NFL picks--Week 9

Last week: 11-4
Season record: 80-41

Last weekend, there was a point explosion.  Fantasy owners were either happy or mortified, and the casual NFL fan was treated to a great block of games overall.  This week, six teams are on bye again, so we only have thirteen games, meaning Red Zone will be more manageable with less split screens for the early games.  It's the little things, I tell you.  Now, let's have a look at that slate.....

New Orleans at Carolina--The, um, world beater Saints bring their 3-4 record to division leading Carolina (3-4-1).  Are both of these teams that mediocre?  We may find out tonight.  Panthers 24, Saints 23

Tampa Bay at Cleveland--This is the rubber match of Cleveland's trio of games against crappy teams.  They lost to Jacksonville, beat Oakland and now take on the hapless Bucs at home.  And LeBron has that city energized.  Browns 27, Bucs 16

Arizona at Dallas--I wonder if Jerry Jones will make Tony Romo take the field and risk paralyzing his investment.  Cowboys 20, Cardinals 14

Philadelphia at Houston--Texans are improved, but not this much.  Eagles 30, Texans 23

NY Jets at Kansas City--Wow, the Jets are horrible.  I mean, really horrible.  Chiefs 20, Jets 10

Jacksonville at Cincinnati--I can't figure this Bengals team out, can you?  I can, however, figure the Jags out.  Bengals 26, Jaguars 6

San Diego at Miami--Why do I feel like these teams just played each other?  Dolphins 23, Chargers 20

Washington at Minnesota--There is a weird QB controversy in DC, and it's hard to believe Kirk Cousins was the darling of football fans and fantasy owners everywhere just a few weeks ago.  Now he's lost his gig to Colt McCoy with RG3 almost ready to return.  You can't make this stuff up.  Vikings 21, Redskins 17

St. Louis at San Francisco--In a wacky division, it's still pretty clear that the Rams aren't equipped to beat any of their division foes on the road.  Unless of course Jeff Fisher calls fake punts all game.  Niners 28, Rams 13

Denver at New England--Same as it ever was, Brady vs. Manning.  The 6-1 Broncos vs. the 6-2 Patriots.   I don't think anyone would argue Denver has the better team, but Brady at home is pretty close to money in the bank.  Patriots 37, Broncos 35

Oakland at Seattle--So it looks like we have one decent game in the late slot, and it's not this one.  Seahawks 27, Raiders 3

Baltimore at Pittsburgh--Is it just me, or have the Steelers played like four straight home games?  Ravens 19, Steelers 17

Indianapolis at NY Giants--Andrew Luck's neck beard comes to New Jersey to face a rested Giants team that truly struggles against good teams.  This will be no exception.  Colts 38, Giants 31