As we enter Week 9 of the NFL season, the bigger picture when it comes to divisional battles and playoff drives is beginning to come into sharp focus.
But that picture was blurred somewhat last week by a host of upsets and surprising defeats for teams usually seen as reliable.
Making things more complicated, a spate of injuries to starting quarterbacks now makes predictions for Week 9 challenging to say the least.
This week’s schedule is lighter than usual, with only 14 games owing to byes for four teams, leading to tighter betting lines.
So, will it be a return to business as usual this weekend? Read on for our NFL Week 9 preview along with our NFL best bets based on the latest NFL odds.
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NFL Week 9 Schedule
Thursday
Tennessee Titans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday
Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Minnesota Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons
Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints
Los Angeles Rams vs. Green Bay Packers
Washington Commanders vs. New England Patriots
Seattle Seahawks vs. Baltimore Ravens
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Houston Texans
Arizona Cardinals vs. Cleveland Browns
Indianapolis Colts vs. Carolina Panthers
New York Giants vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Monday
Los Angeles Chargers vs. New York Jets
Kansas City Chiefs vs Miami Dolphins
When it comes to the NFL, few things are as reliable as Patrick Mahomes overcoming the spread when it hovers below three points.
Mahomes has cemented the team’s reputation as a betting powerhouse, particularly in close contests where only a field goal is needed for a win against the spread, boasting a remarkable 14-4-1 record.
Kansas City enters this week with odds that seem to undervalue their potential, a sentiment heightened by their recent, uncharacteristic loss to Denver.
However, this was a game complicated by Mahomes having flu and the inherent challenges of an away divisional contest.
Yet, as they prepare to go head-to-head with the Dolphins, who are dealing with a spate of injuries and a defence that’s been underwhelming, expectations for a Chiefs bounce-back are high.
The Miami offence has previously crumbled against formidable defences, a pattern observed in their games against the Bills and Eagles.
With this in mind, the Chiefs are well-positioned to assert their dominance in the upcoming game against Miami and look more than capable of covering the spread.
Pick: Kansas City Chiefs -2.5 @ 1.98
Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles
Eight weeks into the season, the Dallas Cowboys have shown flashes of being a serious NFC contender.
However, the looming question is whether they’re geared up for the high stakes of primetime football.
Their credentials took a hit when they suffered a heavy 42-10 defeat at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers, putting a damper on their contender status.
Dallas’s road game record is a middling 2-2, a figure that includes a disappointing loss in Arizona.
Even considering their 40-0 trouncing of the Giants in the season opener, their overall point differential on the road is in the negatives.
As for the Eagles, Jalen Hurts has been formidable on his home turf, stringing together an impressive eight-game winning streak at home that spans back to last November and carries through the playoffs.
The Philadelphia Eagles, in a show of offensive might, have racked up over 30 points in their last five consecutive home games.
Averaging 33 points at Lincoln Financial Field, they are coming off a convincing 31-17 victory against the Miami Dolphins a fortnight ago, reinforcing their home-field dominance.
Pick: Philadelphia Eagles -3 @ 1.88
LA Rams vs. Green Bay Packers
In a clash between two teams who are trending in the wrong direction, picking a winner could well be challenging.
The Los Angeles Rams, who kicked off 2023 with promise, face an even tougher task after their quarterback, Matthew Stafford, was ruled out with a UCL sprain.
The question now is whether Jordan Love can steer the Green Bay Packers to a win as they aim to halt a four-game losing skid after a 2-1 start.
The Rams, also without running back Kyren Williams, may struggle to score while their defence has been far from water-tight, yielding an average of 33.5 points across the last two games.
Facing the Rams, who are not accustomed to the chilly outdoor environment of Lambeau Field, the Packers have a prime chance to regain their footing.
The Rams’ difficulty in adjusting from their usual indoor setting to the Green Bay elements could very well tilt the game in the Packers’ favour for a vital win, though don’t expect a shootout.
Pick: Under 39 Points @ 1.79
NFL Week 9 Picks & NFL Best Bets
Kansas City Chiefs -2.5 @ 1.98 vs Miami Dolphins
Philadelphia Eagles -3 @ 1.88 vs Dallas Cowboys
Rams vs Packers: Under 39 Points @ 1.79
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