Week #9 NFL Predictions - Homefield Advantage Edge!!

Week #9 Predictions

Atlanta Falcons vs Miami Dolphins - Falcons win by 3 points because it is still the Michael Vick show. Now, this is going to be a better game than alot of experts think. The Dolphins have all of a sudden found a one-two punch with their running attack with Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown. Finally, Headcoach Nick Saban is utilizing this tandem of running backs together to get the most of this Dolphins offense. Even Gus Ferrotte is settling down in his role as starting quarterback. With big play wide receiver Chris Chambers stepping up, the offense is taking it up another level. Then there is the Dolphins defense with my boy Zach Thomas getting in on practically every tackle!! Of course, defensive back Sam Madison will make a play or two in the secondary. With all of this going for Dolphins and homefield advantage, it will still not be enough against the Falcons. If Michael Vick stays healthy, the Falcons will make just enough plays to get this win! Running back Warrick Dunn is also playing at an All-Pro level again. Talk about stepping it up -- Warrick Dunn is truly a warrior. Finally, the tenacious Falcons defense with their improved secondary will bend but not break against the Dolphins wide receivers. This will be a very competitive game and it may just go down to the last few seconds of the game!!

Indianapolis Colts vs New England Patriots - Patriots win by 1 point because they are still the Champs!! I know what you are thinking and you are right!! The Colts have won all their games, Peyton Manning is breaking all passing records again, and the Colts defense has Dwight Freeney!! The Colt are unstoppable. Indeed, you are correct!! Yet now the Colts scoring machine comes to Gillett stadium in New England and that's where the Colts dominance takes a back seat. As for the Patriots, they are playing with alot of second team players and still have several key plays injured. Yet these are the Patriots and Tom Brady is still the best quarterback in the league!! This is a CLASSIC MATCH UP OF ALL TIME. When the big game is on line, somehow the Patriots find a way to step up. Oh yeah, there is one other thing that I need to mention. It is TEDDY BRUSCHI -- the emotional leader on defense is back and bigger than ever!! I know he can't do everything on defense, but his prescence on the field and experience is infectious and causes his teammates to elevate their game also. If the Patriots can stay in this game early and disrupt the passing attack of Manning early, the Patriots can somehow get this very emotional win by the end. However, if they do not make quick adjustments to Manning arial show, then it could be another long day for the Patriots. Somehow, I like my chances with Brady and the scrappy gang of no-name defensive players of the Patriots!

San Diego Chargers vs New York Jets - Chargers win by 10 points because they are a more talented! The Chargers are no doubt a very talented team and Drew Brees is continually benefitting from this talent. With superstar LaDamian in the backfield, he will showcase his skill big-time in this game. Look for some very long runs by LaDamian in this game!! If it is not LaDamian, then it will be Antonio Gates taking it to the endzone against one of the average defensive backs of the Jets. As for Chargers defense, they should be able to handle Vinny and the Jets in check!! Vinny will redeem himself in this game but it will not be enough. As for the Jets defense, it looks like Ty Law's days are numbered at corner! Watch for Ty to make some special plays in this game because this is the game to step up!! In the end, the Chargers are too talented. Hopefully, Headcoach Marty Schotteheimer will not blow it again!

Cincinnati Bengals vs Baltimore Ravens - Ravens win by 1 point because of homefield advantage. If it wasn't for homefield advantage, I would have definitely selected the Bengals in this game. The Bengals are getting back into stride yet they are still a little shaky now particularly when they should win the games that they should. Technically, the Bengals have a better offensive scheme and better offensive players than the Ravens and their defense have dramatically improved. Carson Palmer is maturing yet he is still susceptible for critical mistakes. That's where I think the Ravens defense will step up big time in this game. The Ravens have absolutely nothing to lose now and my boy Ray Lewis (if he plays) will have this Ravens defense psyched up more than you can imagine!! This is the game that the defense will take over the game! IT'S DESPERATION TIME IN BALTIMORE AND THE FRUSTRATION WILL SHOW!! Yet it will be contained a bit more so watch for more turnovers in this game which will lead to points for the Ravens. As you know, I think Headcoach Brian Billick will get fired this year and actually deserves it (Ouch -- sorry about that Brian Billick!). Yet, my boy Deion (remember Deion) watch for him to make a big play in this game -- it's about time!! Then there is my boy Ed Reed -- he plays a very serious corner and his technique is tight!! With the defense stepping up big time, the Ravens will have the Raven Stadium rockin' and rollin'!

Tennessee Titans vs Cleveland Browns - Browns win by 1 point because of the DOGPOUND!! Although the Browns have been playing some very inconsistent ball, I still give the edge to the Browns. I'm sure Headcoach Crennel doesn't know which team will show up in this game -- the tenacious hard hitting Brown team or the very lathargic offense. Trent Dilfer is a capable quarterback and he does have some capable play makers on offense. In this game, the Brown will go to the running attack with Rueben Droughns and William Green. Wide receiver Braylon Edwards will go against PacMan Jones of the Titans -- this is a good matchup! Oh yeah, my boy Steve McNair will definitely throw at least a couple of touchdowns in this game. Yet it will be the attitude of the Browns and playing for pride which will give the Browns against the Titans younger team!

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Green Bay Packers - Steelers win by 3 points because the Packers have lost too many players. Normally, I would pick Brett Favre and the Packers hands-down!! Yet this year has been a very, very tough year for Brett and the Packers. Literally, Brett doesn't have practically any weapons at all so all of the responsibility falls on his shoulders!! This causes Brett to throw too many times thereby too many interceptions. The Steelers defense is just too good and balanced at this time. The blitzing defense of the Steelers with strong safety Troy Polamalu is a force (by the way, Polamalu will make the All-Pro team this year!). Even though big Ben Roethlisberger will not play in this game, veteran quarterback Charlie Batch will make just enough quality plays and control the clock to get the Steelers in the endzone enough. Even though I don't think Cowher is fair coach and easily gets rid of players before their prime, Cowher will get this win luckily again!!

Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars - Jaguars win by 17 points because they are simply the much better team! The Houston Texans have been a complete disappointment this year and although they beat the Browns last week, their only win of the season will just be that -- their only win! David Carr is a capable quarterback and that is it! On the otherhand, the Jaguars with Leftwich are an improving team that is capable to stop any team in the league. The Jaguars will rebound this week and make this a statement game!! Jaguars all the way!

Oakland Raiders vs Kansas City Chiefs - Chiefs win by 10 points because of homefield advantage. It looks like the Raiders are on a bit of a roll with a couple of back to back wins yet now they are going against a very hungry and talented team in the Chiefs. Kerry Collins will have his hands full in this game as well as Randy Moss! The Chiefs defense will be max blitzing all throughout this game to disrupt the passing attack and to stop LaMont Jordan's running. Since the Chiefs defense will step up in this game, Trent Green will really challenge the Raiders secondary and go to the X-Factor for the big plays! Oh yeah, Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson rebound with an outstanding running attack and pound the Raiders into the ground! Yes, I said pound the Raiders in Arrowhead Stadium!

New York Giants vs San Francisco 49ers - Giants win by 10 points because of a very balanced attack of the GGGGGGGG-Men! It appears that the Giants have truly matured very rapidly with several convincing wins lately and they are starting to separate themselves from the pack. This is a game in which the GGGGGGG-Men take it to the 49ers. Brother Eli is stepping up and making plays. Although his mechanics still need to improve (step up into the pocket and stop throwing going backwards!), Eli is making better decisions. With Tiki having a 200 yard day last week, he will continue his tenacious hard running style. Along with Shockey and Plexico, the GGGGGG-Men take it to the very scrappy 49ers team. The major problem with the 49ers is their quarterback!! Who is going to start in this game? So much for the prize number one pick rookie -- Alex Smith!

Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Redskins - Eagles win by 14 points because they are the much better team! The Eagles must get back on the winning ways and this is the game to make a statement! Although the Redskins will be coming all out against McNabb, the Eagles will be ready! They will have to get Westbrook more involved and then isolate Owens on one of the below average defensive backs of the Redskins! (most likely against Shawn Springs!). By the way, the Eagles defense with middle linebacker Trotter will get revenge against the Redskins offense. Yes, the Eagles defense will be bringing the pain against Brunnel and Clinton Portis!! By the end of the day, Headcoach Gibbs and boy owner Snyder will wonder what happen to this season so fast!! Time for reality to sink in very fast for the Redskins organization!!

Chicago Bears vs New Orleans Saints - Bears win by 7 points because they can sense a Central division title! Yes, the Bears are elevating their game and this is a game that they are quite capable of winning on the road. Normally, I would not say that they could do this, but Headcoach Lovie Smith got this young Bear team believing in themselves and playing BEAR football!! Quarterback Kyle Orton continues to impress everyone and most likely will get top rookie honors by the end of the season. With Muhammad making clutch catches and becoming even more of an all-pro, DA BEARS will take it to the confused Saints team. Of course on defense, the Bears have Mr. Brian Urlacher -- headed for another Pro-Ball season -- who has the defense flying around and causing multiple turnovers. I really like how they scheme their defense by rotating the safeties around and coming on the deep delayed safety blitzes!! It's unpredictable yet very effective. They will get to quarterback Aaron Brooks and cause multiple turnovers!! In the end, DA BEARS will win!!

Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings - Lions win by 3 points because Culpepper is out for the Vikings for the rest of the season!! Just when I thought the Lions were coming together, they lose a critical game last week. Well, this week they will put it together just enough to beat the Vikings. It looks like Mariucci will go to Harrington as starting quarterback -- which I do not agree with!! If Harrington blows this one, it means he will traded by the end of the season so this is make or break for Harrington!! Simple as that!!

Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Bucs -- Panthers win by 7 points because they have more offense and Steve Smith! Thus far, Smith has been the total offense for the Panthers. The only thing Jake Delhomme needs to do is to get the ball in Smith's hands! After that, Smith dominates and scores!! The Panthers defense is outstanding as well as the Bucs!! Indeed the Bucs defense will step it up BIG TIME IN THIS GAME. This will be a classic game. Yet the big uncertainty for the Bucs is the quarterback position. Will it be Sims or newly acquired Rattay? Whichever the case, it will not be enough for this very crucial game. Yet don't count out Headcoach Jon "Chucky" Gruden!! This is a game to watch!! Serious hitting in this game!!

Seattle Seahawks vs Arizona Cardinals - Seahawks win by 10 points because they are the better team and they have been playing better on the road. In the past, you really couldn't say this about a Seahawk team yet now with maturity, the Seahawks are finding a way to win on the road. Quarterback Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander are leading this team all the way to the playoffs! As for Headcoach Dennis Green, his young Cardinal team still makes too many mistakes and need some new leadership! Indeed they will play very well in this game and make it a very competitive game. Of course, I am really excited about their wide receivers -- Boldin and Fitzgerald -- but it will not be enough again!! Someone else needs to step up for the Cardinals!

NOW ENJOY THE GAMES THIS WEEKEND!! I KNOW THAT I WILL!!