Unlike previous weeks, where we struggled to find great games to watch and bet on, Week 9 is a late Halloween present.
We have some massive games with playoff implications, with two battles of division leaders, one in Germany, where the Dolphins and Chiefs square off for the top seed in the AFC, and another in Baltimore, where the Ravens host the Seahawks. The first attempt to decide the NFC East will be on display as the Eagles host the Cowboys. We dive into these great games and more in our NFL Week 9 predictions.
NFL Week 9 Predictions and Picks
All odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Tennessee Titans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Odds
- Spread
Steelers -3 - Moneyline
Titans +134, Steelers -158 - Total
36.5
If you’ve read any of the columns this year, you know exactly where I’m going with this pick.
The Steelers’ offense continues to be horrible, ranking 30th in total yards, 28th in rushing, 25th in passing, and 29th in points. The team total is 19.5, around where it was last week when we bet the under. They have cleared this number three times all year, and once was due to two defensive touchdowns. Tennessee may not have the best defense, but the Steelers can’t move the ball.
Pick: Steelers team total U19.5
Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs Odds
- Spread
Chiefs -2.5 - Moneyline
Dolphins +124, Chiefs -146 - Total
50.5
This game really comes down to who suits up for the Dolphins. Multiple offensive linemen have traveled with the team to Germany but are questionable to play. Fully protected, Tua Tagovailoa and the offense can beat anyone.
MORE: Betting Trends Against the Spread — Patrick Mahomes vs. Tua Tagovailoa
Can the Dolphins’ defense stop Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, though? That will be the question that might decide the game, total, and spread. Miami has failed in both big games they’ve played this season — both on the road. This is a neutral siTe, and the Chiefs are coming off their worst game of the season. Lean Miami, but wait and see.
Pick: Lean Miami +2.5, but wait and see on injuries
Los Angeles Rams vs. Green Bay Packers Odds
- Spread
Packers -3 - Moneyline
Rams +140, Packers -166 - Total
39.5
Our first surprising line of the week. I predicted this spread to land somewhere in between even and Green Bay -1, but did not think the Packers would be laying three here. They have played arguably the worst football in the NFL over the last five weeks, going 0-4 with losses to the Raiders and Broncos and blowout home division losses to the Lions and Vikings. Their only two wins are vs. the hapless Bears and a fourth-quarter comeback vs. the Saints.
The Rams have had their struggles, too, with back-to-back losses to the Steelers and Cowboys, but they’re the better team here and getting three points. They have battled the Eagles, Niners, and Bengals to close losses and dominated the Seahawks in the opening week. I’m assuming Matthew Stafford’s status is the reason for this line, but I still like the Rams.
Pick: Rams +3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Houston Texans Odds
- Spread
Texans -3 - Moneyline
Buccaneers +126, Texans -148 - Total
40
All the stock I bought in the Texans came crashing down last week in the loss at previously winless Carolina. That said, they did lead most of the game, so I’m not giving up on them just yet.
Quietly, DeMeco Ryans’ squad has turned around a good defense, allowing only 14 points per game over the last five games. They face a Bucs squad that has struggled to move the ball, averaging 12.3 ppg over their current three-game losing streak. I’m going to go under this total, looking for a 17-13 type game.
Pick: Under 40
Washington Commanders vs. New England Patriots Odds
- Spread
Patriots -3.5 - Moneyline
Commanders +152, Patriots -180 - Total
40.5
Well, by the looks of the trade deadline on Tuesday, it looks like the Commanders have given up, at least on defense, trading two former first-round picks.
The Patriots, however, are showing signs of life, with a win vs. Buffalo and battling against Miami, but they have injuries across the board on offense. I don’t have a strong play in this game, but would lean under and New England.
Pick: Pass, but lean U40.5
Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints Odds
- Spread
Saints -7.5 - Moneyline
Bears +300, Saints -375 - Total
41
If the number comes down to 7, I’ll hop on the Saints here. Depending on what price you can get with buying down the hook, that’s also an option.
But the main play here is to tease it down through key numbers of 7 and 3 and pair it with a similar one, such as the Browns. The Bears are awful, as we saw Sunday night by making the Chargers even look legit.
Pick: Saints (-1.5) in two-team, six-point teaser with Browns (-1.5)
Minnesota Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons Odds
- Spread
Falcons -4.5 - Moneyline
Vikings +188, Falcons -225 - Total
37
Yes, the Vikings just lost Kirk Cousins. And no, I’m not expecting Joshua Dobbs to come in there and be a straight replacement. But even this week, with rookie Jaren Hall starting for Minnesota, I lean the Vikings with 4.5 points.
The Falcons continue to struggle on offense and only have a pair of close wins over the Bucs and Texans since their 2-0 start. We don’t know what Hall is going to bring, so this is a pass.
Pick: Pass, lean Vikings +4.5
Arizona Cardinals vs. Cleveland Browns Odds
- Spread
Browns -7.5 - Moneyline
Cardinals +295, Browns -370 - Total
37.5
The combination of the Cardinals either going with a rookie QB or Kyler Murray — who may or may not be ready — and the Browns being a team that you can never trust, has me staying away from a side in this game.
MORE: Cardinals Backdoor Cover Against the Ravens
The only thing I will do here is use the Browns in a two-team, six-point teaser through key numbers of 7 and 3 if I find another leg I like (Saints).
Pick: Browns (-1.5) in two-team, six-point teaser with Saints -1.5.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Baltimore Ravens Odds
- Spread
Ravens -5.5 - Moneyline
Seahawks +210, Ravens -295 - Total
42.5
If not for the Dolphins/Chiefs in Germany and Cowboys/Eagles, this might be the game of the week with two hot division leaders. Both teams are 6-2, with three of the four combined losses by one possession.
I’m going to take Seattle here. Based on that fact, I don’t think there is 5.5 points difference between the two teams or even three if you take out home-field advantage. Both teams are solid on both sides of the ball, and I expect a close one, so I’ll take the 5.5.
Pick: Seattle +5.5
Indianapolis Colts vs. Carolina Panthers Odds
- Spread
Colts -2.5 - Moneyline
Colts -152, Panthers +128 - Total
44.5
Congrats to the Panthers for earning their first win of the season. You’re still a home dog to… Indy.
This line is probably where it should be with a sub-.500 team laying three on the road vs. one of the worst teams in football. If you’re into either of those, this game is all yours.
Pick: Pass
Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles Odds
- Spread
Eagles -3 - Moneyline
Cowboys +140, Eagles -166 - Total
46
This one is going to be fantastic. The battle for the NFC East with the Cowboys coming off two great wins and the Eagles righting the ship after their loss to the Jets.
MORE: Updated Super Bowl Odds — Chiefs and Eagles Now Co-Favorites
The spread implies it’s even with Philadelphia being at home. I have Philly rated higher than Dallas, so there is some value here with the home team. Having sat in Lincoln Financial Field two weeks ago, I can tell you that’s not an easy place to play or win. Going with the home team minus the field goal here.
Pick: Eagles -3
New York Giants vs. Las Vegas Raiders Odds
- Spread
Raiders -2.5 - Moneyline
Giants +120, Raiders -142 - Total
37.5
This game should have a total like the Iowa-Northwestern game.. 29.5. Neither team can move the ball. The Giants, who snatched defeat from the jaws of victory last week, are averaging a league-low 11.9 ppg, and that’s with a 31-point, second-half outburst in Arizona in Week 2. Take that out, and it’s 9.1! The -7 passing yards vs. the Jets was something.
The Raiders are almost as bad, not scoring more than 21 in any game this season. Their performance Monday night was awful, minus one Josh Jacobs drive in the first half. I’m playing under the 37.5 and not thinking twice.
Pick: Under 37.5 (Best Bet)
Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals Odds
- Spread
Bengals -2.5 - Moneyline
Bills +136, Bengals -162 - Total
48.5
So many storylines here, starting with all of us hoping Damar Hamlin is active and on the field. These teams met in Buffalo in the playoffs last January, with the Bengals winning easily. This year, both teams have had their ups and downs, with Cincinnati pulling off their biggest win last week in San Fran. The Bills have been very inconsistent on both sides of the ball, and with the Bengals only laying 2.5 at home, I’m headed there.
Pick: Bengals -2.5
Los Angeles Chargers vs. New York Jets Odds
- Spread
Chargers -3 - Moneyline
Chargers -164, Jets +138 - Total
41.5
The main question here is: “Do you believe in either one of these teams?” If you do, that’s the one you should bet on.
I do not, so I am staying away.
The Chargers finally looked great last week… but it was the Bears. The Jets need a miracle to beat a team that had -7 yards passing. I want no part of this game. I’d lean under just because the Jets’ defense is that good, but the Chargers have shown they can blow up at any given moment.
Pick: Pass
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