Nothing could be harder than picking some of the games Week 9 has to offer. Well, except for picking a midseason All-Pro team. But we already did that.
Speaking of, Colts fans were stomping mad Robert Mathis didn't make that squad. Leaving him off was the toughest choice; here's hoping he proves me wrong. The Colts need Mathis and that pass rush to create havoc, because with a middling Trent Richardson and without a No. 1 receiver, Indy's offense might sputter. Sunday night's AFC South showdown in Houston is one of this week's cooler matchups.
Elsewhere in the state of Texas, two more teams in need of a win will face off. The Vikings have only one victory, and the Cowboys could use anything to rise again from another dreadful collapse.
Yes, Jason lives. While in the process of writing up the Vikings-Cowboys game, I watched Jason Voorhees remove his mask to ward off some punks on the streets of New York. Yes, Jason took Manhattan in "Friday the 13th Part VIII." Jason -- or Jason Garrett -- should hand defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin the crusty hockey mask after all the verbal darts lobbed his direction this week. And if the Cowboys continue to allow 500 yards every time out, Manhattan -- as in, the New York Giants -- just might have a chance to take Dallas in the NFC East. Wouldn't that be something.
As for the rest of the docket, there are some pretty intriguing matchups, starting with Atlanta at Carolina. Are the Falcons done? Feel free to share your thoughts on this and all the other games ... @HarrisonNFL is the place. And we read 'em all.
Now, let's get to it.
Elliot Harrison went 9-4 on his predictions for Week 8, giving him a record of 76-44 so far this season. How will he fare in Week 9? His picks are below, with home teams listed second.
" Julius Peppers-and-somebody" sack. Peppers-and-McClellin, Peppers-and-Wooton, Peppers-and-Paea -- you know, a legendary combo like that. It won't be enough. The Bears miss Henry Melton ... and Nate Collins ... and Lance Briggs ... and D.J. Williams. All of which means there's no reason for Green Bay not to run the football 30 times (with 20 of those carries going to Eddie Lacy). With Josh McCown starting for Chicago, the Bears' best chance to pull off an upset is to pressure Aaron Rodgers and hope to survive off takeaways. Fat chance: Lifetime against the Bears in Lambeau, Rodgers has thrown 10 touchdown passes against just three interceptions. #CHIvsGB
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