Dan Caesar’s Week 9 NFL picks
Cards at Cowboys
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Arizona 6-1, 2-1 road. Dallas 6-2, 3-0 home.
Line: DAL by 2 1/2 O/U: 44 1/2
Synopsis: Washington brought Dallas back to earth on Monday, and now Cowboys QB Tony Romo is questionable (back injury). If he can’t go, journeyman Brandon Weeden gets the call. Whoever plays will hand often to DeMarco Murray, who leads No. 1 ground attack. But the Cardinals are No. 3 vs. the run and have won three in a row.
Pick: Cardinals 24-23
Eagles at Texans
Time: 10 a.m.
Records: Philadelphia 5-2, 1-2 road. Houston 4-4, 2-1 home.
Line: PHI by 2 O/U: 48 1/2
Synopsis: Philadelphia fell just short last week in Arizona, and now is on the road again vs. Houston, which broke a three-game skid last week. The Texans are No. 28 vs. the pass, so expect Eagles QB Nick Foles to throw more than usual. Meanwhile, can Texans QB Ryan Fitzpatrick take advantage of the No. 26 pass defense?
Pick: Texans 27-24
Jets at Chiefs
Time: 10 a.m.
Records: New York 1-7, 0-3 road. Kansas City 4-3, 2-1 home.
Line: KC by 9 1/2 O/U: 41 1/2
Synopsis: Team disarray turns to aging turnover machine Michael Vick at QB to guide the Jets’ 28th-rated offense vs. KC’s No. 3 defense – and in the Arrowhead madhouse. Good luck. NY benefits in that its strength is stopping the run and KC loves its ground game. But that won’t be enough to help the Jets much.
Pick: Chiefs 30-13
Redskins at Vikings
Time: 10 a.m.
Records: Washington 3-5, 1-3 road. Minnesota 3-5, 1-2 home.
Line: MIN by 1 O/U: 43 1/2
Synopsis: Washington comes off its upset road win Monday over Dallas and gets QB Robert Griffin III back from the ankle injury that has KO’d him for most of the season. He’ll be facing the league’s No. 8 defense. But Minnesota has trouble moving the ball and Washington has the NFL’s No. 11 defense.
Pick: Redskins 23-17
Bucs at Browns
Time: 10 a.m.
Records: Tampa Bay 1-6, 1-2 road. Cleveland 4-3, 3-1 home.
Line: CLE by 6 1/2 O/U: 43 1/2
Synopsis: Dull matchup but at least Cleveland shows some life (won three of four), though figures to be without key TE Jordan Cameron (concussion). Still, it should feast on the NFL’s worst defense. Tampa also has the NFL’s worst offense (295.1 yards per game), a bad sign vs. a foe that allows 21.7 points per game.
Pick: Browns 27-23
Jaguars at Bengals
Time: 10 a.m.
Records: Jacksonville 1-7, 0-4 road. Cincinnati 4-2-1, 3-0-1 home.
Line: CIN by 10 1/2 O/U: 43 1/2
Synopsis: Jacksonville finally won two weeks ago after a couple close calls, but reverted to old form last week in Miami and now goes to Cincinnati, which got back on track vs. a tough Ravens team last week. Bengals hope WR A.J. Green (toe) is back vs. the No. 25 ‘D.’ Cincy’s ‘D’ is 30th, but the Jacksonville offense is No. 30 and won’t cash in.
Pick: Bengals 27-13
Chargers at Dolphins
Time: 10 a.m. (CBS)
Records: San Diego 5-3, 2-2 road. Miami 4-3, 2-2 home.
Line: MIA by 2 O/U: 45
Synopsis: San Diego had 10 days to recover from a loss in Denver, its second defeat in a row, and will try to get back on track vs. a foe that has won three of four. SD loves to throw, but QB Philip Rivers must contend with NFL’s No. 3 pass ‘D.’ Another Miami plus – its ground attack is No. 6 and SD is so-so vs. the run.
Pick: Dolphins 23-20
Rams at 49ers
Time: 1:05 p.m.
Records: St. Louis 2-5, 1-2 road. San Francisco 4-3, 2-1 home.
Line: SF by 10 O/U: 44
Synopsis: St. Louis’ offensive line now is beat up, a bad sign for a team struggling to move the ball as the Rams go on the road to face the NFL’s No. 2 ‘D.’ San Francisco has been off since being blown out Oct. 19 in Denver, and figures to be well-prepared for this one the 49ers simply can’t afford to lose.
Pick: 49ers 30-16
Broncos at Patriots
Time: 1:25 p.m.
Records: Denver 6-1, 1-1 road. New England 6-2, 4-0 home.
Line: DEN by 3 O/U: 53 1/2
Synopsis: High-octane Denver has won four in a row but plays just its third game on the road – where its only loss has come (Seattle). The Broncos are sixth or better in many key defensive stats, but only 17th vs. the pass, so look for Patriots QB Tom Brady to cash in. New England has won four in a row, averaging 39.5 points.
Pick: Patriots 33-30
Ravens at Steelers
Time: 5:30 p.m. (NBC)
Records: Baltimore 5-3, 2-2 road. Pittsburgh 5-3, 3-1 home.
Line: BAL by 1 1/2 O/U: 48
Synopsis: Baltimore has second key road game in a row vs. an AFC North team and will try to rebound after a close call in Cincinnati, and its No. 22 pass ‘D’ will be tested by Ben Roethlisberger, who comes off a 522-yard, six TD outing vs. Indianapolis. But Pittsburgh is tough to trust as it allowed more than 30 points in two of last three games.
Pick: Ravens 24-23
Colts at Giants
Monday: 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Records: Indianapolis 5-3, 2-2 road. New York 3-4, 2-1 home.
Line: IND by 3 O/U: 51
Synopsis: Indianapolis tries to recover after being torched last week by Pittsburgh. Don’t look for such an outburst by NY, which is 23rd in offense though WR Odell Beckham is rising. Colts QB Andrew Luck, whose 341.4 passing yards per game leads the NFL, should feast on New York’s 25th-rated pass ‘D.’
Pick: Colts 30-24