NFL Week 9 is here and we picked the winner of every game
Tyler Lauletta
- NFL football is back for another week of action.
- Through eight weeks, our picks are 62-59-1 against the spread.
Football is back for another week of action.
Last week, our picks against the spread went a solid 8-7 to keep our season-long record back above .500.
This week, we're back with another full slate of games and looking to make a buck or two. Take a look below at our best bets against the spread for Week 9 of the NFL season (* indicates home team).
LAST WEEK: 8-7
OVERALL: 62-59-1
Indianapolis Colts* (-10) over New York Jets
The Jets are flying high off of an upset over the Bengals led by backup quarterback Mike White. The Colts need a rebound after blowing a 14-0 lead to the Titans to lose in overtime. These results feel like they were representative of the teams' best and worst possible performance, respectively.
It feels like things correct this week, and the Colts come through with a big, much-needed home win.
Buffalo Bills (-14.5) over Jacksonville Jaguars*
The Bills played terribly last week against the Dolphins and still somehow managed to cover a two-touchdown spread. Play every Bill you can in your fantasy lineups this week.
Dallas Cowboys* (-9) over Denver Broncos
The Cowboys are for real. Through the first few weeks of the season, you would be forgiven for thinking Dak Prescott and the offense was entirely responsible for the Cowboys' flying start. Still, as Dallas showed last week with Dak sidelined due to injury, this is a complete team with a defense coming into its own.
The Broncos only managed 17 points against Washington last week and nearly gave the game away in the final two minutes.
Minnesota Vikings (+6.5) over Baltimore Ravens*
The Vikings were a no-show in primetime against the Cowboys, but they still have plenty of weapons on offense, and at 3-4, are in desperate need of a win. It feels like they should do enough to keep this one close.
New York Giants* (+3) over Las Vegas Raiders
This game is a stay-away for a lot of reasons. But if you have to pick a side, take the home dog and move on to the next.
Atlanta Falcons (+6.5) over New Orleans Saints*
The Saints are touchdown favorites here despite us not knowing who will start at quarterback for the team. It feels like Trevor Siemian did enough in New Orleans' win over the Buccaneers last week to hang on to the job, but Taysom Hill is back from injury and will also likely be available.
With too many questions unanswered for what the Saints will look like on Sunday, I'll either take the points or stay away from this one entirely.
Carolina Panthers* (+3.5) over New England Patriots
Sam Darnold's infamous "seeing ghosts" game was against the Patriots while he was stuck on the Jets. With a better supporting cast and the potential return of superstar running back Christian McCaffrey, Darnold has a shot at payback.
Houston Texans (+6.5) over Miami Dolphins*
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor is set to return this week for the Texans, and while he might not be the long-term answer for Houston, he's undoubtedly an improvement on the play they've been getting from rookie Davis Mills in his absence.
Cleveland Browns (+2.5) over Cincinnati Bengals*
I've been riding the Bengals all season and would usually see this as a good spot for a bounce-back game coming off an embarrassing loss to the Jets. However, the Browns are equally in need of a win, and it feels like there's some potential for Cincinnati to spiral a bit over the next few weeks.
Philadelphia Eagles* (+2) over Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are giving up more rushing yards than any defense in the league. The Eagles, after refusing to run the ball to start the season, appear to have found something last weekend when they ran over the Lions for 236 yards on the ground.
Putting up numbers against the Lions is different than doing it against the Chargers, but the Eagles should have a winning game plan if they can stick to their ground game and trust their offensive line.
Green Bay Packers (+7.5) over Kansas City Chiefs*
This is another game I would probably skip. The Chiefs are sputtering, nearly falling to the Giants last week. Meanwhile, the Packers will be without Aaron Rodgers due to a positive COVID-19 test, meaning second-year backup and potential future of the franchise Jordan Love will make his first NFL start.
Slight edge to the Packers here just because of the game plan that head coach Matt LaFleur prepped ahead of their game against the Cardinals, in which Green Bay was missing three of their top receivers. That said, Love is a big enough unknown here that I'd stay away from this game entirely if at all possible.
Arizona Cardinals (-1.5) over San Francisco 49ers*
The Cardinals got caught sleeping against the Packers last week but should be up for a divisional game against a lesser opponent. With just one postseason bye in the NFC, the Cardinals can't drop games they should be winning.
Los Angeles Rams* (-7.5) over Tennessee Titans
The Rams are the best team in football, and with the acquisition of Von Miller in a deadline deal with the Broncos, they are only continuing to get better. Tennessee is without Derrick Henry, whose impact cannot be overstated.
Chicago Bears (+6) over Pittsburgh Steelers*
This one play was enough to make me believe in Justin Fields. This is a game between one quarterback who can move and another one who absolutely cannot. Maybe it'd be a better idea not to bet on Fields until Matt Nagy isn't coaching the Bears anymore, but for now, I'm a Fields believer.
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