tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

NFL Week 9 Picks

Last week I went 2-1 bringing my record to 15-11. The last four weeks my record is 9-3. Hopefully, I can keep it going in week nine so here are my picks:

* New York Jets (+2) over Buffalo: This is a must win for the Jets. A loss puts them at 4-4 and would leave them two games behind the Bills. The Jets should be able to run the ball against Buffalo and that will be a key factor for New York. The Bills are riding high but their offense may have a difficult time against the Jet defense. In the end, this will come down to whether or not the Jets can limit mistakes. I believe that they will. In a close one: New York Jets 20 Buffalo Bills 17.

* New Orleans (-8) over Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay defeated the Saints in week 6 26-20 at home. New Orleans is coming off a brutal loss to the Rams last week while Tampa is coming off a bye. The Saints should be fired up for this game. A matchup which favors New Orleans big time is their NFC second ranked offense against Tampa's NFC second to last defense. Along with that the Saints are 3-0 as a home favorite. A Saints win solidifies their lead in the NFC South. A loss by the Saints pushes them behind the Bucs and gives the Bucs the edge in a head-to-head tie breaker. The Saints take control: New Orleans 30 Tampa Bay 17.

* Pittsburgh (-3) over Baltimore: The Ravens destroyed the Steelers in week one forcing numerous turnovers. But things have changed since week one. The Steelers are coming off a big win against the Patriots and Ben Roethlisberger seems to be on a roll. The Ravens were lucky to pull out a victory last week at home against the Arizona Cardinals. Joe Flacco has not been very good the past several weeks. These two teams do not like each other. The Steelers were embarassed on opening day and will have revenge on their minds. Heinz Field will be rocking: Pittsburgh 20 Baltimore 13.