Pete's Picks: NFL Week 9

This Steelers-Giants game will have a different feel to it.

Apologies for not getting my Thursday Night pick up (I went with the Chargers, by the way). I've been a refugee this week, as my Manhattan apartment building still waits for the power to return. Thankfully, my girlfriend has been nice enough to host me for the entire week while tolerating me endlessly staring into my laptop to type football nonsense. I owe her, big time.

Last Week: 9-5

Regular Season: 55-60-3 

Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals

Only one of the Broncos nine remaining opponents currently has a winning record. First round bye, anyone?

The Pick: Broncos (-3.5)

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns

Ravens coach John Harbaugh is 4-0 in the week after a bye.

The Pick: Ravens (-3.5)

Arizona Cardinals at Green Bay Packers

I wrote about standout rookie cornerback Casey Hayward in this week's Next Man Up, but Randall Cobb has been just as valuable of a injury replacement. Aaron Rodgers has a 134.6 QB rating when throwing in Cobb's direction.

The Pick: Packers (-10)

Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans

The Bills' three wins have come against the Chiefs, Browns, and pass-blocking-challenged Cardinals. Not great for a team who I predicted would grab a wild card spot.
 
The Pick: Texans (-10)

Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts

At the start of the season, who ever thought that the rookie QB who wins this game would be 5-3? When pressured on a league-high 52.3% of his snaps last week, Andrew Luck was 14-of-17 with just two sacks. I don't have to tell you how ridiculous that is.

The Pick: Colts (+2.5)

Detroit Lions at Jacksonville Jaguars

All three of the Lions's wins this season have come thanks to ridiculous comebacks. If they can't beat the Jaguars, you might as well kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.

The Pick: Lions (-4.5)

Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans

If the Bears win this game, which they should, they'll be 7-1, but with just one win against a team that currently has a winning record. Call me unimpressed.


The Pick: Bears (-3.5)

Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins

This year's rookie QB media darling faces last year's rookie QB media darling. I'll take the one playing with some confidence right now.

The Pick: Redskins (-3)

Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants

I previewed this game for Pro Football Focus here. The Giants play well against tougher opponents, and Tom Coughlin won't have any trouble conveying the emotional significance of this game to his team.

The Pick: Giants (-3)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Oakland Raiders

Josh Freeman already has nearly as many touchdowns as he threw all last season. Vincent Jackson and Mike Sullivan deserve a lot of credit for rejuvenating one of the league's promising young QBs.

The Pick: Buccaneers (+2)

Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks

Which QB leads all rookies in TD passes? Yes, Russell Wilson. After throwing zero interceptions in his first four games, Christian Ponder has seven in his last four.

The Pick: Seahawks (-4)

Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons

The Cowboys were a Dez Bryant fingertip away from being half a game back of the NFC East lead. This game will be close, but I'm not going to bet on Tony Romo, in primetime, against a Falcons defense that is tied for third in the NFL with 10 interceptions.

The Pick: Falcons (-3.5)

Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints

The Saints defense has been historically awful this season. They're the first team since 1950 to surrender at least 400 yards in their first seven games.

The Pick: Eagles (+3)
 

Happy football, everyone.

Follow me at @PFF_Pete.

Odds found here.

Image found here.