NFL Week 9 Picks
KANSAS CITY (-7.5) over Jacksonville, 1:00 ET, 11/6.
Kansas City threw us off their scent with that stink bomb against Pittsburgh on national television a few weeks ago, but we should have known not to count them out. Andy Reid’s system makes almost any quarterback look good, and the Chiefs have playmakers on both sides of the ball. Bottom line, They’re just a lot better than the Jaguars.\
Kansas City 30, Jacksonville 23
MINNESOTA (-6) over Detroit, 1:00 ET, 11/6.
It’s time the Vikings show if they’re really the contenders we all thought they were in the first few weeks of the season. The offense has been stagnant the last two games, looking nothing like the highly efficient group we saw earlier this year. In a home game against a division rival, the Vikings need a victory.
Minnesota 20, Detroit 17
Philadelphia over NY GIANTS (-2.5), 1:00 ET, 11/6.
Philadelphia really should have beaten the Cowboys last week, but they handed the game away every time it looked like they had it. They’re a good team, better and more talented than the Giants. The only way I see New York winning is if their talented receivers can torch Philly’s no-name secondary, which is of course a possibility with Odell Beckham Jr. out there. But I have to go with the talent.
Philadelphia 24, New York 21
Dallas (-7) over CLEVELAND, 1:00 ET, 11/6.
Dallas is the NFC favorite right now, and it’s hard to argue. They’ve got two great rookies at running back and quarterback, the best offensive line in the league, great pass-catching weapons, and an above-average defense. They shouldn’t have any problem with the Browns.
Dallas 31, Cleveland 17
MIAMI (-4) over NY Jets, 1:00 ET, 11/6.
This is the football game equivalent of barfing a little in your mouth. There’s just not very much to be excited about. Oh great, I get to see Ryan Fitzpatrick throw three interceptions and Ryan Tannehill underachieve again. Anyway, Miami has the only fun player in this game in Jay Ajayi, so they’ll probably win.
Miami 23, New York 20
Pittsburgh (-1.5) over BALTIMORE, 1:00 ET, 11/6.
Ben Roethlisberger is going to start for the Steelers, so that made my job a whole lot easier. I think the Ravens, losers of their last four games, will put up a better fight than expected, but it’s hard to argue that they can beat the Steelers with Big Ben in there. They just have too much firepower, too much explosiveness.
Steelers 27, Baltimore 24
New Orleans (-4) over SAN FRANCISCO, 4:05 ET, 11/6.
Neither of these teams are very good; this much we know. But the 49ers aren’t very good at anything, while the Saints have one of the best quarterbacks ever. Drew Brees can gain chunks of yardage quickly, and it starts to pile up on you. Yeah, New Orleans’s defense is awful. But can Colin Kaepernick keep up with Brees’ production. Something tells me he can’t, and that something is probably that he’s a bad quarterback with limited weapons.
New Orleans 28, San Francisco 24
Carolina (-3) over LOS ANGELES, 4:05 ET, 11/6.
Carolina finally got a big win against Arizona last week, which isn’t all that impressive to be fair. The way to beat Carolina is to have wide receivers who can take advantage of their horrible cornerbacks, and the Rams don’t have those guys, nor a quarterback that can beat them, anyway. Maybe Cam Newton is getting back into a groove and can carry the Panthers to a few fell-good wins before they miss the playoffs.
Carolina 27, Los Angeles 20
GREEN BAY (-7) over Indianapolis, 4:25 ET, 11/6.
Aaron Rodgers appears to be regaining some of his old magic, but he doesn’t even really need it to torch the Colts’ defense. Even the Packers’ lackluster weapons can beat the Indy secondary. Andrew Luck is always liable to put his team on his back and drag them to victory, but I think it’s a little too much to ask of him in Lambeau.
Green Bay 28, Indianapolis 21
SAN DIEGO (-4.5) over TENNESSEE, 4:25 ET, 11/6.
This comes down to the Chargers having the two most influential players in the game: Philip Rivers and Joey Bosa. Rivers has continued to show why he’s a top-ten quarterback, but Bosa has been a revelation since his first game in Week 5. He’s been a terror, going for four sacks in as many games, and is leading the defensive rookie of the year pack. Those two guys can lead San Diego to victory over Tennessee.
San Diego 27, Tennessee 23
Denver over OAKLAND (-1), 8:30 ET, 11/6.
Yes, Oakland can really score. Yes, they have scary offensive pieces. Yes, Denver’s offensive woes are worrying. But I just can’t pick Oakland in their first big prime time game in ages. They’re too young and inexperienced. They won’t know quite how to handle the moment. Denver has been there, done that, played in way bigger games than this. They’ll have a little something for Derek Carr tonight.
Denver 23, Oakland 20
MONDAY NIGHT
SEATTLE (-7) over Buffalo, 8:30 ET, 11/7.
Russell Wilson is doing his very best with what he has, and it’s honestly impressive that he’s even playing with all the hits and nagging injuries he’s sustained. But this game isn’t even about Wilson, it’s about Seattle’s defense. I think they’ll blow up Buffalo’s strong running game and hound Tyrod Taylor into a bunch of mistakes.
Seattle 23, Buffalo 17
Last Week: 7–4
Season: 64–45–1
