NFL Picks, Predictions for Week 9: Opening betting lines, odds, and scores

NFL picks, betting lines, predictions for Week 9 | Thursday Night Football

Green Bay Packers (-7.5) at San Francisco 49ers

Time and Channel: 8:20 PM EST, NFL Network

The opening Week 9 betting lines actually had the 49ers favored in this matchup. That has changed drastically. Now that we see how many players will be out on both sides of the ball for the San Francisco 49ers, it makes perfect sense as to why this line has moved to over a touchdown.

The 49ers will be without Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, Brandon Aiyuk, and Kendrick Bourne. That is only on offense; there is a number of defensive players out as well.

Green Bay, on the other hand, is not as beat up but will still be without Allen Lazard. Aaron Jones is looking more and more likely to play, but we don’t know if he is really 100%. Both Jamaal Williams and AJ Dillon will not be active for this game.

Granted, the 49ers do one thing well, and that is running the ball. However, even if the Packers were completely demolished by Dalvin Cook last week, I don’t think JaMycal Hasty will be able to do the same. Aaron Rodgers will come out firing in this one to try and avenge his embarrassing loss in the playoffs to these 49ers. Don’t step in front of an upset Aaron Rodgers.

NFL Week 9 Picks and Prediction: Packers 31, 49ers 14

Houston Texans (-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars

Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This matchup sees two one-win teams clash coming off their bye week. The Jaguars have not won since Week 1, while the Texans only win came when facing the Jaguars in Houston back in Week 5. Realistically the playoffs are a long shot for both teams, but a win here at least keeps them in with an outside chance.

This matchup should be a massive mismatch as the Texans will have Deshaun Watson under center, while the Jaguars will be rolling out rookie quarterback Jake Luton for his first NFL start. After a run of extremely tough games for the Texans, they will be hoping a confident victory in this game launches them into the second half of their schedule, which looks significantly easier.

NFL Week 9 Picks and Prediction: Texans 34, Jaguars 21

Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans (-6.5)

Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This is a huge game for both sides, with both teams coming into the game looking to snap a two-game losing streak. A loss this week will not end the playoff hopes of either team, but it will continue a downward spiral that must be starting to lead to questions around both teams starting quarterbacks.

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This matchup is interesting because it is a clash of strengths and weaknesses. The Titans offense has been the best part of their team, and they will go up against the formidable Bears defense. Meanwhile, the struggling Bears offense will get a chance to get rolling against a Titans defense that has allowed an average of over 30 points per game in the last three weeks. The Titans are big favorites in this one, but I can see the Bears defense doing enough to give their offense a chance to win this game.

NFL Week 9 Picks and Prediction: Titans 20, Bears 21

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-5)

Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST, FOX

At 2-5, the situation for the Minnesota Vikings is somewhat confusing; having looked like they were ready to give up on the 2020 season, they now have a chance to get back to 3-5 and remain on the outside of this NFC North race. Dalvin Cook appears to be healthy once again and is coming off the best game of his season, scoring four total touchdowns with over two hundred yards of offense.

The Lions are also in a position to mount a potential challenge for the division, but the loss to the Colts in Week 8 will have hurt them greatly. It initially looked as though this could be a bounce-back game for the Lions before Matthew Stafford’s involvement was put in doubt. Even if Stafford can play, missing an entire week of practice and traveling separately to his team could lead to some rustiness early in the game.

Look for the Vikings to jump out to a lead before holding onto the game via the skills of Cook down the stretch.

NFL Week 9 Picks and Prediction: Vikings 27, Lions 21

New York Giants at The Washington Football Team (-2.5)

Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST, FOX

It could not have been much easier for the Washington Football Team last time out against the reeling Dallas Cowboys. With a week’s rest under their belts, they will face a Giants team that lost a tough contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Giants showed a lot of good things on Monday Night Football, but the huge rest discrepancy could make it tough. Additionally, even with injuries, the Washington defensive line should be able to put pressure on Daniel Jones. This game will come down to who makes the least mistakes, with both quarterbacks guilty of poor decisions. I am going to back Daniel Jones and his talented skill position players to come out on top in this one.

NFL Week 9 Picks and Prediction: New York 20, Washington 17

Seattle Seahawks (-3) at Buffalo Bills

Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Russell Wilson is lighting up the NFL on a weekly basis, and this week, he will get a chance to show the AFC just how good he is once again. The Bills are used to close games but have rarely faced a quarterback of the caliber of Wilson this season. When they did, Patrick Mahomes had a quiet day, but the Chiefs running game steamrolled the Bills poor run defense.

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This is an interesting clash of styles. The Bills like to run the ball, but the Seahawks are weaker against the pass defensively. Meanwhile, the Bills have been susceptible to the run game, but Seattle is bereft of their top running back options. Those mismatches could make this a messy game to start with, but I expect it to explode into life in the second half.

NFL Week 9 Picks and Prediction: Seattle 33, Bills 27

Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts (-1)

Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST, CBS

The Ravens will be angry after dropping an important AFC North game against the Steelers in Week 8. Lamar Jackson has a lot to prove as a passer this season, and it will be interesting to see what game plan the Ravens go with this week against a good Colts defense.

The Colts’ strength this season has been on defense, with Philip Rivers providing frustrating inconsistency for the offense. All of the pressure this week will be on the arm of Rivers after the Ravens proved they could decimate an opponent’s run game last week. It is baffling to me that the Colts are favorites in some places, as I believe the Ravens win with relative ease.

NFL Week 9 Picks and Prediction: Ravens 28, Colts 20

Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs (-12)

Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The Chiefs did exactly what they needed to as they decimated the New York Jets last week. It was a quietly impressive demonstration of how good teams should handle bad ones. This week will be more of a test, but the Panthers defense should not be able to keep this Chiefs offense quiet enough.

Christian McCaffrey should return this week, but the Chiefs defense has been really good this year. We saw that Teddy Bridgewater is limited as a quarterback weapon when the Panthers offense drew a blank against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football. The Panthers should be able to be competitive for a period, but this should be a comfortable win for the Chiefs.

NFL Week 9 Picks and Prediction: Chiefs 35, Carolina 21

Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons (-4)

Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST, CBS

If you asked social media, Drew Lock was finished in Denver when the Broncos went down 24-3 last week against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, Lock flipped that narrative with an impressive comeback, demonstrating his skills. There are still inconsistencies for sure, but with Lock getting healthier, it will be interesting to see if he can improve in the second half of the season.

Atlanta will be pleased to have beaten a divisional rival on Thursday Night Football, but there are still a lot of questions around this roster, including the health of Calvin Ridley.

The Broncos have the marginally better defense, so look for them to be able to do enough offensively to outcompete an inconsistent Atlanta Falcons team.

NFL Week 9 Picks and Prediction: Denver 31, Atlanta 27

Betting lines and predictions for the afternoon games 

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers (-1.5)

Time and Channel: 4:05 PM EST, FOX

The Las Vegas Raiders head into this game at 3-3 on the season. Their defense is struggling, allowing 32.8 points per game and a 99.7 quarterback rating. That is terrible news considering they will be facing off against arguably the NFL’s hottest quarterback this week.

Justin Herbert has thrown 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions in his five starts so far. Some of the throws he is making should even impress the aforementioned Patrick Mahomes. His team has coughed up three 16 point leads already this season, so this Week 9 NFL pick is not made with a significant amount of certainty, but I do believe Herbert gets the win here.

NFL Week 9 Picks and Prediction: Chargers 31, Raiders 24

Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals (-4.5)

Time and Channel: 4:05 PM EST, CBS

This is a fascinating matchup between two young quarterbacks that were in many ways the faces of their respective draft classes. Kyler Murray has looked extremely good in leading the Cardinals over the last two seasons, while Tua Tagovailoa will be playing in just his second game.

The defense of the Cardinals has been one of the biggest surprises of the season, while it was the Miami defense that was responsible for handing their team a win over the Rams. This game should come down to which quarterback can have a more consistent game, and for now, I will put my faith in the man with over 20 games under his belt.

NFL Week 9 Picks and Prediction: Cardinals 27, Miami 20

Pittsburgh Steelers (-14) at Dallas Cowboys 

Time and Channel: 4:05 PM EST, CBS

This should have been a headline game of the Week 9 slate. However, circumstances have it that this is perhaps the biggest mismatch of the entire card.

The Cowboys will be on their fourth quarterback of the season, while the Steelers have one of the best defenses in the NFL. If this game is not won by 20 points, then the Steelers may have to ask themselves some serious questions on Monday morning.

NFL Week 9 Picks and Prediction: Steelers 55, Cowboys 10

NFL Week 9 betting lines, predictions, and odds for Sunday Night Football

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4)

Time and Channel: 8:20 PM EST, CBS

A rematch of their Week 1 clash that was won by the Saints, this game has a different complexion to it. The Buccaneers are now rolling under Brady, while the Saints have been less than convincing. 

The Saints will be hoping to get Michael Thomas back in this one, but will it be enough to ignite a sleepy Saints offense? Meanwhile, Brady gets a new toy in Antonio Brown and has a great chance to exact his revenge here.

NFL Week 9 Picks and Prediction: Buccaneers 27, Saints 21

Monday Night Football

New England Patriots (-7) at New York Jets

Time and Channel: 8:15 PM EST, FOX

There is nothing that is likely to be pretty in this matchup as the Jets and Patriots meet for the first time in this game. The Jets remain winless and would love nothing more than to get their first win against their divisional rivals. Meanwhile, the Patriots are clinging onto hopes of the playoffs by their fingernails.

This game should be one the Patriots control, but given the way 2020 has gone for New England, do not be surprised if the Jets give them a scare at some point on Monday Night Football.

NFL Week 9 Picks and Prediction: Patriots 17, Jets 14