With that being said, here are my bets for week 9. I'll be back in the middle of the week to discuss.
(Home team in CAPS)
The Chiefs have a sign in their locker room that says, "Losers assemble in small groups and complain about their coaches and other players. Winners assemble as a team and find ways to WIN." Their alternative option was a sign that said "Hey, Larry Johnson, get the F out of Kansas City."
If the Ravens play like they can, like they did last week, they'll cover. But much like last week, I'm still going to pick against the Ravens simply because of the spread. The Bengals shouldn't be the dog at home.
The Colts don't blow out good teams. The Texans will be able to keep it close. Apologies to Steve Slaton fantasy owners who probably ran their collective heads through a wall last week as Ryan Moats exploded on the scene to, at worst, take over Slaton's job, and at best, make the Texans join the dreaded group of teams with a running back by committee situation.
Nothing helps you recover from two losses in a row like playing the Redskins, the team who loves to give wins to others feeling down and out. I feel badly for the Skins fans.
Packers (-9.5) over Buccaneers
The Packers have beaten other members of the Sucky Bunch -- the Rams, Lions, and Browns -- by an average of over 23 points. They can't beat good teams, but they can sure beat up on bad ones. LOCK OF THE WEEK.
In the opposite of last year, the Cardinals are very strong on the road and can't get it done at home. But after last week I wonder if we are due for another Kurt Warner implosion, when he's done on a team he really sucks it up for his final few games.
When the Dolphins drafted Ted Ginn Jr. with the ninth overall pick in 2007, they knew it would pay off for them in the return game for one game in the middle of the 2009 season. That must have been the plan all along.
Congratulations Panthers, you no longer suck. Unfortunately for you, your schedule is far too hard for below average to translate into a playoff berth. Delhomme is due for another messy game.
Seahawks (-10) over Lions
I wrote this down, then felt there is no way I can pick the Seahawks to cover a 10-point spread. Then I wrote down the Lions and said there is no way I can pick the Lions. So, I'm back to square one without an ounce of confidence. Seattle does have two blowout wins at home, but they are also the most injured team in the NFL.
The All-Disappointing QB Bowl! The winner will be the guy who hands off to their star running back the most.
And this is the Paper Tiger Bowl. The Giants only have one quality win and are falling apart. The Chargers maybe have one quality win, it's debatable. These teams are no good.
DeSean Jackson frightens me more than any man in the NFC East. My Eagles will beat the Cowboys. I feel 95% confident about this bet.
The Broncos were exposed last week. They are an average team. Luckily for them, average is way better than the rest of the AFC West.
There it is. Safe bets by DC. (by safe bets, I'm talking about the safest risk that can be taken, when you expect to lose a little)
