Gerry Dulac's NFL Forecast: Week 9
Share with others:
Last week: 7-6 (.538)
Season record: 72-44 (.621)
Steelers (5-2) at Denver Broncos (6-1), Monday, 8:30 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Broncos might have lost a little of their steam after their bye week, based on what happened in Baltimore. The Steelers, who have won four in a row, are hoping the bye doesn't have a similar effect.
Prediction: Steelers 27-23
Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-2), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Bengals already surprised the Ravens once this season, beating them, 17-14, last month on a last-minute TD pass. If it happens again, it would be wise not to dismiss the Bengals as playoff contenders.
Prediction: Ravens, 30-20
Arizona Cardinals (4-3) at Chicago Bears (4-3), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Cardinals are 3-0 on the road for the first time since 1982 and appear to play much better away from home. I mean, how does the NFL's top run defense allow 270 yards rushing at home to Carolina?
Prediction: Cardinals, 24-21
Washington Redskins (2-5) at Atlanta Falcons (4-3), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Falcons have lost back-to-back games for the first time since Mike Smith became their head coach, But they're back at home, where QB Matt Ryan has won his last six starts, and it is the Redskins.
Prediction: Falcons, 31-10
Houston Texans (5-3) at Indianapolis Colts (7-0), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: It's tough to pick against the Colts, who keep finding ways to keep alive their 16-game regular-season winning streak. But the Texans have won four of their past five and are 3-1 on the road. The Upset Special.
Prediction: Texans 27-24
Kansas City Chiefs (1-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4), 1 p.m., Sunday
How do you think Maurice Jones-Drew feels, running for 177 yards on just eight carries and not being the most productive running back on the field last week? The same way the Chiefs will feel.
Prediction: Jaguars, 24-16
Miami Dolphins (3-4) at New England Patriots (5-2), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Dolphins will likely rue blowing that 24-3 lead to the Saints a couple weeks ago. Otherwise, they'd be on a four-game roll. Speaking of rolls, Tom Brady is starting to get on one.
Prediction: Patriots, 31-24
Green Bay Packers (4-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-7), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Not even Brett Favre or Bart Starr ever had five consecutive 100-plus passer ratings such as Aaron Rodgers. That wasn't good enough to beat Favre last week, but it will be enough against the Bucs.
Prediction: Packers, 24-10
Carolina Panthers (3-4) at New Orleans Saints (7-0), 4:05 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: If the Saints coughed up 151 rushing yards to Michael Turner on Monday night, they can expect more of the same against the Panthers. Doesn't matter, though, when you average 39 points per game.
Prediction: Saints, 38-24
Detroit Lions (1-6) at Seattle Seahawks (2-5), 4:05 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Seahawks have won just one of their past five games, and that was a 41-0 shutout at home against the Jaguars. The Lions have managed just one touchdown since they played the Steelers.
Prediction: Seahawks, 23-15
San Diego Chargers (4-3) at New York Giants (5-3), 4:15 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: This is the first time Eli Manning and Philip Rivers, two of the three QBs from the Class of '04, will meet on the football field. The Giants have lost three in a row and allowed 112 points in those games.
Prediction: Giants, 27-24
Tennessee Titans (1-6) at San Francisco 49ers (3-4), 4:15 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Vince Young looked more like Steve Young in his first start, completing 12 of 15 passes and not throwing an interception. Wait till he gets a look at some of the 49ers' defensive packages.
Prediction: 49ers, 24-9
Dallas Cowboys (5-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-2), 8:30 p.m., Monday
The Skinny: Tony Romo hasn't thrown an interception during the Cowboys' three-game winning streak. The only thing more amazing is if the Eagles can repeat last week's performance against the Giants.
Prediction: Eagles, 31-28
First Published November 5, 2009 5:07 pm
