Week 9 Picks

 Last week: 8-7

Season: 64-56-3


Eagles (-13.5) over Texans

I tend to lean towards the underdog on double-digit/two-touchdown spreads but it’s hard to imagine a Brandon Cooks-less Texans team mounting enough offense to keep it close against the best team in the NFC.

Lions (+3.5) over Packers

My strategy going forward is to pick against the Packers until they prove they can win another game, even in a clash against the anemic Lions.

Falcons (+2.5) over Chargers

The Falcons have been sneaky good this season and they get Swiss Army knife Cordarelle Patterson back against a Chargers team missing its top receivers. I smell an upset here.

Dolphins (-4.5) over Bears

The Dolphins landed pass-rusher Bradley Chubb at the deadline and face a Bears team allowing the most sacks in the league. This is going to be a long day for Justin Fields.

Bengals (-7) over Panthers

It would be in the Panthers’ best interest to see what they have in P.J. Walker and tank for a higher draft spot in order to select a franchise QB next April. They’ll accomplish both by getting steamrolled by the Bengals.

Patriots (-5.5) over Colts

The Colts might have given up on head coach Frank Reich and, even if they haven’t, they aren’t healthy enough to be much of a factor the rest of the season. The Patriots, meanwhile, have a puncher’s chance at a wild card spot.

Jets (+10.5) over Bills

The Jets can’t trade shots with the Bills but the defense is good enough to slow Buffalo down and cover the spread.

Vikings (-3) over Commanders

If the Packers lose to the Lions with the Cowboys, Titans and Eagles coming up next, it’s not unrealistic to think the Vikings can have the division wrapped up by Thanksgiving as long as they continue to feast on cupcakes.

Jaguars (+2.5) over Raiders

It’s hard to see either of these teams making the playoffs at 2-5 but, even only nine weeks into the season, this feels like an eliminator game for whoever loses this one.

Seahawks (+1.5) over Cardinals

We currently live in a world where Geno Smith is the third-best QB in the NFC. You win, universe.

Bucs (-3) over Rams

The saving grace for Tom Brady is, after this one, the rest of the schedule is soft and he could still sneak into the playoffs for one last title run.

Chiefs (-12.5) over Titans

We really got Patrick Mahomes vs Malik Willis before Mahomes vs Rodgers. A year or two from now, a showdown between these two will be a bigger deal but the rookie doesn’t stand a chance against Mahomes, who hasn’t lost in a November and December since 2019.

(Note: This is all a moot point if Ryan Tannehill plays.)

Ravens (-2) over Saints

Not playing Monday night: Mark Andrews, Gus Edwards, Rashod Bateman, Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, Jameis Winston.

Not watching Monday night: Most of America outside of Baltimore and New Orleans.