Fraser's Favorites Week 9


N.Y. Jets at Buffalo

Mark Sanchez was spotted on the sidelines of the Stanford-USC game this Saturday night at “The Coliseum”. There are rumors that he would take out a writing pad and a pen as Andrew Luck took the field. “Throw to offensive players, not defensive players” and “I can throw it away?” were only two of myriad comments Sanchez had written down. The Jets go head-to-head this week with the rejuvenated Bills offense led by Zach Galifianakas look alike Ryan Fitzpatrick (picture to right). In what is a crucial mid-season game for both teams the Jets defense will step up and pause the Bills magical offensive season. After the game, Sanchez will twitter Andrew Luck thanking him for the help and Ryan Fitzpatrick will be suffering “The Hangover”.

New York Jets-24
Buffalo Bills- 20


Seattle at Dallas

Tony Romo was spotted on the sidelines of the Stanford-USC game….No he wasn’t, but he should have been. Call him Mr. Inconsistent. The Cowboys offense looked inept for the first three quarters against the Eagles outside of Demarco Murray running the ball. Inept doesn’t describe it actually. Pathetic. Sad. Depressing. It was depressing watching the Cowboys play. Fortunately, the perfect cure for a loss is a home game against the Seahawks. Some of the coaching decisions that Pete Carroll last week made were really questionable. Almost as questionable as continuing to start Tim Tebow…..

Seattle- 17
Dallas- 33


Cleveland at Houston

We could be talking about the Browns being one step away for the next 15 years. They were one step away last year. They were one step away this pre-season. They’re a couple of steps away from being able to travel to Houston and beat the Texans. Some are starting to question Colt McCoy’s effectiveness, but you have to look at what he’s dealing with. No Peyton Hillis for a couple of weeks and his most effective offensive weapon has been Benjamin Watson. Quick comparison: McCoy vs Schaub, Advantage Texans. Hillis/Hardesty vs. Foster, Advantage Texans. Andre Johnson vs. The athletic ability of all Browns offensive skill position players, Advantage Texans.

Cleveland- 16
Houston-30


Atlanta at Indianapolis

The Falcons are very quietly 4-3 and are in prime position to go 5-3 as they take on the lowly Colts. This is the perfect week for the Falcons to solidify their identity and prepare for a three-game home stand against the Saints, Vikings and Titans. This is a Falcons team that has not even played their best football yet. Matt Ryan is having his worst statistical season, Michael Turner is having an average season, and Roddy White leads the league in drops, but they have still managed to remain above .500. If the Falcons can finally find some form of consistency and those three players can play to their potential, these Falcons will be playing in the postseason.

Atlanta- 35
Indianapolis- 21


Miami at Kansas City

As Ryan Fitzpatrick decides to shave, Todd Haley decides to let the beard grow. He truly thinks that there is power in the beard as the Chiefs have won four in a row. Haley is one angry guy on the sidelines. Matt Cassel threw an incomplete pass on 3rd down late in the 1st half throwing a temper tantrum of his own but Haley went nuts. You do not want to be in his way when things are going wrong for the Chiefs. This team has taken on his identity though as they take every snap and every play like it’s the last play of the Superbowl. Meanwhile, Tony “I Wear my Sunglasses at Night” Sparano is soon to be fired as his winless Dolphins continue to find ways to lose games.

Miami- 23
Kansas City- 28


Tampa Bay at New Orleans

What happened to the Saints on Sunday is inexplicable. They not only lost to, but got crushed by a team with much-less talent. It’s hard to imagine that a team led by one of the fiercest competitors in the league in Drew Brees had such a letdown. This team had been beat up though by the tough schedule that all NFC South teams have to go through this year. The schedule is about to get a whole lot tougher for the Buccaneers who will finish the season with a winning percentage below .500. A highly motivated, extremely angry Saints team playing in perfect dome conditions. Josh Freeman’s best game of the year won’t be enough this Sunday.

Tampa Bay- 25
New Orleans- 42


San Francisco at Washington

After getting shut out by the Bills last Sunday, the Redskins welcomes a 49ers defense that only allows 15.3 points per game. Mike Shanahan has to be reconsidering his decision to go with John Beck as his starting quarterback. The Redskins turnover ratio is a tell-tale sign of why this team is headed downhill. They are second to last in the NFC with a minus-six giveaway/takeaway ratio, with 16 giveaways and only 10 takeaways. For a team with limited offensive weapons and a below average quarterback, they cannot be turning the ball over as much as they do. Jim Harbaugh, go easy on Shanahan when you meet for the handshake after you beat up on the ‘Skins.

San Francisco-31
Washington-19


Denver at Oakland

I want to thank God and thank John Fox for allowing America to watch and laugh at Tebow’s performance on Sunday. Then the Sunday Night Football cast goes on to say that it’s not all his fault. This is my “Come on Man” moment of the week. Not his fault?? Come onnn mannnn!! 18/39, 4.4 yards per completion, 3 fumbles and an interception. Whose fault is it? His total statistics as a starter this season: 31/66, 233 yards, 3 fumbles, an interception, 4 TD passes. John Fox said after the game “We have to see if he can improve”. I hope he can improve because if he gets any worse I might as well send my resume to Denver.

Denver- 15
Oakland- 30


Cincinnati at Tennessee

The success of the Bengals proves two things; the importance of the NFL draft and the importance of having a team with chemistry. Forgetting about headaches like Terrell Owens, Chad OchoCinco, and Carson Palmer has opened the door to rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. But this team is all about the defense as the Bengals currently have the ninth overall pass defense and second overall run defense. However, the record isn’t all it’s made out to be. They are 5-2 but their opponents combined record has been 20- 34, with 11 of the 20 wins from two teams. Yes, they have definitely won the games they were supposed to win, but the competition is about to get better. A young team going on the road in back-to-back games against a competitive Titans team, I’ll take the Titans.

Cincinnati- 21
Tennessee- 26


St. Louis at Arizona

This was supposed to be a meaningful game before the season began. Now this game is about as meaningful as a wedding vow from Kim Kardashian. Despite the awful season to date, the Cardinals have to be pleased with their rookie Patrick Peterson. He is exceeding the high expectations the Cardinals had when drafting him. Now that Bradford and Kolb are hurt and questionable to play this week, America could get to see the highly anticipated matchup of A.J. Feeley and John Skelton. Wow.

St. Louis- 24
Arizona-23

N.Y. Giants at New England

“We’re only gonna score 17 points?”- quoted by Tom Brady days before the Giants beat the Patriots 17-14 in the Superbowl. Brady laughed at the idea in 2006 and was incorrect, but now he can definitely laugh at it. This is going to be a furious Patriots team disappointed after last week’s loss to the Steelers. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady will not lose two in a row and will embarrass Eli and the Giants.

New York Giants- 28
New England Patriots- 40


Green Bay at San Diego

I hate to say it, but maybe Rex Ryan is right. Norv Turner has too much talent on this team not to have at least brought them to a Superbowl by now. Philip “Cry me” Rivers was supposed to take a step toward being an elite quarterback, but now has digressed. First round draft pick Ryan Mathews is always hurt and is not playing to his potential. The Chargers are in trouble. And now they get to play the Packers. Good Luck Norv.

Green Bay-38
San Diego- 25


Baltimore at Pittsburgh

A rematch of a week one match-up where the Ravens absolutely destroyed the Steelers forcing seven turnovers. This is the game that spurred all of the talk of the Steelers defense being old and washed up. Thank you Steelers for quieting the critics and showing the “experts” that we cannot judge a team based on one, two, or even three weeks. If a pattern exists with a team for four or more weeks, we can start to discuss the legitimacy of that pattern. However, when you lose one game, in particular the first game of the season, we cannot determine how successful or how poorly a team will play. Now that it is week nine, it’s easy to say who the better team is here; The Steelers. Let’s face the facts; the Steelers have a better passing attack, better run game and a better pass defense.

Baltimore- 18
Pittsburgh- 28


Chicago at Philadelphia

NFL look out. This is the Eagles team we expected all season. Focus all you want on the play of the offense last week against the Cowboys, but the biggest step this team took was defensive. They seriously shutdown an explosive Cowboys team. Nnamdi Asomugha is finally playing up to expectations and the change from LB Casey Matthews to Jamar Chaney is working for offensive line coach, I mean, defensive coordinator Juan Castillo. Also, let’s not forget that the teams the Eagles lost too weren’t exactly doormats; the Falcons, Bills, 49ers, and Giants for a combined record of 20-8. As long as Michael Vick continues to make smart decisions and the Eagles don’t turn the ball over, they will easily handle the Bears at home. Easily.

Chicago- 23
Philadelphia- 35

Check back tonight for the forecast for Week 9 in the NFL! My week 8 record was: 10-3, ATS 8-5. My season record(starting at week 4 officially) is 50-18, ATS 39-29.
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