Once again, I'm running a little later than I would have liked with my week 10 picks, but a quick recap from last week. I was 4-1 (missing the Kennett-Dexter game) and I'm now 42-7 on the year. So, without further ado, here's Buhler's picks for week 9.

Dexter (6-3) at NMCC (7-1): Once again the Pixley brothers' teams meet for the district title. Both teams enter tonight on a five-game winning streak, 3-0 in the SEMO Central and neither have lost since dropping games at Poplar Bluff.
But the similarites fade after that. NMCC has one of the area's fastest and most agressive lines and can stack up points in a hurry.
Dexter has a chance to win this game, but could also be blown out. I like the Eagles' speed and I'm taking...
Buhler's pick: NMCC.

St. Vincent (4-5) at Hayti (9-0): St. Vincent has made a living spoiling Hayti's playoff hopes the last few years, including last year's 24-13 win at Perryville.
But that was last year. Nobody has finished within 19 points of Hayti and St. Vincent isn't going to spoil the party this year...
Buhler's pick: Hayti.

Malden (3-6) at East Prairie (2-7): If the 2008 playoff system was in place now, this would be for a playoff berth. But it isn't and this is just for pride, and for some momentum entering next season.
The Green Wave is solid, but I like East Prairie's athletes -- such as M.C. Williams -- to be the difference.
Buhler's pick: East Prairie.

Poplar Bluff (5-4) at West Plains (4-5): This one is for the district title. West Plains has awed spectators the last two weeks by scoring a mind-boggling 125 points, but the Zizzers have also given up five touchdowns each to Cape Central and Sikeston, two teams with weak offenses.
On the other hand, Bluff has held Cape and Sikeston to one touchdown combined and put up 50 last week against Sikeston.
West Plains' spread could give the Mules trouble tonight and the Zizzers have had Bluff's number in recent years. But I'm taking...
Buhler's pick: Poplar Bluff.

And last but not least...

Kennett (6-3) at Perryville (3-6): Two more teams playing for pride and next season met Friday at Pirates Stadium. This game looked evenly matched until Perryville quarterback Josh Perrault went down with an injury, removing one of the Pirates' most dangerous threats from the field.
The Indians can match their 1999 win total with a win Friday and with most of their skill people eligible to return in 2008, the future is suddenly bright in the heart of Dunklin County.
The Pirates are tough, especially on defense and at running back with Kris Cottner, but Kennett has the weapons and speed to close out 7-3.
Buhler's pick: Kennett.

And for my NFL picks on the Chiefs and Titans (the Rams have a bye week, so finally the NFL has a week without a Rams' loss!) here goes...

Packers at Chiefs: Who would have thought that this would be a battle of division leaders entering the season? I wouldn't have, that's for sure. Still, this looks to be a premier matchup (maybe the biggest Sunday outside of Indianapolis). That said, it's kind of hard to pick against Brett Favre on a hot streak.
Buhler's pick: Packers.

Panthers at Titans: The Cardiac Titans keep winning games. Of Tennessee's seven games this year, all but one has been decided by a touchdown or less and five of them have been by four points or less.
Carolina enters this game a solid 4-3, but with a banged-up quarterback (both David Carr and Vinny Testaverde are less than 100 percent) and an iffy receiving corps after Steve Smith.
This should be another Titans' victory, but don't be surprised if it's another nail-biter...
Buhler's pick: Titans.

And for a bonus...

Patriots at Colts: The biggest regular-season matchup in years -- possibly ever -- is at the RCA Dome Sunday. Both teams are undefeated and considered the best in football. New England has dominated one opponent after another, while the Colts have went 7-0 against a better schedule and pulling out close ones at Houston and Tennessee.
If the Patriots win (and especially if they win big), look for them to go 16-0 and become the league's first undefeated team since the 1972 Dolphins.
Whether you like Bill Belichick and New England or not, look for it to happen...
Buhler's pick: Patriots.