Survivor Pool Analysis – Week 9

There were a few scares last week, but most of the teams escaped with victories, including my top two picks in the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens. Readers questioned why the New Orleans Saints were not a higher choice last week and you saw why on Sunday. You can never trust the road teams as upsets tend to occur more often with home underdogs. Check out the Week 9 game-by-game analysis …

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts –

You have to like the Falcons here, but they are on the road, and I would only go with them if there are not any better home options this week.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints

– Pass on the divisional game.

Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans –

Houston is a possibility this week at home against Cleveland. Andre Johnson is not expected to play while Peyton Hillis could return to the lineup.

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills –

Another divisional game. Avoid.

Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs –

The Chiefs are coming off a big Monday night win and they have won four straight. They could be due for a letdown game and I hate to bet against winless teams this late in the season since they are bound to win one. Hold off unless desperate.

San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins –
This one should be a low-scoring game and I think Washington might have a chance to pull the upset with all of their issues. If they cannot pull the upset, they should at least keep it close and make it interesting by a late field goal. Avoid.

Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys –

The Cowboys find themselves in a similar spot as they did against St. Louis. Big home favorite and they should take care of business.

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders –

Divisional game, pass.

Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans –

The Bengals have overachieved this season as Andy Dalton and A.J. Green look like a combination that could be doing this for years. However, I think this is a tough spot for them entering Tennessee this week. They are getting some attention right now at 5-2, but if they pick up this road win, people should begin to give them more respect.

St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals –

Pass on the NFC West game.

New York Giants at New England Patriots

– New England has lost back-to-back games only twice since 2003. I think this game should be close and the Patriots have the other New York team on deck. Skip.

Green Bay Packers at San Diego Chargers –

It will be interesting to see how Philip Rivers responds after that tough Monday night loss. The Packers are coming off a bye and many teams have struggled off their byes this season. The Chargers are capable of playing with Green Bay and the game in is their building, but if Aaron Rodgers picks up where he left off in Week 7, it is going to be a tough task.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers –

There’s no way you can touch this game in survivor. Just hope that we finally get a good primetime game after the miserable matchups in October.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles –

The Eagles are a possible choice as they look to win their third straight game and move to .500. The Bears may be able to stay with them for part of the game, but I think the Eagles will eventually pull away. When they are clicking, it is just too difficult to stop LeSean McCoy and the rest of that offense.

SELECTIONS

In Week 9, my top picks would be from Texas – the
COWBOYS and
TEXANS. If you do not have either team, then I would consider the
EAGLES, followed by a road team in the
FALCONS.

AVOID in WEEK 9

49ers

– I had them on this list last week, but their defense was too much for Cleveland. Washington has a solid defense and they’ll attempt to slow down Frank Gore. If they do, I could see this game coming down to a late field goal.

Raiders
– Darren McFadden likely will not play, but Michael Bush will fill in just fine. However, there is too much of a rivalry here and anything can happen. Too much hype surrounds Tim Tebow this game and you never know what type of performance he will put up.

Good luck in Week 9!