Smitty's Week 9 Picks

Back again after a 12-1 performance last week. It's gonna be tough to top but i'll try.

San Francisco 49ers (2-5) vs Atlanta Falcons (1-6)
-Yawn.... I'm sorry that was rude. But it all honesty, who cares? This is the case of the team that supposed to make the huge jump this year (SF) against the team that had no shot this year (ATL) I'll say SF wins it simply because of Joey Harrington.
Pick: Niners 16-13

Cincinnati Bengals (2-5) vs Buffalo Bills (3-4)
-Cincy is two things a) soft and b) really bad at defense. This team doesn't like to play in the cold, especially against a smashmouth football team like the Bills. And they don't like playing against teams with good running games, like the Bills. Marshawn Lynch is key in this one.
Pick: Bills 24-23

Denver Broncos (3-4) vs Detroit Lions (5-2)
-It still seems strange to be putting up more wins than losses for the Lions, but I like doing it. After getting torched through the sir on Monday Night against Green Bay, the Broncos now have to face one of the most dangerous aerial attacks in the league in the Lions. And oh yeah, the Lions can run a little too, and against Denver's league-worst rush defense Kevin Jones should surpass the 100 yard mark. Ryan Grant, the Packers 4th String RB did.
Pick: Lions 31-20

Green Bay Packers (6-1) vs Kansas City Chiefs (4-3)
-Two very surprising division leaders square off in what could be a very big game for both sides. The Pack are coming off a huge Monday Night Overtime victory and they look to be for real. But they still lack a consistent running game, despite racking up over 100 yards against Denver. K.C. is fresh off a bye week and is looking to maintain their lead over the ever-threatening Chargers. This should be a good one, but the extra time to prepare and home-field advantage for K.C. plus the short week and lack of a running game, losing DeShawn Wynn last week, equals a win for the Chiefs.
Pick: Chiefs 24-14

San Diego Chargers (4-3) vs Minnesota Vikings (2-5)
-BLOWOUT ALERT! San Diego has an incredible offense especially with the addition of Chris Chambers and Minnesota has exactly zero offense thanks to having Tarvaris Jackson at QB. Adrian Peterson is the R.O.Y but he is their only weapon against a very stout Bolts Defense. Minny has a good defense but they haven't seen anything like LT yet this season. Could get ugly quick.
Pick: Bolts 41-13

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) vs New Orleans Saints (3-4)
-Both coming off big victories last weekend the Jags and Saints could be poised for a great game. The Jags won a tight one over the Bucs, surviving in the absence of David Garrard, 24-23. And the Saints went to San Fran and won big 31-10. The slight edge goes to the Saints in this one though; they have won three straight and Drew Brees is finally throwing touchdowns. Plus, there's always the Bush factor. Jags need a big game from Quinn Gray to pull this one off.
Pick: Saints 21-16

Washington Redskins (4-3) vs New York Jets (1-7)
-Oh Mangenious! come out, come out wherever you are! The Jets have been pitiful this season and are looking to avoid falling to 1-8 by tossing Kellen Clemens into the fire in favor of Chad Pennington. The 'Skins are coming off being totally dominated by the Patriot Machine at Foxboro. This may be NY's only shot to take down a quality opponent like Washington, they are reeling and if Clemens can provide some downfield passing then the Jets actually have a shot.
Pick: J-E-T-S! 21-17

Carolina Panthers (4-3) vs Tennessee Titans (5-2)
-Carolina was run over by the Colts last week, and to no one's surprise, David Carr and Vinny Testaverde combined for 0 TD's and 1 INT. Tennessee is proving that they are making a serious run at the playoffs and that their defense can really play some ball without Pacman. If the Titans can get the same kind of play that they got from LenDale White last week they should take this one. The Panthers are too one-dimensional.
Pick: Titans 14-10

Arizona Cardinals (3-4) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4)
-Arizona has lost two straight and is looking pretty bad without Matt Leinart under center. While the Bucs are coming off another mistake-fueled loss to the Jags. Whichever team makes less mental mistakes should win this battle of the underachievers. I like T.B.
Pick: Bucs 17-10

Seattle Seahawks (4-3) vs Cleveland Browns (4-3)
-Cleveland rocks! The Browns have won two in a row and are looking for more against an injury-plagued Seahawks squad. However, the hawks are coming off a bye week and were most definitely watching when the Browns beat the hapless Rams by only a Touchdown. I'm going with the Semi-East Coast Bias on this one though.
Pick: Browns 24-16

New England Patriots (8-0) vs Indianapolis Colts (7-0)
- You have heard everything that can be said about this "Game of the Century" and If you are anything like me, you just want hem to play the game so you won;t have to hear it anymore. Here's the pick.
Pick: Patriots 31-30

Houston Texans (3-5) vs Oakland Raiders (2-5)
-Both teams have lost three straight and both teams are really bad. The Texans get Ahman Green back, and still no one cares. The Raiders are starting Josh McCown, and people are now just remembering that Rich Gannon doesn't play in Oakland anymore. it may be time for a Jeff George revival in Oak-Town, because this team is awful. But, someone's got to win.
Pick: Raiders 13-10

Sunday Night Game
Dallas Cowboys (6-1) vs Philadelphia Eagles (3-4)
-The Boys are coming off a bye and you had better believe that they are ready to go out and prove that they are the beast of the NFC. Romo just cashed in on a fat new contract with over $31 Million in guarantees, now it is time for him to start earning it. Philly narrowly escaped lowly Minnesota last week, behind the heroics of Brian Westbrook and is looking to get back to .500. But with all this Andy Reid tumoil and the fact that Brian Dawkins and Lito Sheppard haven't played in some six or so weeks, Jerry Jones club should make it home with a win.
Pick: 'Boys 31-24

Monday Night Game
Baltimore Ravens (4-3) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)
-A huge AFC north game between bitter rivals, this one could be great. The Ravens are coming off a bye week in which there was some serious coach bashing by none other than Ray Lewis. Ray Ray will come out fired up, no change there, and ready to break some skulls. But that may not be enough as the Steelers proved last week that they can bounce back after devastating losses by going on the road and beating division opponent Cincy handily. The Running Back match-up of Willis McGahee and Willie Parker will go a long way in determining the outcome of this one.
Pick: Steelers 24-20

Smitty's Season Record: 19-7