Week 9 NFL picks against the spread: Bye bye bye

I am typically really bad during Detroit Lions bye weeks, but since I'm having my worst picks season since I can remember, maybe 'N Sync will get the band back together for one last show:

DOLPHINS (+2.5) over Bengals

Bengals coming off a bye. Oh wait, no, they just beat the Jets 49-9.

Falcons (+7.5) over PANTHERS

I-85 rivalry! Cam by a touchdown, and he dances:

COWBOYS (-10.5) over Vikings

On Josh Freeman's ESPN page, it says, "Previously with MIN, Acquired by TB." Did I miss something?

Saints (-5.5) over JETS

"Jets played like they were on a bye last week" joke.

RAMS (+3) over Titans

I have 6 players on a bye this week in the POD fantasy league. At least I don't have any Rams.

Chiefs (-3) over BILLS

I wanted to go with the Bills here, but then I realized every single player on their team is hurt. (Chiefs on a bye next week before playing Denver.)

REDSKINS (+1) over Chargers

Chargers with the infamous post-bye letdown.

Eagles (+2.5) over RAIDERS

Chip Kelly's offense has put up 10 whole points in the last two weeks combined. Watch them score a whole bunch more this week.

SEAHAWKS (-16.5) over Buccaneers

The Bucs have allowed exactly 31 points to each of their opponents since their bye. It takes a special kind of suck for that to happen.

Ravens (-2.5) over BROWNS

Ravens coming off a bye send the Browns into theirs glum and losers of four straight.

Steelers (+7) over PATRIOTS

The Patriots should feel fortunate if they go into their bye week at 6-3.

TEXANS (+2.5) over Colts

Both teams fresh off a bye, but who's the freshest of the fresh?

Bears (+11) over PACKERS

Nothing like having an extra week to think about playing at Lambeau the next game. The Bears have lost six straight against the Packers and haven't won at Lambeau in six years. I think that trend continues, but I think it'll be closer than the (Sterling) sharps think.

Bye bye.

Season record (last week)

Elfuego51: 53-44-5 (7-6)
Me: 53-60-6 (5-8)
KDawg: 51-62-6 (7-6)
Northern Lite: 49-48-5 (8-5)
HireMattMillen: 45-36-5
Big.Al: 42-39-5 (9-4)
cram9030: 42-49-5 (5-7)
lions fan displaced in las vegas: 33-45-5 (4-8)
Bighaircut: 15-11 (8-5)
Reno09: 22-33-5
JT072589: 17-9-3
Hendo44: 10-18
gibbsericj: 7-7
ncbur10: 3-9-3
Jeremy Reisman's locks of the week: 2-4 (1-2)

*denotes teaser (+14) (season: 28-4)

More from Pride Of Detroit:

• Thursday night open thread: Bengals at Dolphins
• Film review: Welcome back, defensive line!
• POLL: What record will Lions finish with in 2013?
• Lions midseason awards 2013: Make your picks
• Lions notes: Calvin Johnson, Thanksgiving halftime show, more