Editor Matt Loede’s NFL Picks for week 9

Last Week: 6-7
Season: 65-51

San Diego at Houston – Two AFC teams that need wins in the biggest of ways do battle in Houston on Sunday. The Chargers need to keep up their winning ways after beating the Titans last week. The Texans were beat up Monday night in Indy. The Texans will bounce back in this one, using their offensive weapons to overcome the inconsistent Chargers. Houston 27 San Diego 23

Arizona at Minnesota – The Vikings 2010 season continues to implode after a loss last week to the Pats, and now they have dumped Randy Moss after a month with the team. Brett Favre is a wounded warrior – and the team just isn’t playing with a lot of confidence. The Cardinals are another up and down team, but remain in the hunt in the NFC West. With the Vikings playing like a team ready to pack it in, I’ll say the Cards pull the road upset. Arizona 27 Minnesota 20

New Orleans at Carolina – Has the sound of blowout written all over it. The Saints bounced back last week nicely against the Steelers, and the Panthers played em close the first time, meaning this time probably won’t be so pretty for the Cats. New Orleans 31 Carolina 13

New England at Cleveland – The Browns pulled off a big upset over the Saints two weeks ago, but will need a repeat here at home over the Pats. New England is a smart team that makes few mistakes, and they won’t fall for trick plays and I don’t see Tom Brady throwing four picks, two of which will go back for Browns scores like Drew Brees. Browns hang in, but Pats win it in the end. New England 23 Cleveland 14

Tampa Bay at Atlanta – Who would have thought the Bucs would be hanging around in the NFC South, but that’s exactly where they stand after two months of the season. The Falcons are a very steady team that can do it on both sides of the ball, and Raheem Morris’ words may come back to bite him, and I think it could start this week against Matt Ryan and co. Atlanta 29 Tampa Bay 26

Chicago at Buffalo – The annual failed game in Toronto with two teams that make you yawn, the Bills look to get their first win of the year vs a Bears team that is falling apart at the seams. The Bills have hung in with the Ravens and Chiefs, losing back to back OT games, and here’s a pick they finally get it right – despite it already being week eight. Buffalo 14 Chicago 13

Miami at Baltimore – A good AFC matchup between two teams that can lay the wood. The Dolphins are 4-0 on the road, and I think they will give Baltimore all that they can handle. The Ravens need to keep winning to keep the pace with the Steeelers, and while the trend says the Fins on the road are tough, the Ravens are just a bit tougher. Baltimore 16 Miami 10

New York Jets at Detroit – Last week the Lions got their QB back, and Matt Stafford stepped up with a big day in a win over the Skins. While Detroit is home again, it’s not going to be easy as they take on the Jets. Last week they were shut out, and will look to get back to form with a win over the Lions. Look for the Jets to rebound, and to not be so nice to Stafford and the Lions. New York Jets 24 Detroit 10

New York Giants at Seattle – No Matt Hasselbeck this week for Seattle, who play so much better at home, but that streak ends here. Charlie Whitehurst and the Seattle offense will find it a tough go against the tough G-Men pass rush, and the Giants should score more than enough to get a win to keep up the pace in the NFC East. New York Giants 20 Seattle 10

Indianapolis at Philadelphia – Michael Vick is back at QB for the Eagles, and that makes this a very interesting matchup with the Colts, coming off a big Monday night win over the Texans. The Colts will challenge the Eagles secondary, even with some players hurt. Look for Vick to have some issues with the Colts D, which played well vs Houston. The Colts pull this out with late. Indianapolis 21 Philadelphia 17

Kansas City at Oakland – Wow, where did this Raiders team come from? The silver and black and playing like it’s the old AFL, scoring 92 points in their last two wins. The Chiefs pulled out an OT win over the Bills, and will need to shore up things to beat this suddenly hot Raiders team. This could shift some balance in the AFC West, and I see the Raiders coming out with high emotion to pull out another tough win. Oakland 24 Kansas City 17

Dallas at Green Bay – This is the best the NFL has to offer on Sunday night? Please. I know, I know, no one could have guessed the Cowboys would be this bad, but they are, and I don’t want to have to watch them any more than I have to. The Packers win this one with a whole lot of ease. Green Bay 31 Dallas 14

Monday Night:

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati – The Bengals are in their usual routine of good one year, bad the next, and this is one of those bad years. Pittsburgh played poorly in New Orleans, and have a little revenge on their minds for two losses last season to Cincy. Look for Big Ben and the Steelers to get back on track on both sides of the ball, while the Bengals issues continue. Pittsburgh 27 Cincinnati 14