NFL Week 9: Ten bold predictions

QB Ben Roethlisberger(notes) returns from a bye week to take his Steelers to Denver.

An inside-the-game look at this weekend's NFL action by SportingNews.com's team of NFL scouts, who offer 10 predictions on what will transpire.

1. Big day for Big Ben

After watching the Ravens dismantle the Broncos last week with a heavy dose of no-huddle offense, expect Ben Roethlisberger, who has been lobbying hard for just such a system in Pittsburgh, to get the chance to do some of the same. That means you can expect a pass-heavy attack from Ben and the boys in Denver. That's not so bold, but this is … it won't work. Ben will take too much on his shoulders against a team that doesn't give up big plays and is second in the league in sacks, despite being ranked 25th in pass defense.

2. No winnin' for Witten

Tight end Jason Witten(notes) has been the go-to guy in Dallas this season, leading the team in receiving. The Eagles have been absolutely torched by TE's all season, but that trend will end this week. Tony Romo(notes) hasn't handled the Eagles' pressure schemes very well. He's taken over 10 sacks in his last five games against Philly, and has had a rating of 55 or lower in three of those games. You can be sure the Eagles will be looking to bracket Witten, force Romo to hold the ball and get the blitz package on him in a hurry. This will be Witten's worst game of the season.

3. Dolphins will win in New England

Miami is only a disappointing 3-4 after a slow start, but all three wins have come against their AFC East opponents. "But those wins came against the Jets and Bills," you say. "And two of the wins came at home." True. But Miami has taken at least one game against the Pats in two of the past three seasons, including that shocker in New England last season when they won the AFC East. History will repeat itself with a team that is among the league leaders in rushing.

4. No sweep for Cincy

The Bengals are off to a great start. Cedric Benson(notes) has re-invented himself this season. Carson Palmer(notes) is on fire. The defense is playing well under master defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. But we don't like this week's home game against the Ravens despite the 5-2 start and the rest they got during last week's bye. The Bengals have yet to prove, even in their most recent playoff seasons, that they are capable of stepping up for the big game. The bye will disrupt their early season mojo. Look for Baltimore to slip back into the AFC North race with a win in the Queen City this week.

Bears QB Jay Cutler(notes) might want to watch out for the Cardinals' defense on Sunday.

5. Cutler throws home-field disaster

The Cardinals, despite their stumble last week against Carolina, have one of the stingiest run defenses in the league, so their priority will be shutting down Bears RB Matt Forte(notes). Even though the Cards are among the weaker pass defense teams in the league, they rank in the top 10 in the NFL in sacks and interceptions. This is a big-play defense, playing against a QB who will rely too heavily on his arm and athleticism. Look for Cutler to throw at least three picks, especially if the Cardinals' offense scores early and the Bears are forced to play catch up.

6. Giants will run the ball at least 35 times

Big Blue is in the uncommon position of trying to break its way out of a three-game losing streak. Coach Tom Coughlin is an old-school guy and knows the only way to get out of it is to get back to fundamentals. Expect a stripped-down game plan on both sides of the ball this week when the Giants face the Chargers, including a run-heavy attack on offense. Ahmad Bradshaw(notes) is hurting, and Brandon Jacobs(notes) has struggled, but against a Chargers team that will be without NT Jamal Williams(notes) and is banged up at LB, look for Coughlin and the Giants to attack with power on the ground. The team won't rest until they have 200 yards rushing.

7. Aaron Rodgers(notes) will not be sacked

This seems like a no-brainer when you are playing a team like the Bucs. But Green Bay has a host of injuries, including a banged up pair of receivers in Jordy Nelson(notes) and Donald Driver(notes). Even Rodgers missed practice time this week. But the team could return OT's Mark Tauscher(notes) and Chad Clifton(notes), and even though Rodgers has been guilty of holding the ball too long at times, the Packers' starting bookends will give him the extra second he needs to find the open man. Rodgers is having a strong season. He's about to embark on a HUGE second half (if his linemen stay healthy).

8. Colts' undefeated campaign ends in a shootout

Indianapolis cornerbacks Marlin Jackson(notes) and Kelvin Hayden(notes) and safety Bob Sanders(notes) are all out. That could spell trouble against Matt Schaub(notes), Andre Johnson(notes), and the Texans' potent air attack. Yes, Houston is without TE Owen Daniels(notes), a huge loss. But with Johnson, the receiving skills of RB Steve Slaton(notes), and WR Kevin Walter(notes), there are still strong weapons, and Jacoby Jones(notes) and Andre Davis could see larger roles. The running game is not working, so the Texans will work on protecting Schaub and putting balls in the air off short drops, letting the receivers play in open space against the Colts' backup corners. The result will be a stunning loss for the 7-0 Colts at the Luke.

9. Vince Young(notes) goes 2-0

The 49ers plan to open things up on offense against the Titans' 32nd-ranked pass defense. That's a bad idea. One, we're not sold yet on QB Alex Smith. He will force the ball where he doesn't have to. Second, the Titans secondary has been ravaged by injuries this season, but they are finally getting healthy, and may be better than advertised. Combine that with our notion that no team that runs the ball and stops the run as well as Tennessee (2nd in the NFL and 18th, respectively) can be that bad (see last week when we predicted the Titans would get their first win), and you have the makings of a Titans' winning streak.

The irony is that Young, who is not nearly the QB that Kerry Collins(notes) is, will have a 2-0 record as a starter. Of course the key for Tennessee is not for Young to be a QB. He's to limit his mistakes, make a couple timely throws against a banged up San Francisco secondary, and use his legs to make plays. If he tries to be an NFL quarterback, the Titans will lose.

10. Bye week baloney

The bye week is usually a welcome respite for most NFL teams. They can rest tired veterans, heal injured players, and in some cases, re-charge the batteries and get away from an oppressive losing streak. The idea of having two weeks to prepare for an opponent doesn't hurt either.

Traditionally, teams coming off the bye do very well. Not this week. The Pats have dropped a game to the division-rival Dolphins in two of the past three seasons, including one at home last season. The Bengals are facing a tough Ravens team for the second time and may not be ready to match their physical style of play in the first half of their game this week. The Steelers are on the road against a Broncos team that has yet to lose at home. The Redskins are in disarray and have to play a Falcons team that is finding its legs. The Bucs are the only winless team in the league and have to host the Packers, who are fighting for the NFC North title. Finally, the Chiefs, who may have the best chance of any of these teams to capture a win, will be on the road against an up and down Jags team that is nonetheless 2-1 at home. Don't be surprised to see all the teams coming off byes in the loss column this week.

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