Pats Pulpit Sunday NFL Picks: Week 9

With the New England Patriots playing at 4:25 PM ET today against the Pittsburgh Steelers, I make my Sunday NFL picks for week nine:

Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills: Even with Jeff Tuel at quarterback, I think the Bills have enough to make this close.  But like all of the Chiefs' opponents who have played them close this year, do they have enough to actually pull out the win? The Pick: Chiefs 20 Bills 13

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers: The Panthers look like they are emerging, while the Falcons continue to reel.  Naturally, that means the Falcons will win. The Pick: Falcons 24 Panthers 17

Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys: The first easy game on Dallas' schedule in quite some time. They need to win. The Pick: Cowboys 31 Vikings 13

New Orleans Saints at New York Jets: Regardless of how this season ends, the Jets have already blown past expectations. That being said, I don't think they will be able to handle the Saints today. The Pick: Saints 27 Jets 16

Tennessee Titans at St. Louis Rams: Despite a 3-4 record, the Titans are actually playing good football.  The Rams are coming off a close loss to the Seahawks.  This may actually be a surprisingly good game to watch. The Pick: Titans 21 Rams 17

San Diego Chargers at Washington Redskins: Philip Rivers, for the first time in three years, is looking like Philip Rivers.  The Chargers will be in the thick of the wildcard race, while the Redskins are already hanging on for their lives. The Pick: Chargers 28 Redskins 14

Philadelphia Eagles at Oakland Raiders: Are the Raiders actually in playoff contention?  Kicking off the easiest part of their schedule today, they might have a shot after upsetting the Steelers last week. The Pick: Raiders 20 Eagles 19

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks: Well, at least the Bucs aren't nearly as bad as the league's other winless team, the Jaguars. The Pick: Seahawks 27 Buccaneers 14

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns: This is a critical juncture for the Ravens.  If they get the win, they'll have a shot.  If they lose, the Browns may have a shot. The Pick: Ravens 20 Browns 16

Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots: Neither of these teams are what we thought they were heading into the year.  Yet this promises to be a fun, physical match-up.  I'm anticipating a Patriots victory, as last week's comeback against the Dolphins provided a spark. The Pick: Patriots 24 Steelers 17

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans: I think the Texans should find a way to keep this one close, but the Colts will take one step closer to another AFC South crown. The Pick: Colts 31 Texans 21