Sam Farmer’s NFL Week 9 picks

Lines according to Glantz-Culver (O/U = over/under). Last week’s record: 8-5; season 66-51 (.564). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the handicapped record would have been 7-6; season 54-63 (.462).

New England at Cleveland
Records: 6-1; 2-5.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 704.
Line: Patriots by 4. O/U: 44.
Even though the Browns are improving, the Patriots should be able to control the tempo with Tom Brady and BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Patriots 28, Browns 18

New York Jets at Detroit
Records: 5-2; 2-5.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 705.
Line: Jets by 4. O/U: 41.
With the Lions at home and coming off an impressive performance against the Redskins, this has the makings of an upset. Lions 21, Jets 20

San Diego at Houston
Records: 3-5; 4-3.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 706.
Line: Chargers by 3. O/U: 50.
The Chargers have yet to win on the road this season, and their special teams are a disaster. Still, Philip Rivers should feast on this pass defense. Chargers 35, Texans 28

Miami at Baltimore
Records: 4-3; 5-2.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 707.
Line: Ravens by 5. O/U: 40.
Good as they have been on the road, the Dolphins are not stretching the field enough, which allows defenses to load up on their running game. Ravens 28, Dolphins 17

Chicago-Buffalo at Toronto
Records: 4-3; 0-7.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 708.
Line: Bears by 3. O/U: 40.
Consecutive overtime losses have to be very deflating to the winless Bills, who are capable of playing good teams close. The Bears have lost three of four. Bills 24, Bears 20

Tampa Bay at Atlanta
Records: 5-2; 5-2.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 709.
Line: Falcons by 8. O/U: 44.
Matt Ryan is 16-1 at home for a reason: The Falcons have a balanced attack that’s very tough to match, even for the rising Buccaneers. Falcons 24, Buccaneers 17

Arizona at Minnesota
Records: 3-4; 2-5.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 710.
Line: Vikings by 9. O/U: 41.
With Randy Moss gone, Brett Favre hobbling and Brad Childress dangling by a thread, the Vikings are vulnerable. But not that vulnerable. Vikings 30, Cardinals 15

New Orleans at Carolina
Records: 5-3; 1-6.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 711.
Line: Saints by 6. O/U: 41.
Beating Pittsburgh provided a confidence boost for the Saints, even though there’s no telling if there will be lasting effects. Carolina is just bad. Saints 27, Panthers 12

New York Giants at Seattle
Records: 5-2; 4-3.
When: Sunday, 1 p.m.
TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 712.
Line: Giants by 6. O/U: 41.
The Seahawks are young and erratic, but they have been consistently good before their raucous fans. The Giants have had problems there before. Seahawks 28, Giants 24

Indianapolis at Philadelphia
Records: 5-2; 4-3.
When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 713.
Line: Eagles by 3. O/U: 46.
The Eagles are rested and prepared to make a strong showing against one of the AFC’s elite teams. But can they handle a shootout with Peyton Manning? Colts 30, Eagles 27

Kansas City at Oakland
Records: 5-2; 4-4.
When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.
TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 714.
Line: Raiders by 2. O/U: 40.
This has the feel of one of those Raiders-Chiefs showdowns of the 1990s. In those, it was often Kansas City’s defense that set the tone. Same here. Chiefs 20, Raiders 17

Dallas at Green Bay
Records: 1-6; 5-3.
When: Sunday, 5:15 p.m.
TV: Channel 4.
Line: Packers by 8. O/U: 45.
The crazy thing about the Cowboys is it seems as if they’ve stopped trying. If they fall behind early, Jon Kitna will have a very difficult time keeping them in it. Packers 23, Cowboys 17

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Records: 5-2; 2-5.
When: Monday, 5:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN.
Line: Steelers by 4. O/U: 41.
The Bengals swept the series last season, but they can’t seem to find any kind of rhythm this year. Rashard Mendenhall has run best on the road. Steelers 20, Bengals 17

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