The Week 9 Line

Week 9 in the NFL and we now have a clearer image of how the playoff picture will look. In the AFC, the Patriots sit on top of their division and the AFC at 6-1, Ravens, Colts, and Chiefs all represent their divisions at 5-2 but it is very close in the Wild Card with the Steelers and Jets at 5-2 and the Titans at a respective 5-3. No division games this week, but still some great ones and there may be some separation as far as the AFC playoff look. In the NFC, everything looks a little messy. The Giants lead their division at 5-2 with the Redskins at 4-3. The Packers are 5-3 and behind them are the 4-3 Bears. Atlanta and Tampa Bay are tied at 5-2 in the south, and the Saints are also hot on their trail at 5-3. Finally in the NFC West, the Seahawks are 4-3 with the surprising Rams at 4-4. Alot of games to still be played and the NFL really has yet to be decided. Lets take a look at some games this week to set the tone for the final half of this season....

Miami Dolphins @ Baltimore Ravens

1:00 PM

Preview: The Dolphins are 4-3 (4-0 away) and 3rd in the AFC West. They have just come off of a 22-14 win vs the Cincinnati Bengals. The Ravens are 5-2 (3-0 home) and 1st in the AFC North. Their last game was a comeback win vs the Bills 37-34. Since 2001, the these two teams have been pretty back and forth, with the Ravens holding a 4-3 record over them.

Team Stats:

Miami Dolphins

Avg pass yds per game: 232.4 (12th in NFL)
Avg rush yds per game: 111.3 (16th in NFL)

Avg pass yds allowed per game: 207.9 (12th in NFL)

Avg rush yds allowed per game: 101.6 (11th in NFL)

Baltimore Ravens

Avg pass yds per game: 225.4 (15th in NFL)

Avg rush yds per game: 114.9 (12th in NFL)

Avg pass yds allowed per game: 204.6 (9th in NFL)

Avg rush yds allowed per game: 109.3 (17th in NFL)

Game Analysis:

Its been a close match-up between the Ravens and the Dolphins. Both teams are very solid in the running game. The two-back system has worked exceptionally well for the Dolphins. Ronnie Brown averages 4.1 yards per carry and Ricky Williams averages 4.3 yards per carry. On the other side theres no slouch running the ball. Ray Rice averages 4.0 yards per carry and has 523 total rush yards on the season. On the passing side of the ball, the Ravens definitely made an excellent off-season pickup in Anquan Boldin (38 catches, 518 yards, 5 tds) and their passing game has really benefited from his presence on the field. The Ravens are coming off of a bye week and are well rested and refreshed which means this defense is ready to go. Look for the Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning to continue to keep the offense balanced and mix up the plays to keep this defense who is ranked 9th in total defense (313.9 yds allowed per game). Ironically, the Dolphins D is right ahead of them at 8th (309.4 yds allowed per game). The Ravens would like nothing more than to make this game one dimensional for Chad Henne, who has posted good numbers but has yet to establish himself as a game manager and player who can take it all on his shoulders. Both of these teams have pretty similar rankings and Dolphins are a great away team versus the Ravens being a great home team. Pretty tough one huh?

Ravens 17

Dolphins 16

Indianapolis Colts @ Philadelphia Eagles

4:15 PM

Preview: The Colts 5-2 (2-2 away) and 1st in the AFC South. They posted a win last week over the Texans 30-17. The Eagles on the other hand are 4-3 (1-2 home) and 2nd in the NFC East. Their last game was a loss at the hands of Kenny Britt and the Titans 37-19. Since 2001, these teams have met twice, the Colts winning 45-21 and 35-13 both times.

Team Stats:

Indianapolis Colts

Avg pass yds per game: 306.3 (2nd in NFL)

Avg rush yds per game: 96.6 (23rd in NFL)

Avg pass yds allowed per game: 203.43 (7th in NFL)

Avg rush yds allowed per game: 133.1 (28th in NFL)

Phildelphia Eagles

Avg pass yds per game: 243.3 (9th in NFL)

Avg rush yds per game: 129.3 (9th in NFL)

Avg pass yds allowed per game: 206.1 (11th in NFL)

Avg rush yds allowed per game: 109.9 (18th in NFL)

Game Analysis:

Micheal Vick may be back this week, which could add problems to this inconsistent Colts defense. But in the event that he isnt, Kevin Kolb has been pretty decent coming back into this system, doing what he can to win games, with an 85.3 qb rating and 6 tds and 4 picks. Hes lost his receiver Desean Jackson for another game so look for Jeremy Maclin to show out again and Brent Celek as well. The other side of the ball features one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time Peyton Manning. His season has still been great (2185 yds and 15 tds) even without having a consistent receiving corp due to injury. Gonzalez is questionable this week, and Dallas Clark is out for the season. The Colts are pretty much one dimensional, but they are one team who can operate strictly off of the pass and be okay. It may be tough versus this Eagles defense, with a secondary featuring Asante Samuel and Quentin Mikell. How good will Peyton Manning hold up vs this secondary? Will Donald Brown and Mike Hart put up enough of a distraction so that he can pass the ball effectively?( both avg 4.5+ yds per carry) I expect them to do so. I mean, how can you bet against Manning?

Colts 38

Eagles 21

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals

Monday @ 8:30

Preview: The Steelers are 5-2 (3-1 away) and 2nd in the AFC North. They suffered defeat at the hands of the New Orleans Saints last Sunday night 20-10...The Bengals are 2-5 (1-2 home) and 3rd in the AFC North. The Bengals couldnt get past the Dolphins last week, losing 22-14...

Team Stats:

Steelers

Avg pass yds per game: 180.3 (29th in NFL)

Avg rush yds per game: 117.3 (11th in NFL)

Avg pass yds allowed per game: 243.1 (25st in NFL)

Avg rush yds allowed per game: 58.9 (1st in NFL)

Bengals

Avg pass yds per game: 254.4 (6th in NFL)

Avg rush yds per game: 101 (20th in NFL)

Avg pass yds allowed per game: 221.3 (20th in NFL)

Avg rush yds allowed per game: 120.7 (23rd in NFL)

Game Analysis: Yes I bleed Black and Gold. Yes I am a crazy Steelers fan. Yes I think the Steelers will win. But division games are never really huge blowouts for the Steelers, and with a 25th ranked pass defense vs the number 6 pass offense, it will be tough. Expect Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson to have great days, thats if Carson Palmer and the Bengals offensive line can stay composed vs this Steelers pass rush. The Steelers have taken the run game away from teams this year, only allowing 58.9 rush yards per game. They also have the third leading running back in the NFL with Rashard Mendenhall. (603 yds) Big Ben is still finding his center with the offense, and if the Bengals can stay composed and keep the game close by the 4th quarter, this could be a win for them. If the Steelers stick to their guns and run the ball, pass on 3rd down and play action on 2nd down, this game can be won through solid offense and defense...my prediction:

Steelers 20

Bengals 17

Want some more? Heres a few more scores...

Chicago Bears @ Buffalo Bills

1:00 pm

C'mon Buffalo...with so much talent these guys just cant get it together. This defense just cant get to the QB and stop the run game. On the other side, "DA Bears" dont seem to want to run the ball, even though Matt Forte is in the backfield healthy. If they choose to sling the ball all game with Jay Cutler, then expect the Bills to run away with this one. Its hard to tell what offensive coordinator Mike Martz (Bears) is doing....

Bears 13

Bills 10

New England Patriots @ Cleveland Browns

1:00 pm

New England will definitely take this one. Colt McCoy is still a rookie and he really doesnt have enough firepower to go up against the Pats. Tom Brady has Deion Branch back, Brandon Tate is showing out, and Benjarvus Green-Ellis played well last game running for 120+ yards last week.

Patriots 34

Browns 17

New York Jets @ Detroit Lions

1:00 pm

The Lions still have yet to live up to their potential. Meanwhile, the Jets are in the playoff hunt and still a favorite to be in the Super Bowl. With a top ten defense and run game, and Mark Sanchez playing commander, we can expect another Jets victory this week...

Jets 17

Lions 9

Arizona Cardinals @ Minnesota Vikings

1:00 pm

Well, both teams have been playing wayyyy below their talent levels. Derek Anderson (Cardinals) will get the go ahead this week. It will definitely be tough versus this Vikings D. It is still in the air as to which QB will start for the Vikings. Yes, these are the Vikings that just released legendary wide receiver Randy Moss...In my opinion, Minnesota just has too many issues right now. Distrust in coaching, lack of consistency in any facet of the gameplan in terms of the run vs the pass. I actually see

Cardinals 17

Vikings 10

Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers

8:20 pm

Did the Packers really not score a touchdown vs the Jets last week? Well its true and those guys still found a way to win. That is how u measure a good team, they found a way to win in a tough situation. The Cowboys have not done that once this year. This Packers offense should also be back in action as far as injuries with some minor defensive injuries. The Cowboys have no solid QB and still dont seem to like to run the ball. This defense is spending too much time on the field and that is not ideal for this game where the Packers love to use the short pass to control the clock.

Packers 41

Cowboys 14

Lets see who can gain some separation this week in the NFL. Its getting to be that time where teams step it up and turn up the heat. Before we know it, the playoffs will be right around the corner.

As a side note, Me and Fraz would like to thank all of our followers, and regular visitors. We are moving up pretty well and we just want to thank you for your continued support. Please continue to spread the word about us and Thank You again you are so very much appreciated!