Week 9 Preview:

Welcome To November, one and all. Now we reach the midpoint of the year where the games are more important to some teams while more appear to play playing out the string.


New England -5.5 At Indianapolis 56.5

This is the 500 lb. Gorilla so far this year so let’s look at this game first. As all are aware, both teams head into the rematch undefeated. Indy has played great all season on both sides of the ball while the Patriots have been other-worldly. This game has been hyped ad nauseam all week and it’s time for the pundits to shut up and for the players to earn their money. Belichick is purportedly a student of military strategy and history, and so far the Patriots have taken a page out of General Sherman’s playbook. As has been stated in previous posts, no one around here can ever recall a time when the team has been this good; it’s almost scary.

The media has dubbed the game “Super Bowl XL ½”. Let’s not get carried away, there’s still half of a season left to be played and the defending Super Bowl Champs aren’t quaking in their shoes over this. Both teams are looking at this game as one more on the schedule, despite how it’s being played in the public domain. These teams have no time for distractions from the outside; both respect each other and look forward to this mid-season challenge. The Patriots will win and will cover, in a tough game. Marvin Harrison may not be 100% and why would Coach Dungy risk the long-term interests of one of his best weapons? Indy has already proved that there’s enough fire power to go around, but not this week as the unstoppable force comes to town.

Projected Final Score: New England 31, Indianapolis 24.

The rest of the schedule is…pretty pedestrian.

Washington -3.5 At NY Jets 35.5

There is some distance now in the NFC East with Dallas and the Giants at the top, the ‘Skins in the middle and Philly on the bottom. Despite last week’s awful defeat, the ‘Skins aren’t done competing for a playoff spot just yet, and they will come into this game highly motivated. For the Jets, it looks like the Pennington Era is over for the present, which is a shame. Kellen Clemens takes over at QB in what is shaping up to be a horrible year for the J-E-T-S.

Projected Final Score: Washington 21, NY Jets 17.

At Kansas City -2.5 Green Bay 37.5

The Chiefs come into this one well-rested while the Pack comes in with one less day to prepare. How many folks out there thought that Packers would only have one loss at this point of the year? The alleged experts all picked KC. Maybe they have a point.

Projected Final Score: Kansas City 23, Green Bay 20.

At Tampa Bay -3.5 Arizona 37.5

Two teams going nowhere, and fast. At this point of the season, maybe Arizona has a few more things going for them than do the Bucs.

Projected Final Score: Arizona 21, Tampa Bay 20.

At Tennessee -4 Carolina 35.5

Whether it’s Vinny T or Carr behind the controls, it doesn’t matter all that much. Young will have a bounceback week against a porous Carolina pass defense.

Projected Final Score: Tennessee 21, Carolina 17.

At Atlanta -2.5 San Francisco 37

When the league talks about “parity” does this necessarily mean to the lowest common denominator? These are two atrocious football teams. I dare you to pick a winner here with any reasonable degree of certainty. Good luck…

Projected Final Score: Atlanta 23, San Francisco 20.

At New Orleans -3.5 Jacksonville 40

This is the Saints’ first big test since they appeared to have pulled themselves out of a rut. The Jags are a good team regardless of who’s at quarterback. This week, we’ll find out if the home team is for real or if they’ve been blowing smoke for the past three weeks. We’ll see…

Projected Final Score: New Orleans 24, Jacksonville 20.

At Detroit -2.5 Denver 46

It was only fitting that the Broncos should’ve lost in overtime on Monday, after having won a number of games at the wire this year. There’s no question now that the Lions are (finally) on the upswing. It’s only taken, what, 55 years? How effective will Bailey and Bly be against Kitna? Some weeks Jonny’s a stud, and others he’s a dud. It’s hard to say with this guy…

Projected Final Score: Detroit 27, Denver 23.

At Buffalo 1.0 Cincinnati 43.5

This shapes up to be a classic case of overachievers against underachievers. There is no rational excuse for the Bengals to be in this predicament other than a lack of discipline and professionalism. On paper, this is a game that Cincinnati should win by at least 10 points. On the other hand, nobody can complain about the effort put forth by the Bills. Losman picks up where he left off.

Projected Final Score: Buffalo 24, Cincinnati 21.

San Diego -7.5 At Minnesota 41

The very idea that the Vikes are 7 ½ ‘dogs at home is almost shocking to the core. There are still a number of unemployed quarterbacks out there who could do more than Tarvaris Jackson. Is this the best that the team can do? You’re kidding, right? You’re not…The Chargers are back with all of their obnoxious bluster, and why not with this cupcake on the schedule?

Projected Final Score: San Diego 27, Minnesota 17.

At Cleveland -1 Seattle 46.5

It’s great for the NFL that the Browns are once again relevant. Derek Anderson has been something of a revelation this year and has been a tough and effective leader for the offense. Seattle may win the NFC West (a sad division where a couple of Ivy League teams could contend). It’s hard to figure out why the ‘Hawks have not been a juggernaut in the NFC. They have the talent, although their banged up a little, who isn’t? It’s time for Seattle to put up or shut up.

Projected Final Score: Seattle 21, Cleveland 20.

At Oakland -2.5 Houston 41.5

There may be about 17 people tuned into this one across the land, even if Patriots-Indy weren’t playing at the same time. If Matt Schaub were available, maybe the Texans could come out of the Black Hole on top. With the Mighty Sage at the controls the outcome is slightly more in doubt, notwithstanding the fact that the Oakland Raiders are now but a name from the past.

Projected Final Score: Oakland 23, Houston 20.

Dallas -2.5 At Philadelphia 46.5

It’s sad for any family to encounter personal problems involving their children, but when these all-too common tragedies affect a public person who has led an exemplary and devout life, it’s particularly rough. Rather than sitting in judgment on the Eagles’ coach and the troubles within his family, maybe the media and the public ought to keep their noses out of a matter which involves adults and the judicial system. In every county or district court in the country such tragedies are commonplace. Those among you who have first-hand experience with courts, rehabs, probation officers and the adversarial process know how heart-wrenching this is for any parent. Football fans simply ought to wish the coach and his family the best, and allow the legal process to run its course as if they were like tens of thousands of anonymous parents going through the same predicament.

The players and organization have rallied around their coach, but the question is whether the emotion will be strong enough to overcome one of the elite teams in the league. The Cowboys were knocked off their high horse a couple of weeks ago, and there should be an expectation that they should roll into South Philly looking to build off of the win against Minnesota and solidify their hold on first place in the NFC East.

Projected Final Score: Dallas 24, Philadelphia 21.