NFL - Week Nine predictions

The Tennessee Titans continue to impress. Their latest victims: the Indianapolis Colts. A 7-0 start is unprecedented for the growing franchise. Who knows where it will take them - maybe to the Super Bowl with the currently 6-2 Redskins? The Skins take on the Steelers on Monday Night Football before heading into their bye week.

As for our experts, Kevin's lead continues to grow as he now holds a double-digit lead over veteran Anshul. Sean remains right on Anshul's trail as both try to make a push in the second half of the season to catch Kevin. In a week with many upsets being predicted, it is difficult to say what Kevin's lead will be like afterwards. Let the Chips fall as they may!

Standings:

	Last week	Season total
Anshul	7-7	68-48
Kevin	9-5	78-38
Sean	8-6	67-49

Sunday November 2, 2008

New York Jets (4-3) at Buffalo Bills (5-2)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Buffalo	Buffalo	New York

Anshul says:
The Bills have been on the decline recently, but the Jets have been getting lucky. Brett Favre has been throwing picks, but his team continues to find ways to win. That won't happen in Buffalo.

Kevin says:
The Bills suffered a disappointing loss to a pretty bad team. They have to play better to beat the Jets, and they should.

Sean says:
Hmm, guess it's that time again. NON-CONFORMITY TIME! HUZZAH!

Detroit Lions (0-7) at Chicago Bears (4-3)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Chicago	Chicago	Chicago

Anshul says:
The Lions played better against the Skins, but are still not good. I feel sorry for those city boys born and raised in south Detroit.

Kevin says:
The Bears are a solid team at 4-3. The Lions are clearly not a solid team at 0-7. This is not a game that the Lions should win.

Sean says:
So close Detroit, so close! Just wait until Detroit plays the Bengals.

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-8)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Jacksonville	Jacksonville	Jacksonville

Anshul says:
The Bengals will get a win eventually, but not yet.

Kevin says:
I still have great faith in the Jaguars, especially since they ought to be 5-2. The Bengals may have been 1-7, but they're still terrible.

Sean says:
Gosh, the Bengals need a win. When are they playing Detroit?

Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Cleveland Browns (3-4)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Baltimore	Cleveland	Cleveland

Anshul says:
The Ravens still boast a stellar defense anchored by their elite linebacking corps, and their offense is starting to get tricky with dual-quarterback sets. Maybe they'll bring in a third quarterback as a blocker. It could happen.

Kevin says:
The Browns are somewhat inconsistent, especially when their offense stagnates like it did against the Redskins. The Ravens too are inconsistent, their defense fluctuating incredibly. I'd have to go with the Browns on this one, as they should be recovering Kellen Winslow soon.

Sean says:
HELLO CLEVELAND! ARE YOU READY TO ROCK? Maybe next week.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-6)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Tampa Bay	Tampa Bay	Tampa Bay

Anshul says:
Tampa Bay had a chance to put the Cowboys pretty much out of the hunt last week but couldn't do it. The Chiefs won't see that mercy.

Kevin says:
The Chiefs are terrible, despite what they may tell you in Kansas City. I always wanted to be a pirate for Halloween.

Sean says:
I want to be a chief for their sense of style. Clearly, Kevin wants to be a pirate to get more booty. The Bucs are definitely winning this.

Houston Texans (3-4) at Minnesota Vikings (3-4)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Minnesota	Houston	Houston

Anshul says:
Purple Jesus will awaken to wreak havoc in the Texans' defense. Minnesota has the running game to get their offense started - all they need is a spark.

Kevin says:
The Vikings need to make up some lost ground if they want to go to the postseason. To me, the Texans seem more diligent and capable of doing this than the Vikings - just look at star receiver Andre Johnson.

Sean says:
Oil prices have been declining in the past month. Houston deserves the win more.

Arizona Cardinals (4-3) at St. Louis Rams (2-5)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
St. Louis	Arizona	St.Louis

Anshul says:
Okay, so the Rams didn't undergo a complete 180 in the past few weeks. But they were playing without Steven Jackson last week, who has been their key to success as of recent. I predict an upset here, and the Rams might just crawl out of the lowly pits of disgrace.

Kevin says:
The Rams have been brought down to earth after losing to the Patriots even without Tom Brady. The Cardinals came off a narrow loss to the amazing Panthers. I think we've been over-estimating the Rams after they beat two of the best teams, but their lucky streak should certainly end now.

Sean says:
The Rams did their duty. They beat the Skins at FedEx field, what more could we ask of them? In fact, if they beat the Cardinals, I'd be ever so happy. Let's go, Rams!

Green Bay Packers (4-3) at Tennessee Titans (7-0)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Tennessee	Tennessee	Tennessee

Anshul says:
The Titans have completed the shift in power in the division, snatching away the Colts' hopes of remaining the crop of the AFC South. Step aside, A-Rodg, the Titans are rolling now.

Kevin says:
The Titans are unstoppable.

Sean says:
The Titans restore my faith in football.

Miami Dolphins (3-4) at Denver Broncos (4-3)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Denver	Miami	Denver

Anshul says:
Denver has been on the decline, but a strong showing at Mile High should help them return to their dominant offensive start to the season. The Dolphins' wildcat offense is about as vicious as the Wildcats of "High School Musical."

Kevin says:
I'm picking this upset because the Broncos have been getting more and more inconsistent. After an incredible start, quarterback Jay Cutler was completely destroyed by the Patriots two weeks ago. The Dolphins, on the other hand, have been getting better.

Sean says:
His Holiness Bill Parcells left no sign as to what to do about the threatening Appaloosas. He did say that the Football Gods disfavor those that travel to the mile-high city without a good defense.

Dallas Cowboys (5-3) at New York Giants (6-1)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
New York	Dallas	Dallas

Anshul says:
I hope that Dallas beats the Giants so the Skins can take the division lead. But with another QB change possible for the Cowboys, the Giants shouldn't have many problems winning this one.

Kevin says:
I hate to pick either of these teams to win, but since they're playing against each other, something's got to happen. The Cowboys narrowly beat the Buccaneers last week and the Giants won against the mighty Steelers, but I know that the Giants will be pulled back down so that the Redskins can take the division.

Sean says:
When will they learn that haters only help my ego - this game could really go either way. Both of these contenders have lost to some funky teams. The Giants did lose to the Browns, and even more incredibly, the Cowboys lost to the Redskins. However, the fact that the Giants are coming away from a Steelers game really doesn't tell us much. I would never pick against Dallas and give Anshul the satisfaction. Therefore: DALLAS. ALL DAY, EVERYDAY.

Atlanta Falcons (4-3) at Oakland Raiders (2-5)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Atlanta	Oakland	Oakland

Anshul says:
A battle of offensive rookies here: Matt Ryan versus Darren McFadden. I give this one to Ryan because of his supporting cast and because the air attack is always more explosive than the rushing game.

Kevin says:
The Falcons are pretty bad despite all of the hype about Ryan. The Raiders are terrible, but I feel a win for them here.

Sean says:
Oompa Lompa doopity do! I've got another convoluted way of explaining my pick for you. Oompa lompa doopity da! The Oakland Raiders will go far!

Philadelphia Eagles (4-3) at Seattle Seahawks (2-5)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Philadelphia	Philadelphia	Philadelphia

Anshul says:
The Eagles started the season hot, but they got cold when Brian Westbrook went down and are now starting to pick up steam again. A win here may put them above the Cowboys in the division.

Kevin says:
The Seahawks did well against the Niners last week, but that's because they played against the Niners. The Eagles with Westbrook should become another main contender for the heavily-contested NFC East.

Sean says:
I'm rooting for the team with large talons! Gosh!

New England Patriots (5-2) at Indianapolis Colts (3-4)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Indianapolis	New England	Indianapolis

Anshul says:
The Pats may have the better record, but the Colts are on the rise. After a solid win against Baltimore and a strong showing against the Titans, the Colts are returning to their elite form slowly but surely. Without Tom Brady for Peyton Manning to have to keep up with, the Colts should be able to hammer out a victory here with a balanced offensive attack.

Kevin says:
The Colts have literally died since last year. The Patriots are regaining ground despite Brady's injury. This would have been a good game to watch last season.

Sean says:
Let me tell you a secret: the Patriots are very good. Logically, they should destroy the Colts, but their morale has fallen. I love to see karma happen right before my eyes; it makes everything seem right in the world.

Monday, Nov. 3

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) at Washington Redskins (6-2)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Washington	Washington	Pittsburgh

Anshul says:
Clinton Portis is my early vote for MVP. He is the NFL's leading rusher at the half-way point in the season and has been instrumental to the Skins' success. Santana Moss had a great game last week and will have to show up big again this week with Portis to take care of the Steelers.

Kevin says:
Let's be practical here. The Redskins have been suffering from injuries as they do every year. However, they have a much more solid team that can destroy anyone on any given night. The Steelers are good, but not that good. Sorry, Sean.

Sean says:
[Coughs.] RAMS. [Cough cough.]