Week 9: Predictions

Hot damn, I'm catching up!

Tim: 64-53 (7-6)

Dan: 61-56 (10-3)

It figures that the first week I don't pick San Francisco that they win. God damn it. Oh well. Here are out Week 9 predictions.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta

Tim: Atlanta

Dan: Atlanta

Chicago at Buffalo

Tim: Buffalo (First person to pick Buffalo all year!!!)

Dan: Chicago

New England at Cleveland

Tim: Cleveland

Dan: New England

Miami at Baltimore

Tim: Baltimore

Dan: Baltimore

New York Jets at Detroit

Tim: New York Jets

Dan: Detroit

Arizona at Minnesota

Tim: Minnesota

Dan: Minnesota

New Orleans at Carolina

Tim: New Orleans

Dan: New Orleans

San Diego at Houston

Tim: San Diego

Dan: Houston

New York Giants at Seattle

Tim: New York Giants

Dan: New York Giants

Kansas City at Oakland

Tim: Oakland

Dan: Kansas City

Indianapolis at Philadelphia

Tim: Philadelphia

Dan: Indianapolis

Dallas at Green Bay

Tim: Green Bay

Dan: Green Bay

Pittsburgh at

Cincinnati

Tim: Pittsburgh

Dan: Pittsburgh

Okay, I won last week (Woohoo!) and we have seven games different this week. Here are the storylines of this week.

Story Lines of the Week

• Tampa Bay and Atlanta battle for first place in the NFC South.
• Pittsburgh and Cincinnati face off on Monday Night in an AFC North showdown.
• Kansas City and Oakland are relevant again and their game actually means something!
• Charlie Whitehurst gets his first start for Seattle as the Seahawks take on the Giants.
• Mark Sanchez and the Jets take on Matthew Stafford and the Lions in the battle of the 2009 first round QBs.
• Bill Belichick takes on his former student, Eric Mangini, as the Browns and Patriots square off.
• Philip Rivers looks to continue his MVP-caliber season as the injury depleted Chargers take on Matt Schaub and the Texans.

Week 9: Great Expectations

No witty blurb this time. Here are the players who I think Exceed Expectations this week.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (vs. Chicago): Chicago has a great pass defense...but so do the Jets and Ravens, who Fitzpatrick shredded for 20 and 29 fantasy points. I think he does it again this week. Buffalo might actually win one!

Joe Flacco (vs. Miami): He has thrown one INT since Week 3, is coming off a bye, and is playing a Miami secondary that has been porous in the past. Expect to see a lot of Boldin, Heap, Mason, and the rest of the Ravens' offense. You know what? I think Donte Stallworth finds the endzone this week.

Jay Cutler (at Buffalo): He's playing Buffalo. Get him in that lineup.

Matt Forte (at Buffalo): Read: Jay Cutler

Peyton Hillis (vs. New England): He only has one single digit game this whole year. He's coming off a bye. And he's easily the best option on the Cleveland offense. New England's rush defense isn't that good. I expect Hillis to score.

Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles (at Oakland): Keep starting both of them. They're both really good and are gonna get you a lot of points. General rule of thumb: start your RBs against Oakland.

Ryan Mathews (at Houston): Houston's defense is so bad and, even with touchdown-vulture Mike Tolbert lurking around, I think the rookie has a good game. He was my preseason pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year and, with so many injuries on that San Diego team, he's gotta do something. Right???

Shonn Greene (at Detroit): Gut call. Nothing more, nothing less.

Beanie Wells (at Minnesota): Also a gut call. I've just got a feeling.

Greg Jennings (vs. Dallas): He's been hot lately. Dallas has not.

Steve Johnson (vs. Chicago): Has a score in every week since Week 3. Dare I say start all your Bills? Nah, but I like him and Fitz this week.

Wes Welker (at Cleveland): He hasn't done much lately but there are a few things to keep in mind here. First, he's playing Cleveland. Second, he's playing Cleveland. Third, I think Bill and the Pats run up the score on Mangini. Fourth, he's playing Cleveland.

Steve Smith (at Seattle): He's not the first option in that Giants offense but he's as good of a slot receiver as they make them. I like Smith this week.

Derrick Mason (vs. Miami): I like Flacco. I like everyone on the Ravens offense this week. Mason plays on the Ravens offense. Therefore....

Benjamin Watson (vs. New England): I think he finds the endzone against his old team.

Jeremy Shockey (at Carolina): This guy is actually pretty talented. He'll get his catches.

Jacob Tamme (at Philadelphia): Peyton Manning can make anybody a fantasy starter. Tamme is Dallas Clark lite.