Week 9 features some marquee matchups that could have a big impact on the playoff picture later in the season. The Cowboys and Eagles will duke it out for division supremacy, while the Dolphins and Chiefs square off with homefield advantage in the AFC on the line -- let's dive into this week's games.
**All betting lines from bet365.com** (Updated Nov. 4)
Tennessee Titans (3-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)
The Titans may have found a spark after the debut of Will Levis last week, as he led them to a win over the Falcons. Now, it's a big test for the rookie quarterback, as he gets set to face one of the toughest defenses in the NFL. That's really been the catalyst for the Steelers this season as the offense is still looking pedestrian each week. Pick: Steelers, 17-14.
Line: Steelers -2.5
ML: Steelers
Spread: Steelers
Miami Dolphins (6-2) vs Kansas City Chiefs (6-2)
This is a huge game with plenty of storylines, from Tyreek Hill facing his former team to the top seed in the AFC being up for grabs. The fact that this game is being played in Germany is likely an advantage to the Dolphins, who won't have to go into the cold elements at Arrowhead Stadium. Patrick Mahomes has been forcing it a bit this year and I think one or two mistakes will catch up to him in this game as the Dolphins have the ability to make you pay with their high-flying offense. Pick: Dolphins, 27-24.
Line: Chiefs -1.5
ML: Dolphins
Spread: Dolphins
Chicago Bears (2-6) @ New Orleans Saints (4-4)
The Saints came away with a win last week to keep pace with the Falcons in the AFC South and really, a win over the Bears could vault them into a wildcard spot by the end of the weekend. Can Derek Carr and the offense get on the same page? I think he has to do more than checkdown to Alvin Kamara on a regular basis as that's becoming predictable. Pick: Saints, 26-16.
Line: Saints -8.5
ML: Saints
Spread: Saints
Arizona Cardinals (1-7) @ Cleveland Browns (4-3)
We could have a very different quarterback situation for both teams by the time kickoff rolls around on Sunday. Reports this week suggest Deshaun Watson could play and Kyler Murray has a shot to make his regular season debut. Regardless, this Browns defense is a tough proposition for anyone under center and I think they will be too much for the Cards in general. Pick: Browns, 23-16.
Line: Browns -11
ML: Browns
Spread: Cardinals
Los Angeles Rams (3-5) @ Green Bay Packers (2-5)
I thought the Packers would be okay with Jordan Love and evidently, they have spiraled with him as the starting quarterback. With that being said, they have another shot to get a win at home this week and the uncertainty around Matthew Stafford's thumb injury poses some serious red flags. Pick: Packers, 21-17.
Line: Packers -3
ML: Packers
Spread: Packers
Minnesota Vikings (4-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (4-4)
Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the 4th quarter last week, in a game the Vikings were running away with over the Packers. That's the devastating part in all of this, as the Vikes got back to .500 after an 0-3 start and are firmly planted in the middle of the playoff race. The Falcons have made a switch at QB, starting veteran Taylor Heinicke this week, will it pay off? Pick: Falcons, 20-17.
Line: Falcons -4
ML: Falcons
Spread: Vikings
Seattle Seahawks (5-2) @ Baltimore Ravens (6-2)
Both of these teams currently lead their respective divisions and for me, this game means more for the Seahawks considering the 49ers have lost three straight and Pete Carroll's team has an opportunity to distance themselves in the NFC West. I haven't completely liked what I've seen from Geno Smith the last three weeks and this Ravens defense poses a real problem for him, I'll side with the home team here. Pick: Ravens, 23-17.
Line: Ravens -6.5
ML: Ravens
Spread: Seahawks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4) @ Houston Texans (3-4)
The Bucs fought hard last Thursday and ultimately fell short to the Bills, on a game that ended with Baker Mayfield getting one last heave to the end zone. Todd Bowles' defense can be tough and I think that might be a factor here against rookie C.J. Stroud. Look for the Bucs to stay in this the entire way and win it down the stretch. Pick: Buccaneers, 23-20.
Line: Texans -2.5
ML: Buccaneers
Spread: Buccaneers
Washington Commanders (3-5) @ New England Patriots (2-6)
Both these teams are out of the playoff picture and need a spark to get back in the conversation. However, with the Commanders dealing Chase Young and Montez Sweat at the deadline, that opens up some real gaps in that defensive front. The Pats might actually find some space to utilize the run game here. Pick: Patriots, 22-15.
Line: Patriots -3
ML: Patriots
Spread: Patriots
Indianapolis Colts (3-5) @ Carolina Panthers (1-6)
Frank Reich got his first win last week as the Panthers' head coach and now he squares off against his former team, the Colts. Sure, the Panthers might have some added motivation here to get their coach a win in a revenge spot, but if Jonathan Taylor his healthy, the Colts should be able to move the chains against a Panthers team allowing 134.9 rushing yards per game (29th in NFL). Pick: Colts, 21-18.
Line: Colts -2
ML: Colts
Spread: Colts
Dallas Cowboys (5-2) @ Philadelphia Eagles (7-1)
This is another huge game this weekend and a very important one for both squads, especially the Eagles, with a tough schedule on the horizon. How healthy is Jalen Hurts right now and will his potential lack of mobility be a factor in this game? We've seen Dak Prescott rise to the occasion in these NFC East matchups -- 27-7 for his career -- and can he do it again on Sunday? Pick: Eagles, 30-24.
Line: Eagles -3
ML: Eagles
Spread: Eagles
New York Giants (2-6) @ Las Vegas Raiders (3-5)
There was a lot of drama in Vegas this week, a lot of it stemming from Davante Adams' frustrations on the sideline in Monday night's loss to the Raiders. Ultimately, it led to the firing of Josh McDaniels, just 18 months into his six-year deal, and former NFL linebacker Antonio Pierce will take over the head coaching duties. That can only mean one thing, this team will be out to prove something this week. Pick: Raiders, 23-16.
Line: Raiders -1.5
ML: Raiders
Spread: Raiders
Buffalo Bills (5-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (4-3)
The Bengals are back...and Joe Burrow looks the healthiest we've seen all season as he put on a clinic against the Niners last week. There are certainly some question marks around Josh Allen's throwing shoulder and how that will affect his deep ball. Personally, I think it's going to be enough that it will affect him in this game and he will need to be nearly flawless to beat Burrow on Sunday night. Pick: Bengals, 27-20.
Line: Bengals -2.5
ML: Bengals
Spread: Bengals
Los Angeles Chargers (3-4) @ New York Jets (4-3)
This game has some big AFC wildcard implications and it's the Chargers that really need the shot in the arm here as they've had a dismal first half of their season. Justin Herbert needs to find a way to come through in some of these big spots and this will be a tough test against a stout Jets defense. Despite the naysayers, Zach Wilson seems to be improving each week and this Jets team still has a lot of life in the AFC playoff race. Pick: Chargers, 23-20.
Line: Chargers -3.5
ML: Chargers
Spread: Jets
Results
Week 8
ML: 11-5
ATS: 7-6-3
Overall
ML: 81-41
ATS: 68-48-6
Opmerkingen