Week 9 Picks

My picks can also be found on the Sports on the Hill Podcast which is found at the 1h:35min 45 sec mark.

Big Ben looks to come back against the Ravens
His status remains questionable

Atlanta (-3.5) @ Tampa Bay - Atlanta looks for revenge against the Bucs who beat them earlier this season.  The Bucs defense have suffered more injuries this time around

Detroit (+6) @ Minnesota - A rivalry game that could be close especially since Minnesota's offense is struggling.  

Pittsburgh(-1) @ Baltimore - Big Ben is expected to play.  

NY Jets @ Miami (-3) - Miami coming off a bye and have already beaten the Bills at home. 

Dallas (-7) @ Cleveland- Dallas is streaking and the Browns may be one of the worst teams in football.

Jacksonville @ Kansas City (-7.5) - Blake Bortles has been inconsistent and Kansas City could pressure him into some turnovers.  Te Chiefs methodical offense could get it done, although the Chiefs did lose Charcandrick West to a concussion.   Wideout Tyreek Evans and Kelce are coming off big games and look to exploit a pourous Jacksonville defense that gave up 36 points last week.  

Philadelphia @ New York (-2.5) - The Giants are coming off a bye and look to exploit a relatively weak Eagles secondary and having Odell Beckham doesn't hurt.  The Giants defense only gave up 10 points last time against the Rams although will probably face a tougher test against the Eagles.

Carolina (-3) @ Los Angeles - 

Cam Newton has yet to draw a roughing the passer
penalty over the past 2 seasons

Carolina rebounded off the bye.  The Rams defense could make it close by pressuring Newton into some mistakes.  Still, Case Keenum hasn't been an average starting quarterback at this point as teams will continue to gear up to stop Gurley until Keenum becomes a more consistent quarterback.  

New Orleans (-3.5) @ San Francisco - The Saints are coming off a really good win against a Seattle team.  While the Saints have lost some really weird games this year and San Francisco is coming off a bye, the Saints should come up on top.

Tennessee @ San Diego (-4.5)  - The Chargers look to rebound from a tough loss against a good Broncos team.  I would consider Philips able to get it going against a below average Titans defense although the Chargers should be wary of the Titans who is 3rd in the NFL in rushing.  The Chargers' Travis Benjamin's status is uncertain

Indianapolis @ Green Bay (-7.5)  - Green Bay is looking to come up with a win after a tough loss to Atlanta down the stretch.  Indianopolis may have more success offensively against Green Bay than they did against the Chiefs but there defense is still a mess.

Denver @ Oakland - Denver should be the favorite here, Oakland should not be nearly as prolific as they were against an injury riddled Tampa team.  

Buffalo (+7) @ Seattle  - Both teams look to overcome tough losses. Seattle lost a shootout to the Saints and are now winless in their last two weeks.  Buffalo in the meantime couldn't defeat Tom Brady and the Patriots and now their chances of winning the division look small.  Seattle goes back home but it is hard to say how much separation they can create against a solid Bills' defense.