DTTWSB Week 9 NFL Picks

What a slate of games we have in the NFL this week. I cannot wait for Sunday to get here! The undefeated Packers are back in action, and there's a huge inter-conference match up between two 5-2 teams. After this week I believe each team will have played at least eight games this season. That means we've reached the half way mark. Last week I went 8-5 with my picks which brings my season total to 71-45. For some reason I'm not doing so hot this season. Maybe the second half of the year will go better for me. Hopefully that's the case. Here are my picks for this week in the NFL.

Buccaneers at Saints: Saints

The Saints are in desperate need of a bounce back game. Typically those games are easy, but this one definitely won't be. They have to take on the rival Buccaneers. Luckily for the Saints is that they'll be at home where they don't seem to lose at all. Offensively they put up big numbers and their defense feeds off it. The Buccaneers are dangerous because they have a big-time quarterback in Josh Freeman, but I think they're too young and banged up to win this one. Look for the Saints to be able to pull away late for the win.

Giants at Patriots: Patriots

This is one of the best games on the schedule for this week. It's a rematch of Super Bowl XLII which was a classic. Some of the players are different now, but the main pieces are still there for the most part. I'm interested to see how the Giants play since they tend to play better when they're on the road against other good teams. This could potentially be a damn good game if the Giants are able to control the clock with their running game and get pressure on Tom Brady. Ultimately I think the Pats will win this game because they have Brady and they have Belichick. They also have two tight ends in Gronkowski and Hernandez who are a match up nightmare for any team. As long as New England's red zone defense holds steady they'll win a close game.

Packers at Chargers: Packers

The undefeated Packers are taking their undefeated record on the road to take on the Chargers. Right now the Chargers are struggling but have the talent to compete with anyone in the league. The crowd should be pumped up if San Diego can start fast. Coming off the bye week, Green Bay should be refreshed and ready to pick up where they left off. I think the Packers have too many weapons for the Chargers to slow down. Aaron Rodgers is playing at an unbelievable level right now. In my opinion he's the best quarterback in football. Green Bay is the favored team to win this game and should have no real troubles in this one. Look for them to improve to 8-0.

Ravens at Steelers: Steelers

Oh baby, this is one of the hardert hitting games of the season. Whenever these two teams get together it's usually close. You can definitely believe that the Steelers still remember the butt kicking the Ravens gave them Week 1 in Baltimore. Pittsburgh looks like one of the best teams in the league right now. They played a great game last week against the Patriots. Ben Roethlisberger is playing out of his mind right now, and that defense is looking good. Baltimore is a damn good team though which should keep the game close. I think the Ravens have too many internal issues right now to win this game.

***Upset Special***
Jets at Bills: Jets

My upset special this week is the New York Jets walking into Buffalo and beating the Bills. So far this season the Jets haven't looked real good, but I believe they have the talent to be a playoff team. In order for them to make the playoffs they need to win this game. I love the fact that they're getting healthier on the defensive line which should help their run defense improve. The Bills defense has looked better and better with each week. They're very opportunistic. I also love the way Fred Jackson has been playing. Other than LeSean McCoy and Matt Forte, there hasn't been a better running back this year. This game is going to be real close, but I see the Jets being able to pull off the upset with a late score.

The rest of the week's picks:

Seahawks at Cowboys: Cowboys
Falcons at Colts: Falcons
Dolphins at Chiefs: Chiefs
49ers at Redskins: 49ers
Browns at Texans: Texans
Bengals at Titans: Bengals
Broncos at Raiders: Raiders
Rams at Cardinals: Rams
Bears at Eagles: Eagles