NFL 2012 Week 9 picks

I broke the alternating streaks of successful v unsuccessful weeks, having a tremendously successful week last week.  This week looks good, too, as I am favoring a small number of visiting teams.

Thursday night:  Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers:  The Chiefs offense is in real trouble.  The team has made it clear that they don't trust Matt Cassel to get the job done, but he has to step in for an injured Brady Quinn.  That won't help them, and puts too much pressure on the shoulders of running back Jamaal Charles.  The Chargers offense has stunk the past two weeks, but the pathetic Chiefs defense will give them a chance to shine this week.  CHARGERS, 27-17

Sunday early games
Arizona Cardinals at Green Bay Packers:  With two ailing quarterbacks, the Cardinals offense looks limited.  Green Bay's defense isn't great, but they not need to be against Arizona in this condition.  The Pack's offense, on the other hand, has woken up and putting up good numbers (although Aaron Rodgers was a bit light on them this past week).  PACK, 30-13

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns:  The Ravens defense got a chance to heal up during their bye week, but with two of their best defenders out for the rest of the season, I'm not sure how much it would help.  With Brandon Wheeden moving the Browns offense, I have to go for the upset here.  Baltimore might still win, but I like the chances of "new" Cleveland beating "old Cleveland" for the first time.  BROWNS, 26-23

Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans:  Buffalo had an extra to prepare, but how do you really prepare against the Texans' defense?  TEXANS, 30-17

Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins:  I'm amazed the sports shows haven't made a bigger deal of this game.  Think about it -- Cam Newton against RGIII!  Both are talented players who can run and pass.  Newton improved his performance last week, which seems to have toned down his depression and confusion.  RGIII hit a Steel Curtain last week, but he still moves the ball well.  I think the rookie will win this contest, especially since Washington has a better defense than Carolina does.  REDSKINS, 23-16

Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans:  Matt Hasselbeck will continue to start, despite a healing Jake Locker possibly ready to go.  That won't help, as the Chicago defense will torment the Titans.  The Titans don't have much of a rushing defense, so Cutler will have the time to do well.  BEARS, 27-13

Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals:  The Broncos defense is porous enough that the Bengals will score, but Peyton is finding his stride.  I predict Manning will pass for 3 TDs in this game, making it four games in a row.  BRONCOS, 28-23

Detroit Lions at Jacksonville Jaguars:  The Lions are still suffering from inconsistent play, but that's better than consistently BAD, which is how Jacksonville has been playing.  LIONS, 26-16

Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts:  Upset number two this week (I must be getting more confident in my picks!).  Miami has better stats, but the Colts are starting to get it together.  Miami's defense might make it hard, but I'm going for the upset anyway.  COLTS, 27-23

Sunday late games
Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks:  If ever there was a "gimmee" game, it's this one.  These two teams are fairly evenly matched.  The Vikings have a better running game but Ponder remains a bit inconsistent, while Russell Wilson is finding his footing.  Seattle's defense is a bit better, and so is the special teams.  That's the difference in this game, I think.  SEAHAWKS, 27-24

Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants:  The NFC has been winning most of the cross-conference contests this season, and I think that will continue. The Steelers defense will make things hard for the Giants, but somehow they always some way to win.  GIANTS, 24-20

Tampa Bay Bucs at Oakland Raiders:  Stout Bucs run defense will slow Darren McFadden, who is most of Oakland's yardage.  That right there gives Bucs the edge.  BUCS, 26-16

Sunday night:  Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons:  They aren't facing the Giants, so the Cowboys are back to struggling offensively.  Atlanta doesn't have that problem, so this game won't be close.  FALCONS, 27-13

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:  Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints:  Neither team has stellar defenses, so the offenses will do well.  The Saints certainly have the better offense, and I suspect a couple of Vick turnovers will give them a short field, confirming a strong Saints lead.  The Eagles will attempt to come back in the fourth quarter, but they'll fall short.  SAINTS, 31-23