By: Joe Smeltzer
1:00
Ravens (4-4) at Titans (4-3)
Line: Ten -3.5
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| Photo creds to Tennesse Titans |
Yes, Baltimore won 40-0 last Thursday. But does that all of a sudden make it a good team? I don't think so. This week, the Ravens are away from M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore has yet to win a road game in 2017. Tennesse is respectable, and considering that the Ravens lost 44-7 in their only other game against an AFC South team this year, I feel comfortable taking Marcus Mariota and the Titans Sunday.
Titans 28, Ravens 17
Bucs (2-5) at Saints (5-2)
Line: NO -7.0
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| Marshon Lattimore could well be on his way to Defensive Rookie of the Year honors (Photo creds to The Advocate |
There's a good reason New Orleans comes into Week 9 as a touchdown favorite. I don't think it would be a stretch to say that this NFC South matchup could feature the NFL's most surprising team against it's biggest disappointment.
New Orleans is the real deal. They have a future Hall of Fame quarterback, solid skill players in Mark Ingram and Michael Thomas, one of the leagues best offensive lines, and for the first time in years, something that resembles a defense. Tampa, on the other hand, was thought to be a team on the rise. But things have gone awry for the Bucs this season, and because of how good this Saints team can be, I expect that to continue Sunday afternoon.
Saints 34, Bucs 14
Rams (5-2) at Giants (1-6)
Line: LAR -4.0
In what kind of parallels the Bucs-Saints matchup, this game at MetLife Stadium pits a pleasant surprise against a massive disappointment.
I do expect the Giants to compete at home Sunday. As bad as New York has been this season, they have improved in running the football, and the LA defense has struggled with stopping the run in 2017. But because an already bad Giants team will be without four defensive starters, including Pro Bowl corner Janoris Jenkins, I think Todd Gurley and LA will be too much for the Giants to overcome. Eli Manning will fall to 1-7, and that is something that I don't hate.
Rams 31, Giants 20
Broncos (3-4) at Eagles (7-1)
Phi -7.0
Philly could be in for a trap game. Halfway through the season, the Eagles surprisingly have the best record in football, and you have to wonder if and when the fun will stop. Playing against a defense as good as Denver's is always a challenge. Unfortunately for the Broncos, the offense has gotten to the point where Bust Osweiler is the best option at quarterback.
Sunday for Denver will be similar to what most of 2017 has been. The Broncos defense will play well enough to keep them in the game, but at the end of the day, that unit will tire out from being on the field too often.
Carson Wentz is da man. Bum Osweiler is not, and that will be the main difference come Sunday.
Eagles 24, Broncos 14
We are the runner-ups, my friend.
Falcons (4-3) at Panthers (5-3)
Line: ATL -2.0
In this battle of the past two NFL bridesmaids, both Atlanta and Carolina have been among the most "ok" teams in the NFL. Both have the tools to be great, but neither has managed to be particularly impressive in 2017. Since the Panthers and Falcons have been so mediocre, this game could go either way.
I've been skeptical of Carolina, especially Cam Newton, for a long time. But the Panthers showed me something last week in Tampa Bay. They proved that they can bounce back from a tough loss and that their defense can dominate.
For Newton, who has accomplished little and has been criticized a lot since Superbowl 50, this week is a chance to have some fun at the expense of his hometown team. I think Sunday will see a pissed off and useful Cam, and that, along with a good enough Panthers defense, will lead Carolina to a much-needed win
Panthers 24, Falcons 20
Bengals (3-4) at Jags (4-3)
Line: JAX -6.0
Cincy had one first down in the second half against the Steelers two weeks ago. Could you see that offense doing anything against Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Boyue and one of the best defensive units in the NFL? I couldn't.
Jags 27, Bengals 10
4:05
Who the Hell Cares?
Cardinals (3-4) at 49ers (0-8)
The 49ers are due for a win, and I think they'll get their first of the year. Do I care about that? Nah.
49ers 23, Cardinals 20
4:25
Chiefs (6-2) at Cowboys (4-3)
Line: DAL -2.5
I've been torn about this matchup all week long, but my final decision has been made. I'm taking America's team.
I like the way Dallas has been playing these past few weeks on the road, and now, they are back in Jerry World. I don't trust Kansas City as an elite NFL team just yet. I think Sean Lee with control Kareem Hunt, and that will take away a big aspect of the Chiefs offense. Since Hunt has cooled down, so have the Chiefs, and I think if Dallas can contain the rookie, they'll be fine.
Cowboys 31, Chiefs 21
Sunday Night
Raiders (3-6) at Dolphins (4-5)
I know Oakland has crapped the bed all year long. But the preseason Super Bowl contenders can't be bad enough to lose to a team that just lost a game 40-0 and subsequently traded its best player, can they?
Other Games
Texans 20, Colts 17
Seahawks 30, Redskins 14
Lions 28, Packers 20
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