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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, November 6, 2009

NFL: LA Times predictions


By Sam Farmer
Los Angeles Times

All Eastern times
Sunday’s Games:
Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.

A last-minute touchdown pass beat the Ravens when these teams met the first time this season. But the Ravens made a ton of mistakes in that game. They’re sharper now. Ravens 21, Bengals 17.
Houston Texans (5-3) at Indianapolis Colts (7-0), 1 p.m.
The Colts are 13-1 against the Texans and have beaten them all seven times in Indianapolis by an average of 17.4 points. This should be closer, but the bottom line the same. Colts 30, Texans 16.
Kansas City Chiefs (1-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4), 1 p.m.
The good news for Kansas City is the Chiefs are coming off a week’s rest. The bad news, the Chiefs have lost six of their last seven games immediately after the bye. Jaguars 24, Chiefs 17.
Miami Dolphins (3-4) at New England Patriots (5-2), 1 p.m.
Tom Brady should be able to take advantage of Miami’s rookie corners, and the Dolphins’ wildcat has sputtered the last two weeks against the Saints and Jets. Patriots 30, Dolphins 14.
Washington Redskins (2-5) at Atlanta Falcons (4-3), 1 p.m.
Falcons are trying to jump-start their running game, and the Redskins have been compliant in that regard. Their 22nd-ranked run defense should allow Atlanta to set tempo. Falcons 27, Redskins 17.
Arizona Cardinals (4-3) at Chicago Bears (4-3), 1 p.m.
The Cardinals are better on the road (3-0) than at home (1-3), so playing at Soldier Field shouldn’t faze them. If Kurt Warner can break his mini-slump, Arizona will win. Cardinals 28, Bears 20.
Green Bay Packers (4-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-7), 1 p.m.
The Packers have had struggles, but won the games they’re supposed to win, with a 3-0 record against losing teams. This is a game Green Bay is supposed to win. Packers 35, Buccaneers 13.
Carolina Panthers (3-4) at New Orleans Saints (7-0), 4:05 p.m.
This could be a trap game for the Saints, who are coming off a short week. After all, Jake Delhomme is 6-0 at the Superdome. This time, he loses. Saints 24, Panthers 13.
Detroit Lions (1-6) at Seattle Seahawks (2-5), 4:05 p.m.
Hard to believe the two-win Seahawks still have a prayer in their division, but that’s the way the NFC West goes. The Lions are, yet again, done. Seahawks 25, Lions 17.
San Diego Chargers (4-3) at New York Giants (4-3), 4:15 p.m.
The Giants have lost three in a row, but they’re facing a team that struggles on the East Coast and is missing its best run-stuffing big man. Giants 27, Chargers 20.
Tennessee Titans (1-6) at San Francisco 49ers (3-4), 4:15 p.m.
Despite three consecutive losses (two of them close), the 49ers are still in the division race. The Titans have lost their last four road games by an average of 22.3. 49ers 23, Titans 20.
Dallas Cowboys (5-20 at Philadelphia Eagles (5-2), 8:15 p.m.
The Cowboys have quietly gotten back on track, although they have yet to prove they’re a good road team. The Eagles are getting Brian Westbrook back at the right time. Eagles 27, Cowboys 20.
Monday Night:
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) at Denver Broncos (6-1), 8:30 p.m.

Ben Roethlisberger seems to be at his best in big games, and this is a big one. The Broncos, meanwhile, want to prove the loss to Baltimore was more hiccup than anything. Steelers 17, Broncos 13.