Overall Record (started in Week 2): 70-31-1

Week 9 is already upon us football fans, and the playoff picture is starting to take shape. The trading deadline has come and gone as teams will now make their push in the second half of the regular season, hoping to earn their fanbase a playoff berth. Now, here’s The Forest Scout’s predictions for this weeks games:

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2-1) vs Baltimore Ravens (4-4)

Noon (CBS)

Since their promising win over the Steelers on the final Sunday of September, the Ravens have lost three of four contests. Meanwhile, still without Le’veon Bell, the Steelers have found a new identity with James Connor at running back, winning three games in a row. Over a month ago, even a thought of this team sitting atop of their division would have been an afterthought for Steeler Nation, but here they are. The Ravens are in desperate need for a victory after getting pounded in the face last weekend, and losing in heartbreaking fashion the week before, on a missed extra point from Justin Tucker. In order to win this game, Baltimore will need to counter the stupendous play of James Conner, if they want a chance to keep pace in their highly competitive division. They traded for now-former Packers’ running back Ty Montgomery, who was essentially thrown to the curb by Green Bay, but is a versatile talent that could be serve as a major reinforcement behind the Ravens’ starting running back Alex Collins. The Steelers have seem to hit their stride, even without a strong secondary, but the Ravens, backed by their home crowd, will get a season defining victory to get themselves back in the divisional race.

Pick: Steelers 24, Ravens 27

Chicago Bears (4-3) vs Buffalo Bills (2-6)

Noon (CBS)

I know each week in the National Football League any team, not depending on their record, can come out victorious, however, this Bills team might be an exception to this rule. They lost their “starting quarterback” Derek Anderson to a concussion, and quite frankly, that may be a metaphor for how their horrendous season has fared. Lucky for Bills fans, they will have to witness another episode of the Nathan Peterman quandary in Orchard Park this Sunday. Meanwhile, Chicago has more going for them, currently ranked top 10 in both defense and offense. Even if Khalil Mack or Allen Robinson do not suit up, this game will only be won by Buffalo due to an utter collapse from the visiting Chicago Bears.

Pick: Bears 31, Bills 13

Kansas City Chiefs (7-1) vs Cleveland Browns (2-5-1)

Noon (CBS)

The Browns would have trouble stopping Patrick Mahomes under any circumstance, but with the staff overhaul of former head coach Hue Jackson and former offensive coordinator Todd Haley, the Browns are in complete dysfunction– words that must sound like a normal synopsis for Clevelanders. After a clear power struggle between Jackson and Haley, neither man came out on top, and the team will turn to defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to take control of this sinking ship for the rest of the season. The only positive news for the Browns is the Chiefs’ defense isn’t all too good, but sadly for them, the Chiefs’ offense doesn’t have much trouble making up for their defensive struggles. In typical Browns fashion, even without the Hue Jackson circus, it will be some time until they get back into the win column.

Pick: Chiefs 42, Browns 20

New York Jets (3-5) vs Miami Dolphins (4-4)

Noon (CBS)

After being defeated in a thumping fashion last Thursday night in Houston, if the Dolphins want to put any pressure on the New England Patriots, they must win this game. The Dolphins will turn to Brock Osweiler for another week, with the team still waiting on the health of their Week 1 starter Ryan Tannehill. The Jets had a tough time breaking any holes in the Bears’ defense last week without Khalil Mack, but their rookie quarterback Sam Darnold should fare much better this week, not being forced to experience the bitter cold a second time around. Darnold has shown glimpses of why the Jets traded up for him this past draft, and with a win this Sunday, the team is slated to play Buffalo next week, another winnable game to get back to 5-5 before the bye week.

Pick: Jets 23, Dolphins 16

Detroit Lions (3-4) vs Minnesota Vikings (4-3-1)

Noon (FOX)

After trading standout receiver Golden Tate to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Lions will turn even furthur to their rookie running back Kerryon Johnson to become a focal point in the passing game. Losing a weapon like Tate will be intriguing to see how the Lions adapt, but they still have second year deep threat receiver Kenny Golladay to take an expand role alongside Marvin Jones Jr. Meanwhile, the Vikings could not prevail in the rematch of the Minneapolis Miracle game against the New Orleans Saints, but must not hang their heads too low with the way the Saints are scoring points on offense. However, Minnesota cannot become too content, and they must rebound against the Lions this weekend, a home game they cannot afford to lose, especially with the Bears playing against the lousy Buffalo Bills. Assuming the Bears do not have any difficulties in Buffalo, the Vikings must ensure with a victory, they keep pace with the Bears before they meet for the first time in two weeks.

Pick: Lions 27, Vikings 34

Atlanta Falcons (3-4) vs Washington Redskins (5-2)

Noon (FOX)

Don’t look now, but the Redskins are three games over .500 and are looking down at the rest of the NFC East. Adrian Peterson turned back the clock last weekend, rushing for 149 yards, and has been an exceptional late August pickup for the Redskins, which lost their presumed starter Derrius Guice to a season ending ACL injury in the preseason. Their quarterback, Alex Smith, has played just well enough to thwart any sort of drama in the final minutes of games this season, and have leaned on their unexpectedly sound defensive unit to give their offense support. This style of play is much different from the Falcons, who rely on their offense to uplift their bottom of the league defense. Even though it feels that logically, a strong defense and an average offense could outlift a team that only relies on their offense, the Falcons will get a daring performance from their franchise quarterback Matt Ryan to get them back to relevance in the NFC playoff picture.

Pick: Falcons 30, Redskins 24

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4) vs Carolina Panthers (5-2)

Noon (FOX)

Both of these teams will meet Sunday, finding themselves heading in seperate directions. The Panthers prevailed in sounding fashion against a solid Ravens club, meanwhile, the Buccaneers are switching quarterbacks — for the second time this season — giving the nod to Ryan Fitzpatrick; Jameis Winston added four more interceptions to his unsightly career turnover tally, raising question if he has played his final game in Tampa Bay. To the Buccaneers discontent, the Panthers’ offense is rounding into form, especially with the contributions from their first round selection DJ Moore, and defensively, have played well enough to set their offense up with a chance to win. This offense, if it can rely on consistent play from Cam Newton, will be a force to be reckoned with the rest of the season.

Pick: Bucs 21, Panthers 30

Houston Texans (5-3) vs Denver Broncos (3-5)

3:05 (CBS)

After seemingly have lost control of the season in the first three weeks, the Texans have won five games in a row and are separating themselves from the rest of their division. On the other side, the Broncos find themselves heading in the other direction after starting 2-0, now two games under .500, and they just traded away receiver Demaryius Thomas, who has been a household name in Denver for quite some time. However, the team is very optimistic that their second round selection from this past years draft, Courtland Sutton, can take the reins, possibly giving a boost to an offense that has some solid weapons around quarterback Case Keenum. Nevertheless, this might take time, and with the way the Texans are rolling, they will add another win to their season total before heading into their bye week.

Pick: Texans 27, Broncos 20

Los Angeles Chargers (5-2) vs Seattle Seahawks (4-3)

3:05 (CBS)

The Chargers, still playing without star defensive end Joey Bosa, have quietly put together a solid start to the 2018 regular season. Their superb play is most likely overshadowed by the play of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, but Philip Rivers has remained one of the leagues more consistent quarterbacks for his Chargers. However, they will have to face a Seahawks’ defense, which is not nearly as dominant as the one in recent memory, but surprisingly, have held their own, in what was deemed to be a rebuilding year on the the defensive side of the ball. On offense, they have had recent success, not just with Russell Wilson, but in the running game. Although the Seahawks will certainly give the Chargers a fight, they might have too many offense weapons for this developing Seahawks’ defense to handle.

Pick: Chargers 31, Seahawks 21

Los Angeles Rams (8-0) vs New Orleans Saints (6-1)

3:25 (FOX)

This is undoubtedly the game of the week in the National Football league and quite frankly, might be the best game of the regular season. The Rams escaped at home last Sunday against Aaron Rodgers’ Packers, especially with the help of now-former Packer Ty Montgomery fumbling the football on a kickoff return in the fourth quarter, which would have given Aaron Rodgers a shot to march down the field one last time. Additionally, the Rams placed their chips to the center with the blockbuster trade for Dante Fowler Jr. from Jacksonville. New Orleans, meanwhile, remained quiet at the trade deadline, but have their home crowd at the Superdome behind them this Sunday. This matchup will have no shortage of points, but the Saints can cement themselves as the team to beat in the NFC with a victory over the supreme Rams.

Pick: Rams 34, Saints 38

Green Bay Packers (3-3-1) vs New England Patriots (6-2)

7:20 (NBC)

Aaron Rodgers is probably still shaking his head from the turn of events that shook out last weekend in Southern California. After metaphorically and literally giving away the game last week, the Packers do not have an easy turnaround this Sunday. The Patriots are flying high, have a better record than Green Bay, but Aaron Rodgers always finds some extra magic on primetime matchups, securing him alongside Tom Brady as the two greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. Meanwhile, the Patriots — per usual– have their offense running like a well-oiled-machine come midseason. Games with two quarterbacks of their caliber do not come around too often, thus is a must-see chess match.

Pick: Packers 27, Patriots 30

Tennessee Titans (3-4) vs Dallas Cowboys (3-4)

7:15 (ESPN)

Amari Cooper will make his Cowboys debut on Monday Night Football to the anticipated delight of Dak Prescott. Although both teams current record is unappealing for viewers, this primetime matchup is a must win for both. With a loss, the Titans most certainly will not rebound to string together enough victories to catch the Houston Texans. The Cowboys find themselves in the same boat, too looking to gain ground on the division leader. Even with their new toy to play with, the Cowboys must still run their offense through Ezekiel Elliott, thus creating more open looks for Dak Prescott.

Pick: Titans 17, Cowboys 24