Week 9 | The Pilot's NFL picks

GAME OF THE WEEK

Baltimore (5-2) at Pittsburgh (6-2), 8:20 p.m., WAVY

The line  Pittsburgh by 3

Outlook  Expect a low-scoring battle. Baltimore has the No. 1 overall defense, the No. 3 pass defense and No. 3 run defense. Pittsburgh has the No. 2 overall defense, No. 1 pass defense and No. 8 run defense.

Quick hit   The Ravens won 35-7 when these teams met Week 1 in Baltimore. But Pittsburgh has won four straight, and is 4-0 at home this season. Baltimore is 1-2 on the road this season.

Match-up  Ravens RB Ray Rice, who has a total of 91 rushing yards the past two weeks, needs a big game so Pittsburgh can't tee off on QB Joe Flacco.

The pick  Pittsburgh has allowed 11.8 points per game in his first four home games this season. Steelers 20, Ravens 13.

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Seattle (2-5) at Dallas (3-4), 1 p.m.

The line  Dallas by 11½

Outlook  Seattle has scored a total of 15 points in its past two games, but expects to have QB Tarvaris Jackson healthy. Cowboys RB Felix Jones (ankle) is out for the No. 15 rushing attack.

The pick  Seattle is 3-12 in its past 15 road games, and Dallas is 2-0 vs. the NFC West this season. Cowboys 27, Seahawks 17.

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Miami (0-7) at Kansas City (4-3), 1 p.m.

The line  Kansas City by 4

Outlook  Miami has four double-digit losses this season, and has the No. 25 passing offense and No. 27 pass defense. Kansas City has won four straight, though only one was by more than five points.

The pick  Kansas City, which has a brutal second-half schedule, won't take this game for granted. Chiefs 24, Dolphins 16.

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Tampa Bay (4-3) at New Orleans (5-3), 1 p.m.

The line  New Orleans by 8

Outlook  Tampa Bay beat New Orleans 26-20 at home in Week 6, its lone win since Week 4. New Orleans has won all three of its home games this season by at least seven, never scoring less than 30.

The pick  New Orleans' top-ranked passing attack will thrive on the No. 25 pass defense. Saints 30, Buccaneers 20.

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Cleveland (3-4) at Houston (5-3), 1 p.m.

The line  Houston by 10½

Outlook  Cleveland last scored more than 17 points in a game in Week 2, and RB Peyton Hillis is likely out. Houston hasn't scored less than 17 all season, but ailing WR Andre Johnson won't play.

The pick  Houston already has four double-digit wins this season thanks to its No. 7 offense. Texans 27, Browns 14.

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San Francisco (6-1) at Washington (3-4), 1 p.m., WVBT

The line  San Francisco by 3½

Outlook  San Francisco has won five straight, not allowing more than 23 points in any of those games. Washington has lost three straight, and hasn't scored more than 22 points since Week 1.

The pick  It's tough for West Coast teams to win early games in the East, but Washington is hurting. 49ers 23, Redskins 17.

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N.Y. Jets (4-3) at Buffalo (5-2), 1 p.m., WTKR

The line  Buffalo by 2

Outlook  New York has won two straight and has scored at least 21 points in all but one game this season. Buffalo has scored at least 20 in every game, and is 4-0 at home this season.

The pick  Buffalo's No. 5 run offense (140.6) takes advantage of the No. 25 run defense (126.9). Bills 27, Jets 24.

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Atlanta (4-3) at Indianapolis (0-8), 1 p.m.

The line  Atlanta by 7

Outlook  Atlanta has won 3 of 4, and is 3-1 in domes this season. Indianapolis has lost by less than seven points twice all season. The Colts have the No. 27 passing offense and No. 22 run offense.

The pick  Atlanta QB Matt Ryan throws for 300 yards against the No. 22 pass defense (258.9).

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Denver (2-5) at Oakland (4-3), 4:05 p.m.

The line  Oakland by 7

Outlook  Save for about 3 minutes against Miami, Denver has looked awful with Tim Tebow at QB. Oakland won 23-20 at Denver in Week 1, when Darren McFadden rushed for 150 yards.

The pick  Michael Bush should step in with McFadden injured vs. a defense tied for 17th vs. the run (117.7). Raiders 24, Broncos 13.

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Cincinnati (5-2) at Tennessee (4-3), 4:05 p.m.

The line  Tennessee by 3

Outlook  Cincinnati has won four straight, the past three by double digits. Tennessee has lost 2 of 3, and RB Chris Johnson has cracked 100 yards once all season. Cincinnati has the No. 2 run defense.

The pick  Cincinnati's wins are over teams that are a combined 12-25, with one win over a winning team. Titans 21, Bengals 20.

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Green Bay (7-0) at San Diego (4-3), 4:15 p.m.

The line  Green Bay by 5½

Outlook  Green Bay hasn't won by less than six points all season, and has the No. 4 overall offense (423.3). San Diego has lost two straight and hasn't held a team to less than 23 points since Week 4.

The pick  San Diego is too good a team to keep struggling, and usually surges down the stretch. Chargers 27, Packers 24.

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St. Louis (1-6) at Arizona (1-6),  4:15 p.m.

The line  Arizona by 2½

Outlook  St. Louis won last week, but has lost by at least 12 points in all three of its road games this season. Arizona last won in Week 1, and likely will use QB John Skelton with Kevin Kolb hurt.

The pick  With Rams QB Sam Bradford also in doubt, the under is a good bet in this match-up. Cardinals 17, Rams 13.

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N.Y. Giants (5-2) at New England (5-2),  4:15 p.m., WVBT

The line  New England by 9

Outlook  New York has won 5 of 6, but RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) is doubtful for a weak run team. New England has the No. 32 pass defense (323.1) and New York has the No. 4 pass offense (287.6).

The pick  New England, a loser last week, hasn't lost two straight since the middle of the 2009 season. Patriots 30, Giants 27.

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MONDAY

Chicago (4-3) at Philadelphia (3-4), 8:30 p.m., ESPN

The line  Philadelphia by 7½

Outlook  Chicago has won 3 of 4 and is coming off a bye. Philadelphia has won two straight, allowing 20 total points in those games. Philadelphia has the No. 1 overall offense (449.3); Chicago's is No. 16.

The pick  Eagles RB LeSean McCoy has already cracked 120 rushing yards four times this season. Eagles 24, Bears 14.

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Last week’s picks

Straight up 8-5 (83-33 for the season).

Against the spread 5-8 (54-56-6 for the season).

Upset special 0-1 straight up (5-3 for the season).

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Note to readers  Because of a production error, an earlier version of the Ravens/Steelers preview contained extraneous information.