PREVIEW - WEEK NINE

Houston Texans @ Minnesota Vikings
Line: Vikings -4.5
O/U: 47
Linebuster!
The Texans have won three games in a row, but heading up to Minnesota will be a much more difficult test. The Vikings' window of opportunity in the NFC North is closing quickly, and if they want to compete with or surpass the Packers and Bears, they'll need to win the games they are supposed to win. This falls into that category. Plus they're coming off the Bye.
Vikings -4.5. Minnesota is rested and ready to win. 27-20.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cincinnati Bengals
Line: Jags -8
O/U: 40
This game is difficult to call. After being correct about the Jags staying close (too close) to the Browns last week, I'm worried that 8 points is a ton to give this team. But if there is any time I'll take the Jags on a large spread, it's now. They absolutely must win this week, and Cincinnati's offense is awful.
Jags -8. Hate to say the Jags will win big...but I'm going to. 24-13.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Kansas City Chiefs
Line: Bucs -9
O/U: 36.5
The last time the Bucs played a pancake (Seattle), they allowed a late touchdown and didn't beat the spread because of it. Kansas City put up points last week, but will have a lot more trouble with the Bucs D than they did with that of the Jets. The question is: "will this be a statement game that Tampa wins huge? Or will they do just enough to win and phone it in for the fourth quarter allowing the Chiefs to stay within 9?" A quick look at the Chiefs' schedule reveals that, though the Chiefs beat the Broncos at home, they were blown out at arrowhead by both the Raiders and Titans. I've gotta think Tampa wants this to be another blowout.
Bucs -9. Last week was an enigma. Chiefs are back (not a good thing!). Bucs 27-9.

Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns
Line: Browns -1.5
O/U: 36
The Browns are playing much better lately, but the Ravens come in with the league's #2 defense, and Cleveland is still near the bottom of the charts offensively. Flacco is looking better and better, and I don't think he's due for a setback quite yet. Plus Baltimore beat the Browns by 18 at home, so why wouldn't they be able to win on the road?
Ravens +1.5. Baltimore wins a tough battle 20-17.

New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills
Line: Bills -5.5
O/U: 42
Linebuster!
Buffalo comes off a loss in their first division game of the season, and will be ornary and ready to beat the hell out of the Jets. As long as McGee doesn't get burned deep again, Buffalo should be fine. The Jets are on the down swing after a loss in Oakland and a tough win over the Chiefs. They're the 4th best team in the AFC East, and they'll prove it coming down the stretch.
Bills -5.5. Come on Buffalo. Prove you are among the AFC's Elite. 27-13.

Arizona Cardinals @ St. Louis Rams
Line: Cards -3
O/U: 48
Linebuster!
The Rams have been getting much better, and the Cards haven't been great on the road. But their road losses were all east coast, and they don't have to go quite that far this time. I think the Cards know how important this game has become, as they don't want to be caught from behind in the division at the last minute. This is a game they need to distance themselves a little more from the pack.
Cards -3. Arizona comes out gunnin' 34-21.

Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
Line: Bears -13
O/U: 43
The Lions are trying to stay competitive, and need to show up, at least a little, to prove they can. The game is in Detroit. I have a hard time giving the Bears, with marginal offense at best, 13 points on the road against a team that has a ton to prove. Then again, Chicago beat them by 27 at Soldier Field. But I've been burned by too many wide spreads already this season.
Lions +13. I have to say they keep it close. Bears win 27-17.

Green Bay Packers @ Tennessee Titans
Line: Titans -5.5
O/U: 41.5
The Packers have stumbled a few times, and the Titans are without question the best team in football right now. People are saying this could be a trap game, but I think that the Titans are in the unique position of always having something to prove. Even if it doesn't exist, they can manufacture an underdog mentality by saying that the media doesn't respect them yet because they're a small market team. Therefore Tennessee is the one team I don't expect to ever come out flat, as they always have a way to psych themselves up. Plus Fisher's a hell of a coach.
Titans -5.5. They really are that good. Titans 24-17.

Miami Dolphins @ Denver Broncos
Line: Broncos -3
O/U: 49
Despite coming off their bye week, I think this will be a tough game for the Broncos. Miami has played its best against its better opponents all season. Their wins are over the Chargers, Bills, and Pats. The Miami secondary may have some issues with Denver's passing game, but the Denver defense is terrible, and I'm not sure if they have an answer for the Wildcat. In the end, however, I'll give it to Denver because it is so tough for away teams to get used to the elevation change.
Broncos -3. If this game were anywhere else, I'd go the other way. Mile High is a great Asset. Denver wins 31-23.

Atlanta Falcons @ Oakland Raiders
Line: Falcons -3
O/U: 41
Linebuster!
Atlanta is playing well, Matt Ryan is coming into his own, and even at home the Raiders can only beat teams that come out completely flat. Atlanta has a lot of respect to play for, and still has a shot in their division if they can make a run. I doubt they'll come out flat.
Falcons -3. Atlanta heads West and comes back with a W. 27-17.

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
Line: Giants -9
O/U: 41
Ok, now this pisses me off. I just gained a lot of respect for the Giants last week, I wanted to pick them to win this game, and the oddsmakers go and do something silly like give them a 9-point spread against their bitter rivals. I can't pick them to cover that! I don't care if Romo is out, Dallas will compete in this game. Their D held Tampa to 9 points, so don't expect the Giants to get much higher than 20. These teams have had some shootouts recently, but Dallas knows they can't win a shootout, so they will be focused on not letting it become one. Johnson plays steady, the Boys lose, but not by 9.
Cowboys +9. They have to keep this close. Giants win 23-20.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Seattle Seahawks
Line: Eagles -7
O/U: 43
This game scares me. Philly could go off at any second offensively and put up a ton of points. But after a statement game last week against the 49ers, Seattle could be ready to show the NFL that they aren't an easy W, especially in their own place. It all comes down to talent for me, and with Hasslebeck out, Philly has all of it. Plus, with the Cowboys reeling, Philly sees and opening to get back in the NFC East race, so they should be playing hard.
Eagles -7. Philly comes out with an important win 27-13.

New England Patriots @ Indianapolis Colts
Line: Colts -5.5
O/U: 44
This game is an absolute must-win for Indy. These two teams always battle close, and the question for me is whether or not I think the Colts will win by 6 or more. With Bob Sanders back in the secondary and Joseph Addai likely returning as well, I think Indy will pull it out.
Colts -5.5. Indy wins 31-17.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Washington Redskins
Line: Redskins -1.5
O/U: 37
Linebuster!
The Redskins seem to find a way to win games, but haven't been doing it by enough points to make me fully believe in them. Pittsburgh needs to bounce back after last week's loss. The Skins have a good D, but Willie's back, and that will be big for the Steelers.
Steelers +1.5. Parker gets back in the swing of things. Pittsburgh wins 24-19.

BYES: NO, SD, SF, CAR