Week 9, as has become the rule rather than the exception, had its share of upsets; none of which could have been more of a surprise than the Dolphins over the Bears in Chicago. Are you kidding me? After almost being upset by the lowly Cardinals, who would have ever figured that the Bears would take a week off against a not-so-intimidating opponent, and at home no less? Other mentionable surprises were Detroit over Atlanta and San Fran over Minnesota. Week 10 brings back the full slate of 16 games, which will help fellow hognosticators either catch up quicker or fall further behind. Here\u2019s wishing to all the prior.<\/p>\n
Cleveland at Atlanta
\nThe loss of Kevin Mathis won\u2019t help the Falcons’ 31st-ranked pass defense, but the Browns can\u2019t stop the run. They\u2019ll see plenty of it on Sunday.
\nPick \u2013 Falcons<\/p>\n
San Diego at Cincinnati
\nThe Bengals have lost 4 of the last 5, and off-the-field issues are taking their toll. Can Marvin Lewis get things under control? Or can he handle the pressure he has yet to feel in Cincy if they lose 5 of their last 6 and their third straight against the Chargers, who are a talented, well-balanced football team?
\nPick \u2013 Chargers<\/p>\n
San Francisco at Detroit
\nTwo of the upset victors from last week clash. Which one is capable of winning 2 straight? With a win, the Lions will record only their third time in 5 \u00bd seasons to put together back-to-back wins. That\u2019s just plain sad.
\nPick \u2013 Lions<\/p>\n
Buffalo at Indianapolis
\nNo way the Bills offense can keep up with the Colts’ scoring machine. The Colts make scoring a TD look easy against the best defenses in the league.
\nPick \u2013 Colts<\/p>\n
Houston at Jacksonville
\nThe Jags will make the Texans pay for embarrassing them in Houston 3 weeks ago, which was not so coincidentally Leftwich\u2019s last start.
\nPick \u2013 Jags<\/p>\n
Kansas City at Miami
\nThe Chiefs, although playing well and 5-3, are still a game behind both the Broncos and the Chargers in the tough AFC West. Herm Edwards won\u2019t let them forget that they must win to keep pace.
\nPick – Chiefs<\/p>\n
Green Bay at Minnesota
\nThis is a tough pick. Take the Vikes and their stout rush defense at home against the Pack who can\u2019t afford to be one-dimensional and have Favre throwing on every down.
\nPick – Vikings<\/p>\n
New York Jets at New England
\nThe Pats are at home and consistently beat teams they\u2019re supposed to beat.
\nPick \u2013 Patriots<\/p>\n
Washington at Philadelphia
\nAnd we thought last season\u2019s comeback in Dallas was exciting. What a game of roller-coaster emotions. Besides being oh-so-grateful for the win against the Pukes (that win wouldn\u2019t have been near as exciting against any other opponent) and for memories that will last a lifetime of that unbelievable ending that had my wife and I jumping up and down, hugging and shouting after the game winning kick – I\u2019m thankful that I got to watch Nick Novak\u2019s post-game press conference and learn what a great person he is. There\u2019s no wonder why Gibbs likes the kid. He\u2019s a class act, and anyone who had the chance to see his press conference, who didn\u2019t know that already, knows it now. Oh yeah, that was last week; this week \u2013 Philthy. Philthy sucks, go Skins!
\nPick \u2013 Redskins<\/p>\n
Baltimore at Tennessee
\nThe Raisins should have smooth sailing to a divisional title with a two game lead in their division and the easiest remaining schedule in the league (with only 2 of their 8 opponents with winning records and a combined record of those 8 opponents of .390). Billick will have his work cut out for him to keep his team focused, particularly when playing lesser teams such as the Titans this week.
\nPick \u2013 Ravens<\/p>\n
Denver at Oakland
\nThe Broncos will run the ball down the Faiders’ throat, and their defense will have no problem with the Faiders’ offense.
\nPick \u2013 Broncos<\/p>\n
Dallas at Arizona
\nLook for T.O. to have a big game against another sub-par opponent. Go Cardinals.
\nPick \u2013 Pukes<\/p>\n
New Orleans at Pittsburgh
\nOnce again, how can the Steelers be favored in this game and by 4 points? Drew Brees gets the Mid-Season Hognostication vote for MVP.
\nPick \u2013 Saints<\/p>\n
St. Louis at Seattle
\nAnother tough pick. The Rams have yet to win since they lost to the Hawks 4 weeks ago in St. Louis. Although Hasselbeck and Alexander remain on the sidelines, the Hawks find a way to win at home in this critical divisional contest.
\nPick \u2013 Seahawks<\/p>\n
Chicago at New York Giants
\nRonnie Brown had a career day against the ailing Bear defense in last Sunday\u2019s stunning upset by the Dolphins. Urlacher is gimpy, but expect him to play. The Gnats have injured players piling up, but may learn something in studying last week\u2019s film on how to move the ball on the ground with Tiki. The Bear offense is suspect, and Grossman continues to turn the ball over. The loss of Amani Toomer shouldn\u2019t hurt the Gnat offense, as Tim Carter should fill that void.
\nPick \u2013 Giants<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay at Carolina
\nThe Panthers have had two weeks to dwell on back-to-back losses to the Bengals and Pukes, and to prepare for the Bucs. They beat the Bucs back in week three in Tampa and will do so again on Monday night.
\nPick – Panthers<\/p>\n
Last Week\u2019s Results: 9-5
\nSeason to Date: 73-55<\/p>\n
Hognostications Counterpoint NFL Week 10<\/b><\/p>\n
The good news: Our software problems are sorted out.<\/p>\n
The bad news: At the time this piece is being typed, I still do not have the full stats to give you a preview about movements in the weekly or season standings.<\/p>\n
I promise to do an extended piece when we get the Hognostications numbers up-to-date. Obviously, some very significant changes may have taken place. Having landed a heavy load of work on my shoulders recently, I have not had a couple of hours to analyse the stats (even my own). Sorry.<\/p>\n
I shall return (next week).<\/p>\n
My picks:<\/p>\n
Texans at Jaguars 1:00 PM
\nPick – Jacksonville<\/p>\n
49ers at Lions 1:00 PM
\nPick – Detroit<\/p>\n
Browns at Falcons 1:00 PM
\nPick – Atlanta<\/p>\n
Ravens at Titans 1:00 PM
\nPick – Baltimore<\/p>\n
Jets at Patriots 1:00 PM
\nPick – New England<\/p>\n
Redskins at Eagles 1:00 PM
\nPick – Washington!<\/p>\n
Chiefs at Dolphins 1:00 PM
\nPick – Kansas City<\/p>\n
Packers at Vikings 1:00 PM
\nPick – Minnesota<\/p>\n
Bills at Colts 1:00 PM
\nPick – Indianapolis<\/p>\n
Chargers at Bengals 1:00 PM
\nPick – San Diego<\/p>\n
Broncos at Raiders 4:05 PM
\nPick – Denver<\/p>\n
Saints at Steelers 4:15 PM
\nPick – Pittsburgh<\/p>\n
Rams at Seahawks 4:15 PM
\nPick – Seattle<\/p>\n
Cowboys at Cardinals 4:15 PM
\nPick – Dallas<\/p>\n
Bears at Giants 8:15 PM
\nPick – Chicago<\/p>\n
MON, NOV 13 TIME (ET)<\/p>\n
Buccaneers at Panthers 8:30 PM
\nPick – Carolina.<\/p>\n
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Frank Hastings<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"