Nagler's Never Right: NFL 2014 Season Week Nine Picks

Last week: 8-7

Season: 71-49-1

New Orleans vs Carolina

Drew Brees and company looked absolutely potent against the Packers and that should continue against the Panthers. I don’t expect the Saints to blow the doors off the place, but I do expect them to win a tough, divisional road game.

Tampa Bay vs Cleveland

The Buccaneers made it pretty clear that they are playing out the string on trade-deadline day. Lovie Smith will take the rest of the year to evaluate his roster and lay the groundwork for the offseason. (Thanks for the season ticket money Bucs fans!) Cleveland is starting journeyman (and former Packer) Nick McDonald at center. If he’s even serviceable, the Browns should win this one.

Arizona vs Dallas

Bruce Arians can freaking coach man. But of course, that won’t be the storyline surrounding this game. It will be all about the Cowboys quarterback and whether or not Tony Romo is able to go. Brandon Weeden wasn’t as horrible as the Brandon Weeden we’ve come to know and love during his time in the league, but he’s still, you know, Brandon Weeden. Regardless of the Cowboys’ quarterback, the Cardinals get the win. (I mean, Dallas thought Jim Haslett blitzed the hell out of them, wait until they get a load of Todd Bowles…)

New York Jets vs Kansas City

The Jets are toast. Michael Vick, named the starter by soon-to-be-ex-head-coach of the Jets Rex Ryan, is a shell of the player he once was. Chiefs win.

Washington vs Minnesota

RGIII will get the start according to head coach Jay Gruden, depriving us another dose of Colt McCoy magic. The Vikings have been hard to watch on offense, but rookie linebacker Anthony Barr is a stud in the making. This feels like a game Washington should win - so of course they won’t. Give me the Vikings if only because of RGIII needing time to get back in the groove.

Jacksonville vs Cincinnati

Trap game for the Bengals? Trap game for the Bengals. But one they win.

Philadelphia vs Houston

Nick Foles is not nearly the quarterback he was last season and this Eagles team is turning the ball over at an alarming rate. Still, the Texans don’t beat good teams, which the Eagles most certainly are. Chip Kelly and his guys get back on track.

San Diego vs Miami

This should be a great game. The Chargers have been off the last few weeks and need to get back to the efficiency they exhibited on offense earlier this year. The problem, of course, is that Miami’s defense, especially Cameron Wake, are going to make life miserable for Philip Rivers. The problem for the Dolphins? Their offense doesn’t need help from opposing defenses when it comes to making life miserable. They do that just fine on their own. The Chargers get a big road win.

St. Louis vs San Francisco

The Rams traded for Mark Barron to be the enforcer in Greg Williams’ scheme. Look for him down in the box on early downs and for the 49ers to counter by throwing way too much and forgetting that Frank Gore is quite simply one of the best football players in the league. The Rams made a go of it last time around. The 49ers won’t get out to the same slow start this time. 49ers win comfortably.

Denver vs New England

Manning vs Brady? More like Revis vs Thomas and Talib vs Gronk. No, Talib hasn’t moved around much this year, but John Fox should have him locked on Gronk more often than not. The Patriots are playing at a high level after the early drama in their season. This is a game where the loss of Chandler Jones is really felt. The Broncos look like the eventual Super Bowl champs - and they make a statement by winning in Foxboro.

Oakland vs Seattle

Derek Carr lit up the Seahawks defense in the preseason. It is no longer preseason. Seahawks roll.

Baltimore vs Pittsburgh

While this may not be the knock-down, drag-out we used to look forward to, it’s still a great rivalry game. Big Ben and the offense are finally clicking, and the defense has looked improved through this mini-home stand in Pittsburgh. The Ravens have a banged up secondary. Joe Flacco and Baltimore’s offense make a game of it, but the Steelers pull away in the end.

Indianapolis vs New York Giants

Andrew Luck and the Colts offense still don’t know if Reggie Wayne will play in this game, while the defense knows it will be without Erik Walden. Eli Manning and the Giants have had the bye week to get healthy and prepare. This will be a close one, but the Giants’ defensive front line will give Luck enough problems that they force him into one or two errors. Big Blue gets the win.

 

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Comments (8)

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Samson's picture

October 30, 2014 at 05:07 pm

You'll be close to perfect this week. I have all the same picks except going with the Pats at home. The Broncos & Pats may be the two best teams in the NFL, even at the 1/2 way mark.

In the meantime, GB's run D will improve drastically this Sunday.

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PackerAaron's picture

October 31, 2014 at 07:30 am

Yeah, that DENvNE game is a real tough call. I hate picking against BB and Brady at home. Just think Denver is the more complete team. Should be a great game.

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Tundraboy's picture

November 02, 2014 at 03:56 pm

Arizona is no joke

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FITZCORE1252's picture

October 30, 2014 at 07:43 pm

I'm calling for the Texans to pull the upset.

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Bearmeat's picture

October 31, 2014 at 10:05 pm

You mean you're hoping for the Texans to pull the upset? Me too. But they won't. The Texans suck.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

November 02, 2014 at 12:32 pm

No, don't care either way. I know i should, given playoff implications... but i don't. Just think the Texans win this one.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

November 03, 2014 at 12:34 pm

Aaaaand, that's why I keep my day job.

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Tundraboy's picture

November 02, 2014 at 04:03 pm

Never ever thought Walden not playing would be a negative.

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