Week 9 NFL Preview:
My goodness, Week 9 already, and the sorting of wheat from chaff becomes more pronounced. Certain teams are too unpredictable to qualify while others are beginning to round into playoff form. Should be an interesting slate of games. Shall we dance?
At St. Louis -2.5 Kansas City 48
The Chiefs take the I-70 express east to the banks of the ol’ Mississip’ for a showdown indoors vs. the Rams. Both teams come in at 4-3, and are about as equally matched as two mediocre-plus teams could be. Rams have lost two straight; Chiefs have won two straight. Damon Huard has played exceptionally well filling in at QB. Somehow, I see the Rams getting it done at home. Despite their recent struggles, they’re still tied for first in the NFC West. If the Rams entertain any serious playoff hopes, the ship has to be righted, and right now.
Projected Final Score: St. Louis 27, Kansas City 24
At Baltimore -3.5 Cincinnati 40.5
The Ravens put a first class hurting on the Saints last week, now they’re looking to KO the Bengals, who have been one of the NFL’s big disappointments over the first half. Billick took over the offensive coordinator’s post last week and it paid huge dividends. It’s been very quiet in the Queen City this week, ol’ Ocho Cinco hasn’t made a peep. Over the last three meetings, the Bengals have lit up the Ravens’ defense to the tune of 30pt/400+yd/gm. Can the Bengals dig down deep and find a way to win?
Projected Final Score Ravens 24, Cincinnati 20.
At NY Giants -13 Houston 42.5
Ah yes, the NFL schedulemakers send the G-Men another cupcake. Last week they dispatched the Bucs with little difficulty. This week, the Giants will most likely pull out another win, but the Tejanos will give ‘em a football game.
Projected Final Score: NY Giants 23, Houston 14.
At Jacksonville -9 Tennessee 37.5
The Tuxedos head on down to North Florida for a tilt with the Jags, who basically cleaned Philly’s clock last week. However, an offensive juggernaut, they’re not. Garrard is starting in favor of Leftwich, really what difference does it make? The Jags win on the defensive side of the ball. The Education of Vince Young continues…
Projected Final Score: Jacksonville 20, Tennessee 13.
Dallas -3 At Washington 41
The Tony Romo Era kicked off with a rousing debut in Carolina last Sunday after the Panthers self-destructed in the second half. There were kisses all around by the Mighty Tuna. This week, the Cowboys reception in The DC may be a little different. Perhaps the rivalry is not what it was in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, and it may be true that the ‘Skins are owned by one of the most loathsome individuals in the annals of sport. Be that as it may, as long as Joe Gibbs is on the Washington sideline, there will be more than a little juice for the crew in burgundy and gold. Basically, their season comes down to winning this game. Dallas returns to earth this week.
Projected Final Score: Washington 27, Dallas 24.
At Buffalo -3 Green Bay 39.5
Buffalo in November is not exactly paradise, though neither is Green Bay. The Pack have been riding a hot streak while Jauron’s Bills have really had a hard luck year. They’re coming off a bye and despite their record, are a tough bunch of guys.
Projected Final Score: Buffalo 21, Green Bay 17.
New Orleans -1 At Tampa Bay 39
Who are these Saints? Through the first seven weeks they were the surprise of the league, then, last week, were really pounded at home by the Ravens. Now they travel ‘cross the Gulf to Tampa where Chucky and Crew will be in a most foul disposition. The oddsmakers see this as basically a pick ‘em. It’s simply a matter of whether the Saints consider themselves contenders. The win’s there for the taking. So?
Projected Final Score: New Orleans 24, Tampa Bay 21.
Atlanta -5.5 At Detroit 47
The new and improved Michael Vick (7 TD’s in last two games) and the Falcons welcome the Lions and their porous defense to Hot ‘Lanta. Many points will be scored, many, many points. By the end of the day, Atlanta has the victory…
Projected Final Score: Atlanta 35, Detroit 27.
At Chicago -13.5 Miami 38
After last week?
Projected Final Score: Chicago 31, Miami 14.
Minnesota -6.5 At San Francisco 41.5
The Vikes try to rebound after a very embarrassing defeat last Monday at home. The ‘Niners were utterly manhandled by the Bears, so which team is the worse for wear? Logic says it’s the home team, especially since they have one of the worst defenses in the league. But this has nothing to do with logic, so…
Projected Final Score: San Francisco 23, Minnesota 20.
At San Diego -12.5 Cleveland 41
Both teams won last week and come in a little dinged up. Even if the Chargers are depleted defensively, the Brownies are no match, though there’s room for doubt about the 12 ½…
Projected Final Score: San Diego 28, Cleveland 17.
At Pittsburgh -2.5 Denver 37
This is Pittsburgh’s last stand, pure and simple. Last week they hit a new low at Oakland. A loss here and all those two-peat hope go down the drain. Denver comes in after a very tough last second loss at home. Their vaunted pass defense was torched, so they’re not coming to The Steel City with an overabundance of confidence. They’re a very good football team going into the belly of the beast. Hopefully, Cowher will think with his brains instead of his balls and turn the offense over to Charlie Batch until Big Ben gets fully healthy. If so, Pittsburgh will win.
Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 23, Denver 20.
At New England -2.5 Indianapolis 47
The best game of the day is saved for last, so let’s cut to the chase. Indy is going to win and remain undefeated. Here’s why: Manning and his receivers are unstoppable. Belichick used to have Peyton’s number but that was before he humbled them last year at Foxboro. Indy is a one-dimensional force. The playoff implications and home field advantage are great. Maybe in January things will be different, but for this day, Indy has an extra day’s rest and preparation, and that’ll be the difference in this one.
Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 31, New England 27.
My goodness, Week 9 already, and the sorting of wheat from chaff becomes more pronounced. Certain teams are too unpredictable to qualify while others are beginning to round into playoff form. Should be an interesting slate of games. Shall we dance?
At St. Louis -2.5 Kansas City 48
The Chiefs take the I-70 express east to the banks of the ol’ Mississip’ for a showdown indoors vs. the Rams. Both teams come in at 4-3, and are about as equally matched as two mediocre-plus teams could be. Rams have lost two straight; Chiefs have won two straight. Damon Huard has played exceptionally well filling in at QB. Somehow, I see the Rams getting it done at home. Despite their recent struggles, they’re still tied for first in the NFC West. If the Rams entertain any serious playoff hopes, the ship has to be righted, and right now.
Projected Final Score: St. Louis 27, Kansas City 24
At Baltimore -3.5 Cincinnati 40.5
The Ravens put a first class hurting on the Saints last week, now they’re looking to KO the Bengals, who have been one of the NFL’s big disappointments over the first half. Billick took over the offensive coordinator’s post last week and it paid huge dividends. It’s been very quiet in the Queen City this week, ol’ Ocho Cinco hasn’t made a peep. Over the last three meetings, the Bengals have lit up the Ravens’ defense to the tune of 30pt/400+yd/gm. Can the Bengals dig down deep and find a way to win?
Projected Final Score Ravens 24, Cincinnati 20.
At NY Giants -13 Houston 42.5
Ah yes, the NFL schedulemakers send the G-Men another cupcake. Last week they dispatched the Bucs with little difficulty. This week, the Giants will most likely pull out another win, but the Tejanos will give ‘em a football game.
Projected Final Score: NY Giants 23, Houston 14.
At Jacksonville -9 Tennessee 37.5
The Tuxedos head on down to North Florida for a tilt with the Jags, who basically cleaned Philly’s clock last week. However, an offensive juggernaut, they’re not. Garrard is starting in favor of Leftwich, really what difference does it make? The Jags win on the defensive side of the ball. The Education of Vince Young continues…
Projected Final Score: Jacksonville 20, Tennessee 13.
Dallas -3 At Washington 41
The Tony Romo Era kicked off with a rousing debut in Carolina last Sunday after the Panthers self-destructed in the second half. There were kisses all around by the Mighty Tuna. This week, the Cowboys reception in The DC may be a little different. Perhaps the rivalry is not what it was in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, and it may be true that the ‘Skins are owned by one of the most loathsome individuals in the annals of sport. Be that as it may, as long as Joe Gibbs is on the Washington sideline, there will be more than a little juice for the crew in burgundy and gold. Basically, their season comes down to winning this game. Dallas returns to earth this week.
Projected Final Score: Washington 27, Dallas 24.
At Buffalo -3 Green Bay 39.5
Buffalo in November is not exactly paradise, though neither is Green Bay. The Pack have been riding a hot streak while Jauron’s Bills have really had a hard luck year. They’re coming off a bye and despite their record, are a tough bunch of guys.
Projected Final Score: Buffalo 21, Green Bay 17.
New Orleans -1 At Tampa Bay 39
Who are these Saints? Through the first seven weeks they were the surprise of the league, then, last week, were really pounded at home by the Ravens. Now they travel ‘cross the Gulf to Tampa where Chucky and Crew will be in a most foul disposition. The oddsmakers see this as basically a pick ‘em. It’s simply a matter of whether the Saints consider themselves contenders. The win’s there for the taking. So?
Projected Final Score: New Orleans 24, Tampa Bay 21.
Atlanta -5.5 At Detroit 47
The new and improved Michael Vick (7 TD’s in last two games) and the Falcons welcome the Lions and their porous defense to Hot ‘Lanta. Many points will be scored, many, many points. By the end of the day, Atlanta has the victory…
Projected Final Score: Atlanta 35, Detroit 27.
At Chicago -13.5 Miami 38
After last week?
Projected Final Score: Chicago 31, Miami 14.
Minnesota -6.5 At San Francisco 41.5
The Vikes try to rebound after a very embarrassing defeat last Monday at home. The ‘Niners were utterly manhandled by the Bears, so which team is the worse for wear? Logic says it’s the home team, especially since they have one of the worst defenses in the league. But this has nothing to do with logic, so…
Projected Final Score: San Francisco 23, Minnesota 20.
At San Diego -12.5 Cleveland 41
Both teams won last week and come in a little dinged up. Even if the Chargers are depleted defensively, the Brownies are no match, though there’s room for doubt about the 12 ½…
Projected Final Score: San Diego 28, Cleveland 17.
At Pittsburgh -2.5 Denver 37
This is Pittsburgh’s last stand, pure and simple. Last week they hit a new low at Oakland. A loss here and all those two-peat hope go down the drain. Denver comes in after a very tough last second loss at home. Their vaunted pass defense was torched, so they’re not coming to The Steel City with an overabundance of confidence. They’re a very good football team going into the belly of the beast. Hopefully, Cowher will think with his brains instead of his balls and turn the offense over to Charlie Batch until Big Ben gets fully healthy. If so, Pittsburgh will win.
Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 23, Denver 20.
At New England -2.5 Indianapolis 47
The best game of the day is saved for last, so let’s cut to the chase. Indy is going to win and remain undefeated. Here’s why: Manning and his receivers are unstoppable. Belichick used to have Peyton’s number but that was before he humbled them last year at Foxboro. Indy is a one-dimensional force. The playoff implications and home field advantage are great. Maybe in January things will be different, but for this day, Indy has an extra day’s rest and preparation, and that’ll be the difference in this one.
Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 31, New England 27.
posted by Richard | 12:07 AM
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