NFL Week 9 Predictions

When I made my predictions last week I was hoping for no upsets. If you do not believe in trap games, then just ask the Baltimore Ravens’ fan base their thoughts on that. I had the Ravens winning big over the Cleveland Browns, but Cleveland pulled the huge upset and turned the tables on Baltimore. Jameis Winston filled in for the injured Deshaun Watson and rose to the occasion leading the Browns offense to a 29-24 victory.

The Steelers won 26-18 and nearly fell into a trap game as well allowing the New York Giants to stay close but the final score was not an indication of how much Pittsburgh’s defense dominated and did not reflect two touchdowns by the Steelers that were reversed.

As for the other New York team, it appears Aaron Rodgers was not the answer to the Jets quest for a playoff spot. In a game with New England, they should have won instead the Pats also pulled an upset and now Rodgers and company are 2-6 and are probably using the well-known acronym for Jets which is Just End This Season. The Vikings lost again to the Rams and it’s a waiting game to see if the start to their season was a smokescreen.

No one probably saw the beatdown coming that the Detroit Lions gave to the Tennessee Titans winning 52-14 and despite the return of Tua Tagovailoa the Miami Dolphins were no better in losing to the Cardinals. We saw a bizarre moment in the Colts and Texans game when Indianapolis starting quarterback Anthony Richardson tapped his helmet like a UFC fighter taps when he wants to quit, and Richardson exited the game using the excuse that he was “tired.”

Two teams will be in their bye week for week nine and they are the Steelers and 49ers. Pittsburgh gets a well-deserved break as they are alone at the top in the AFC North. In what might be the weirdest division standings, San Francisco gets their season break in a three-way tie for first place with Arizona and Seattle as all teams are 4-4 and the Rams in last at 3-4.

As for some of the team playing, this could be the week that determines if they have a shot at the post season or are just playing to get the season over. My week nine picks follow.

Houston at New York Jets: A Patriots player accused Aaron Rodgers of being “slow” after last week’s New England victory over the Jets and he is probably right. Unlike some other quarterbacks that were rejuvenated after switching teams in the twilight of their careers, Rodgers’s attempt has completely backfired. He’s helped in turning the Jets into a royal mess by trying to have control of his offense and now to salvage the season, they will need to start winning and winning a lot. That begins with this game and New York is in the process of finding a replacement kicker as Greg Zuerlein is on IR with a knee injury. The Texans suffered a major injury bug placing not just Stefon Diggs on injured reserve but also ruling out for this game Dameon Pierce, Jimmie Ward, Jarrett Patterson, and Azeez Al-Shaair. No matter they are much better than the Jets. Texans 27 / Jets 17

Dallas at Atlanta: This week we have Cowboys owner Jerry Jones declared his team can have a “storybook ending.” Say what? I hope he realizes that his team will lose to the Falcons on Sunday. If that happens the Cowboys will be 3-5 with games remaining against Philadelphia, Houston, Washington, the Giants, Bengals, Buccaneers and another meeting with the Commanders and Eagles with one easy game against the Panthers. Not exactly an easy finish. Falcons 34 / Cowboys 20

Miami at Buffalo: There is no way Miami goes into Buffalo and comes out the victor. That’s all I need to say about this one. Bills 31 / Dolphins 17

Las Vegas at Cincinnati: With one more game against Baltimore and another facing Cleveland as well as two with Pittsburgh, this is as close to a must win during the regular season that the Bengals will get. A loss drops them to 3-6 and that much further behind the Steelers and still having to play the Black and Gold twice. It would be demoralizing to lose at home to the 2-6 Raiders. Bengals 37 / Raiders 9

Los Angeles at Cleveland: The Baltimore Ravens fell into a trap game with the Browns in week eight and now the Chargers come to town and with a victory will help their playoff chase. Jameis Winston will have something to say about that and the Browns will win their second game in a row. Browns 24 / Chargers 21

New England at Tennessee: After being called “soft” by their coach the Patriots upended the Jets. The Titans were humiliated in Detroit and ex-Steeler Mason Rudolph saw the magic from 2023 disappear as he was not good facing the Lions. Original starter Will Levis is listed as questionable as is Drake Maye. This one is a tossup, but I do have to pick a winner. Titans 20 / Patriots 17

Washington at New York Giants: While the Commanders have been winning all season and rookie Jayden Daniels looks like a runaway winner for Rookie of the Year, my gut is telling me they are due for a letdown. The Giants, despite losing in Pittsburgh seem primed for an upset. Here it is. Giants 27 / Commanders 24

New Orleans at Carolina: Even if the questionable Derek Carr can’t play, the Panthers are so bad, they really are the worst team in the NFL. Any team losing to them should be embarrassed. That and they just traded away Diontae Johnson. Saints 30 / Panthers 12

Denver at Baltimore: The Ravens add ex-Steeler Diontae Johnson to the mix, and he’ll get a shot at his old team in several weeks. In the meantime, I heard Baltimore has the worst pass defense in the league, which was kind of shocking. Can the 5-3 Broncos and Bo Nix take advantage? I just can’t see Baltimore losing two straight to teams they should defeat. If they truly are one of the elite AFC teams, they can’t lose this one. Ravens 37 / Broncos 24

Jacksonville at Philadelphia: It’s crazy to think that just two seasons ago the Jaguars were 9-8 and reached the divisional playoffs. Last season was another 9-8 and they just missed the post season. Now this year they are 2-6 and not particularly good. Heading into Philly do they think they can win? They might think so I do not. Eagles 38 / Jaguars 16

Chicago at Arizona: There were two embarrassments in the league last weekend. Anthony Richardson quitting was one, the Bears surrendering a last second hail mary to Washington was the other. Jayden Daniels long bomb to win the game for his team came due partially because Chicago cornerback Tyrique Stevenson was busy taunting fans standing away from the play before the ball was snapped. Thinking Chicago was the winner, Stevenson was waving his arms at fans then realized the ball had been snapped so he ran back over to cover the pass inadvertently tipping the ball in the wrong direction right into the hands of Noah Brown for the Commanders’ game winner. Idiot. Cardinals 25 / Bears 21

Detroit at Green Bay: NFC championship preview? This very easily could be just that. Game of the day for sure. Lions 24 / Packers 23

Los Angeles Rams at Seattle: A very crucial game in a tight NFC west division. With the 12th man watching, the Seahawks should take this and push the Rams further down into the basement. Seahawks 34 / Rams 31

Indianapolis at Minnesota: Joe Flacco gets the start for the benched Anthony Richardson, as the Vikings will try to snap their two-game losing streak. As Minnesota has gone from first to third in the division, they need this one to keep pace with Green Bay and Detroit. Vikings 27 / Colts 17

Tampa Bay at Kansas City: An intriguing matchup on Monday Night Football and we keep waiting for that first Chiefs loss. We will have to wait another week. Chiefs 35 / Buccaneers 21

Running Pick Record from Week to Week

Week 1: 12/15

Week 2: 8/16

Week 3: 8/16

Week 4: 11/16

Week 5: 7/14

Week 6: 9/14

Week 7: 9/15

Week 8: 11/16

Week 9: TBD