Pigskin Prognostications, Week Nine

Mississippi State loses after KY--and their rookie QB making his first start--blocks an extra point--an extra point!--and then, after intercepting the ball, State drives it down...and misses a twenty-seven-yard field goal. Heartbreaking. State should have won this one--multiple times. What gives? Typical MSU year.

Bills 24, Jets 13 - The Jets let Tyler Thigpen slice and dice their secondary last week, but Farve--after tossing three picks--brought 'em back in the end. Won't happen this week, as Buffalo is tougher than the Chiefs in just about every category (tight end withstanding).

Bears 31, Lions 20 - Chicago's rested, and their D versus Buffalo's Orlovsky? Ooo, I feel bad for him.

Jaguars 17, Bengals 10 - Jacksonville doesn't have the aerial firepower (meaning Andre Johnson) that Houston employed last week to destroy Cincinnatti, but they can control a ballgame against a lesser opponent--most of the time--as I expect they'll do here, but I think that Cincinnatti's got a chance if Fitzpatrick can limit his turnovers.

Ravens 15, Browns 13 - Baltimore's secondary is a mess, which should mean that Derek Anderson and Braylon Edwards should have a field day, but...I just don't think they will, because they're not Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne (who torched Baltimore three weeks ago), even on a good day.

Buccaneers 24, Chiefs 9 - Tampa's pass D is the best in the business, and they're not going to sit back and let Tyler Thigpen do to them what he did to the Jets. This one could be a massive blowout.

Texans 20, Vikings 14 - Wow, Houston looked impressive last week. Of course, that can happen when one plays Cincinnatti, but actually, Cincinnatti had been playing decent football up until then, so I was that much more impressed with the Texans victory. If the Vikings figure out a way to take Texan receiver Andre Johnson completely out of the game, then Minnesota can win this one; only thing, though, is Minnesotta hasn't been able to stop anyone through the air all year.

Cardinals 27, Rams 13 - St. Louis has look much improved of late, but so has Arizona, and Arizona's got better talent to begin with, so as long as Warner doesn't turn it over more than twice, then this one's Arizona's all the way.

Titans 14, Packers 10 - Should be a tough, slog-it-out game, and Tennessee's better at those types of games than anyone else this year, as Kerry Collins doesn't seem to feel pressure like he used to, as he dinks and dunks at will. I hate the dink and dunk, but Tennessee's built on running the ball and run defense and clock management, so you gotta take the good with the bad. Or you don't. Either way, I don't think the Pack is ready for his type of test, as they haven't run the ball with consistency, and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch is back healthy for Tennessee.

Broncos 23, Dolphins 16 - Who knows which Broncos team will show up for this one? Which Dolphins team? I sure don't. They're playing in Denver, and the wind's starting to sport a chill, so I giving to the horsies.

Giants 24, Cowboys 12 - Even after last week's ferocious defensively-assaultive (like my diction) win over Tampa Bay, nobody's picking the Cowboys here. I'm not either. Their offense--it stunk. New York's offense is much tougher, bigger, and more multifaceted than Tampa Bay's is, and their D is just as imposing, so the only way I foresee NY losing this one is if Eli turns it over more than twice; and even then....

Falcons 17, Raiders 12 - Oakland's been improving, especially defensively, but their offense goes three-and-out too much, and their defense tires late, and that'll prove deadly against the powerful Falcon running attack.

Eagles 28, Seahawks 7 - Hasselbeck's still not playing, and Seattle QB Seneca Wallace can't win against Philly by playing as conservative as he did last week, 'cause Philly's not going to turn the ball over as often as the 49ers did.

Colts 21, Patriots 20 - Who knows? I think it'll be close, and that favors New England, but Indy's playing at home, and...aww, heck, I'll admit it: I'm rooting for the Colts. I'm biased. So Sue me. Or don't. Please don't.

Redskins 20, Steelers 17 - Ben Roethlisberger's playing hurt (if he indeed plays), and Washington's defense is stout, but still I think Pittsburgh's tough D keeps 'em in it.