Week 9 : Who is Legit & Who is Pretending

Week 9 is upon us. The playoff picture , however, is still a tad bit foggy. The Giants (5-2) , Packers (5-3) , Falcons (5-2) , Seahawks (4-3) , Patriots (6-1) , Ravens (5-2) , Colts (5-2) , and Chiefs (5-2) all lead their divisions but none of them are safe. Every division has at least two teams with a winning percentage of .500 or better. Great divisional play is going to be key in making the playoffs this year in the NFL. Enough of this, lets take a look at this weekends games.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (5-2)

This is a huge divisional game. 

With the Saints finally getting over their Superbowl hangover this division is one of the most exciting in the NFL. The Bucs find a way to win week in & week out. Last week it looks like they may have found a new running back too. LeGarrette Blount, best known for a punch thrown at the end of a game at Boise State last season, rushed for 120 yards on 22 carries plus two scores on the ground. If the Buccaneers can get consistent play from Blount, who has the potential to be great, Josh Freeman will be an even bigger problem. While he is a highly mobile QB , Freeman whats to beat defenses with his arm rather than his legs. He has completed 60% of his passes and nearly has a 3 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio. Their defense is showing flashes of greatness as well. They have racked up 14 interceptions through 7 games & they make you pay when they do, taking 3 of them back for scores.what makes this team even scarier is their youth. They are one of the youngest teams in the NFL.

Offense

Passing 216.9 (18th in the NFL)

Rushing 104.9 (18th in the NFL)

Defense

Passing 210.4 (13th in the NFL)

Rushing 149.4 (30th in the NFL)

The Falcons on the other hand have been toying with being a great team the last two seasons. This year they seem to have gotten it together. Matty Ice is playing as good as he did his breakout rookie season. He is completing nearly 62% of his passes and has thrown 12 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions. Micheal Turner isnt scoring as much as he did last year but he is running well at 83.9 yards per game. However, the big story on offense is Roddy White. In 7 games this season he has accumulated 54 receptions 747 yards and 5 scores. Tony Gonzalez is still showing that he is an elite NFL TE grabbing 3 touchdowns along with 29 receptions. The Atlanta defense is the only thing that isnt so great this season. Dont get me wrong they are a good defense but they give up too many big plays. Last week their sloppy play nearly cost them the game against Cincinnati.

Offense

Passing 233.4 ypg (11th in the NFL)

Rushing 137.5 ypg (4th in the NFL)

Defense

Passing 260.3 ypg (27th in the NFL)

Rushing 95.5 ypg (6th in the NFL)

This game will be a fight. I dont see this being a high scoring affair either. I want to say the Buccaneers will win this one, I really do, but the Falcons are a more complete team right now. The Bucs lack of a pass rush will cost them this game.

Tampa Bay 17

Atlanta 21

Kansas City Chiefs (5-2) @ Oakland Raiders (4-4)

In a division that has been ruled by the Chargers the last few years there seems to have been a shift in the balance of power in the AFC West. The Chiefs are a surprising 5-2 and lead the division. Even more surprising , the Raiders are 4-4 & second in the division. This game will give one team the upper hand as far as divisional wins go.

Kansas City is a scary team. They have the number one rushing attack in the NFL averaging close to 200 yards per game. Thomas Jones & Jamaal Charles are , for all intents & purposes, the best back field tandem in the NFL. Matt Cassel is finally living up to the hype that surrounded him when he came to KC from New England. The running game has helped him in a major way. Dwayne Bowe is finally catching passes ,Chris Chambers is staying consistent,  rookie Dexter Mcluster is playing well & Tony Moeki is showing signs of greatness. On the other side of the ball, rookie Eric Berry is coming into his own right before our eyes. Brandon Flowers is as good of a corner as you will find in the league. His ability to play an opposing teams number one threat allows this defense to play loose & get to the ball. Their defensive line is definitely full of potential but they rely on their arsenal of capable linebackers.

Offense

Passing 197.5 ypg (20th in the NFL)

Rushing 168.5 (2nd in the NFL)

Defense

Passing 182.9 (5th in the NFL)

Rushing 127.4 (26th in the NFL)

Who would have predicted that the Raiders would be relevant in week 9? Lets be honest, they have found ways to underachieve for most of this decade. Jason Campbell & Bruce Gradkowski have quarterbacked this team by commitee and , to this point, have done a good job. We all knew that the Raiders offense had talent but now they are finally getting results. Their running game is second only to the Chiefs. Darren McFadden & Michael Bush  make for a scary backfield. McFadden is , by per game average, the leading rusher in the NFL. Michael Bushs return will help spell McFadden though Bush was originally the starter.Tight end Zach Miller is having a career year averaging nearly 14 yards per reception along with 4 touchdowns. Their receivers can all burn a secondary. The defense is a classic Raiders defense. Ballhawks & head hunters. Tyvon Branch & Michael Huff could both end up as 2 of the best safeties in the NFL eventually.

Offense

Passing 164.4 (32nd in the NFL)

Rushing 190.4 (1st in the NFL)

Defense

Passing 236.3 (23rd in the NFL)

Rushing 96.4 (7th in the NFL)

This game will boil down to Matt Cassels performance. This is the best pass defense he has faced since week one. While the Raiders only have 1 interception on the season they do have 24 sacks. If Cassel can withstand the pressure in the pocket he will find open targets. Dwayne Bowe & Chris Chambers are big body receivers that can hurt this secondary if they get open.The Raiders secondary is a little shaky now. Tyvon Branch is a VERY capable safety but Asomugha & Huff are a little banged up. I think Cassel may look to Dexter Mccluster Tony Moeki vs Huff to take advantage of that. With the Raiders defense giving up 126 yrds per game on the ground the Chiefs run game should have a great afternoon & Cassel will be asked to just not make mistakes. Ill take the Chiefs in this one.

Kansas City 34

Oakland 24

Here are the rest of my picks for the weekend

New Orleans Saints (5-3) @ Carolina Panthers (1-6)

Im going to have to pick the Saints. Not that the Panthers had a chance. This team is officially rebuilding. Drew Brees should get back into a good rhythm with his receivers this game too. The only positive for Carolina i can think of is Johnathan Stewart. He should have a good afternoon.

New Orleans 37

Carolina 13

New York Giants (5-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-3)

The Seahawks have ben playing great football. But with their QB out for this game i dont see them surviving this matchup. This Giants defense is vicious. Their pass rush is one of the best in the NFL & they lead the league in QB K.O.s too. Im going to say the Giants D comes up with a T.D. in this one.This will be a long afternoon for the Seahawks. 

New York 34

Seattle 13

San Diego Chargers (3-5) @ Houston Texans (4-3)

These teams are headed in two totally different directions. The Chargers are finally getting into a groove while the Texans are finding ways to loose. Even though the Texans have one of the worst defenses in the NFL, i think this game will be close. I think the Chargers have the right combo on defense to slow down Arian Foster.

San Diego 26

Houston 24

Hopefully i made up for my slacking last weekend. I love to hear your feedback. Till Next Week. Peace

      

                                                                                                                        -Fraz