Week 9 of the NFL season started with the Houston Texans entering Gotham to take on the NY Jets. While the first half was a snooze fest, the game picked up in the second half with Garrett Wilson making an all-time grab in the back of the end zone. Easily the best grab of the season.
Are the Jets going to go on a run, and win some games (they are not dead)? Who knows, but the Jets have the playmakers to get hot and win games with a favorable schedule the rest of the way. Does a 10-7 or 9-8 record get them in the playoffs? Regardless, lets move onto the rest of Week 9.
SUNDAY EARLY SLATE
COWBOYS (+3.5) vs. FALCONS
Cowboys are very banged up, especially on defense and have looked out of sorts offensively for much of this season. However, I feel like Dallas is due for a big win, and tomorrow presents a great opportunity to spark the season. Dallas wins 31-20
DOLPHINS (+6.5) vs. BILLS
The Dolphins’ season is on life support while the Bills are sitting comfy with a large lead in the AFC east. Even though the Bills have the Dolphins’ number and beat them every time, I think the Dolphins desperation will propel them to a win in Buffalo. Dolphins win 28-24
RAIDERS vs. BENGALS (-7)
The Raiders are a bad football team in 2024. They have not found their QB yet, but maybe Desmond Ridder is that guy. I wonder when/if he gets a shot at the QB1 in the upcoming weeks. On the other hand, the Bengals need a win to compete in the AFC North. Tee Higgins is doubtful, so expect Jermaine Burton to pop up with some targets tomorrow, maybe even a touchdown. Bengals win 28-10
CHARGERS vs. BROWNS (+1)
Jameis Winston is so much fun to root for, and combined with the passion of the Dawg Pound, the Browns are a team with pixie dust potential. I think the Browns win a tight battle against Herbert and the Chargers, who are banged up along the D-line. Browns win 24-17
PATRIOTS (+3) vs. TITANS
Every team who plays the Lions gets killed the next week. Drake Maye gets his first NFL win against a Titans team with suspect QB play. Patriots win 17-13
COMMANDERS vs. GIANTS (+4)
The Giants should have beaten the Commanders earlier in the season if not for Graham Gano getting injured on the opening kickoff. Daniel Jones seems to play very well against only the Commanders, so I expect this to be a closish game down the stretch. Expect another big game from Malik Nabers. Commanders win 23-21
SAINTS (-7) vs. PANTHERS
The Panthers are the worst team in the NFL and have a few players who will likely be dealt before the trade deadline, so I think the Saints will roll on the road. Derek Carr is back, so the Saints offense should instantly improve from what Rattler and Haener have shown the past few weeks. Saints win 35-14
BRONCOS vs. RAVENS (-9.5)
The Ravens lost to the Browns in a weird AFC North matchup last week. They should be hungry and matchup well against the Broncos roster. Interested to see how much Diontae Johnson is involved in the offense. He gives the Ravens another quality WR, easily making this the best WR group Lamar has had since being drafted. Ravens win 31-10
SUNDAY LATE SLATE
JAGUARS (+7.5) vs. EAGLES
The Jaguars will be without Christian Kirk for the season, and have question marks around the health of Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis. If they both play, I think the Jaguars will keep it close against the Eagles, but ultimately fall to the Birds at the Linc. Jalen Hurts has looked better in past weeks, and AJ Brown + Devonta Smith are healthy. Eagles win 27-24
BEARS vs. CARDINALS (-1.5)
Are the Cardinals are good team? They are winning games and are playing clean football for the most part. I think Gannon is a better coach than Eberflus, and I wonder how much scar tissue there is for the Bears after losing to the Commanders. Cardinals win 34-24
LIONS vs. PACKERS (+2.5)
The Lions are a juggernaut and have won @ GB in both 2022 and 2023. Jordan Love’s health is question mark, but all signs point to him starting on Sunday. I have to believe that GB will not lose at home three years in a row to the Lions. Expect a heavy dose of Josh Jacobs early and often. Packers win 20-16
RAMS (+1.5) vs. SEAHAWKS
Puka Nacua got banged up in practice this week, which is a major bummer considering how dominant he looked on a snap count against the Vikings on TNF. DK Metcalf is out, and Geno Smith struggled without DK last week. If Puca plays, I think the Rams win in Seattle, continuing the tailspin after the Seahawks started 3-0. Rams win 24-23
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
COLTS vs. VIKINGS (-5.5)
Joe Flacco returns to the starting lineup after filling in for Anthony Richardson earlier in the season. Does Flacco light up the Vikings? I doubt it, and expect the Vikings to have a bounce-back game to end their two game skid. TJ Hockenson returns and should give Sam Darnold another weapon at his disposal. Vikings win 34-13.
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
BUCCANEERS (+8.5) vs. CHIEFS
The Buccaneers go into Kansas City in need of a win after losing to the Ravens and Falcons in the past few weeks. The Chiefs just don’t lose, but I expect Baker Mayfield to keep the Battle of Texas Tech QBs close. Chiefs win 24-20.
BUCKET SPORTS TALK PARLAY OF THE WEEK
Falcons ML (Jake), Lions ML (Matt), Browns ML (David)
