The Armchair Quarterback’s Guide To The NFL: Week 9

The Armchair Quarterback’s Week 9 Predictions

Week 8 was the best week of the season for the Armchair Quarterback weekly predictions, going a near perfect 12-1. Plus, the only game wrong was the Giants at the Eagles, and even though I officially picked the Eagles, I did include the following: “If they are forced to go with Matt Barkley, then I like the Giants to get the much needed road win.” So even the game that was wrong, was still right. That brings the totals for the year to 85-35. In my weekly attempt to make myself feel superior we’ll compare my record on the season to an NFL “expert”. This week it’s CBS’s Pete Prisco. Prisco is 74-46 on the season. Dear CBS, I would be glad to take Pete’s spot and would be willing to take a quarter of you’re paying him. Really, I would. Make me an offer. Please?

Now on to this week’s picks….

Bengals at Dolphins

The Bengals are a favorite weekly pick here at the Armchair Quarterback, while the Dolphins are a team that I’ve picked against in six of their seven games. It doesn’t take a call to the psychic hotline to predict where I’m going here. I think the Bengals are one of only a handful of teams that don’t have a glaring weakness, especially when Andy Dalton is playing well. The Dolphins are a solid offensive line away from being respectable, but in the mean time I think the Bengals’ front seven will dominate them.

Bengals 27
Dolphins 20

Falcons at Panthers

The Panthers are only allowing 13.7 PPG this season. At home they are only allowing 9 PPG. Meanwhile, the Falcons are allowing 26.3 PPG. The Panthers have won four of their last five while Atlanta has lost four of their last five. I think that about sums this one up.

Falcons 17
Panthers 27

Vikings at Cowboys

Last week while playing Green Bay at home the Vikings gave up 44 points and 464 yards. It was so bad that the camera caught Jared Allen telling a teammate that he’s never been on a defense this bad. Now this week they get to go on the road to face the Cowboys, who are only averaging 1.5 less points per game than the Packers. Dallas is bound to be motivated after there collapse against Detroit last week. I don’t even care who’s turn it is on the QB carousel in Minnesota. It won’t matter.

Vikings 20
Cowboys 31

Saints at Jets

The Jets are a team that tries to win with great defense and limiting rookie mistakes on offense. The problem is that the Jets have allowed 20 or more points in five of their 8 games and Geno Smith has turned the ball over 16 times (the Jets are -12 in turnovers on the season). The Saints, on the other hand, are averaging 28 PPG, are only giving up 17.1 PPG, and are +8 in turnovers. The Jets are better than a lot of people thought they would be before the season began, but the Saints are just a better overall team.

Saints 30
Jets 20

Titans at Rams

This should be a very physical and very close game. I actually think these teams have a lot in common. They both are going to try and control the game with the ground game and defense. The Rams were one play and one yard away from knocking off the Seahawks on Monday night. The St. Louis defense made a major statement in that game as they really shut down the Seattle offense. The health of Zac Stacy really makes this hard to call. If Stacy were 100% healthy, I’d take the Rams at home. Right now they are saying it’s a sprained ankle. If Stacy can’t go at all, I think I like Jake Locker on the road more than Kellen Clemens. I’m going to take the Titans in a defensive battle here, but this one could go either way.

Titans 14
Rams 13

Chiefs at Bills

(Homer Alert) The Chiefs are still undefeated despite some mediocre play offensively throughout much of the season. However, they are still averaging 2 PPG more than Buffalo is. Then there is the KC defense that is averaging 12.2 PPG allowed, while Buffalo is giving up over 26 PPG. The Bills have given up the 4th most sacks in the NFL thus far while KC is still on pace to challenge the all time record for sacks in a season. The Bills have kept all four of their home games within 3 points or less, but are only 2-2 in those games. KC will win ugly again and people will continue to doubt them despite their undefeated record.

Chiefs 20
Bills 17

Chargers at Redskins

This should be another good matchup. Both offenses are pretty good, but Washington has given up a lot more points on defense (85 more points, to be exact). In fact, in their past three games Washington has given up 39 PPG. The Chargers, after giving up 30+ points the first two weeks of the season, have given up just 16.6 PPG in their past five games. It looks like Mike McCoy has found the “good” Phillip Rivers. I look for SD to pick up a road win here and will continue to try and get themselves into the AFC West race with Kansas City and Denver.

Chargers 27
Redskins 24

Eagles at Raiders

The Eagles burned me last week. All week the word was that Michael Vick was good to go and then a few plays into the game “pop” goes the hamstring and in comes Matt Barkley. This week, it’s Nick Foles turn. I’m not falling for it again. The word right now is that Foles and Barkley and splitting snaps. If Barkley is getting any starting snaps I’m not touching them. The combination of Philly’s bad defense and a Barkley lead offense is just flat out bad. Meanwhile, the Raiders are playing tough defense and Terrelle Pryor is playing a lot better than a lot of NFL fans thought he would. Look for Pryor to have another nice day (more on that in the “Odds and Ends” section this week).

Eagles 17
Raiders 24

Buccaneers at Seahawks

Let’s save everyone some time here. The Bucs stink on ice. The Seahawks are one of the best teams in the NFL. The Seahawks are almost impossible to beat at home. It WILL get ugly.

Buccaneers 10
Seahawks 30

Ravens at Browns

The Ravens beat the Browns in Baltimore earlier this season, but it was a close game. The Ravens are coming off their bye week and need to get Ray Rice more involved. Jason Campbell had a pretty good debut last week against a great KC defense. Plus, Cleveland kept all their playmakers at the trade deadline, which will help them through the rest of the season. This is another toss up game. My gut says Cleveland squeaks one out.

Ravens 19
Browns 20

Steelers at Patriots

This is a battle of two former heavy weights that just aren’t right this season. The Patriots are obviously in a lot better shape than the Steelers at this point, but they still don’t look right on offense at times. The Steelers have lots of problems: the aging defense, the leaking offensive line, and the lack of a run game are just a few. The Steelers are still good enough to knock good teams off, but they are going to have to show some more consistently before I pick them to go into Foxboro and beat the Patriots.

Steelers 17
Patriots 23

Colts at Texans

The Colts have proven that they can beat the best teams in the NFL. The Texans have been a HUGE disappointment thus far. I think most smart experts will pick Andrew Luck and the gang in this one, but I just have a feeling that the Texans will flash a little of the talent that is on that roster and that the Colts may come in a little high on themselves after beating Denver. I’m going to go with the upset here.

Colts 26
Texans 27

Bears at Packers

If this game was at Soldier Field and Jay Cutler was healthy, there might be something to discuss here. Unfortunately for the Bears, Cutler is out and they are going into Green Bay to face Aaron Rodgers and the gang. The rise of Green Bay’s running game makes them really hard to defend because they can build a lead with the pass and then just pound the snot out of you with Eddie Lacy and company. The Bears just won’t be able to keep up.

Bears 20
Packers 34

Now on to this week’s Armchair Quarterback Odds and Ends………