NFL Season 2014: Week Nine Picks

My stats

Me

Week eight: 9-6

Season total: 77-44

Prisco:

Week Seven: 10-5

Season total: 81-41

Exact spread:

me

Week eight: 1/15

Season: 2/121

Prisco

Week Seven: 0

Season: 2/121

Exact score (game):

me

Week Eight: 0

Season: 0/121

Prisco

Week Eight: 0

Season: 1/121

Exact score (team):

me

Week Seven: 2/30

Season:17/242

Prisco

Week Seven: 1/30

Season: 7/242

Correct upset specials:

me:

4/8

Prisco:

N/A

What a week Big Ben had for the Steelers and, like many of you out there, he sat on my fantasy bench (fortunately, I won anyway).

Picks, I did well, one behind Prisco and remain three games behind him. (Note, on his official page, the tie between the Panthers and the Bengals goes down as a tie. I count this as a loss since the winning team was not correctly picked.) I continue to do well choosing exact team scores, ahead of Prisco nearly 3-1 in this category. Teams are starting to shape up and we are getting a better feel for just who each team is week in and week out.

But, as always, expect some surprises this week.

In honor of the farewell tour of one of my favorite bands, the song this week is by Anberlin.

Bye weeks: Falcons, Bills, Bears, Lions, packers, Titans

Saints (3-4) at Panthers (3-4-1)

The winner of this game will be in the first place in the NFC South... and neither will be above .500. but, the Saints did some nice things last week, including involving Mark Ingram, while the Panthers couldn't move the football against a struggling Seahawks' defense. I like the Saints on the road, but I don't love them.

Saints 26 Panthers 21

result: Saints 28 Panthers 10

Tampa Bay (1-6) at Cleveland (4-3)

The Buccaneers boast the worst offense and the worst defense in the NFL. The Browns are a surprising playoff contender and are looking to keep pace with the Ravens and Steelers. Shouldn't be a problem here.

Buccaneers 10 Browns 24

result: Buccaneers 17 Browns 22

Arizona (6-1) at Dallas (6-2)

Arizona is ranked 25^th in offense and 24^th in defense and is somehow 6-1. The Cowboys are shocking at 6-2, but, coming off a tough home loss, I think they right the ship here, with or without Romo. But this does not make me a believer in Dallas, I'm just more skeptical about Arizona.

Cardinals 17 Cowboys 23

result: Cardinals 28 Cowboys 17

Philadelphia (5-2) at Houston (4-4)

The Eagles have struggled in recent weeks with 12 turnovers over their past four outings. The Texans have underachieved on offense most of the season but the defense has been as stout as ever. In my upset special this week, I take the Texans over Philly.

Eagles 20 Texans 24

result: Eagles 31 Texans 21

New York Jets (1-7) at Kansas City (4-3)

The Jets may actually be worse than the winless Raiders, even with the acquisition of Percy Harvin. The Chiefs are still in the hunt in a super competitive AFC West. Whether Vick or Smith is throwing INT's, it won't matter. Chiefs win in a cake walk.

Jets 7 Chiefs 30

result: Jets 10 Chiefs 24

Jacksonville (1-7) at Cincinnati (4-2-1)

The Bengals righted the ship last week with a nice win over the Ravens. Blake Bortles looked like a rookie, wasting a terrific defensive performance by the Jags. Bengals win here, but I think the Jags make it interesting.

Jaguars 16 Bengals 21

result: Jaguars 23 Bengals 33

San Diego (5-3) at Miami (4-3)

I like what Miami has been doing and I feel like the Chargers have already peaked, A cross country trip against a physical Miami team spells trouble for Phillip Rivers and Co.

Chargers 21 Dolphins 27

result: Chargers 0 Dolphins 37

Washington (3-5) at Minnesota (3-5)

The Redskins shocked many people pulling off the upset in Dallas last week. The Vikings have been solid on defense, but have been inconsistent on offense with a rookie QB at the helm. Still, on a short week and a second straight roadie, it's hard to pick the Skins here.

Redskins 17 Vikings 24

result: Redskins 26 Vikings 29

St. Louis (2-5) at San Francisco (4-3)

Jeff Fisher is a great football coach, but he can't play offensive line. Even with all the injuries upfront, the 49ers pass rush has been strong this year. I think they destroy Austin Davis.

Rams 14 49ers 27

result: Rams 13 49ers 10

Denver (6-1) at New England (5-2)

In a probable AFC Championship preview, expect a shootout. Brady has been the best QB in the NFL the last month and Denver has shown more physicality on defense. Expect a lot of points, and don't bet against Brady at home.

Broncos 31 Patriots 33

result: Broncos 21 Patriots 43

Oakland (0-7) at Seattle (4-3)

On paper, this looks like a huge blowout in the making, and I think it will be. But, remember, in preseason, the Raiders dropped 41 on this team. Also, last year at this time, Seattle faced a winless Tampa Bay team at home, fell behind 21-0 and rallied to win in overtime. I think Seattle has righted the ship, and, as long as they're focused, this should be over by halftime.

Raiders 3 Seahawks 41

result: Raiders 24 Seahawks 30

Baltimore (5-3) at Pittsburgh (5-3)

In a battle for first place, these normally physical teams have been relying on offense this year. The Ravens skunked the Steelers in Baltimore earlier this year, 26-6. I think the Steelers even the series here.

Ravens 23 Steelers 27

Result: Ravens 23 Steelers 43

Colts (5-3) at Giants (3-4)

The Colts just allowed a fifty burger to the Steelers. The Giants, with the 23^rd ranked offense and 27^th ranked defense won't be much of a match against a Colts team playing angry.

Colts 30 Giants 17

Result: Colts 40 Giants 24

Thanks for Reading

A FREELANCE WRITER, HONORS STUDENT AND GOVER PRIZE FINALIST, JUSTIN W. PRICE (AKA, PDXKARAOKEGUY)IS A POET, SHORT STORY, BIOGRAPHY AND HUMOR WRITER. HIS POETRY COLLECTION,DIGGING TO CHINA, WAS RELEASED FEBRUARY 2ND, 2013 BY SWEATSHOPPE PUBLICATIONS AND IS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM, BARNES AND NOBLE AND THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOOKSELLER.

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