NFL

2014 NFL Picks: Week 9 Edition

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By @GilAlcarazIV

Picking Week 9 of NFL Action

Andrew Luck
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Another week of NFL action is in the books, which brings about the middle of the 2014 campaign. We’ve learned a lot through the first eight weeks of the season, and Week 9 is sure to bring even more excitement to the gridiron.

I’ve managed a 79-41-1 record so far this season, so my Week 9 picks are fairly trustworthy. Don’t blame me if they’re wrong, though.

New Orleans Saints (3-4) @ Carolina Panthers (3-4-1)

Drew Brees
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Saints (3-4) @ Carolina Panthers (3-4-1)

Drew Brees
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Saints

The Panthers are caught in a downward spiral, while New Orleans is coming off a big win against the high-flying Packers. Although they’ve been terrible on the road, the Saints finally appear to have hit their stride and should have enough in them to overcome Cam Newton and the Carolina offense.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-6) @ Cleveland Browns (4-3)

Brian Hoyer
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-6) @ Cleveland Browns (4-3)

Brian Hoyer
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Browns

As inconsistent as the Browns have been this season, there’s little reason to believe the pitiful Buccaneers can take them down. Brian Hoyer is playing well enough to complement a strong Cleveland running game, which should be too much to handle for a porous Tampa Bay defense.

Arizona Cardinals (6-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (6-2)

Carson Palmer
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Cardinals (6-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (6-2)

Carson Palmer
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Cardinals

So far this season, the Cardinals have proven that they’re a force to be reckoned with. The Cowboys, however, are coming off a disappointing upset loss to the Redskins, and Tony Romo is still battling injuries. Carson Palmer and Co. will come into Jerryland and earn a big win.

Philadelphia Eagles (5-2) @ Houston Texans (4-4)

Jeremy Maclin
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles (5-2) @ Houston Texans (4-4)

Jeremy Maclin
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Eagles

The Houston defense has been an impressive bunch this season, but the Eagles are simply too good on both sides of the ball at this point. The defense is playing well, and Nick Foles is starting to click with his receivers. Philadelphia dropped one to the Cardinals last week, but will bounce back in Week 9.

New York Jets (1-7) @ Kansas City Chiefs (4-3)

Alex Smith
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets (1-7) @ Kansas City Chiefs (4-3)

Alex Smith
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Chiefs

Does anyone really believe the Jets have a chance against an underrated Chiefs team? Gang Green has been absolutely horrendous this season, and even with Geno Smith out of the starting lineup, their chances are minimal. Alex Smith will cruise the Kansas City offense to victory.

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-7) @ Cincinnati Bengals (4-2-1)

Andy Dalton
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-7) @ Cincinnati Bengals (4-2-1)

Andy Dalton
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Bengals

Putting a turnover-prone quarterback up against an outstanding secondary isn’t a recipe for success. As competitive as the Jaguars would like to think they’ve been this season, this is the perfect opportunity for a slumping Bengals team to get back on track against a subpar opponent.

San Diego Chargers (5-3) @ Miami Dolphins (4-3)

Louis Delmas
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego Chargers (5-3) @ Miami Dolphins (4-3)

Louis Delmas
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Dolphins

It’s starting to look like the Chargers were overrated at the start of the season. Meanwhile, the Dolphins have been playing well over the last couple of weeks as their defense continues to improve. Philip Rivers will keep this close, but a late turnover will give Miami the edge.

Washington Redskins (3-5) @ Minnesota Vikings (3-5)

Anthony Barr
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Redskins (3-5) @ Minnesota Vikings (3-5)

Anthony Barr
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Vikings

Every week, Teddy Bridgewater appears to be getting better. The Minnesota defense is making plays, and the offense is finding ways to stay competitive. The Redskins have been extremely inconsistent this season, and even with a big MNF win under their belts, they’ll find a way to choke against the Vikings.

St. Louis Rams (2-5) @ San Francisco 49ers (4-3)

Colin Kaepernick
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis Rams (2-5) @ San Francisco 49ers (4-3)

Colin Kaepernick
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: 49ers

Apart from their upset of the Seahawks, the Rams have been a major letdown this season. Even with the emergence of Austin Davis as a solid quarterback, St. Louis is nothing more than a middle-of-the-road team. The 49ers are fresh coming off of a bye and should walk right over this average Rams team.

Denver Broncos (6-1) @ New England Patriots (6-2)

Peyton Manning
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos (6-1) @ New England Patriots (6-2)

Peyton Manning
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Broncos

Right now, there is no team in the NFL better than the Broncos. Even though the Patriots are playing well and winning consistently, slowing down Peyton Manning seems impossible. What’s more is the Denver defense is firing on all cylinders, which should be enough to keep Tom Brady in check.

Oakland Raiders (0-7) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-3)

Doug Baldwin
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders (0-7) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-3)

Doug Baldwin
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Seahawks

As much as some folks would like to think the Seahawks are susceptible this week against the Raiders, it won’t happen. Seattle is bouncing back from some off-the-field issues, while Oakland is still trying to figure out which way is up. It won’t be a cake walk, but the Seahawks will win this one.

Baltimore Ravens (5-3) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)

Le'Veon Bell
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens (5-3) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)

Le'Veon Bell
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Steelers

Based on what we’ve seen the last two weeks, the Steelers are for real. Le’Veon Bell is already a top-tier back and Ben Roethlisberger is playing as well as ever, which has to have Pittsburgh thinking playoffs right now. The Ravens have been good, but they won’t be able to slow a rolling Steelers team.

Indianapolis Colts (5-3) @ New York Giants (3-4)

Andrew Luck 2
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Indianapolis Colts (5-3) @ New York Giants (3-4)

Andrew Luck 2
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Colts

This just isn’t the Giants’ year. They’ve suffered some demoralizing defeats and injuries, and even coming off of a bye, the Colts shouldn’t have too much trouble defeating the G-Men. Andrew Luck will continue his MVP campaign as Indianapolis keeps pace in the race for a first-round bye.

Gil Alcaraz IV is the Director of Content for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @GilAlcarazIV, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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