NFL Week 9 picks

Once again, I'm picking a large number of home teams, but I like most of picks this time.  We just happen to have a week where strong teams are at home.  There are some potential upsets, and I'll note those as we go along.

Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears:  The Cards might win this one, but I like my Bears.  The defense found life again last week, and that means they'll be coming after the ball.  The Cards can be turnover-prone, especially under pressure, so I like Chicago to keep stopping drives.  BEARS, 23-17

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals:  Here's a rare visitor I'm picking, although the Bengals are equally capable of winning this one.  You'd think these two would produce a defensive battle, which means we'll see more offense than expected.  I think the Ravens have more talent on the offensive side, which gives them the edge, but the unpredictable Bengals offense might play above themselves this week.  RAVENS, 24-23

Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Bucs:  These "Battle of the Bays" used to be exciting, but given the anemic Bucs offense this year, it won't be so this year.  The Pack will roll easily.  PACKERS, 33-16

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts:  The Texans will make this one a defensive battle, but the Colts like those this year.  Manning and company always find ways to win, and the Colts defense is stifling this season.  COLTS, 21-16

Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars:  The Jags will bounce back from their loss to Tennessee last week, even if they weren't playing the hapless Chiefs.  Their opponent simply makes the bounce back much more likely.  JAGS, 13-10

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots:  I think this game will be closer than people might expect, as these two frequently play close games.  However, the Patriots are starting to look like their 2007 selves, so I have to pick the home team.  PATRIOTS, 28-23

Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons:  Washington is in a state of chaos this season.  Atlanta will take advantage of that situation and engineer an strong victory.  FALCONS, 26-17

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints:  The Saints offense is practically unstoppable this season.  The Panthers defense hasn't been impressive enough, so the Saints will move.  The Panthers could be capable of moving the ball themselves, but they have not been consistently successful at that this season.  SAINTS, 34-20

Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks:  This will be a battle of two weak teams.  The Lions have struggled for years, while the Seahawks still have some talent available to them.  That should help them win this one.  SEAHAWKS, 23-17

San Diego Chargers at New York Giants:  The Giants need a victory to reverse their free fall.  This might be the excellent chance to do that.  However, the Chargers are capable of some powerful plays, and the Giants defense hasn't been as good at stopping them as they were when the season began.  I'll pick the Giants, but the Chargers might continue their fall.  GIANTS, 27-24

Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers:  The Titans finally got into the win column last week, but I'm not sure they can build on that.  The 49ers began the season strongly, but their defense has stumbled recently.  However, speed and pressure is their perview, and that causes the Titans problems.  The Titans might pull this one out, but I think this be a low-scoring defensive battle, and that gives the edge to San Francisco.  49ERS, 16-13

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles:  This is the battle for the NFC East lead.  Philadelphia has been flying recently, and Dallas seems to have ironed out their earlier problems.  Either team could win this game, but I like the way Philly has shown up.  Too, the town is still abuzz because of the Phillies, so the emotional level will be intense.  EAGLES, 28-24

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos:  Can Denver follow the footsteps of the Giants?  They suffered their first loss last week, and now it appears that they will suffer a second loss.  The Steelers defense is intense, and that can fluster Denver.  The Steelers offense has struggled at times this season, and the Broncos defense started the season on top.  This will be a tough battle, and Pittsburgh tends to come through those.  STEELERS, 27-23