Welcome to November!\u00a0 After this week, everyone will have played at least 8 games, so we are officially entering the second half of the NFL season here.\u00a0 I will start incorporating projected playoff seeds in the standings section.<\/p>\n
Kansas City (3-4) at SAN DIEGO (4-3)<\/span> – Vegas: Chargers -5.5 Denver (3-4) at CINCINNATI (5-2)<\/span> – Vegas: Pick ’em Baltimore (3-4) at CLEVELAND (1-7)<\/span> – Vegas: Ravens -5.5 Arizona (3-5) at GREEN BAY (8-0)<\/span> – Vegas: Packers -13 Chicago (4-3) at TENNESSEE (4-4)<\/span> – Vegas: Bears -1 Miami (4-3) at INDIANAPOLIS (1-6)<\/span> – Vegas: Dolphins -1 Carolina (3-4) at\u00a0WASHINGTON (1-7)<\/span> – Vegas: Redskins -1 Detroit (3-4) at JACKSONVILLE (3-4)<\/span> – Vegas: Lions -4.5 Buffalo (4-3) at HOUSTON (5-2)<\/span> – Vegas: Texans -7.5 Minnesota (4-4) at SEATTLE (1-7)<\/span> – Vegas: Seahawks -5.5 Tampa Bay (3-4) at\u00a0OAKLAND (0-7)<\/span> – Vegas: Raiders -6 Pittsburgh (6-1) at N.Y.GIANTS (5-3)<\/span> – Vegas: Giants -3 Dallas (4-3) at ATLANTA (4-3)<\/span> – Vegas: Falcons -3 Philadelphia (5-2) at NEW ORLEANS (5-2)<\/span> – Vegas: Saints -2.5 NFC EAST:<\/span> NFC NORTH:<\/span> NFC SOUTH:<\/span> NFC WEST: AFC EAST:<\/span> AFC NORTH:<\/span> AFC SOUTH:<\/span> AFC WEST: 1 – Packers (9-0) 1 -Patriots (7-1) Welcome to November!\u00a0 After this week, everyone will have played at least 8 games, so we are officially entering the second half of the NFL season here.\u00a0 I will start incorporating projected playoff seeds in the standings section. Thursday Night … Continue reading
\nLike usual, I need a good reason to pick the road team on Thursday Night, and I can’t find one good enough.\u00a0 Chargers (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\nSunday, Early Afternoon<\/h1>\n
\nI 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.\u00a0 Bengals (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nTwo weeks for this Ravens defense to rest up and face a bad offensive team?\u00a0 Money in the bank.\u00a0 Ravens (easy)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nArizona on a short week playing an early game against an undefeated Packers team?\u00a0 The Pack might win this one by more than they beat the Jags last week.\u00a0 Packers (easy)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nI’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.\u00a0 Bears (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nA battle of rookie QBs here – sounds like a good recipe for a home cover.\u00a0 Colts (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThis year’s Cam Newton against last year’s Cam Newton?\u00a0 If nothing else, this game should be awfully fun to watch.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Redskins (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n4.5-point road favorites?\u00a0 The Lions?\u00a0 This team has come a long way.\u00a0 Can they really put it together again this year?\u00a0 This is one of those games that will test their resolve, and I like them to pass this test.\u00a0 Lions (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nBoth teams are coming off of their byes, so neither gets the big preparation advantage, but the better team is playing at home.\u00a0 Texans (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\nSunday, Late Afternoon<\/h1>\n
\nEven 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.\u00a0 Seahawks (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nTampa does have some extra time to prepare for this one, coming off the Thursday Night game.\u00a0 But, it might be time for the Raiders to circle the wagons here and finally get a W.\u00a0 Then again, would it surprise anyone if the Raiders just gave up by this point?\u00a0 Raiders (close)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe Giants are coming off a tough game with the Cowboys, but should be able to rally in this pretty great late afternoon game.\u00a0 It’s a pretty bad matchup for the Steelers, as their O-line will be absolutely overmatched by Tuck, Osi, JPP, and company.\u00a0 Giants (close)<\/strong><\/p>\nSunday Night<\/h1>\n
\nYet another national game for the Cowgirls, but this is not a good spot for them.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 The only hope for Dallas is if the Falcons are a little distracted by the upcoming trip to New Orleans, but that’s unlikely.\u00a0 Falcons (moderate)<\/strong><\/p>\nMonday Night<\/h1>\n
\nThe Saints had a tough game in Mile High last week, and I actually really like the way the Eagles matchup against the Saints.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Eagles (close)<\/strong><\/p>\nStandings After Week Nine<\/h1>\n
\nBIG week for the NFC East, as all four teams have tough tests – 3 of them passed, the Cowboys failed<\/em>
\n6-2 Eagles
\n6-3 Giants
\n4-4 Cowboys
\n2-7 Redskins<\/p>\n
\nStill running away with it, the Packers are 2.5 games better than anyone else in the conference
\n<\/em>9-0 Packers
\n5-3 Bears
\n4-4 Lions
\n4-5 Vikings<\/p>\n
\nSaints and Falcons are\u00a0in a dead heat with their big Week 10 showdown upcoming
\n<\/em>5-3 Falcons
\n5-3 Saints
\n3-5 Bucs
\n3-5 Panthers<\/p>\n
\n<\/span>The bye week is the only way the Niners don’t increase their lead in this division
\n<\/em>6-2 49ers
\n3-5 Rams
\n3-6 Cardinals
\n2-7 Seahawks<\/p>\n
\nLike 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
\n<\/em>7-1 Patriots
\n4-4 Bills
\n4-4 Dolphins
\n3-5 Jets<\/p>\n
\nThe Steelers drop a game to both chasing teams, but still hold first thanks to their head-to-head win over Cincy
\n<\/em>6-2 Steelers
\n6-2 Bengals
\n4-4 Ravens
\n1-8 Browns<\/p>\n
\nThe Texans may be starting to pull away here – and they are probably starting to look at playoff seeding
\n<\/em>6-2 Texans
\n4-5 Titans
\n3-5 Jaguars
\n2-6 Colts<\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Big weeks for the Chargers\u00a0– who increase their lead to 2 games – and the Raiders – who get on the board with their first W
\n<\/em>5-3 Chargers
\n3-5 Chiefs
\n3-5 Broncos
\n1-7 Raiders<\/p>\nNFC Playoff Picture<\/h1>\n
\n2\/3 – Eagles\/49ers (6-2)
\n4 – Falcons\/Saints (5-3)
\n5 – Giants (6-3)
\n6 – Bears\/NFC South #2 (5-3)
\nIN THE MIX – Cowboys\/Lions (4-4)<\/p>\nAFC Playoff Picture<\/h1>\n
\n2\/3 – Steelers\/Texans (6-2)
\n4 – Chargers (5-3)
\n5 – Bengals (6-2)
\n6 – Bills\/Dolphins\/Ravens (4-4)
\nIN THE MIX – Titans (4-5), Jets\/Jaguars\/Chiefs\/Broncos (3-5)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"