Jawsworthy NFL Picks Week 9

After a couple weeks for a break, as the tornadoes came through, I looked back and discovered a 6-8 record in Week 6. This is unacceptable, but to be fair, who knew teams like the Dolphins and Giants would win? Either way, I’m moving forward and will hopefully set myself, or my picks rather, on fire this week.

Overall record: 49-41 (54.4%)

Bills at Jets :: Buffalo
Buffalo is without Charles Clay and Kelvin Benjamin, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they lost this game on the road on a short week, but I can’t pick the Jets. If the upset happens inside the division, I’ll manage.

Falcons at Panthers :: Atlanta
Carolina’s offense has been dreadful this season and a week after dismissing Kelvin Benjamin, it’ll be hard remembering who catches the ball from Cam. This will be a good running team versus a good rushing defense. Who wins? I’ll go with the Falcons, simply because I trust Matt Ryan more than I do Cam Newton.

Ravens at Titans :: Baltimore
Marcus Mariota hasn’t been himself and the rushing attack hasn’t gotten going either. The Ravens have established a running game, and their defense is the only reason they’re in a comfy spot now.

Colts at Texans :: Indianapolis
I love the Texans, but after hearing Deshaun Watson won’t play, I’ll go with Jacoby Brissett in this one. This will be low-scoring, and I am not 100% confident in Brissett going against Houston’s defense, but Brissett has gotten the reps and in-game experience that Savage has not this year. Plus, it’s a divisional game, so I have a shot!

Buccaneers at Saints :: New Orleans
Divisional games seem to be tricky, but I believe the Saints are on a good path and will extend their winning streak against a Buccaneers team that is trending in the opposing direction. Should be a tight game still.

Broncos at Eagles :: Philadelphia
The Eagles are the best team right now in the NFL and they’re at home against the struggling Broncos? Denver has decided to revert back to the Brock Osweiler days, so yikes! This defense isn’t that good anymore to carry Osweiler, especially against a defense up in Philly. This will not be for the faint of heart.

Bengals at Jaguars :: Jacksonville
Cincinnati has struggled offensively and go on the road to play perhaps the best defense in the entire NFL? Cincinnati could get embarrassed on Sunday and fans will wonder why Andy Dalton ever lost a game to Blake Bortles… Defense, that’s why.

Rams at Giants :: Los Angeles (Rams)
The Giants still have no wide receiver, and while the Rams are cross-country and could be an upset, I highly doubt it. Janoris Jenkins is suspended by his own team and the Giants would have a hard enough time stopping this offensive attack. This could get ugly up in the Meadowlands.

Cardinals at 49ers :: San Fransisco
Can I call it now?! Eventually, San Fransisco will need to win a game. The Cardinals are a division rival who is also struggling in all areas. The 49ers are at home, and even without knowledge of Beathard or Garoppolo, I expect San Fransisco to win either way. Kyle Shanahan will get his first head coaching win this weekend, mark my words.

Redskins at Seahawks :: Seattle
The Seahawks are undefeated at home this year and Russell Wilson is 37-6 at home in his career. They are hitting it on all cylinders and this should be no contest, really. The 12th Man wins out.

Chiefs at Cowboys :: Kansas City
Andy Reid is no stranger to the Cowboys. The Chiefs have talent on the offense and this should be a really good game, perhaps the best game all weekend. Alex Smith doesn’t make the mistakes the Cowboys would need him to make. It’ll come down to the offensive line. Which line can protect their quarterback and which line can produce the running game? Honestly, the pass protection favors Dallas and the running attack favors the Chiefs without knowledge of who will run the ball. I’ll take Kansas City, but with hopes this is my only pick I get wrong.

Raiders at Dolphins :: Oakland
I would go Miami if Ajayi was there, especially with Oakland’s lackluster first half. However, the Dolphins gave up officially with that trade. Oakland will have a tough time traveling cross-country and this will be an ugly game offensively, but the Raiders take one. Does this HAVE to be on Sunday Night Football? Couldn’t we have found a better primetime game?

Lions at Packers :: Detroit
Speaking of bad primetime games… The Packers are without Aaron Rodgers, but Matthew Stafford is 1-5 at Lambeau in his career. I have to guess on which team will get a crucial divisional win, and the Lions just need it more. Plus, Detroit still has their franchise quarterback.

So those are my picks! I hope to rebound and do well this time around as we bite into the second half of the season.