Welcome to November! After this week, everyone will have played at least 8 games, so we are officially entering the second half of the NFL season here. I will start incorporating projected playoff seeds in the standings section.
Thursday Night
Kansas City (3-4) at SAN DIEGO (4-3) – Vegas: Chargers -5.5
Like usual, I need a good reason to pick the road team on Thursday Night, and I can’t find one good enough. Chargers (moderate)
Sunday, Early Afternoon
Denver (3-4) at CINCINNATI (5-2) – Vegas: Pick ’em
I actually like the Broncos in this matchup, but coming off of a prime time game against New Orleans with an early game in Cincy against a Bengals team that is coming off of their bye, it’s just not a good spot for Peyton & Co. Bengals (close)
Baltimore (3-4) at CLEVELAND (1-7) – Vegas: Ravens -5.5
Two weeks for this Ravens defense to rest up and face a bad offensive team? Money in the bank. Ravens (easy)
Arizona (3-5) at GREEN BAY (8-0) – Vegas: Packers -13
Arizona on a short week playing an early game against an undefeated Packers team? The Pack might win this one by more than they beat the Jags last week. Packers (easy)
Chicago (4-3) at TENNESSEE (4-4) – Vegas: Bears -1
I’ve gone back and forth a bunch of times on this one, but, in the end, I am simply going to pick the better football team. Bears (close)
Miami (4-3) at INDIANAPOLIS (1-6) – Vegas: Dolphins -1
A battle of rookie QBs here – sounds like a good recipe for a home cover. Colts (close)
Carolina (3-4) at WASHINGTON (1-7) – Vegas: Redskins -1
This year’s Cam Newton against last year’s Cam Newton? If nothing else, this game should be awfully fun to watch. And, I actually like the Redskins defense a lot better than Carolina’s, so I’ll take RG3 to have the better day and get the W. Redskins (close)
Detroit (3-4) at JACKSONVILLE (3-4) – Vegas: Lions -4.5
4.5-point road favorites? The Lions? This team has come a long way. Can they really put it together again this year? This is one of those games that will test their resolve, and I like them to pass this test. Lions (close)
Buffalo (4-3) at HOUSTON (5-2) – Vegas: Texans -7.5
Both teams are coming off of their byes, so neither gets the big preparation advantage, but the better team is playing at home. Texans (moderate)
Sunday, Late Afternoon
Minnesota (4-4) at SEATTLE (1-7) – Vegas: Seahawks -5.5
Even if the Seahawks are in as much peril as I have predicted here, they will still get the homefield advantage that they always have and should be able to beat this Vikings team relatively easily. Seahawks (moderate)
Tampa Bay (3-4) at OAKLAND (0-7) – Vegas: Raiders -6
Tampa does have some extra time to prepare for this one, coming off the Thursday Night game. But, it might be time for the Raiders to circle the wagons here and finally get a W. Then again, would it surprise anyone if the Raiders just gave up by this point? Raiders (close)
Pittsburgh (6-1) at N.Y.GIANTS (5-3) – Vegas: Giants -3
The Giants are coming off a tough game with the Cowboys, but should be able to rally in this pretty great late afternoon game. It’s a pretty bad matchup for the Steelers, as their O-line will be absolutely overmatched by Tuck, Osi, JPP, and company. Giants (close)
Sunday Night
Dallas (4-3) at ATLANTA (4-3) – Vegas: Falcons -3
Yet another national game for the Cowgirls, but this is not a good spot for them. Not only do they have to play a superior team on the road, but it is sandwiched in between huge divisional games with the Giants and Eagles. The only hope for Dallas is if the Falcons are a little distracted by the upcoming trip to New Orleans, but that’s unlikely. Falcons (moderate)
Monday Night
Philadelphia (5-2) at NEW ORLEANS (5-2) – Vegas: Saints -2.5
The Saints had a tough game in Mile High last week, and I actually really like the way the Eagles matchup against the Saints. Unless Darren Sproles goes absolutely crazy against the Eagles linebackers (actually a pretty decent possibility), I think the Birds can go into the Big Easy and steal one, particularly if the Saints start looking ahead to a huge game 6 days from now against Atlanta. Eagles (close)
Standings After Week Nine
NFC EAST:
BIG week for the NFC East, as all four teams have tough tests – 3 of them passed, the Cowboys failed
6-2 Eagles
6-3 Giants
4-4 Cowboys
2-7 Redskins
NFC NORTH:
Still running away with it, the Packers are 2.5 games better than anyone else in the conference
9-0 Packers
5-3 Bears
4-4 Lions
4-5 Vikings
NFC SOUTH:
Saints and Falcons are in a dead heat with their big Week 10 showdown upcoming
5-3 Falcons
5-3 Saints
3-5 Bucs
3-5 Panthers
NFC WEST:
The bye week is the only way the Niners don’t increase their lead in this division
6-2 49ers
3-5 Rams
3-6 Cardinals
2-7 Seahawks
AFC EAST:
Like San Fran, the Pats were on their bye, but it didn’t stop them from picking up a half-game on their two closest chasers
7-1 Patriots
4-4 Bills
4-4 Dolphins
3-5 Jets
AFC NORTH:
The Steelers drop a game to both chasing teams, but still hold first thanks to their head-to-head win over Cincy
6-2 Steelers
6-2 Bengals
4-4 Ravens
1-8 Browns
AFC SOUTH:
The Texans may be starting to pull away here – and they are probably starting to look at playoff seeding
6-2 Texans
4-5 Titans
3-5 Jaguars
2-6 Colts
AFC WEST:
Big weeks for the Chargers – who increase their lead to 2 games – and the Raiders – who get on the board with their first W
5-3 Chargers
3-5 Chiefs
3-5 Broncos
1-7 Raiders
NFC Playoff Picture
1 – Packers (9-0)
2/3 – Eagles/49ers (6-2)
4 – Falcons/Saints (5-3)
5 – Giants (6-3)
6 – Bears/NFC South #2 (5-3)
IN THE MIX – Cowboys/Lions (4-4)
AFC Playoff Picture
1 -Patriots (7-1)
2/3 – Steelers/Texans (6-2)
4 – Chargers (5-3)
5 – Bengals (6-2)
6 – Bills/Dolphins/Ravens (4-4)
IN THE MIX – Titans (4-5), Jets/Jaguars/Chiefs/Broncos (3-5)
