NFL Pick 'em 2011: Week 9

[Dragon]

Sunday, Nov 6
MIA @ KC
TB @ NO
CLE @ HOU
ATL @ IND
NYJ @ BUF
SF @ WAS
SEA @ DAL

CIN @ TEN
DEN @ OAK
NYG @ NE
STL @ ARI
GB @ SD
BAL @ PIT

Monday, Nov 7
CHI @ PHI

Byes: Panthers, Lions, Jaguars, Vikings


Survivor Pool

Dragon: ARI, DET, SD, ATL, NO, PIT, DAL, TEN

Liam Jinn: SF, DAL, PIT, GB, BUF, NYJ, CAR, NO
jjwr: HOU, BAL, CHI, NO, PIT, DAL, SF
Kyran O'Hurn: BUF, TEN, NO, SD, NYJ, DAL, SF

Ryan Pode: GB, TEN, TB, NYG, NYJ, NO, CAR
Rutabaga: GB, SD, NO, NYG, DAL, SF
Yog: DEN, PIT, SD, GB, NYG, DET, DAL, SF
Jedi Master Carr: GB, PIT, TB, NYG
Lykaios: PIT, SD, TB, NYG, BAL, DET
Mu Satach: DET, SD, GB, ARI, BUF, BAL, SF

Park Kraken: TB, PHI, HOU, JAX, CAR, STL, ARI, CLE

[Dragon]

<hr style="color:#444444" size="1"> Sunday, Nov 6
MIA @ KC WIN - As long as the Chiefs don't suffer a letdown from last week's win, they should handle the Dolphins.
TB @ NO WIN - Must-win for the Saints. A loss to the Bucs gives them control of the division.
CLE @ HOU WIN - Another breather match for Houston while Andre Johnson gets healthy.
ATL WIN @ IND - The Falcons are bad on the road, but not Colts bad.
NYJ @ BUF WIN - Fitz, make this happen.
SF WIN @ WAS - Ha, remember when I thought the Redskins might be good this year?
SEA @ DAL WIN - If Jason Garrett can't get his team up to play the Seahawks after that terrible loss Sunday Night, he deserves to be fired.

CIN @ TEN WIN - Tossup, but, amazingly, this will be the most serious road test the Bengals have had so far this season.
DEN @ OAK WIN - Carson will fare better against the worst team in the division.
NYG @ NE WIN - Belichick will be quick to recover from last week's loss.
STL @ ARI WIN - Despite St. Louis's banner victory last week, these two teams are pretty evenly matched. The Cards have Fitz, the Rams have Steven Jackson. Arizona gets the home edge.
GB WIN @ SD - The Chargers are not right this season.
BAL @ PIT WIN - This is not the same Steelers team that got dominated in week 1. If the Steelers can generate the kind of pressure on Flacco that the Jaguars and Cardinals did, they should win this game handily. But that'll be tough without their two best pass rushers.

Monday, Nov 7
CHI @ PHI WIN - Philly's finally figuring things out this season.

Survivor pick: Texans

[Morgan Evanar]

MIA @ KC WIN - I have zero confidence in any team that calls a run on 3rd and 18.
TB @ NO WIN - Despite O-line injuries I expect the Saints to be up for this game.

CLE @ HOU WIN - Foster gonna run all over Cleveland.
ATL WIN @ IND - The Falcons beat up some on the punching bag of the NFL.
NYJ @ BUF WIN - J E T S SUCK SUCK SUCK
SF WIN @ WAS - SF is playing out of their minds.
SEA @ DAL WIN - Seahawks are lousy, and Dallas is struggling. But Dallas has a better team and a better QB for sure.
CIN WIN@ TEN - I think the Bengals will smother Hasselbeck now that the Titan's most effective offensive weapon doesn't care behind a terrible O-line
DEN @ OAK WIN - Tebowned
NYG @ NE WIN - The Giants barely beat a terrible Miami team, although they had a terrible case of the dropsies for the first half. Eli Manning looks good, but the rest of the team is pretty suspect.
STL @ ARI WIN - Uh Arizona. Both teams are bad though.
GB WIN @ SD - Something is rotten in the State of San Diego. Also GB is goood.
BAL @ PIT WIN - If that moron Cam Cameron is calling the game, expect the Steelers defense to have a field day with Flacco. On the other hand, if Harbaugh gets rid of that moron's headset again, expect Flacco to have a much better day against the Steeler's pass rush. It's hard to take anyone except for maybe the Packers or 9ers to beat the Steelers at home.

Monday, Nov 7
CHI @ PHI WIN - After a decisive win against division rival Dallas, Philly is going to be pumped to play football again.

[Park Kraken]

Sunday, Nov 6
MIA @ KC (W)
TB (W) @ NO
CLE @ HOU (W)
ATL (W) @ IND
NYJ (W) @ BUF
SF (W) @ WAS
SEA @ DAL (W)

CIN @ TEN (W)
DEN @ OAK (W)
NYG @ NE (W)
STL (W) @ ARI
GB (W) @ SD
BAL (W) @ PIT

Monday, Nov 7
CHI (W) @ PHI

Byes: Panthers, Lions, Jaguars, Vikings

Seppuku Pick: WAS

[Jedi Master Carr]

MIA @ KC W
TB @ NO W
CLE @ HOU W
W ATL @ IND
NYJ @ BUF W
W SF @ WAS
SEA @ DAL W

CIN @ TEN w
DEN @ OAK W
NYG @ NE W
W STL @ ARI
W GB @ SD
BAL @ PIT W

Monday, Nov 7
CHI @ PHI W

[Miranda Tarkin]

Sunday, Nov 6
MIA @ KC (W)
TB @ NO (W)
CLE @ HOU (W)
ATL (W) @ IND
NYJ @ BUF (W)
SF (W) @ WAS
SEA @ DAL (W)

CIN (W) @ TEN
DEN @ OAK (W)
NYG @ NE (W)
STL @ ARI (W)
GB (W) @ SD
BAL @ PIT (W)

Monday, Nov 7
CHI (W) @ PHI

[Kyran O'Hurn]

Sunday, Nov 6

MIA @ KC W
TB @ NO W
CLE @ HOU W
W ATL @ IND
NYJ @ BUF W
W SF @ WAS
SEA @ DAL W

CIN @ TEN W
DEN @ OAK W
NYG @ NE W
STL W @ ARI
W GB @ SD
BAL @ PIT W

Monday, Nov 7

CHI @ PHI W

Survivor: ATL

[Figrin D'an]

Sunday, Nov 6
MIA @ KC (W) - The Suck for Luck streak continues for another week.
TB @ NO (W) - The Saints are better at home than on the road, but this won't be an easy game.
CLE @ HOU (W) - Does any team have an easier path to a division title than the Texans?
ATL (W) @ IND - Another Suck for Luck streak continues. Atlanta is starting to look better in the NFC South.
NYJ @ BUF (W) - Still don't like the Jet's run defense, and Fred Jackson has become one of the best backs in the league.
SF (W) @ WAS - The Niners seem due for a let down, but the Redskins don't have the consistency on offense to pull of an upset.
SEA @ DAL (W) - Anyone seen Dez Bryant and Miles Austin lately? Bueller?

CIN (W) @ TEN - The Bengals need as many wins right now as possible... their home stretch of the season is brutal.
DEN @ OAK (W) - Even without McFadden, Oakland is just too physical for Denver.
NYG @ NE (W) - The Pats are something crazy like 23-2 coming off a loss since 2003. The Giants will score, New England will score more.
STL (W) @ ARI - Cardinals choked away a potentially season changing win against the Ravens, while the Rams gained some confidence by battering the Saints. Momentum carryover game.
GB (W) @ SD - Unless Philips Rivers gets right really fast, and the Chargers somehow find a pass rush, AND the Packers have some rust coming off the bye... possible, but not likely.
BAL @ PIT (W) - Angry Steelers are angry about the Week 1 loss in Baltimore. Pittsburgh is getting back to being Pittsburgh while the Ravens have lost their identity on offense.

Monday, Nov 7
CHI @ PHI (W) - Eagles win, but this will be a tight game. The Bears have always played Vick very tough, and they'll find a way to ugly up the game and keep it close.

[Nathanial K'cansce]

Sunday, Nov 6
MIA @ KC (W)
(W) TB @ NO -
CLE @ HOU (W)
(W) ATL @ IND
NYJ @ BUF (W)
(W) SF @ WAS
SEA @ DAL (W)

(W) CIN @ TEN
DEN @ OAK (W)
NYG @ NE (W)
STL @ ARI (W)
(W) GB @ SD
BAL @ PIT (W)

Monday, Nov 7
CHI @ PHI (W)

[Yog]

Sunday, Nov 6
MIA @ KC (W)
TB @ NO (W)
CLE @ HOU (W)
ATL (W) @ IND
NYJ @ BUF (W)
SF (W) @ WAS
SEA @ DAL (W)

CIN @ TEN (W)
DEN @ OAK (W)
NYG @ NE (W)
STL @ ARI (W)
GB (W) @ SD
BAL @ PIT (W)

Monday, Nov 7
CHI @ PHI (W)

Survivor: PHI Eagles

[Rutabaga]

Sunday, Nov 6
MIA @ KC WIN
TB @ NO WIN
CLE @ HOU WIN
ATL WIN @ IND
NYJ @ BUF WIN
SF WIN @ WAS
SEA @ DAL WIN

CIN @ TEN WIN
DEN @ OAK WIN
NYG @ NE WIN
STL @ ARI WIN
GB WIN @ SD
BAL @ PIT WIN

Monday, Nov 7
CHI @ PHI WIN

Survivor pick: OAK

[Mu Satach]

Sunday, Nov 6
MIA @ KC w
TB @ NO w
CLE @ HOU w
ATL w @ IND
NYJ @ BUF w
SF w @ WAS
SEA @ DAL w

CIN w @ TEN
DEN @ OAK w
NYG @ NE w
STL @ ARI w
GB w @ SD
BAL w @ PIT

Monday, Nov 7
CHI w @ PHI

survior: NO

[Liam Jinn]

Sunday, Nov 6
MIA @ KC (W)
TB @ NO (W)
CLE @ HOU (W)
ATL (W) @ IND
NYJ @ BUF (W)
SF (W) @ WAS
SEA @ DAL (W)

CIN (W) @ TEN
DEN @ OAK (W)
NYG @ NE (W)
STL @ ARI (W)
GB (W) @ SD
BAL @ PIT (W)

Monday, Nov 7
CHI (W) @ PHI

Survivor - NE

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Sunday, Nov 6
MIA @ KC W
TB @ NO W
CLE W @ HOU
ATL W @ IND
NYJ @ BUF W
SF W @ WAS
SEA W @ DAL

CIN @ TEN W
DEN W @ OAK
NYG @ NE W
STL @ ARI W
GB W @ SD
BAL @ PIT W

Monday, Nov 7
CHI W @ PHI

[jjwr]

Sunday, Nov 6
MIA @ KC (W)
TB @ NO (W)
CLE @ HOU (W)
ATL (W) @ IND
NYJ @ BUF (W)
SF (W) @ WAS
SEA @ DAL (W)

CIN @ TEN (W)
DEN @ OAK (W)
NYG @ NE (W)
STL @ ARI (W)
GB (W) @ SD
BAL @ PIT (W)

Monday, Nov 7
CHI @ PHI (W)

Survivor: Kansas City

[Ryan Pode]

Sunday, Nov 6
MIA @ KC Win
TB @ NO Win
CLE @ HOU Win
ATL Win @ IND
NYJ @ BUF Win
SF Win @ WAS
SEA @ DAL Win

CIN Win @ TEN
DEN @ OAK Win
NYG @ NE Win
STL Win @ ARI
GB Win @ SD
BAL Win @ PIT

Monday, Nov 7
CHI @ PHI Win

Survivor: SF

Byes: Panthers, Lions, Jaguars, Vikings

[Lykaios]

Chiefs
Saints
Texans
Falcons
Bills
Niners
Cards
Seahawks
Bengals
Raiders
Pats
Pack
Pitt
Eagles

Survivor: Raiders

[Rev Solomon]

Lol Colts, down 21-0.

Lol Browns, down 21-3.

Lol Dolphins, down... wait, up 14-3 in Kansas City?

Fox has broken in twice with highlights from the Falcons-Colts game. Both times, the Colts defense looked like they weren't even trying to contain Julio Jones. In one of them, three Colts defensive backs had him surrounded, and not one of them turned to look for the ball as he slipped between two of them and made a ridiculous diving catch. I don't remember even the 0-16 Panthers ever checking out like that; they were in some close games down the stretch, even though they were outclassed by every opponent they faced in terms of talent. I really believe this Colts team is even worse, because they've given up. This goes way beyond missing Peyton Manning.

[Kyran O'Hurn]

I knew I should have picked the fish this week...

And I'll stick by that statement even if they somehow blow up again and lose the game, which I don't think they will.

[Dragon]

Wow, every game so far this afternoon is a blowout. The Buccaneers and the Redskins are the only teams within two scores of their competition.

[Jedi Master Carr]

The Chiefs just had a major letdown. I they didn't prepare well for this game. Their secondary is banged up and it doesn't help the offensive line can't give Cassel time to throw. They need to do something about the offensive line in the offseason.

[Park Kraken]

The penalties on offense really killed the Bucs this week, although missed tackles come in to a close second. Despite all that, they managed to close it to a one score game in the 4th.

[Dragon]

Tom Brady is having his worst game of the season... right now he's 14/25 for 149 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions, and a lost fumble that the Giants converted into a 10-yard touchdown run by Brandon Jacobs. The most you can say for the Giants offense so far is that they haven't done anything to lose the game, which is pretty sorry considering they're lining up against the 32nd-ranked defense; aside from yielding no turnovers, Eli Manning's line is worse than Brady's. But for the Giants defense to be doing this to the Patriots offense? Wow.

There's plenty of time for the Patriots to erase a 10-0 deficit, but not if they keep playing like this.

Incidentally, I wish I'd known Kevin Kolb wasn't playing when I made my pick for the Arizona-St. Louis game... Kolb may be no Kurt Warner, but it's hard to pick Josh Skelton to beat anybody.

[Figrin D'an]

I'll probably look like a shmuck for ranting about an 8-0 team, but here goes...

Green Bay has to get their defensive problems fixed, and soon, or they'll end up losing out on home field advantage. As dynamic as the offense has been, Rodgers and the receiving corp is completely carrying the team. They scored 31 points today, and it wasn't enough. They had to get two pick-six gifts from Philip Rivers to get them to 45 points, and it still nearly wasn't enough. The Packers had a 21 point lead near the midpoint of the 4th quarter, gave up 14 points in less than 3 minutes and had to hold on the final minute against the Chargers offense to win the game.

8-0 is great. Better than any other alternative. But this team won't go undefeated, and I seriously don't think they repeat and win another Super Bowl if Dom Capers doesn't get the defense fixed.

[Morgan Evanar]

Don't you have a bunch of key front 7 injuries on the Packers?

[Figrin D'an]

Don't you have a bunch of key front 7 injuries on the Packers?


Somewhat. Clay Matthews has been playing with a lingering hamstring problem all season. Despite that, he's still incredibly disruptive when he's not getting double and triple teamed. The main issue is that there's no other major pass rush threat besides him. Last year, that threat was Cullen Jenkins, who is now in Philly. Mike Neal was expected to step into that role, but hasn't played yet this season because of a knee problem. Jarius Winn and CJ Wilson are decent depth players, but they're not the answer. Eric Walden and Frank Zombo have been platooning at the OLB position opposite Matthews, but neither has been a consistent threat to get to the QB. Add in the fact that BJ Raji, who was amazing late last season, is having to play more snaps this year and just isn't as effective as when he could be subbed out more, and it's lead to problems.

Capers regularly is having to send extra guys on the blitz in an attempt to get pressure on opposing QBs, but that pressure almost never gets home in time to matter. It's so frustrating to watch a 6 man rush not even get close and the QB barely has to move at all in the pocket. It's no wonder the secondary is getting lit up on a regular basis... one can only expect so much from zone coverage. On top of that, there seems to be way too many "communication errors" in the secondary unit. Too many coverage screw ups and receivers being dropped all together... Vincent Jackson scored 2 of his 3 TDs today on blown coverages.


Even acknowledging that San Diego has a lot of offensive talent and can make explosive plays in the passing game... there's still no excuse for the defense nearly gagging today like they did.

[Dragon]

Gah, I can't believe the Steelers choked that one away. Props to Baltimore for playing a great game and getting over a hurdle that's been plaguing them for years. Hopefully there'll be a chance for a rematch to set the record straight again.

Still, I'm upset that, for the second year in a row, the refs let the Ravens get away with putting a cheap helmet-to-helmet shot on one of our receivers. Last year it was Jameel McClain on Heath Miller, this year it was Ray Lewis on Hines Ward. The call may or may not have made a difference to the outcome of the game, but it's frustrating that the refs wouldn't extend the same protection to the Steelers as they're supposed to extend to the rest of the league.

[Dragon]

Ouch, this was a rough week for a lot of us. Only 6 out of 16 were better than 50%, but that's enough to move Rutabaga into the lead with 90 wins. Meanwhile, the survivor pool is still in a dead heat with me, Kyran, and Park's still-successful bizarro run.

Thursday game this week, everybody!

Week 9 Tally

Mu Satach: 10-4
Liam Jinn: 9-5
Miranda Tarkin: 9-5
Morgan Evanar: 8-6
Park Kraken: 8-6
Ryan Pode: 8-6
Aurelias Kazaar: 7-7
Dragon: 7-7
Figrin D'an: 7-7
jjwr: 7-7
Lykaios: 7-7
Nathanial K'cansce: 7-7
Rutabaga: 7-7
Yog: 7-7
Jedi Master Carr: 6-8
Kyran O'Hurn: 6-8


Total Tally

1. Rutabaga: 90-40

2. jjwr: 89-41
2. Kyran O'Hurn: 89-41
2. Morgan Evanar: 89-41
5. Dragon: 85-45
5. Yog: 85-45
7. Figrin D'an: 84-46
8. Ryan Pode: 83-47
9. Liam Jinn: 82-48
9. Nathanial K'cansce: 82-48
11. Miranda Tarkin: 81-49
11. Park Kraken: 81-49
13. Jedi Master Carr: 79-51
14. Mu Satach: 77-53
15. Lykaios: 74-56
16. Aurelias Kazaar: 72-58


Survivor Pool

9
Dragon: ARI, DET, SD, ATL, NO, PIT, DAL, TEN, HOU

8
Kyran O'Hurn: BUF, TEN, NO, SD, NYJ, DAL, SF, ATL

7
Liam Jinn: SF, DAL, PIT, GB, BUF, NYJ, CAR, NO, NE
jjwr: HOU, BAL, CHI, NO, PIT, DAL, SF, KC


3
Ryan Pode: GB, TEN, TB, NYG, NYJ, NO, CAR, SF
Rutabaga: GB, SD, NO, NYG, DAL, SF, OAK
Yog: DEN, PIT, SD, GB, NYG, DET, DAL, SF, PHI
Jedi Master Carr: GB, PIT, TB, NYG
Lykaios: PIT, SD, TB, NYG, BAL, DET, OAK
Mu Satach: DET, SD, GB, ARI, BUF, BAL, SF, NO

Seppuku x9 combo!
Park Kraken: TB, PHI, HOU, JAX, CAR, STL, ARI, CLE, WAS