Silver & Black Blog: Week 9 picks

Well, here's an easy prediction: The Raiders won't lose.

I know, I know. It's an elementary school barb. But what else is there left to say?

Tom Cable? Will he stay? Will he go? My thinking is: It won't matter.

OK. Enough of the defeatist attitude. The weekend is upon us.

I will say this about the 49ers, though.

The Raiders have won more recently than their cross-bay rivals. And while a game against Tennessee a few weeks ago looked like a walkcover, I'm sure you 49er fans are gripping a little.

Things were so great last month, but now you've got a three-game losing streak, and four days to prepare for a game with Chicago after the Titans game.

And ... in comes a Titans team coming off its first victory of the year and with a rejuvenated quarterback in Vince Young.

I can sense a little panic. By Sunday at 4:30 p.m., there could be a lot more panic if the 49ers don't, as they should, take care of business.

All of a sudden, this is a big game. I'm actually looking forward to it. It's far more interesting than anything the Raiders have to offer.

On to the games:

Baltimore at Cincinnati: The Ravens may be out of revenge, but I can't see the Bengals going away anytime soon. Pick: Cincinnati

Houston at Indianapolis: Peyton Manning is playing great, but they looked very average against the 49ers. Pick: Houston

Green Bay at Tampa Bay: The green beats the pewter in this battles of the bay. Tampa's more like an inlet. Pick: Green Bay

Arizona at Chicago: Just because they're playing at home, I'll take the Bears. Shocked that Arizona got handled so easily last week by Carolina. Pick: Chicago

Kansas City at Jacksonville: This game is blacked out, and for good reason. Pick: Kansas City

Miami at New England: The Patriots had two weeks to prepare for this one. Pick: New England

Washington at Atlanta: Matt Ryan is going to torch ex-Falcon (and ex-Raider) DeAngelo Hall. Pick: Atlanta

Carolina at New Orleans: Saints just keep rolling. I think they have a good chance to run the table. Pick: New Orleans

Detroit at Seattle: Seahawks should have little problem handling Lions. Pick: Seattle

Tennessee at 49ers: Yeah, the Titans are coming off a win. But, they're still this year's Titans. Singletary won't let the 49ers lose. Pick: San Francisco

San Diego at New York Giants: The Giants should get back on track. Chargers didn't look impressive against Oakland. Pick: New York

Dallas at Philadelphia: I'm not sold on either of these teams. But I do like Dallas in a mild upset. Pick: Dallas

Pittsburgh at Denver: Steelers will find a way to gut this one out. Pick: Pittsburgh

Last week: 9-3 Season: 75-39 (.657)