Week 9 in the NFL

Nick Russ here with the events of Week 9. The half way point of the season has been reached and the players and pretenders are now visibly seen. In Pittsburgh the Steelers can lay claim to one of the top teams in the AFC. A strong defense completely shut down the high powered Redskins offense. Not only that but they did it with backup QB Byron Leftwich leading the way in the second half. The Steelers managed to pick off Jason Campbell twice, his first and second interceptions this year. They were in his face all night as the D sacked him 7 times. They held League Leading rusher Clinton Portis to 51 yards the first under 125 yard game in 5 games. Washington losses ground to New York and have Phily on a hot streak right behind them. They're on the bye this week and can use it to prep for Dallas in what could be big D's last stand. Pittsburgh takes their wrecking crew back to Heinz field where they hope the MRI on Roethlisberger is negative and to host the Colts in a critical game for Indy.

The Colts win over New England was huge. I

t helps them keep pace for a wild card spot because at this point Tennessee is starting to run away. The Colts managed to keep the Pats o

ut of the end zone limiting them to one touchdown. Most of the scoring came from the leg of Stephan Gostowski. The Colts managed 2 touchdowns from Peyton to Anthony Gonzalez. Both teams managed over 300 yards. The Colt

s climb back to 500 with a 4-4 record and will pay a visit to Heinz field to face the Steelers in my game of the week. The Patriots find themselves in a three way race in the AFC east with the Bills and Jets. New England will play both in the next two weeks starting with Buffalo. The Pats can easily be in first in two weeks time. 

Titans avoided a trap in overtime over the Packers. Chris Johnson tore up the field rushing for 89 yards and Touchdown. The key stat was two turnovers from Aaron Rodgers. One was a interception in the redzone to halt a potiential scoring drive and a fumble deep in Packers territory that lead to a Titans field goal. Titans kicker Rob Bironas had a chance to win during regulation but missed a 47 yard kick as time expired. In OT the Titans won the coin toss and Chris Johnson took over driving the Titans down to set up Bironas redeeming kick to end the game 19-16. Titans have won their 5th straight against a NFC opponent and will pay the Bears a visit this weekend. The Packers take one the Vikings as Minnesota tries to facture in the NFC north.

Most people would've expected a one-sided affair in Chicago last week. However the Lions had another idea. After Chicago scored early the Lions took over scoring all 23 of their points in the 2nd quarter. The Bears started the second half without Kyle Orton under center. Thus enter (dramatic music) Rex Grossman. The crowd was less than pleasent to the former starting QB who took the Bears to the Super Bowl no less than two seasons ago. Grossman wasn't stellar at passing going only 9 for 19 with one touchdown pass. He also had a triumphant rush into the end zone where afterwards he spiked the ball capping a Bears comeback. More credit is probably due to rookie running back Matt Forte rushing for 126 yards, most of which happened in the second half after the Lions started to close down the passing game. The Bears stand alone in first and host the undefeated Titans without starting Kyle Orton. Early word is a high ankle sprain that could put him out at least 3 weeks. A win for Chicago can make them stake a claim as a contender in the NFC. 

Last week I went 2-2 bringing my total to 12-8

This week I'll take Atlanta over New Orleans

the Giants over Philadelphia 

Tennessee over the Bears

And my game of the week Pittsburgh over the Colts

(photo courtesy AP)