Week 9 Preview

Washington Redskins @ Atlanta Falcons

The 2 – 5 Redskins travel to Atlanta to take on the 4 – 3 Falcons. The Redskins are without doubt one of the most disappointing teams this season. With all the money spent in the off season, they were expecting a run at the playoffs, maybe even a Superbowl. The offense has been the major problem for the Skins, which is surprising as head coach Jim Zorn is supposedly an offensive genius. This has hardly panned out though, as the Skins rank 29th in the NFL in points scored, and 24th in offensive yards. The defence though is quite impressive, ranking in the top 3 in most defensive categories; the exception to this is they really struggle against the run. This may fall right into the hands of the Falcons, as their star RB Michael Turner, averages 4 yards per rush this year. If Turner manages to get the running game going, look for Matt Ryan to get play action pass game going. If this happens, the Falcons (at home) will have way too much for the Redskins.

Lee’s Prediction: Redskins 10 Falcons 21

Arizona Cardinals @ Chicago Bears

The 4 – 3 Bears welcome the 4 – 3 Cardinals to Chicago. This has all the ingredients to be a really interesting game. The Bears are 3 – 0 at home this year, the Cardinals (usually a poor road team) are actually 3 – 0 on the road. The Bears are reasonably good at defending the pass, which we all know is Arizona’s game, and the Cardinals can certainly stop the run. I also believe that the Cardinals, after last week when they got ran all over by the Panthers, will have a point to prove in that area. The key to the game to me is Bears QB Jay Cutler. He has had his problems this season with 11 INT’s, but only 1 of these has come at Soldier Field. I believe that the fact the game is going to be in chilly Chicago will see the home team through, just.

Lee’s Prediction: Cardinals 14 Bears 17

Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals

The first of the really big games this weekend. Division rivals Ravens (4 – 3) and Bengals (5 – 2) clash in a HUGE AFC North matchup. The Bengals (coming off a bye) will be boosted by the fact that in week 5, they went into Baltimore and won. This though will be a huge motivating factor for the Ravens. Last week they snapped a 3 game losing streak, with an impressive 30 – 7 win over the previously undefeated Broncos. I believe the key to this game will be the effectiveness of Bengals RB Cedrick Benson. It is no secret that his performances this season have allowed the Bengals to be as successful as they have been this season. He posted 120 yards against the Ravens in week 5. For this reason though, expect the 4th ranked rush defence of the Ravens to be out, looking for revenge. The game is really hard to call, so here goes:

Lee’s Prediction: Ravens 21 Bengals 17

Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts

Another big divisional game here in the AFC South as the in-form Texans (5 – 3), travel to their division leaders, the undefeated 7 – 0 Colts. If the Texans hope to take the divisional title this season, they will need to get the ‘W’ here. Expect a lot of pass plays in this game. These teams are the 1st and 3rd pass offenses in the league. The other thing to consider though is that the Colts are much better defensively against the pass. There are injury concerns on either side here. Texans TE Owen Daniels is a big loss in their pass offence. Colts Safety Bob Sanders is also done for the year. This may help the Texans in the run game, but after Steve Slaton’s benching last week, where does that stand? I believe that the Texans will fall short here.

Lee’s Prediction: Texans 17 Colts 28

Kansas City Chiefs @ Jacksonville Jaguars

The 3 – 4 Jaguars welcome the 1 – 6 Chiefs to Jacksonville. This game is not very appealing. Jamaal Charles will start at RB for the Chiefs in place of the suspended Larry Johnson. Charles can be very explosive, and the Chiefs will hope this may spark what is a very struggling offence. The Jaguars don’t struggle in the run game, thanks to pocket rocket MJD. The Jags rank 8th in the run game, and this against the poor Chiefs defence should get the job done.

Lee’s Prediction: Chiefs 7 Jaguars 14

Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots

Another massive divisional game as the 5 – 2 Patriots host the 3 – 4 Dolphins. If the Dolphins want to get back to the playoffs and retain their AFC East crown, they need to win this game. Joey Porter has already stirred up this game with his comments about Tom Brady this week. The Patriots, coming off a bye, will be looking for revenge as the Dolphins humiliated them at Gillette Stadium last season. The key factors in this game will be how can the Dolphins youngsters in the secondary cope with the Pats high powered passing offence? Also how does the Patriots average rush defence cope with the Dolphins rushing attack (including the wildcat). The only chance that the Phins have is to control the game clock, keep Brady on the sideline by effectively running the ball. The Pats will look to stop the run, and then look to pressure the young QB Henne into mistakes. Another hard game to call.

Lee’s Prediction: Dolphins 21 Patriots 17

Green Bay Packers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa, the last remaining team without a win (0 – 7), host the 4 – 3 Packers. Josh Freeman will make his first start for the Buccs, coming off their bye. This is not the best game for him to come in as the Packers are one of the top defensive units. The Packers will be smarting after last week’s defeat against the Vikings. Again they had problems on the offensive line, and as a consequence, Aaron Rodgers now has a slight knock. This should not be a problem here though, as the Buccs defence is not good.

Lee’s Prediction: Packers 28 Buccs 6

Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints

The undefeated 7 – 0 Saints, welcome division rivals 3 – 4 Panthers. This should be interesting as the Panthers last week finally got back to their best last week, which is run first. QB Jake Delhomme did not throw an interception, as he was not asked to win the game by himself. The Saints run defence is average at best, but their offence usually gets to many points for the opponent to keep up. This week though, they come up against the number 1 defence in the NFL against the pass. Therefore expect the Saints to try and run the ball in this game, which they can do effectively. If the Saints do need to pass, look for Carolina DE Julius Peppers, who looks back near his best. I think whichever team gets out in front early will win this game.

Lee’s Prediction: Panthers 14 Saints 21

Detroit Lions @ Seattle Seahawks

This is another game that is not particularly appealing. The 2 – 5 Seahawks host the 1 – 6 Lions (who lost to the RAMS last week). Matthew Stafford is back under centre for the Lions, but he may struggle here in a very lively away stadium. The Seahawks fans certainly know how to make some noise, and will try to rattle the rookie here. The Seahawks have a lot of injuries, but have to win this game if they want to make a fight of making the playoffs.

Lee’s Prediction: Lions 7 Seahawks 17

San Diego Chargers @ New York Giants

This is a massively important game for both teams. The 5 – 3 Giants host the 4 – 3 Chargers and neither can afford the loss here. The Giants are a team on the slide as they have lost their last 3 games after starting 5 – 0. The Chargers had a poor start to the season, but have won their last 2 games. Eli Manning is obviously struggling with the foot injury he has, throwing 6 INT’s in the last 3 games. This is not good against the 6th ranked Charger pass defence. Therefore the key to the game will be if the Giants can get their running game going against the poor Charger run defence. This statement is also true on the other side of the ball as the impressive Chargers pass offence, goes against the 3rd rank Giants pass defence. So who will be able to get their run game going?? You would think the Giants would have a better chance, but if the game comes down to which QB is better, you would have to side with Phillip Rivers. Again, another tough game to call.

Lee’s Prediction: Chargers 21 Giants 17

Tennessee Titans @ San Francisco 49’ers

After finally getting their 1st win of the season last week the 1 – 6 Titans go to the 3 – 4 49’ers. Last week the Titans got back to what they do well, run the ball, and move VY around in the pocket. Chris Johnson was really explosive running for 228 yards, and containing him is a must for the 49’ers. The 49’er defence played really well last week against the Colts and Peyton Manning, who is obviously a lot more composed than VY. The Titans need another spectacular performance from Johnson to get anything here. The improving 49’er pass attack could take full advantage of the dead last ranked pass defence of the Titans.

Lee’s Prediction: Titans 10 49’ers 17

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles

Sunday night football is back, and what a game this should be. The really competitive NFC East will be shaken up here as the 5 – 2 Eagles host the 5 – 2 Cowboys. The winner of this game will take control of the division. Both teams have been improving in the past few weeks. The Cowboys have weapons all over the field and have many players that can put points on the board. The Eagles are full of game changing players, and can come up with a big play at any moment. The difference in the game could be the performance of the defensive units. The Cowboys have been getting a lot of pressure onto opposing QB’s recently, but this may not be a factor against McNabb, as he gets rid of the ball quickly in the west coast offence. The Eagles are pretty solid across the board in the defensive stats. I believe the big play ability of Jackson, Maclin and co will help the home team come through, but its a close call.

Lee’s Prediction: Cowboys 24 Eagles 31

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos

Monday night football is another very competitive game between two great teams. The 5 – 2 Steelers travel to Mile High to play the 6 – 1 Broncos. The big question is how will the Broncos respond to their first loss of the year last week against the Ravens. ? Last week the Ravens managed to get pressure on Kyle Orton, and there is no doubt that the Steelers will be able to do that. The question is will the impressive Broncos defence be able to contain ‘Big Ben’ and co. I personally believe that the loss last week will effect the confidence of the Broncos, and this will allow the Steelers to get the victory on the road.

Lee’s Prediction: Steelers 17 Broncos 10