Jeff Benton
Your Sunday freebie is the Seattle Seahawks to stop their two game losing streak today back at home against the Minnesota Vikings.
Seattle is 3-0 both straight up and against the spread at Century Link Field this season, all as the underdog! First try for the Seahawks in the home favorite role and they will be up for the challenge. Seattle has now covered six straight at home, and 9 of their last 11 at home dating back to last season.
Things are starting to get away from Christian Ponder who has been throwing interceptions at an alarming rate of late. Not surprisingly Minnesota has lost two of their last three straight up, and they are just 1-2 both straight up and against the spread on the road this season.
Playing in the Emerald City is never easy, and Minnesota just has not shown that they can be counted on to win away from the Twin Cities. I have a feeling Ponder's miscues will continue on the Century Link Field today as Seattle claims a much-needed win and cover.
3♦ SEATTLE
Chris Jordan
My free NFL pick for Sunday is going to be a total, as I head to Wisconsin for the NFC clash between the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers, and play this game under the posted 43-1/2 points. Look, I know the last time these two met they combined for a playoff-record 96 points, while compiling more than 1,000 yards of offense. Heck, these two even needed overtime to settle the outcome.
I don't think this go-round will come close to the previous meeting.
After all, the Cardinals have lost four straight games, including last Monday's 24-3 rout at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers, and their offense is about as lethargic as it can be right now. And that's with all-pro receiver Larry Fitzgerals in the lineup. To say this unit is a mess would be as safe as saying Hurricane Sandy was a wet one. Injuries have marred the Cardinals, their 39 sacks allowed are nine more than any other team, and they're averaging a paltry 11.5 points per game during this losing streak.
Now, that all being said, remember this is the same team that started the season 4-0. And if you look closely, you'll see even in the setbacks, this defense has been respectable. It's still ranked 6th in the league overall, sparked by the fourth-best passing defense. And that might not bode well for Aaron Rodgers and company.
I know the Pack has averaged 30 points over its last five contests, but something tells me it's in store for a huge defensive tussle this time around, not an offensive shootout. Green Bay has held its last three opponents to 24 points or less, and is tied with Arizona for the league lead with 26 sacks.
Look for this one to stay low, as the under comes in with ease.
4♦ UNDER
Matt Rivers
For Sunday, go with the Houston Texans at home against the Baltimore Ravens.
Houston is laying double-digits, but I am not the least bit worried as the Texans have already covered both of their tries as a double-digit favorite this season (vs. Miami and Tennessee), and they are 5-2 overall against the spread this season.
Buffalo comes in fresh off their bye-week, but their 3-4 record is a bit deceiving, as three of their four losses this season have been by large margins: 20 point loss at the Jets, 24 points loss home to New England, and 42 point loss at San Francisco.
Dating back to last season, the Bills are just 3-6-1 against the number when installed as the road underdog. The Buffalo defense has had issues stopping the run, as they are allowing a college football-like 6 yards per carry for the year! Have to expect the high-powered Houston offense (23 points or better in all seven of their games this season) to do some damage both on the ground and through the air.
On the flip side, look for Houston's defense to put the clamps on the Buffalo offense.
This one has the potential to be the biggest blowout on the Week Nine schedule.
Take the Texans.
5♦ HOUSTON
OC Dooley
Redskins -3
You will see at the bottom of this analysis an astounding 13-2 ATS all-time trend involving Washington head coach Mike Shanahan that automatically makes this a very high percentage wager. But one of the keys to this pick surrounds a “coaching letdown” so to speak involving Carolina’s Ron Rivera who last Sunday returned to Chicago where he was once a successful defensive coordinator for a Super Bowl squad. The Panthers led almost wire-to-wire last Sunday in the windy city before coughing up a substantial fourth quarter lead and losing on a last-second field goal by the Bears. It was for the most part business as usual for Carolina who has endured five other losses this season by a combined 18 points and a once promising season has essentially gone by the boards. The upcoming SCHEDULE for Washington makes today an almost “must win” situation for the host who after tackling the Panthers will be taking on three playoff-caliber squads (Eagles, Cowboys, Giants) with all three coming from the competitive NFC East. Even though the Redskins lost on the road last Sunday it must be pointed out that entering the contest Robert Griffin III led the entire NFL in pass completion percentage at the 70 mark. Today he will oppose fellow former Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton who has committed a grand total of EIGHT turnovers in the past five outings. In the career of current Washington head coach Mike Shanahan his teams have been almost automatic where it counts (13-2 ATS) after trailing by 14+ points in the previous game at halftime