by Cincy at home earlier this year, and then Chad Ochocinco pulled his deodorant stunt. Cincy RB Cedric Benson was the first running back to gain over 100 yards against the Ravens since Jesus was a lieutenant. I doubt the Ravens have forgotten that. I'll take the Ravens to play killer defense and win by more than 3.
Texans(+9) at Colts
Dave: Texans - I think people are going to get suckered into taking Houston here because of the sudden outbreak of bad injuries to the Colts D, because Houston always plays them tough, and because(as we saw with Denver last week), eventually even the good teams get stopped dead in their tracks. The Texans are going for journeyman Ryan Moats over Steve Slaton as their starter here, which means we could see the second coming of Earnest Graham or the Colts will be up 28 by halftime. I think Andre 3000 and Matt Schaub expose this beat up secondary. Texans by 7.
Gabe: Texans - If you read my piece at Sports Talk Buzz (Boom! Cross-promoted!), you'll know I like the Texans in this match-up. Indianapolis is missed three starters in the secondary, and they are starting two rookies at corner. The Texans pass offense is going to light it up. The Texans have completely turned their defense around and are now the no. 1 ranked run D in the league. Here is what will balance all of that out...1. This is the biggest game in Texans history. 2. Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and co. are not injured. This game is going to be a high scoring shoot-out. I think the Colts will win, but it will be closer than 9.
Gabe: Texans - If you read my piece at Sports Talk Buzz (Boom! Cross-promoted!), you'll know I like the Texans in this match-up. Indianapolis is missed three starters in the secondary, and they are starting two rookies at corner. The Texans pass offense is going to light it up. The Texans have completely turned their defense around and are now the no. 1 ranked run D in the league. Here is what will balance all of that out...1. This is the biggest game in Texans history. 2. Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and co. are not injured. This game is going to be a high scoring shoot-out. I think the Colts will win, but it will be closer than 9.
Redskins(+9) at Falcons
Dave: Falcons - You want to believe Washington used the bye week to rally together and play hard for coach Jim Zorn the rest of the way. You want to think they'll shake up the world here by pulling off an inspired victory over the solid-yet-beatable Falcons. You'd like to think that, but it's just too far-fetched. The Falcons gave New Orleans all it could handle on Monday night and, even on a short week, I like them to trounce a Redskins team that has can't seem to get out of its own way. Falcons by 14.
Gabe: Redskins - They have had the bye week to rest and hopefully put things together. The Falcons lost a tough game on Monday night and I think the short week will affect them. I don't think the Redskins will win, but I like them to keep it within 7.
Packers(-9.5) at Bucs
Dave: Packers - I mentioned this on Facebook, and I'll say it here: I think this year's Packers will go down in history as the worst 10-6 team in history. Right now, they're 4-3 and, looking at the remaining schedule, they have three games they can potentially lose(next week against Dallas, and two tough December games against Baltimore and Pittsburgh). The remaining 6? Tampa Bay, Detroit, Seattle, San Fran, Chicago and a Week 17 matchup against Arizona, who will probably have nothing to play for by then. They're staring at 10-6 or 9-7, which would be a 3 or 4 win improvement from last year. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers is three sacks away from eclipsing his sack total from the entire 2008 season. I think Green Bay plays it safe, runs the ball down Tampa's throat, then pulls A-Rod by halftime. Packers by 20.
Gabe: Packers - They are going to crush the Bucs, unless the creamsicle-orange-throwbacks blind the them. The Bucs suck. They are starting rookie draft-reach Josh Freeman at QB. I think the Packers eat the Bucs alive and win by double digits.
Gabe: Packers - They are going to crush the Bucs, unless the creamsicle-orange-throwbacks blind the them. The Bucs suck. They are starting rookie draft-reach Josh Freeman at QB. I think the Packers eat the Bucs alive and win by double digits.
Cardinals(+3) at Bears
Dave: Cardinals - Even in their rout of the Division III Cleveland Browns last week, the Bears didn't look very impressive. At the core, this is still a team that is banged up on D, makes too many mistakes on O, and has far too many coaching brain farts. Meanwhile, Arizona plays the run well(which isn't a big deal since Matt Forte has decided to mail it in this season) and has a opportunistic secondary(which IS a big deal since Jay Cutler hasn't figured out totally what jerseys his team wears). I think we see a heavy helping of Beanie Wells as they try to avoid a repeat of last week's INT fest and I think Cutler tosses four picks, with one going to the house. Cards by 10.
Gabe: Cardinals - I can't figure either of these teams out. What I do know is this: The Cardinals at least have the potential to be exciting and play well. The Bears have Cutler on offense, and Cutler only. I think the Cardinals rise up and win this one.
Gabe: Cardinals - I can't figure either of these teams out. What I do know is this: The Cardinals at least have the potential to be exciting and play well. The Bears have Cutler on offense, and Cutler only. I think the Cardinals rise up and win this one.
Dolphins(+10.5) at Patriots
Dave: Patriots - Joey Porter can spout off about his hatred for Tom Brady and the Pats all he wants. At the end of the day, it's still Randy Moss and Wes Welker being covered by two rookie corners and a future Hall of Fame quarterback who is now a little more motivated by Porter's quotes and is playing at home(where he's more likely to get the gift calls Porter has been so vocal about). Plus, I think New England remembers getting shredded by the Wildcat last season and Belichick is ready for them. Pats by 13.
Gabe: Patriots - No coach is better at planning than Bill Belichick. They have had two weeks to get ready for this game. The Patriots have figured out how to defend the Wildcat. Plus, whenever an opposing player opens his yap Tom Brady always seems to take it personally and makes the guy pay. The Pats will win big.
Panthers(+13) at Saints
Dave: Saints - Jake "Pick 6" Delhomme vs. Darren "Take It To The House" Sharper? Advantage: Sharper. Game. Set. Match. Saints. By 14.
Gabe: Saints - The Panthers have no run defense. Drew Brees can throw on anyone. My fantasy team and I hope Drew Brees and Pierre Thomas have big games. Saints by at least 17.
Lions(+10) at Seahawks
Dave: Lions - Detroit showed early in the season that they are a much scrappier team when they have The Big Three(Matt Stafford, Kevin Smith, Calvin Johnson) on the field together. Well, guess who is planning a reunion tour this Sunday? The Seahawks are oddly still in the mix in the NFC West despite being 2-5 and all signs point to them routing Detroit here, but I don't know if this defense can stop the Stafford-to-Megatron connection consistently enough to make this a blowout. Seahawks by 7.
Gabe: Lions - Like Dave said, the Lions big three are all playing this week. Seattle is a better team, but the Lions play hard. I think Seattle wins, but by less than ten.
Gabe: Lions - Like Dave said, the Lions big three are all playing this week. Seattle is a better team, but the Lions play hard. I think Seattle wins, but by less than ten.
Titans(+4.5) at 49ers
Dave: 49ers - How are the Niners only 4.5 point favorites at home against a team fresh off getting its first win of the season? The Titans were impressive in beating Jacksonville last week, but this isn't Jacksonville. Mike Singletary is smart enough to stack the box against the run and force Vince Young to beat them, which is risky with Nate Clements out, but I think it's a gamble worth taking. Niners by 6 here, with Michael Crabtree notching his first NFL TD.
Gabe: 49ers - This line is probably this low because of what the Titans did last week. They should be bigger dogs than 4.5. The Vince Young novelty was good for one game. Mike Singletary's defense will confuse Young. San Fran by a touchdown.
Gabe: 49ers - This line is probably this low because of what the Titans did last week. They should be bigger dogs than 4.5. The Vince Young novelty was good for one game. Mike Singletary's defense will confuse Young. San Fran by a touchdown.
Chargers(+4.5) at Giants
Dave: Chargers - I want to believe the Giants are too good to lose four straight, but their secondary can't cover anyone and that's a huge disadvantage when you're playing Phillip Rivers. The first showdown between the two QBs from the big '04 NFL Draft trade is not getting nearly enough buzz, but I think Rivers outplays Eli Manning, who is more banged up than we think and might be playing once again without Mario Manningham. Chargers by 9.
Gabe: Chargers - I really hope the Giants win this game, but, their secondary has been exposed game after game. Philip Rivers can take advantage of this. Eli Manning is falling back into his bad habits. The only thing working against the Chargers is having to play on the East Coast again. Ugh, Chargers by three.
Gabe: Chargers - I really hope the Giants win this game, but, their secondary has been exposed game after game. Philip Rivers can take advantage of this. Eli Manning is falling back into his bad habits. The only thing working against the Chargers is having to play on the East Coast again. Ugh, Chargers by three.
Cowboys(+3) at Eagles
Dave: Eagles - Here's where we see what Dallas is made of. The last time we saw these two teams in Philadelphia, Tony Romo was helping punch the Eagles' playoff ticket, T.O. was crying, and Cowboy fans were getting the noose fitted for Wade Phillips' neck. This time around, there's the never-ending saga that is Roy Williams' mouth and I think his clear envy of Miles Austin not only hurts the team here, but plays a big role in keeping Dallas out of the playoffs for another year. Romo's INT-free streak ends here. Eagles by 10.
Gabe: Eagles - The 'Boys had been quietly putting together a very nice season...then Roy Williams pulled his best "I'm not T.O."-T.O. like speech. Really Roy? You're not T.O.? Big physical receiver, bitching about Tony Romo, who leads the team in drops? Sounds a lot like T.O. to me. The tenuous hold on good chemistry the Cowboys had is now shattered. Oh, and by the way, the Eagles are really good. Andy Reid loves to throw and with rookies DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin playing great right now, I think the Eagles will roll.
Steelers(-3) at Broncos
Dave: Steelers - It's going to be interesting to see how the Broncos bounce back after having the steam knocked out of them by way of a Baltimore stomach punch last week. Now, they get a tough Steelers team coming off a bye and an extra day of rest. I see Kyle Orton getting frustrated by this Steelers D and I like the size-speed combo of Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker against this Broncos' front seven. Steelers are normally money on primetime, so I'll take them by two field goals.
Gabe: Steelers - The Broncos are going to have a hangover from last week. Pittsburgh's D is not who you want to face in that state of mind, especially with the Steelers coming off of a bye. The Steelers D will crush them.
Last Week:
Dave: 6-7
Gabe: 5-8
Season:
Dave: 70-46
Gabe: 67-49
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