It’s been a while since I have actually got this done on Friday but look at me go this week. It’s a good slate of games so let’s dive in!

Let’s get defensive: Broncos @ Texans

The Broncos are 6-2 and riding high (see what I did there? because you ride horses and a bronco is a horse) after destroying the Cowboys. They take their stingy D and their 5 last quarter explosive offense on the road to visit the Texans. The Texans have been up and down this year to say the least but just shut down the 49ers at home last week and their offense even looked somewhat functional. While the Broncos defense gets a lot of hype and media attention, the Texans defense is also elite. While they are only 3-4, it is not because of their defense. It has been their offensive woes that have created the problems for their team. They have also dealt with a lot of injuries offensively. But it does appear that they will get most of them back this week. Meanwhile, the Broncos are now dealing with some injuries of their own, mainly last year’s defensive player of the year, Patrick Surtain. He is out this game and perhaps a few others. If the Texans can exploit him being gone, they have a real shot. The problem is their offensive line is not good and they are facing the best pass rush in the league. I’ll be impressed if they can figure it out and get the win. On the flipside, I’ll also be impressed if the Broncos offense looks as good as it has the past 5 quarters against this great Texans D. I don’t think either of those things happen and I leave this game feeling the same as I already do about these teams, that the Texans are pretty good but have too many weaknesses that keep them from being a contender and the Broncos are a solid and scrappy playoff team that isn’t elite quite yet. Broncos win a close one.

Broncos 23 Texans 20

Indiana Jones vs Rodgers Last Crusade: Colts @ Steelers

The Colts have the best record in football, just like we all expected. Daniel Jones is playing at high level, Jonathan Taylor is unstoppable and they have plenty of other weapons running around. Their defense is playing great and they are 7-1 and their one loss is in a game they really should have won. They do have 2 good wins against the Broncos (a game they probably should have lost) and the Chargers. But their other wins are against the dolphins, raiders, cardinals and titans twice. Starting this week they head into the tougher part of their schedule. The Steelers on the other hand were once 4-1 but have dropped two in a row due to a defense that can’t seem to stop anyone. Now they are in danger of dropping to .500 and being just a game a head of the Ravens who looked flightless just a few weeks ago. Coming into the year, the question was if Rodgers could still play. Well, he has played and played well. Their problem somehow has become their defense. Can they turn it around against the high riding Colts? I think it is unlikely. Who would have thought that we would be excited to watch Daniel Jones and Aaron Rodgers dual it out in a shoot out back in August? But yet, here we are. The Colts have too much working for them right now. They will lose a few more games this year but this won’t be one of them.

Colts 30 Steelers 20

The “stop what you are doing and watch” game: Chiefs at Bills

The Bills beat the Chiefs in the regular season. The Chiefs beat the Bills in the post season. We have watched this show 10 times the last 6 years or so. And it’s been beautiful every time. Minus a few blow outs early on in the series, including one in an AFC championship game, the last few have all been close and just great television. The 13 second game. The game where Mahomes lost his mind after Kadarius Toney was offsides on one of the craziest touchdowns that didn’t count. Probably the low point for Mahomes publicly which he apologized for but hey, he’s human after all. Then the hurdling and jumping and diving of Allen to win in the regular season games. And then the last two playoff games, Mahomes outdueling Allen and Spags and the D coming up with the key stops. I don’t know what is going to happen in this one but you will be entertained. Both teams have 5 wins and the Chiefs have an extra loss. They both need to win this game to stay within reach of the top teams in their division. An unusual place for these teams to be. The Bills dropped two in a row before the bye but just blew out the Panthers. The Chiefs after starting 0-2, have won 5 of their last 6 including 3 in a row. Can they make it 4 in a row in an hostile environment? I say yes. The Chiefs are playing well on both sides of the ball currently ranking in the top 5 on both defense and offense. Meanwhile, the Bills are struggling a bit on both sides of the ball and are a little banged up as well. The Bills will put up a good fight, and I won’t even be shocked if they win. But I think Pat and the Chiefs break their regular season losing to the Bills and get the W.

Chiefs 30 Bills 22

Battle of last year’s darling quarterbacks: Seahawks @ Commanders

Last year was the resurgence of Sam Darnold. Actually it was the only time he has been good. But he was real good…except the last couple of games. He got signed by Seattle and it has worked out pretty good. Darnold hasn’t quite been as elite as he was last year but he is still playing very well. Jayden Daniels has played well too…he has just barely played due to injuries. He was amazing last year as a rookie leading his team to the NFC championship. Now they are in danger of missing the playoffs in a must win game. And he will be without his best receiver since scary Terry is hurt. The Seahawks have a stingy defense and their offense is solid as well. They are the better team in my opinion and the Commanders just got walloped by the Chiefs and have lost 3 in a row. This seems like a Jayden Daniels moment. Can’t lose game, check. Undermanned, check. Primetime game, check. My mind is telling me to go with Seattle but the heart wants what the heart wants. My gut says Jayden does something special and they pull out the victory.

Commanders 28 Seahawks 27

The Fantasy Football game: Cardinals @ Cowboys

I don’t typically write about two bad teams that have a combined 5 wins in week 9. But it is the stand alone game on Monday night. And even though it has little regular football appeal or meaning…fantasy football owners across the land will be tuning in to see if there guy can help them come back and win their fantasy match. Across my 3 teams I have Javonte Williams (on two teams), Ceedee Lamb, and Marvin Harrison assuming I decide to start him. Which I mean, I know he hasn’t been great, but that Dallas secondary…I got to start him, right? right? I’ll probably start him. I like having a player on Monday night because it feels like you still have a shot, even if that shot is just 1% according to Yahoo Sports. Other players that people will be counting on are George Pickens, Trey McBride, those folks who smartly picked up Bam Knight for the week, of course Dak Prescott and for some desperate fellows, Kyler Murray. So while this game has no real life meaning or purpose, I’ll be tuned in. Assuming Youtube tv has worked out things with ESPN by then. Can I get the Monday night game through the Disney app? I bet I can. Take that Youtube tv. Anyhoo, I’ve got to predict a winner I guess. The Cowboys are at home and they are way better there. And the Cardinals are just generally unlucky and kind of a mess. So I’ll go Cowboys. But the real winners will be fantasy owners across the land.

Cowboys 34 Cardinals 24