Week 9 NFL Previews & Predictions
Note: The Following predictions are from our computer simulation prrogram which simulates each game 10,000 times to come up with a final outcome. These are not from any TGR Experts.
Houston Texans (-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars
Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST, CBS
Well, this should be fun. Two of the worst teams in the NFL will be going up against each other, with one being favored by nearly a TD on the road. Houston is allowing an average of 31 points per game, and the Jaguars have given up 30-plus points in each of their previous six games. The only part of this game that should be fun to watch is Deshaun Watson tearing up a terrible Jacksonville secondary.
NFL Week 9 Picks and Prediction: Texans 34, Jaguars 21
Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans (-5.5)
Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST, FOX
Nick Foles and the Chicago Bears will be traveling to Tennessee to take on Ryan Tannehill after the Titans suffered their second loss of the season. Tannehill did not look great against the Cincinnati Bengals, especially considering it was a makeshift offensive line protecting Joe Burrow.
Neither of these teams looked great, but the Bears have struggled offensively most of the season, even with their winning record. They are averaging a mere 19.7 points per game. Even though they brought Drew Brees and the Saints to overtime, this Titans squad should be able to expose them for the terrible team that they are.
NFL Week 9 Picks and Prediction: Titans 24, Bears 14
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-3.5)
Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST, FOX
The Minnesota Vikings will be looking to put together two straight wins for the first time this season, even though they looked like they would be sellers at the trade deadline. Dalvin Cook is coming off the best game of his season, scoring four total touchdowns with over two hundred yards of offense.
The Lions were starting to head in the right direction until Philip Rivers, and the Colts defense stopped them right in their tracks. I originally thought that the Lions had a chance to get the win here. Unfortunately, Matthew Stafford is unlikely to play in this game and I have little faith in his replacement.
With a worse offense than usual, I don’t know how the Lions stay competitive here.
Vikings 27, Lions 17
New York Giants at The Washington Football Team (-3.5)
Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST, FOX
The Washington Football Team finally broke their streak of five straight losses last week against the lowly Dallas Cowboys. Now, they will be taking on a Giants team likely off an embarrassing loss to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
The last time these two played, the score was very close. the Giants are coming off of a very close game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They held Tom Brady to only 22 points. I think this team is a lot better than we give them credit for and think they pull out a win here.
New York 21, Washington 19
Seattle Seahawks (-3) at Buffalo Bills
Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST, FOX
Russell Wilson just put up another MVP caliber game against the San Francisco defense, and there doesn’t seem to be a way for defenses to stop Seattle’s impressive offense. The team heads into Week 9, averaging a league-best 33.8 points per game.
There won’t be much defense played in this one. My favorite play would be the over, but I think Seattle gets the win. Buffalo is just not at the same level as Seattle right now.
Seattle 33, Bills 27
Baltimore Ravens (-3) at Indianapolis Colts
Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST, CBS
The Baltimore Ravens come into this game after a loss to the Steelers. Lamar Jackson has seemingly fallen to earth after his impressive 2019 campaign. That or defenses have finally figured out how to scheme against him. The team has also recently added reinforcements in that of Yannick Ngakoue and Dez Bryant.
The Colts continue to be surprisingly good, especially on defense. Philip Rivers makes the stereotypical nonsensical interception every once in a while, but the defense is good enough to keep them in most games. This is one of the better AFC matchups in Week 9 and should be fun to watch.
Ravens 21, Colts 20
Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs (-12)
Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST, FOX
Alright, the Chiefs are good. To the surprise of no one, they were able to cover a nearly three TD spread against the New York Jets. When this opening betting line appeared, I was surprised at how big it was.
It is looking more and more likely that RB Chrisitan McCaffrey could be making his return here. That should give an additional weapon for the Panthers to try and keep this one close. I think they can do so for the first half. Unfortunately, I think the Chiefs ultimately pull away late.
Chiefs 35, Carolina 21
Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons (-4)
Time and Channel: 1:00 PM EST, CBS
Everyone was ready to bury Drew Lock after the Broncos went down 24-3 last week against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, Lock mounted an impressive comeback and hit K.J. Hamler for a game-winning touchdown as the clock expired in a 31-30 victory. It was impressive and proved that this Broncos team isn’t ready to quit yet.
Atlanta is also coming off a win against the Carolina Panthers. However, there are questions surrounding star receiver Calvin Ridley and his health.
I am taking the Broncos to carry over the last game’s momentum and get the win here. Their defense should put up more of an effort than they did against Justin Herbert.
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.
Chargers 31, Raiders 24
Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals (-4.5)
Time and Channel: 4:05 PM EST, CBS
The most anticipated rookie from last year faces off against the most anticipated rookie of this year when Tua Tagovailoa heads to Arizona to take on Kyler Murray and the Cardinals.
Tua and the Dolphins are 4-3 on the year and are in the thick of the AFC East race. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are flying high after taking down the Seattle Seahawks.
This one should be fun. Even though Miami was able to beat the Rams this past week, a lot of that had to do with the Rams playing poorly. I think Arizona will play hard, needing to continue to get wins to stay competitive in the NFC West. I don’t think Murray plays anywhere near as bad as Jared Goff did this week; Miami will be in for more of a challenge.
Cardinals 27, Miami 20
Pittsburgh Steelers at Dallas Cowboys
Time and Channel: 4:05 PM EST, CBS
This one might be the easiest one on the board. Whatever the spread is, take the Steelers. I can’t touch this Cowboys team with the terrible defense and Andy Dalton or Ben DiNucci under center.
Update: Just for fun, it has now been reported that it will not be Dalton or DiNucci under center. Instead, the Cowboys will try their luck with either AAF MVP Garrett Gilbert or practice squad QB Cooper Rush. Guess what? Neither will be able to do anything against the Steelers elite defense.
Steelers 40, Cowboys 14
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4)
Time and Channel: 8:20 PM EST, CBS
Back in Week 1, New Orleans took out the Buccaneers, 34-23. That, however, was while Tom Brady was still getting accustomed to the offense. Now, Brady has looked significantly better, and the team will likely have Antonio Brown added to the mix.
The Saints continue to get wins, but they don’t look good doing it. Michael Thomas might still be out or could even be traded by the time this game kicks off. Brady gets his revenge here.
Buccaneers 28, Saints 21
Monday Night Football
New England Patriots (7) at New York Jets
Time and Channel: 8:15 PM EST, FOX
This AFC East battle is probably the worst primetime game of the year. Cam Newton seems to have hit a wall, and the Patriots offense can’t seem to get anything right. Luckily for them, they will going up the terrible New York Jets.
I don’t know who wins this game, and I feel weird saying this, but I prefer taking the points over laying them with Newton. Sam Darnold and Denzel Mims seem to be forming a pretty solid connection, and maybe that will be enough to keep this game somewhat close.
Patriots 20, Jets 17
