NFL Week 9 Picks

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

A brief rundown of the Week 9 matchups and who I like to win.

Washington (2-5) at Atlanta (4-3): A Redskins fan asked me if Washington won it, would they have a chance at the playoffs? Yes, they would, but they won two games out of six against teams with zero wins. And now they enter the tough portion of their schedule. So while it's mathematically possible, a miracle would have to happen for this team to win out. Atlanta wins.

Arizona (4-3) at Chicago (4-3): Both teams have stalled this season. Arizona will be missing Anquan Boldin. I like the Bears at home in this one. Chicago wins.

Baltimore (4-3) at Cincinnati (5-2): It's tough to beat a very good team twice in one season. I see Baltimore avenging their loss from Week 5. Baltimore wins.

Houston (5-3) at Indianapolis (7-0): Even with a revamped, young and inexperienced supporting cast, Peyton Manning and the Colts are rolling. Houston isn't good enough, especially with Owen Daniels-- who was having a career year-- injured and not playing, to stop them. Indianapolis wins.

Miami (3-4) at New England (5-2): Miami is without defensive starters Channing Crowder and Jason Ferguson. New England had an extra week to prepare for any wrinkles Miami's wildcat could throw at them. New England wins.

Green Bay (4-3) at Tampa Bay (0-7): The second loss to the Vikings last week hurts them, but not enough to think that Tampa Bay is good enough to beat them. Green Bay wins.

Kansas City (1-6) at Jacksonville (3-4): More turmoil in Kansas City with the Larry Johnson saga. It isn't good for a football team, especially such a bad one. Jacksonville wins.

Carolina (3-4) at New Orleans (7-0): Carolina got a nice upset against the defending NFC champions but Jake Delhomme will not be able to match Drew Brees. Expect Brees to air it out and have a huge game, while, in an attempt to keep pace, Delhomme throws for at least two interceptions. New Orleans wins.

Detroit (1-6) at Seattle (2-5): Neither team is very good. Seahwaks' Matt Hasselbeck is the best and most experienced quarterback in this game. Seattle wins.

Tennessee (1-6) at San Francisco (3-4): San Francisco has been on a slide. This is the perfect game for them to get back to their earlier winning ways. Frank Gore is back in the fold, Michael Crabtree has had some time to get used to the system, Alex Smith wants to prove that he still has first-rounder talent, and Vernon Davis has been huge their past few games. Expect an offensive outburst from the 49'ers. San Francisco wins.

San Diego (4-3) at NY Giants (5-3): A friend of mine asked me to stop picking the Giants to win after their third consecutive loss last week. Sorry, can't do it against the San Diego Chargers, especially at Giants Stadium. Giants win.

Dallas (5-2) at Philadelphia (5-2): Ok, Dallas. Miles Austin has picked up the slack for you guys. Somehow you are tied for first place. You are tied with Philadelphia. Philly, the more complete team, will come at you and beat you, taking sole possession of the division lead. Philadelphia wins.

Pittsburgh (5-2) at Denver (6-1): Denver suffered its first setback of the season last week. The Steelers have found their groove. Pittsburgh will teach the Broncos a little something about being a great team this week. Pittsburgh wins.

Byes: Buffalo, Cleveland, Oakland, St. Louis, Minnesota, NY Jets

Last week: 9-4

Season: 59-25