NFL - Week Nine Preview

Big matchups headline the week around the NFL as the Atlanta Falcons, the only undefeated team left in the league, plays the Dallas Cowboys, who are in desperate need of a victory. The Sunday night prime time game in Atlanta figures to be a battle.
Falcons' QB Matt Ryan is having an MVP type season while the defense is among the league leaders, allowing just 130 points so far this season.
The red hot Denver Broncos, led by quarterback Peyton Manning, will travel to play the Cincinnati Bengals and their nails tough defense. Denver has been averaging 35 points a game over the last two games, which they won to move into first place in the AFC West.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) will play on the road against the New York Giants, who are 6-2 and have looked every bit like the defending Super Bowl champions. Eli Manning has been stellar in recent weeks in the fourth quarter while leading the team to come from behind wins.
An interesting game will be in Indianapolis where the Colts will play host to the Miami Dolphins. The game features two surprise teams with 4-3 records. Rookie Andrew Luck has been nothing short of spectacular for the Colts at quarterback while fellow rookie QB Ryan Tannehill has improved after a rough start. Tannehill is questionable this week after leaving last week's game with an injury.
The Carolina Panthers are 1-6 and travel to play the Washington Redskins (3-5), who have cooled off after a fast start this season.
The game will have Cam Newton going against RG3.
Newton has struggled so far at QB for the Panthers in 2012 while Robert Griffin III has been outstanding (much like Newton a year ago in his rookie season) for the Redskins.
The Monday Night Football game will see the struggling Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) going against the New Orleans Saints (2-5) in the "Big Easy" in what should be a shoot out.

The Heftyinfo picks for Week Nine are as follows  . . .    (Home teams are listed in BOLD)

San Diego over Kansas City
Chicago over Tennessee
Green Bay over Arizona
Houston over Buffalo
Washington over Carolina
Detroit over Jacksonville
Denver over Cincinnati
Baltimore over Cleveland
Miami over Indianapolis
Seattle over Minnesota
Oakland over Tampa Bay
Pittsburgh over New York Giants
Dallas over Atlanta
New Orleans over Philadelphia 

Last Week's Record:  9-5

SEASON RECORD:  73-45