NFL Game Picks Week 9: New York Jets Go Home Wounded

Oct 19, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) rushes with the football as Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) defends during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns (2-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (7-0)

According to NFL Network’s Rand Getlin, it’s the appropriate time to say, “Here’s Johnny!”

Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel will make his second start on Thursday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals in a battle for Ohio supremacy. Manziel will scramble around and make a few plays. He developed a strong rapport with wide receiver Travis Benjamin early in the season, but it’s not enough firepower to match the red-shot undefeated Bengals. Quarterback Andy Dalton isn’t the same soft-spoken young man out of TCU. He’s scorching defenses across the league with vigor. The Bengals streak continues.

The Pick: Cincinnati Bengals

Green Bay Packers (6-1) at Carolina Panthers (7-0) Will another strong defense embarrass Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in consecutive weeks? Knee-jerk reactionaries have already started the “Rodgers isn’t that good” campaign led by beloved ESPN pundit Skip Bayless:

Not so fast Bayless.

The Carolina Panthers have a shutdown cornerback in Josh Norman and a strong front seven. However, they surrender an average 349 total yards per game, ranking 19th in the league.

Norman likely puts the clamps on wideout Randall Cobb, but wide receiver James Jones and Davante Adams come up big to hand the Panthers their first loss at home.

The Pick: Green Bay Packers

Washington Redskins (3-4) at New England Patriots (7-0)

The Washington Redskins return from a bye week to face a team with their chainsaw still buzzing. The Redskins had two weeks to prepare for this matchup, but the clear mismatch at the quarterback position outweighs preparation.

The NFL schedule also allotted 10 days for the New England Patriots to prepare for this contest after embarrassing the re-energized Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football. New England rolls over the Redskins by at least 21 points.

The Pick: New England Patriots

Tennessee Titans (1-6) at New Orleans Saints (4-4)

The New Orleans Saints are picking up steam after earning a victory in a high-scoring thriller with the New York Giants in Week 8. The Saints have won four of their last five games. Saints quarterback Drew Brees looks dangerous in the pocket once again.

The Tennessee Titans are headed in the opposite direction, especially after firing their head coach:

Mike Mularkey steps in as the interim coach, but it’s a moot point in the Mercedez –Benz Superdome where the Saints play their best football. New Orleans will roll over a Titans team under construction. The Pick: New Orleans Saints

Next: Jets on the Rebound?