NFL Week 9

Now that baseball is over, Halloween has passed and the calendar hits November, it really feels like football season. As we now are into the second half of the season, we have but one unbeaten team, and a surprise one at that in the Tennessee Titans. They sent a clear message they're legit with a beating of the Colts last Monday night. The Titans are two games clear of anyone else in the AFC, have a four-game edge in their division and have yielded only 87 points. With a dominating defense and solid running game, they appear poised to run away with the AFC. At this point, perhaps only Pittsburgh, New England and Buffalo could challenge them.

In the NFC, the Giants are a deserving 6-1, but have no margin for error. They have a dominant defensive line that just abused Ben Roethlisberger last week and more than enough firepower to match up with anyone. Still, one or two bad games and in the NFC East they could be in third place just like that. Just look at the brutal schedule they face the second half: Dallas, at Philadelphia, Baltimore, at Arizona, at Washington, Philadelphia, at Dallas Carolina and at Minnesota. With the exception of the 3-4 Vikings, all of them currently have winning records. Getting through that minefield with five or six wins will be impressive. The NFC East is brutal and anyone could still win it. Outside of that division, only Carolina right now appears to be a legitimate contender to challenge the Giants.

We went a dreadful 4-10 last week, our worst of the year by far, and now stands at 56-57-3 for the season. Let's see if we can get back on track.

SUNDAY
Jets +5.5 BILLS: Both teams stumbled last week as Buffalo lost in Miami and the Jets had a life and death struggle with the dreadful Chiefs before winning narrowly. Jets only a game behind Bills and realize this game could change their season, while Bills don't exactly blow people out, so look for tight slugfest. Bills 23-20

Texans +5.5 VIKINGS: Both teams are 3-4, but Houston is rolling and scoring big every week, while the Vikings have offensive issues. Still, rested Vikings have aspirations of winning their division still and need it more. Vikings 30-27

Jaguars -7.5 BENGALS: Disappointing Jags take out their frustrations on lowly Bengals. Word has it Chad Johnson was planning a TD celebration where he'd plant an Obama-Biden sign. Is this cat for real? First, the chances of the Bengals even scoring are slim. But seriously, what the hell does this moron have to celebrate? His team is winless! Get a clue, Ocho Stinko. Jaguars 27-3

CHIEFS +8.5 Buccaneers: Kansas City showed signs of life last week and Bucs don't score enough to merit laying this much on the road. Buccaneers 16-13

BROWNS -1.5 Ravens: Ravens always welcomed back warmly in Cleveland. And what do you know, the Browns decided to start playing a few weeks ago and are rolling now. Momentum continues. Browns 27-17

Cardinals -3 RAMS: Rams playing drastically better than a month ago, but Arizona is at that point now where they're expected to win some road games, and doing that withing the division is crucial. Cardinals probably only need five more W's and they win the NFC Worst going away. Cardinals 31-20

BEARS -12.5 Lions: Made the mistake of picking Detroit over the Bears last month. That won't be happening again any time soon. Bears 38-14

Packers +5.5 TITANS: Green Bay coming off a bye against a team on short rest facing a possible letdown. I think Tennessee's still strong enough to win this, but Packers throw a scare into them. Titans 24-21

GIANTS -9 Cowboys: Brad Johnson can't get the ball down field and the Giants pass rush is virtually unstoppable. Cowboys have major injuries plaguing their secondary and Eli Manning will exploit that all night long. When you have the chance to bury a division rival three games back, you show no mercy. Giants 31-17

BRONCOS -3.5 Dolphins: Broncos we awful in their last game at New England but have had a couple of weeks to get things straightened out. They may win their division by default, so this is one they should win. Not quite ready to be putting Miami in the playoffs, but they're showing major strides. Broncos 30-20

Falcons -3 RAIDERS: Not crazy about these teams traveling cross country, but Oakland can't seem to score more than 13 points and Atlanta has enough offensive capability to outdo that. Falcons 20-13

Eagles -6.5 SEAHAWKS: Another cross country matchup, but Eagles know they can't let this one get away with the Giants up next. Seneca Wallace at QB for Seattle. Enough said. Eagles 31-13

SUNDAY NIGHT
COLTS -6 Patriots: Desperation factor at play for the Colts, who at 3-4 can't afford too many more losses. Patriots playing so-so without Brady but won't be able to keep pace offensively in this one. It's Sunday night, so remember The Olbermann Rule is back in effect this week. Colts 34-23

MONDAY NIGHT
REDSKINS -2 Steelers: Steelers were physically beaten down by the Giants last week and couldn't lay a glove on Eli Manning. So why are they only a two-point dog here against another solid NFC East team? Egomaniacal buffoon Chris Berman will "interview" the presidential candidates at halftime. Wonderful. Redskins 20-17