NFL 2007 Forecast: Week 9

Well, we're halfway through the 2007 season and what a season it has been! A couple of teams are playing in a league of their own while a few others are on the radar and don't want to be forgotten. As usual during this time of the season, there's a cartel of teams that are hovering around the .500 mark but still in the mix of being candidates for the playoff season. There are yet other squads who are hanging off a cliff by the tips of their fingers while the rest are bottom-feeding and need to address some serious issues for the sake of their franchises.

Here's a look at how the divisions appear to be shaping up and who I'd give NFL awards to based on their first-half performance.

In the AFC East, I think it's a given that the Patriots can be crowned division champs now. While the gap between Indy and the rest of the AFC South isn't as large, they have a commanding presence that will more than likely widen but I wouldn't count out Tennessee and their young defense to be in the thick of the playoff hunt. The AFC North appears to be Pittsburgh's. Baltimore and Cleveland are a game behind at 4-3, and my money is actually on Cleveland who could be the front-runner in this season's Cinderella team. It's nothing but a bottle neck in the AFC West where San Diego is starting to throw it in fifth gear to separate itself from KC and Denver who could be the worse 3-4 team in the league.

Dallas began the season as the team to beat in the NFC but the Giants have something to say about that as they have hung around near the top of the NFC East after winning six straight. Washington is 4-3 but very well could make a playoff run with Gibbs at the helm. Philly is 3-4 making this the most competitive division in the NFC. In the NFC South, Carolina and Tampa's grip on the division appears to be slipping with is good news for the surging Saints. If anyone wants to win the NFC West, please raise your hand. Seattle is inconsistent, Arizona is having QB problems, San Fran can't score, and the Rams need Jesus.

My first-half award for Coach of the Year has to go to Packers coach Mike McCarthy who has done wonders to get this team to 6-1 with a rattled running game. His defense is oozing chemistry and it doesn't help having #4 at QB.

Rookie of the Year is hands down Vikings RB Adrian Peterson. He's the NFL's leading rusher at 740 yards and will be the anchor that this Minnesota needs to build around for the future.

My league MVP is, of course, Tom Brady. The Patriots QB is on pace to shatter many passing records this season and appears to be impenetrable. And, there's no doubt that Brett Favre deserves some recognition as well.

Let's take a look at Week 9 and see how this second-half might begin. Enjoy, football fans!

• San Diego Chargers(4-3) at Minnesota Vikings (2-5): CBS, 1pm EST - L.T. vs. A.P. The match-up of two of the league's most explosive runners will be fun to watch as they each face stout run defenses. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO
• Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) at New Orleans Saints (3-4): CBS, 1pm EST - The Saints are marching back to respectability as is the Jaguars running attack. The difference could be at QB and the edge is huge in Drew Brees' favor. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ORLEANS
• Cincinnati Bengals (2-5) at Buffalo Bills (3-4): CBS, 1pm EST - This has sloppy written all over it. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but it appears that these are two teams going in different directions. The Bengals are unravelling, and the Bills appear to have something working despite the return of J.P. Losman. EDDIE'S PICK - BUFFALO
• Denver Broncos (3-4) at Detroit Lions (5-2): CBS, 1pm EST - Not only is Detroit turning heads with their offense and takeaway-happy defense, but their running game is picking up and this is not good news for the league's worst run defense. EDDIE'S PICK - DETROIT
• Carolina Panthers (4-3) at Tennessee Titans (5-2): FOX, 1pm EST - This Titans defense vs. the subpar offense of Carolina just might create a mismatch and give Vince Young some shorter fields to work with. EDDIE'S PICK - TENNESSEE
• Arizona Cardinals (3-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4): FOX, 1pm EST - Coming off a bye typically gives the team an edge. Speaking of which, Edgerrin James will have to have a big game due to the QB ailments hampering the Cards right now, and this Bucs 8th-ranked defense might have something to say about that. EDDIE'S PICK - TAMPA BAY
• Washington Redskins (4-3) at NY Jets (1-7): FOX, 1pm EST - Winterize your yard. EDDIE'S PICK - WASHINGTON
• San Francisco 49ers (2-5) at Atlanta Falcons (1-6): FOX, 1pm EST - Both of these squads are very close to preparing for next year so it might be a good time to catch Bee Movie. EDDIE'S PICK - ATLANTA
• Green Bay Packers (6-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-3): FOX, 1pm EST - Brett Favre has beaten 31 teams in his illustrious career. The only team that he hasn't beaten is KC who is 21-4 vs. the NFC at home. While Favre is having a historic season, this atmosphere and surging Chiefs team should bring the Pack back down to earth. EDDIE'S PICK - KANSAS CITY
• Seattle Seahawks (4-3) at Cleveland Browns (4-3): FOX, 4:05pm EST - Which Seattle team will show up for this critical game for both teams? I bet I know which Browns team takes the field. EDDIE'S PICK - CLEVELAND
• Houston Texans (3-5) at Oakland Raiders (2-5): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Both teams have lost three straight, and Houston is the only NFL team that the Raiders have never beaten. Will there be a JaMarcus Russell sighting this week? EDDIE'S PICK - OAKLAND
• New England Patriots (8-0) at Indianapolis Colts (7-0): CBS, 4:15pm EST - This is the first time in NFL history that two undefeated teams with 7-0 or better records have faced each other. Indy has won the past three contests vs. the Patriots and twelve straight games (including playoffs). New England is smoking hot and have won 11 straight. You've heard the hype. You couldn't find two more balanced and evenly-matched teams to bring you this "Super Bowl" game in the middle of the season. Sit back and watch history. EDDIE'S PICK - INDIANAPOLIS
• Dallas Cowboys (6-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-4): NBC, 8:15pm EST - Don't look at the records or standings. You can talk match-ups and stats all day long and all of that would favor the Cowboys. QB Tony Romo has never played at The Linc. That speaks volumes despite his new lucrative contract. EDDIE'S PICK - PHILADELPHIA
• Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2): ESPN, 8:30pm EST, MNF - Since 1992, Pittsburgh is 11-0 at home on Monday Night Football. The league's top two defenses will square off but I think the Steelers will have an easier time stopping the Ravens offense. EDDIE'S PICK - PITTSBURGH

BYE: MIAMI, NY GIANTS, CHICAGO, ST. LOUIS

STANDINGS:
Cris Collinsworth: 9-4, 78-38
Eddie Chinn: 10-3, 78-38
Bob Costas: 8-5, 77-39
Chris Mortensen: 8-5, 75-41
Cris Carter: 8-5, 73-43
Dan Marino: 8-5, 72-44
Sean Salisbury: 9-4, 72-44