NFL Duel - Week 9

Another football filled Sunday is almost upon us and with that brings our picks. Both Loren and myself continue to struggle both going 2-3 last week leaving us tied at 14 correct picks.

Derek

Baltimore @ Cleveland
Baltimore. Cleveland is terrible, Derek Anderson will be benched in the next three weeks and this game will have a lot to do with it. Flacco plays under control and the Ravens D will score. 21-10

New England @ Indianapolis
New England. Just like last week and I can’t pick the Colts right now versus a decent team. The Pats have enough players on their team to make up for Brady’s absence and they will continue to do so. Manning is just a few inches off this year. 24-17

Pittsburgh @ Washington
Pittsburgh. The Steelers D will keep Portis at bay this game, holding him below 100 yards rushing for the first time in what seems like forever. Without that threat Campbell will not be nearly as effective and the Steelers will run them over. 31-14

Houston @ Minnesota
Houston. Unlike Loren I realize that Ahman Green was back last week, but it’s Slaton’s versatility out of the back field that is going to tear up the Viks D. Sure Peterson will have his yards, but that’s about it. 24-14

Miami @ Denver
Miami. Call this a true homer pick. I’ve been going with what I think will happen this entire time, but when it comes to my team versus Loren’s team I have to stand up. Denver’s great O coming off a bye week, please I’ll take a bunch of WR you’ve never heard of. 35-31

Loren

Baltimore @ Cleveland
Browns. The Browns have been playing better as of late and get Winslow back on the field for this one. The Ravens can beat any team if they play without turnovers and mistakes, but that doesn’t happen often with a rookie QB. It’s true they have a very solid D, but it’s an aging D that has started gambling more and playing less fundamentally sound. 31-13.

New England @ Indy
Patriots. Indy’s D is porous as usual, and the offense isn’t firing every week. The Pats are a respectable 5-2 on a semi-soft schedule, but they’re playing with a chip on their shoulder. They want to prove to everyone that Brady isn’t the sole reason for their success and they are playing smash-mouth football every week. Indy wont’ be able to get their pass attack going without some semblance of a running game, and this won’t be the week they pull it together. 35-23.

Pitt @ Washington
Redskins. Washington is still being overlooked, even at this point in the season. Campbell is better than people think, Portis may be the most under-hyped and under-rated RB in the league, they have a decent D, and their offense can grind it out or go for the quick strike. The Steelers are good, too, but playing at Washington this week they will be overwhelmed. 27-17.

Houston @ Minnesota
Texans. Seriously, I can’t stand either of the teams from Texas. The Cowboys have the most obnoxious band-wagon fans in the league, and the Texans have the dumbest name in all of pro sports. So I’d like to pick Minnesota here…but I just can’t do it. Houston is vastly improved even if their record doesn’t reflect it. They have a ground game that is on the verge of getting a lot of air time on sports shows and Schaub is holding his own and being effective. Playing against Detroit last week likely gave them some confidence they can take into Minnesota. Plus, they’re getting Ahman Green back this week. 24-16.

Miami @ Denver
Broncos. They’ve had a bye week to get healthy after the butt-whooping the Patriots gave them. They’re getting their prize rookie RB out of ASU, Torain, on the field the first time this year and the rumor is TE Tony Scheffler might be out there, too. Unfortunately, this doesn’t help their terrible run defense, but maybe it will keep the Dolphins offense off the field for long stretches. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them put 8 in the box and dare Pennington to beat them through the air. 35-23.