NFL 2009 Week 9 picks

Now we’re talking!

After a great week of picks (10-3 week, 79-37 season), I’m feeling good about selecting this latest crop of games. If only I could extend this good fortune to my fantasy football teams (more on that debacle soon).

WASHINGTON @ ATLANTA
Washington owner Daniel Snyder (pictured, left) recently apologized for his team’s sorry performance. Admitting there’s a problem is the first step. Unfortunately, whatever the second step is won’t help them win on the road against the Falcons.

ARIZONA @ CHICAGO
Does anyone have ANY idea with what the hell Arizona is doing losing at home to Carolina? Chicago’s not really too much better, but I’m betting Kurt Warner won’t love playing outdoors in chilly Chicago.

BALTIMORE @ CINCINNATI
I know the Bengals beat the Ravens a few weeks ago, but Baltimore looked GOOD against the undefeated Broncos last Sunday. It was the same “this might be the best team in the league” good from the first three weeks.

HOUSTON @ INDIANAPOLIS
Ok, if Houston wins THIS game, I’ll buy them as a playoff team.

MIAMI @ NEW ENGLAND
Miami’s going to have a hard time running their wildcat once they fall behind by a couple of scores.

GREEN BAY @ TAMPA BAY
Meet the new QB, same as the old QB. (I’m not getting fooled again - so I’m not picking the Bucs to win again this year.)

KANSAS CITY @ JACKSONVILLE
That’s a lot of suck in one game. I’m going with the Chiefs on the road because K.C. won’t be inexplicably compelled to play high-priced, useless, probable-scumbag running back Larry Johnson like they have been all year. (They might even have some fun in this game.)

CAROLINA @ NEW ORLEANS
Who will throw more touchdowns for the Saints - Drew Brees or Jake Delhomme throwing INT TDs?

DETROIT @ SEATTLE
Matt Hasselbeck’s ribs are hurting, but the perfect elixir is a home date against the Lions.

TENNESSEE @ SAN FRANCISCO
The Titans need to win a few more games to become overly excited about the Vince Young era.

SAN DIEGO @ N.Y. GIANTS
I had ragged on the Cowboys for not beating anyone good until recently. However, the only “good” team the Giants have beaten are the Cowboys. Barely. Still, I’ll take them at home because I don’t see San Diego as a tough team that goes on the road and picks up a big win against a quality team.

DALLAS @ PHILALPHIA
Speaking of the Cowboys, the temperature is starting to go down – and generally that means Tony Romo’s quality of play will soon follow.

PITTSBURGH @ DENVER
I feel like Pittsburgh can very easily reproduce what Baltimore did to Denver last week. (Smack Kyle Orton in the mouth and shut down the run.) Not a good matchup for the Broncos.