Week 9 2012 NFL Free Picks

Not such a good run last week – better this week, guaranteed! Short and sweet this time around, good luck to all!

Carolina Panthers (+3) @ Washington Redskins

Hey!!! If it isn’t last year’s Cam Newton vs. this year’s Cam Newton… Okay, I hope you all know that I’m throwing BS at you. The only things that Newton and RG3 have in common is that they both played well as rookies, and they are both black guys. I wish people would stop comparing them, it’s ridiculous. That being said, I wouldn’t be surprised if Cam steps it up a little this week. I know that the Redskins are not good in the secondary, and Newton might just get back to throwing the ball with some success. I’ll take the points and expect an upset here.

Arizona Cardinals @ Green Bay Packers (-10)

You don’t bet against teams getting 10 points, right? Wrong, in this case. I have to go with the Packers, here. They don’t need to run the ball to be successful, and the Cardinals can be handled through the air if a solid QB is tossing the ball. This guy Aaron is OK.

Detroit Lions (-5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars

I hate taking this side of this bet. The Lions have been bad, they’ve been worse on the road. They shouldn’t be favored going anywhere outside of, maybe, well, yeah, Jacksonville I guess. The Lions played a lot better defensively the last couple weeks and maybe Stafford is starting to figure it out, too.

Chicago Bears @ Tennessee Titans (+3.5)

The Bears should have lost last week and won. That’s a sign to bet against them if I ever saw a sign to bet against someone. The Titans aren’t very good, but Chris Johnson could break a couple, and Hasselbeck might find some holes to get the ball to a couple pretty dynamic WRs in Kendall Wright and football-fighter-Kenny Britt (always wins!). I think the Bears defense is tough, but I’m telling you, something about teams that should have lost and won. Giving more than a field goal on the road, I’ll take it.

Denver Broncos @ Cincinnati Bengals (+4)

Can’t justify this much outside of the fact that it just feels right. The Broncos have been anointed. Believe me, just saw an article about how Peyton and Eli are favored to meet in the Super Bowl. Please. The Broncos are still just 4-3, and the Bengals have much to prove at 3-4. Both teams have dynamic offenses and some play makers on D. Don’t be surprised if Cinci sticks with the Super-Peytons on Sunday.

Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) @ Cleveland Browns

I’d actually like the Browns here (Ravens can’t stop the run, they’ll need to pile up to stop Trent, Josh Gordon takes a couple balls deep, Browns hold on late…) but the Ravens can’t go down like that, can they? They stunk it up last week, but a reverse of fortunes is on the way. More Ray Rice, a few deep passes once the Browns suck up. Game, Ravens. Cover, Ravens.

Buffalo Bills (+10) @ Houston Texans

Buffalo is sneaky. They can really get in there with some of the good teams. At just 3-4 they need this game bad, and Super Mario Williams returning home to play against his old squad, there’s something in this game. I see a close one.

Miami Dolphins (-1) @ Indianapolis Colts

I just see the Dolphins running around the field like a bunch of… Colts…. Okay, too far, gotcha. Still, Bush will get a bunch of big carries and the Dolphins will most likely run away with this one. Basically I’m betting on NO, I don’t believe the Colts are a 5-3 football team.

Minnesota Vikings (+4) @ Seattle Seahawks

If I’m picking a winner, I say Seattle. But I have to consider points, and anytime the Hawks are playing, 3 points is too many! I hate it, but they love close games. They don’t take chances, they love kicking field goals, and they don’t take chances. Yes, that’s how many chances they don’t take. The Vikings have some explosive guys out there, and maybe Harvin ends up being a tough cover for those big corners? I’m just saying I think Seattle wins by 3 and I win by 1.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1) @ Oakland Raiders

I’m impressed with the Bucs’ transformation. They are a much tougher team, a much more disciplined team, and it certain shows up when you watch them. The Raiders, well, they are still the Raiders. Palmer is better, Moore is dynamic, they run the wrong rushing scheme for McFadden, their defense gets taken advantage of, they commit dumb penalties. The Bucs are disciplined. That’s a bad combo for Raider fans, even in Oakland.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ New York Giants (-3)

The Steelers are good for the AFC. The Giants are good for the NFC. Let’s see how that ends up working out. AFC apologists, I don’t think you’ll be very happy with the outcome.

Dallas Cowboys @ Atlanta Falcons (-3.5)

This is scary. Are the Cowboys really this well respected? They are not well coached. They have bad play calls, make bad mistakes, drop balls, throw silly passes in bad situations and just flat out can’t manage times. The Falcons should lose here pretty soon, but at home to a Cowboys team without a rushing attack? Unlikely. Three and a half points? Doesn’t seem like enough for me to go with 3-4 Dallas.

Philadelphia Eagles (+3) @ New Orleans Saints

If this doesn’t work out, it’s the last time, I promise. But Vick should brutalize one of the worst defenses I’ve seen in a long time. The Eagles’ defense isn’t that bad (even though Brees will have a solid day). I think it comes down to a couple more big plays, a big day from LeSean McCoy and a big day on the ground and through the air from Michael. Eagles keep their season alive!!! (Last time, I promise).