Football Friday: Week 9

It's another football Friday, and with the World Series wrapped up, all eyes will shift to the National Football League. And for the casual fan who's not watched much of the League to this point, there's certainly been better weeks to get into it, as there's really not a match up that just screams game of the week. I think a lot of that has to do with Denver, Detroit and San Francisco on bye for the week. With that, let's get to it for the Week 9.

KCvsBUF - While this match up does not stand out as a premier match up, I think it could be sneaky good. I know the Bills don't have a good QB, but I think this game comes down to the run game that can have the most success. The Chiefs have not really dominated a game, other than Jacksonville and the Giants, and really how impressive is that? I think the front seven of Buffalo is incredibly good, which could give the excellent run game of the Chiefs a hard time. I think if Alex Smith has to air it out, the Chiefs offense will struggle. That's not to the Chiefs can't win, because their front seven is as good, I think better, but I'm taking the Bills to hand the Chiefs their first loss on the road. Buffalo 20 Kansas City 16

MINvsDal - The ability of the Cowboys to find ways to lose games is remarkable, but they have the opportunity to bounce back against a putrid Minnesota Vikings unit. The Cowboys defense is incredibly beat up, I think resulting in a shootout. The key for the Vikings in this game is clock control. They have to keep the Dallas offense off the field. For the Cowboys, they have to shut down the run obviously, and make Christian Ponder be the one to beat them. I think it's a shoot out and a pretty high scoring game. Dallas 34 Minnesota 20

TENvsSTL - With the way Kellen Clemens plays Monday, I can't see how the Rams win another game unless they can find lightning in a bottle with someone else. Tennessee has a pretty underrated team. I will say though, the Rams defense played very well in the Monday night game last week. If, and that is a questionable if, they can play to that level again this Sunday, I can see the Rams pulling off the upset. I think they play well, but not well enough. Tennessee 16 Rams 9

NOvsNYJ - The Jets have played well at home, and not great on the road. The Jets success is very much hingent on the run game, and going against the #1 rush defense will force them to air it out. I think this home game is going to be different. The Saints are rolling, and I think they continue on. New Orleans 31 Jets 17

SDvsWAS - West coast team going east is always a tall task for the road team. Washington actually played well for about two and a half quarters until the flood gates opened in Denver. I think Washington continues to get better. I think this ends up being a shoot out, and while you don't want to get into one with Philip Rivers, I think RGIII and the Skins make enough plays to take this one. Washington 35 San Diego 31

ATLvsCAR - Injuries are too much for Atlanta to overcome. I think Cam Newton has a big day against a very depleted secondary. Carolina will prove they are for real, but I think they'll still have some doubters. Carolina 24 Atlanta 20

PHIvsOAK - This will be an interesting game I think. Oakland's defense shuts down the run very well, but with Nick Foles as the QB, I'm thinking Chip Kelly will want to air it out. The Philly defense is not very good, and I think Terrell Pryor and company put up big yardages. I see another shoot out in Oakland this week. This could be a fun game to watch. Oakland 34 Philadelphia 33

TBvsSEA - One might see this game and say, well there's no doubt about who's going to win this. I think Darelle Revis will take away now number-one wideout Golden Tate, forcing someone else to step up. But overall, I think Marshawn Lynch has a big day, thus leading the Seahawks to a win, though I don't think it's as big of a margin as some are expecting. Seattle 34 Tampa Bay 16

BALvsCLE - Baltimore is coming off a bye, and while playing on the road would concern me, it's in Cleveland and I think the Ravens will be rejuvenated and healed, thus I think they take it to Cleveland. Baltimore 23 Cleveland 14

PITvsNE - Pittsburgh is showing progress after a dismal start to the season. If they can keep Tom Brady in check, they give themselves a great chance to win this game. I think in the end, Tom Brady being at home is the difference, but it's not by much. New England 20 Pittsburgh 18

INDvsHOU - Maybe eight weeks ago, this looked like a good matchup, but with the struggles of Houston, it appears it's not as appealing. Out of the bye though, the Texans have a chance to make up a small bit of ground. Also off the bye, the Colts have had a chance to work other receivers into their offense after the loss of Reggie Wayne. I look for a good game, and while I want to take the Colts, I think the Texans play a very solid game at home. Houston 21 Indianapolis 20

I'll throw together a Monday night preview Monday morning.

Like I said, if the casual fan is just now getting back to the NFL, they picked a tough week to find exciting matchups.