UTTQ Predictions: Week 9

With an even amount of games this week, I'll be doing the Monday Night game this week.

DENVER 20, OAKLAND 28
Tebowmania has died down a bit, now that doubters have an efficient excuse to assail the heralded college star. Although Tebow and the Broncos came back in Miami, the point is that Tebow and company can't play the type of football to keep up in a riveting AFC West race. The Raiders may have Carson Palmer, but after being embarrassed by the Chiefs D last week, hopefully Palmer knows enough of the playbook to lead the Raiders to a win.

CINCINNATI 20, TENNESSEE 27
Both teams have been surprises this year, but unfortunately both also play in divisions with obviously better foes. The Bengals have been consistent in their game all year, but the Titans have played with a certain tenacity on occasion that makes them difficult to beat. Unfortunately for the Titans, they won't have Chris Johnson (even though he's fully healthy and starting). This will be quite the test for the Bengals, but look for the Titans to rebound at home.

ST. LOUIS 10, ARIZONA 27
Both of these teams began the year with arguably the most stable quarterback situations in the NFC West. Now, with both sitting in the bottom of the division at 1-6, and neither looking at have their starters for this game, look for Arizona to pull out one at home. The Rams may have beaten the Saints last week, but their inconsistency is very troubling.

NEW YORK GIANTS 17, NEW ENGLAND 23
A rematch of one of the best Super Bowl games of all time comes with both teams struggling to assume their identities from that Super Bowl season. The Patriots were humbled last week against the Steelers, and are now looking to get back on track in a tight AFC East race. The Giants have the edge (right now) in the NFC East, but look for the Eagles to start catching up. This game is important to both teams, but I think, especially after last week, the Pats will be able to clinch this one at home.

GREEN BAY 33, SAN DIEGO 23
A couple of weeks ago, this would have been an intriguing matchup. Today, it still is. The Chargers, despite a disappointing loss on Monday night to the Chiefs, are still in the thick of a tough AFC West race. The Packers, undisputedly the best team in the NFL, will look to continue their winning ways coming back from the bye. The Chargers may falter now, but a late-season surge still looks to be in order.

BALTIMORE 24, PITTSBURGH 34
Arguably the best rivalry in the NFL (according to some, but not by me), the Steelers welcome the Ravens to town in order to avenge a season-opening shellacking in Baltimore. The Ravens have stumbled in inconsistency since then, while the Steelers have proved they belong back on the big stage. This game should immediately reverse any notions the Ravens had after the first game in this rivalry.

CHICAGO 27, PHILADELPHIA 31
Insider Access loves to pick these two teams, but in this game, it will be a close one. The Bears are better team than most people give credit for, but the Eagles seem to have finally found their "Dream Team" stride. Although both teams aren't perfect, they are matched fairly evenly. It just depends on which team shows up...I'll pick the Eagles at home.