There are 17 weeks in the NFL schedule, and this is Week 9. So we're all but halfway through the league's regular season schedule, and we're starting to see how things might shape up down the home stretch.
The Green Bay Packers are starting to look like the team everyone thought they would be, the team that went 15-1 last season, as they've rattled off three consecutive wins. One of the season's early surprises, the Arizona Cardinals, are going in the opposite direction. Those two will meet this weekend in a pretty important test for both.
On the other hand, it's do-or-die for a pair of underachievers on Monday night when the Eagles head to New Orleans to take on the Saints. Jobs could be on the line in, particularly on the Philly side, in that one.
NESN.com senior assistant editor Mike Cole and assistant editor Ricky Doyle aren't concerned about their job security (but maybe they should be), but they are back to give their Week 9 NFL picks. See those picks below and hear them discuss the picks in the podcast at the bottom.
Home teams in caps, lines from Bovada.lv.
Cole
SAN DIEGO (-9) over Kansas City
Denver (-4) over CINCINNATI
GREEN BAY (-11) over Arizona
INDIANAPOLIS (+1.5) over Miami
Baltimore (-4) over CLEVELAND
HOUSTON (-10) over Buffalo
WASHINGTON (-3.5) over Carolina
Detroit (-4) over JACKSONVILLE
Chicago (-4) over TENNESSEE
Minnesota (+5) over SEATTLE
Tampa Bay (+1) over OAKLAND
NY GIANTS (-3.5) over Pittsburgh
ATLANTA (-4.5) over Dallas
NEW ORLEANS (-3.5) over Philadelphia
Last week: 6-8
Season: 50-66-1
Doyle
SAN DIEGO (-9) over Kansas City
Denver (-4) over CINCINNATI
GREEN BAY (-11) over Arizona
Miami (-1.5) over INDIANAPOLIS
Baltimore (-4) over CLEVELAND
HOUSTON (-10) over Buffalo
Carolina (+3.5) over WASHINGTON
Detroit (-4) over JACKSONVILLE
Chicago (-4) over TENNESSEE
Minnesota (+5) over MINNESOTA
Tampa Bay (+1) over OAKLAND
Pittsburgh (+3.5) over NY GIANTS
Dallas (+4.5) over ATLANTA
Philadelphia (+3.5) over NEW ORLEANS
Last week: 7-7
Season: 46-53-3
Listen to the podcast below or subscribe on iTunes to download it there.
