NFL 2017 Week 9 picks

I apologize to everyone for last week's missing column.  I thought sure I had posted it!  All I can say is that it has been a busy couple of weeks.  Strangely, it was a near-perfect week of picks!  Hopefully that means I'm getting the hang of the quirks of 2017.

Thurs Nov 2
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets:  While the Jets have not been the pathetic weaklings I predicted, they haven't been having a stellar season.  The Bills, on the other hand, have been doing very well, posting one of the better records in the league.  Their offense is working, and it's working better than the Jets.  BILLS

Sunday early games
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers:  These two teams are fairly evenly matched, so this will likely be a close games.  In close games, the Panthers have the edge.  Furthermore, if the fourth quarter is going to make a difference in this game, I certainly favor the Panthers.  PANTHERS

Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans:  The Titans have been doing very well this season, but the Ravens are starting to find their footing.  Furthermore, QB Joe Flacco is expected back for this game.  That should motivate their defense as well, giving them enough emphasis to pull out a victory.  RAVENS

Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars:  Nobody has been demonstrating that preseason performance is a poor indication of regular season performance than Jaguars QB Blake Bortles.  He struggled mightily through preseason, but has been leading this team to a excellent season.  Andy Dalton, on the other hand, has not been helping the Bengals much.  JAGUARS

Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles:  The Eagles lead the league, and their massive offense has been a major reason.  The Broncos have a stingy defense, but I don't think they are strong enough to keep the Eagles at a level for their inconsistent offense to win.  EAGLES

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans:  The Texans may be missing some key defensive pieces, but they won't need them to win this game.  The Colts have been atrocious, and their porous defense would even allow Tom Savage to score.  TEXANS

Los Angeles Rams at New York Giants: The Giants are really having troubles this season.  Now they face a talented Rams defense and an offense augmented by a well-trained Jared Goff.  The Rams are winning by pure force.  RAMS

Tampa Bay Bucs at New Orleans Saints:  The Saints have been a bit inconsistent this season, but they haven't lost offensive power.  Their problems have often come on the heels of mistakes.  Tampa Bay can cause opponents to make mistakes, but the Saints have recently been getting a handle on that, so they should win this game.  SAINTS

Sunday late games
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers:  The 49ers are struggling mightily this season.  The Cardinals are not operating as smoothly as they have in recent years, but they certainly can get past the hapless 49ers.  CARDINALS

Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys:  It looks like Dallas will be without the services of Zeke Elliot.  While he has not been contributing as much to the offense as he did last season, he adds a spirit to the team that will be missing.  Expect the Chiefs to exploit that.  CHIEFS

Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks:  The Redskins stumble when they face a strong defense, and that defines the Seahawks.  Add in the fact that no team has a better home record over the past two seasons as Seattle, and things look dim for Kurt Cousins and company.  SEAHAWKS

Sunday night
Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins:  Jay Cutler found new life in Miami, but he's now out with injury, and the QB carousel begins in Miami.  With Derek Carr back, Oakland is secure.  RAIDERS

Monday Night Football
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers:  If Aaron Rodgers were playing, I'd pick the Packers with no hesitation.  His absence, though, as severely limited the offense.  The Lions haven't looked too good this season, but their defense should sufficiently shut down the depowered Packers offense enough for the Lions to win.  LIONS