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NFL Week9 Picks
NFL is at halfway. Are the games more predictable then at the start of the season? Ecobika sportsbetting picks publishes picks NFL week9.
Cincinnati (4-3) at Baltimore (5-2), Sunday, 1:00 Baltimore -3
Storylines: Top two teams in the AFC North face off in Charm City...Ravens were 35-22 winners against Saints last week, the first game since head coach Brian Billick fired offensive coordinator Jim Fassel and assumed play-calling responsibilities...Bengals have dropped three of their last four, including last week's 29-27 loss to Atlanta...Cincinnati running back Rudi Johnson publicly complained after receiving a season-low 12 carries last Sunday... Ravens are No. 1 in the league against the run (66 yards per game), in yards allowed per rush (2.7), and in interceptions (15)...Ravens running back Jamal Lewis posted his first 100-yard game of the season last week, and quarterback Steve McNair posted his best passer rating since 2003...Bengals will be without center Rich Braham (leg), left tackle Levi Jones (knee) and wide receiver Kelley Washington (hamstring)...Baltimore is tied for the NFL lead in takeaways (22) and turnover margin (+11) with Chicago...Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis was defensive coordinator with Baltimore from 1996 through 2001.
Fast Fact: The Ravens (three straight losses to Cincinnati) have not lost four in a row to one team since dropping five straight to Pittsburgh between 2001 and 2003.
Prediction: Homestanding Baltimore should be able to take advantage of the Bengals' depleted state. Ravens 24, Bengals 19.
Green Bay (3-4) at Buffalo (2-5), Sunday, 1:00 Buffalo -3
Storylines: Green Bay, which is 0-4 in Buffalo all-time, vying for its first three-game win streak since winning six in a row during the 2004 season... Bills' Week 8 bye was preceded by a three-game losing streak...Ahman Green and Vernand Morency both went over 100 yards in the Packers' 31-14 win over Arizona last week, but Morency (back) will not play on Sunday...Buffalo will unveil a new-look offensive line this week, with Jason Peters moving from right tackle to left tackle, Mike Gandy moving from left tackle to left guard, and rookie Terrance Pennington taking over at right tackle...Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman is tied for the NFL lead in sacks (8.5) along with suspended Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman...Green Bay is last in NFL passing defense (270.3 yards per game), but is also facing a league-high 37.9 pass attempts per game...Packers QB Brett Favre has not thrown an interception in three straight games, his longest such streak since 2002...Bills are 11-6 all-time following the bye week.
Fast Fact: Buffalo head coach Dick Jauron is 2-9 all-time against the Packers (including 0-5 in home games), and has lost eight straight games to Green Bay, where he served as an assistant from 1986 through 1994.
Prediction: If Buffalo can't beat Green Bay at home, there may be no hope for Jauron. Bills 27, Packers 20.
Miami (1-6) at Chicago (7-0), Sunday, 1:00 Chicago -13
Storylines: Bears are 7-0 for the first time since 1985, when they won their first 12 before suffering their only loss of the season to Miami (38-24)... Chicago is one of two unbeaten NFL teams as Week 9 begins (Indianapolis)... Dolphins preceded their Week 8 bye with four straight losses...Joey Harrington, who threw for a career-high 414 yards on 32-of-66 passing against the Packers in Week 7, likely to make his fourth consecutive start for the Dolphins...Bears lead the NFL in scoring offense (31.6 points per game)... Yeremiah Bell to replace Travares Tillman at strong safety for Miami...Chicago leads the NFL in total defense (245.9 yards per game), scoring defense (9.9 points per game), and forced fumbles lost (14), and is tied for the league lead in takeaways (22) and turnover margin (+11) with Baltimore...Bears kicker Robbie Gould is a perfect 20-of-20 on field goals this season, and leads the NFL in scoring (83 points)...Dolphins are 10-7 all-time following the bye week.
Fast Fact: In his last outing against the Bears (Sept. 18, 2005), current Miami quarterback Joey Harrington completed 19-of-37 passes for 196 yards with a touchdown and career-worst five interceptions in a 38-6 defeat for the Lions.
Prediction: Miami will play with some fire following the bye week, but won't have enough to upset streaking Chicago. Bears 20, Dolphins 10.
Atlanta (5-2) at Detroit (1-6), Sunday, 1:00 Atlanta -5
Storylines: Atlanta, which shares the NFC South lead with New Orleans, will look to at least keep pace with the Saints...Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has seven touchdown passes in his last two games, the best two-game stretch of his NFL career...Falcons defeated Lions, 27-7, last Thanksgiving, prompting the firing of then-Detroit head coach Steve Mariucci...Falcons lead the NFL in rushing offense (210.9 yards per game)...Atlanta runs the ball a league-high 36.7 times per game, Detroit a league-low 19.3 times per game...Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall is tied for the NFL lead in interceptions (4)...Lions are allowing opponents to complete a league-high 70.8 percent of passes... Detroit offensive linemen Ross Verba (hamstring) and Rex Tucker (knee) likely to return to the starting lineup this week...Lions linebacker Boss Bailey expected to move from the middle to the strong side, with either Teddy Lehman or Paris Lenon playing the middle...Lions are 7-10 all-time following the bye week.
Fast Fact: Lions wide receiver Mike Williams (zero catches this season) had a career-high six receptions totaling 84 yards in a 27-7 loss to Atlanta last Nov. 24th.
Prediction: It is difficult to envision Detroit slowing Vick and the Atlanta offense to any substantial degree. Falcons 23, Lions 16.
Tennessee (2-5) at Jacksonville (4-3), Sunday, 1:00 Jacksonville -9
Storylines: Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard, who led the Jaguars to a 13-6 win in Philadelphia last week, expected to make his second consecutive start ahead of Byron Leftwich (ankle)...Tennessee expected to be without cornerback Pacman Jones, who will reportedly be suspended following an altercation with a woman at a nightclub...Titans are on a two-game winning streak for the first time since 2003...Tennessee running back Travis Henry had a streak of 100-yard games stopped at two in last week's win over Houston... Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis is tied for the NFL lead in interceptions (4)...Tennessee is last in NFL total defense (372.3 yards per game)...Jacksonville Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, who has missed the last three games with an ankle injury, considered questionable to return on Sunday...Jaguars swept last year's home-and-home with the Titans... Jacksonville running backs Fred Taylor and Maurice-Jones Drew combined for 180 rushing yards on 36 carries last Sunday.
Fast Fact: Vince Young is set to become the fourth quarterback (Matt Mauck, Billy Volek, Steve McNair) to play for Tennessee in its last three meetings with Jacksonville.
Prediction: If Donovan McNabb failed to move the ball on the Jacksonville defense, how do you think Young will fare? Jaguars 31, Titans 7.
Houston (2-5) at N.Y. Giants (5-2), Sunday, 1:00 N.Y. Giants -13
Storylines: Giants enter Week 9 with a one-game lead on second-place Dallas in the NFC East...Houston quarterback David Carr expected to start after being benched in favor of Sage Rosenfels in the second half of last week's 28-22 loss to the Titans...The Texans' Gary Kubiak still looking for his first road win as an NFL head coach...Giants running back Tiki Barber leads the NFL in rushing yards (715), but is still seeking his first touchdown of 2006... Houston wideout Andre Johnson leads the NFL in receptions (56) and receiving yards (669)...Texans lead the NFL in completion percentage (70.7)...Giants signed ex-Lions, Vikings, and Rams linebacker Chris Claiborne on Tuesday... Houston has a league-low one interception on the season, and is tied for last in the NFL in takeaways (5) along with Washington...Texans are tied for last in the league in turnover margin (-9)...New York defensive Osi Umenyiora (hip) and cornerback Sam Madison (hamstring) both considered questionable for Sunday.
Fast Fact: In his only career meeting against the Texans (Nov. 24, 2002), Giants running back Tiki Barber carried 19 times for 146 yards and a touchdown in a 16-14 loss.
Prediction: Carr won't consistently avoid the Giants pass rush, and the Houston defense will have no answer for the New York running game. Giants 27, Texans 10.
Kansas City (4-3) at St. Louis (4-3), Sunday, 1:00 St. Louis -2
Storylines: Show-Me-State foes will both look to remain a vital part of the playoff picture...St. Louis, which has lost back-to-back games to the Seahawks (30-28) and Chargers (38-24), sits in a tie for first in the NFC West with the Seahawks...Kansas City quarterback Damon Huard will make his seventh and perhaps final start in place of the injured Trent Green (severe concussion), who has returned to practice...Chiefs have won four of their last five...Rams wide receiver Torry Holt leads the NFL in TD receptions (7)...Kansas City running back Larry Johnson has 287 rushing yards and six touchdowns over his last two games...Rams have coughed up a league-low one interception on the season...St. Louis linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (broken hand) considered questionable to return...Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzales will this week be vying for his third straight 100-yard game, which would be his longest triple- digit streak since 2000.
Fast Fact: The Chiefs are 3-0 against the Rams since the latter franchise moved to St. Louis in 1995.
Prediction: Johnson will get his yards, but Kansas City will have some problems against Holt and the St. Louis passing attack. Rams 28, Chiefs 24
New Orleans (5-2) at Tampa Bay (2-5), Sunday, 1:00 New Orleans -1
Storylines: New Orleans, which shares the NFC South lead with Atlanta, will look to at least keep pace with the Falcons...Buccaneers trying to avenge a 24-21 loss at the Saints in Week 5... Saints running back Reggie Bush likely to play despite injuring his ankle in last week's 35-22 loss to the Ravens... Tampa Bay is last in the league in scoring offense (12.6 points per game), and has gone eight quarters without an offensive touchdown...Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw a season-high three interceptions last week, including two that were returned for touchdowns... Bucs have allowed 11 runs of 20 yards or more this season, the most in the league...New Orleans wideouts Marques Colston and Joe Horn combined for 11 catches, 289 yards, and three TD receptions last week...Tampa Bay running back Cadillac Williams was held to a season-low 20 yards on eight carries last Sunday.
Fast Fact: The worst eight-game start in the head coaching career of Tampa Bay's Jon Gruden was a 3-5 start in 2004.
Prediction: There is little to indicate that the Bucs will snap out of their offensive funk this week, while New Orleans should prove resilient as ever. Saints 21, Buccaneers 18.
Dallas (4-3) at Washington (2-5), Sunday, 1:00 Dallas -3
Storylines: Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who led Dallas to a 35-14 win over Carolina on Sunday night, will make his second career NFL start...Washington trying to snap a three-game losing streak as well as avenging a 27-10 loss at Dallas in Week 2...Cowboys wideout Terrell Owens has 20 receptions, 250 receiving yards, and four touchdowns in his past three games combined... Washington trying to avoid its seventh sweep at the hands of Dallas in the last nine years...Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss (hamstring) and running back Clinton Portis (ankle) both nursing injuries heading into the Dallas game...Dallas quarterbacks have thrown a league-high-tying 12 interceptions (Oakland)...Redskins defense is last in the league in sacks (10), and tied for last in takeaways (5) along with Houston...Cowboys have 12 rushing touchdowns on the year, tied for the most in the league (San Diego)...Redskins are 9-8 all-time following the bye week.
Fast Fact: Redskins running back Clinton Portis has not scored a touchdown in four career meetings with the Cowboys.
Prediction: Redskins will come out with some pride against their rival, but will lose due to an inferior base of talent. Cowboys 23, Redskins 22.
Minnesota (4-3) at San Francisco (2-5), Sunday, 4:05 Minnesota -5
Storylines: Minnesota tries to bounce back from a humbling 31-7 home loss to New England on Monday night, while San Francisco attempts a recovery from a 41-10 thrashing in Chicago...Quarterback Brad Johnson expected to start after being benched in favor of Brooks Bollinger late in Monday's loss...Vikings have four defensive touchdowns on the year, the most in the league...49ers are last in NFL scoring defense (33.6 points per game), and are on pace to allow 538 points, which would break the dubious record of 533 set by the 1981 Baltimore Colts...Vikings expected to be without tackle Kevin Williams (high ankle sprain) and linebacker Napoleon Harris (dislocated wrist) on Sunday... San Francisco running back Frank Gore has three 100-yard games to his credit this season, but has not scored a touchdown since Week 2...Niners have given up 202 points (40.4 per game) in their five losses this season...San Francisco has lost a league-high 12 fumbles on the season, and is tied for last in the league in turnover margin (-9).
Fast Fact: The Vikings are 0-7 in San Francisco (regular season and playoffs) since scoring a 36-24 victory in a 1987 NFC Divisional Playoff.
Prediction: San Francisco has the ability to beat a depleted Minnesota team, but that doesn't mean the Niners will. Vikings 16, 49ers 13.
Denver (5-2) at Pittsburgh (2-5), Sunday, 4:15 Pittsburgh -2
Storylines: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger seeks to bounce back from last week's four-interception debacle in a loss to the Raiders... Broncos will be trying to avenge a 34-17 home loss to the Steelers in the 2005 AFC Championship...Denver enters Week 9 with a share of the AFC West lead along with San Diego...Broncos allowed 34 points in last Sunday's loss to the Colts, after surrendering a total of 44 through their first six games...Denver's 31 points against Indianapolis bettered its previous 2006 season-high of 17... Steelers placed running back Verron Haynes (knee) and linebacker Arnold Harrison (knee) on injured reserve this week, while Pro Bowl center Jeff Hartings (knee) will miss at least one game...Denver has allowed a league-low five touchdowns on the year, three of which came last week...Broncos have yet to surrender a rushing TD on the season...Denver rookie running back Mike Bell, who rushed for a career-high 136 yards and two touchdowns last week, could see extensive time in place of the ailing Tatum Bell (sprained big toes).
Fast Fact: The Broncos' last trip to Pittsburgh resulted in a 24-21 Denver win in the 1997 AFC Championship.
Prediction: Battered Steelers team doesn't figure to get well against a physical, determined band of Broncos. Broncos 17, Steelers 9.
Cleveland (2-5) at San Diego (5-2), Sunday, 4:15 San Diego -12
Storylines: Chargers, who own a share of the AFC West lead along with Denver, will play their first of four games without Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman (violation of league's steroid policy), who is currently tied for the NFL lead in sacks (8.5)...Browns, who were 20-13 winners over the Jets last Sunday, have not won back-to-back games since Weeks 5-6 of the 2003 season... San Diego head coach Marty Schottenheimer spent nine seasons with the Cleveland organization (1980-88), including four as head coach...Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson leads the NFL in touchdowns (11) and rushing touchdowns (9)...Browns safety Sean Jones is tied for the league lead in interceptions (4)...Chargers are tied for the league lead in sacks (26)... Browns running back Reuben Droughns rushed for a season-high 125 yards against the Jets...Cleveland is allowing opponents to complete a league-worst 52.8 percent of passes...Chargers outside linebacker Shaun Phillips (calf) is questionable.
Fast Fact: Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer is 4-2-1 all-time against the Browns, who he coached from 1984 through 1988
Prediction: Merriman or no Merriman, the Browns won't move the ball consistently, or slow down L.T. Chargers 34, Browns 13.
Indianapolis (7-0) at New England (6-1), Sunday, 8:15 New England -3
Storylines: Top two teams in the AFC square off at Gillette Stadium...Winner will have inside track on homefield advantage in the playoffs at the season's midway point...Indianapolis is one of two unbeaten NFL teams (Chicago) as Week 9 begins...Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was 0-7 in New England prior to last year's 40-21 win at Gillette Stadium...Manning leads the NFL in passer rating (108.0), and Indianapolis leads the NFL in passing offense (273.7 yards per game)...Indy has allowed a league-low seven sacks and committed an NFL- best four turnovers on the year...Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, who is a perfect 14-of-14 on field goals this season, played in four Super Bowls as a member of the Patriots from 1996 through 2005...Colts are last in NFL rushing defense (167.9 yards per game) and yards allowed per rush (5.4)...Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw for a season-high 372 yards and four touchdowns in Monday night's 31-7 win over the Vikings...Indianapolis wide receiver Reggie Wayne has 17 catches for 260 yards and four touchdowns in his past two games combined.
Fast Fact:The Colts are 7-0 on Sunday and Monday nights since a Sunday night loss to the Broncos on Dec. 21, 2003.
Prediction: Always risky to bet against Bill Belichick in a big-game situation, especially on his home turf. Patriots 27, Colts 20.
Oakland (2-5) at Seattle (4-3), Monday, 8:30 Seattle -7
Storylines: Seahawks, who have lost two in a row, enter Week 9 with a share of the NFC West lead along with St. Louis... Raiders seeking their first three- game win streak since the 2002 season, when they reached the Super Bowl... Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (knee) and running back Shaun Alexander (foot) will both remain out, with Seneca Wallace and Maurice Morris taking their respective places...Seattle last lost three in a row in Weeks 5-7 of the 2004 season, and last dropped back-to-back home games in Weeks 12-13 of '04... Oakland is last in the league in total offense (234 yards per game), passing offense (123 yards per game), turnovers (21), completion percentage (46.3) and sacks absorbed (35)...Raiders are tied for last in the league in turnover margin (-9)...Raiders are No. 1 in the league in passing defense (159.1 yards per game), but have faced eight fewer passing attempts than any other NFL team...Raiders are 36-22-1 (.619) all-time on Monday night, including a 27-0 loss to the Chargers in Week 1...Oakland last won on Monday night in 2002, and is 0-4 since...Seahawks are 13-8 (.619) all-time on Monday night.
Fast Fact: The only head-to-head meeting between Art Shell and Mike Holmgren came in 1993, when Holmgren's Packers defeated Shell's Raiders, 28-0, to clinch Green Bay's first playoff berth in 11 years.
Prediction: Wallace will convert a couple of short fields for touchdowns in Seattle's final game before the return of Shaun Alexander. Seahawks 14, Raiders 6.
As always, check the latest injury reports, ATS info, livelines, click here
About the Author: As always, check the latest injury reports, ATS info, livelines, click here
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