Joe's 2010 NFL Opening Drive: Week 9

It's week nine in the NFL season. Teams are beginning to fall from contender to pretender while other squads are starting to fight for postseason slotting. Let's kick off the Opening Drive!

(5-2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at
(5-2) Atlanta Falcons

Tampa Bay. For realsies or fakesies? Today's match-up with their division rivals will go a long way in establishing the Bucs as a legitimate NFC threat or a young team with a deceiving record. Atlanta's offense would appear to have the advantage over a soft defense that gave up all sorts of points in its two losses. Michael Turner and Roddy White should each have 100-yard games today. As good as Josh Freeman has looked this season, that offense just isn't good enough to hang with the Falcons yet.

(6-1) New England Patriots at
(2-5) Cleveland Browns

The Belichick versus Mangini drama has lost its luster in recent years after Mangini was fired by the Jets. Now the league-best Patriots face a Cleveland team that is playing hard and finding any way it can to win games. Hmm... doesn't that sound a lot like the Patriots? How ironic. There are a few teams in the league that can outplay the Patriots for 60 minutes... I just don't think the Browns are one of them.

(5-2) New York Jets at
(2-5) Detroit Lions

A crappy offense against a crappy defense. A good offense versus a good defense. Those are the notes to take into today's game between two teams at the opposite ends of the spectrum. The battle between first-round QB's Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford will be worth a watch though. I like Stafford to win that contest, but the Jets to take the game. That defense is too good and the Lions aren't at their level yet.

(4-3) Miami Dolphins at
(5-2) Baltimore Ravens

For the first time all year Donte Stallworth will be on the field for the Ravens, giving Joe Flacco a ridiculous complement of wide-outs to target. Stallworth's speed should allow Anquan Boldin to get even more space to run across the middle. Miami's a tough out, but they still haven't learned how to overcome better defenses. Baltimore's defense will keep the Dolphin offense from getting more than 17 points, which is the recipe for a win.

(3-5) San Diego Chargers at
(4-3) Houston Texans

No Gates, Floyd or Nanee means Philip Rivers has to do it all on his own today. That spells trouble against a Houston squad that must be fuming after being overwhelmed by Indianapolis on national television Monday night. Andre Johnson's going to gut it out again today, but he won't be very effective. Still, Schaub and the Texans can and should defend their turf.

(5-2) New York Giants at
(4-3) Seattle Seahawks

Charlie Whitehurst, it's been nice knowing you. You get your first NFL start against the New York Giants, who have been earning their living in 2010 by knocking out quarterbacks. Have fun with that. As good as Seattle is at home, I'm not convinced they can hang with the Giants, though Eli Manning has the ability to throw two or three picks on any given day, so don't be shocked at a Seattle win.

(5-2) Kansas City Chiefs at
(4-4) Oakland Raiders

Game of the week? I'd say it's pretty close. The Raiders are coming off two straight blow-out wins and Kansas City sits alone atop the AFC West, setting up a showdown in the back hole. The only question is, will anyone watch it? Both squads love to pound the ball on the ground, so victory hinges on quarterback play. Who do you trust more: Matt Cassel or Jason Campbell? Ew.

(5-2) Indianapolis Colts at
(4-3) Philadelphia Eagles

Manning versus Vick! The best passing QB in the league against the best rushing QB in the league. Andy Reid is 11-0 coming off a bye week, but have any of those ever been against Peyton Manning? I doubt it. The fast Colt defense may be the best equipped to handle Vick's speed, so maybe an aerial barrage is in the gameplan for Reid? 

You'll note I left out the Cowboys and Bengals in my previews. They're done, so I'm done with them. Enjoy the games everyone!