NFL Week 9 will begin with a big NFC matchup. It includes the Green Bay Packers attempting to exact revenge against the San Francisco 49ers after being swept last season.
From there, the Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills will do battle in an intra-conference matchup. Expect that to be a high-scoring affair and a potential Super Bowl preview.
Here, we look at the NFL Week 9 schedule and give you a game-by-game prediction for each matchup.
Related: NFL power rankings
Updated: Nov. 9, 9:45 AM EST
NFL Week 9 Sunday games
NFL injury updates: Latest news on top fantasy stars for Week 9
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, CBS
Texans-Jaguars point spread: Texans -7.0 (over/under 49.0)
Two of the worst teams in the NFL going up against one another. A combined 2-12 record. Houston yielding an average of 31 points per game with the Jaguars having given up 30-plus points in each of their past six games, all losses. This is going to be an absolute dumpster fire.
Related: If you’re a fan of the Texans, check out #WeAreTexans rumors, rankings and news here.
Despite that, I fully expect Deshaun Watson and Co. to take advantage of one of the worst defenses in the NFL. The Texans’ quarterback has been great this season, tallying 16 total touchdowns compared to five interceptions.
NFL Week 9 predictions: Texans 34, Jaguars 23
New York Giants at Washington Football Team
Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, Fox
Giants-Washington point spread: Washington -3.0 (over/under 43.5)
Washington’s 25-3 win over the Cowboys back in Week 7 came after the team lost five in a row under first-year head coach Ron Rivera. That five-game span saw Washington outscored by a combined 64 points. This seems to suggest there’s more problems with the Cowboys than anything else.
As for the Giants, their only win of the season came against this very same Washington squad by the score of 20-19 on Oct. 18. It included Rivera opting to go for the win on a two-point conversion in the final seconds. The Giants then lost in narrow fashion this past Monday to Tampa Bay thanks to another dreadful performance from Daniel Jones. Picking a game between two one-win teams is hard enough. Given how close their last matchup was, and that’s magnified further. Go with the home team, I guess.
NFL Week 9 predictions: Washington 20, Giants 17
Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts
Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, CBS
Ravens-Colts point spread: Ravens -1.5 (over/under 48.0)
Injury update: Ravens’ Marlon Humphrey (COVID-19) out
A legit under-the-radar good game between two AFC contenders. Led by Lamar Jackson’s continued excellence, the Ravens are 5-2 on the season after Week 8’s loss to the Steelers. They’ve recently added reinforcements in that of Yannick Ngakoue and Dez Bryant, both of whom should suit up in this game.Â
Related: If you’re a fan of the Ravens, check out #RavensFlock rumors, rankings, and news here.
For Philip Rivers and the Colts, it’s more about their elite-level defense. Rivers has struggled to an extent (10 touchdowns, six interceptions) in his first season in Indy. Despite this, the Colts are 5-2 on the campaign following a blowout Week 8 win over the Lions. That’s primarily because they rank fourth in scoring defense. Unfortunately, I don’t expect their offense to keep up with Lamar and Co.
NFL Week 9 predictions: Ravens 27, Colts 23
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, Fox
Lions-Vikings point spread: Vikings -4.0 (over/under 52.0)
Update: Matthew Stafford (COVID-19) will start on SUnday
Two teams that were going in completely opposite directions heading into Week 8. Just not what we’d expect. Heck Minnesota has already traded a Pro Bowl defender while the Lions have acquired one of their own. Despite this, Minnesota handed Green Bay a shocking road loss while the Lions were blown out by Indianapolis.
Related: If you’re a fan of the Vikings, check out #SKOL rumors, rankings, and news here.
Despite finding themselves at 2-5 on the season, the Vikings seem to have hope that they can contend for a playoff spot. That’s false hope. Meanwhile, the Lions find themselves at 3-4 on the season. Realistically, this is a do-or-die game for both NFC North squads. Look for the home team to come out on top.
NFL Week 9 predictions: Vikings 31, Lions 28
Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans
Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, Fox
Bears-Titans point spread: Titans -6.5 (over/under 47.0)
Related: NFL Week 9 injury report
Another matchup between two surprising teams, this game likely won’t be as close as these teams’ records suggest. Chicago is coming off an ugly loss to the Los Angeles Rams and a narrow defeat to the conference-rival Saints. Its offense is averaging just over 20 points per game. Keep in mind, a COVID-19 outbreak has also ravaged the offensive line. Even one of the game’s best defenses won’t be able to prop the Bears up moving forward.Â
Related: If you’re a fan of the Titans, check out #Titans rumors, rankings, and news here.
On the other hand, these Titans are 5-2 on the season after an ugly Week 8 loss to the Bengals. Ryan Tannehill (17 touchdowns, three interceptions) is playing at an MVP level. Derrick Henry has picked it up where he left off last season as the NFL rushing champion. Playing at home in Nashville, the Titans will win this one going away while rebounding from last week’s loss.
NFL Week 9 predictions: Titans 28, Bears 13
Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs
Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, Fox
Panthers-Chiefs point spread: Chiefs -10.0 (over/under 52.0)
It’s somewhat interesting to look at. The defending champion Chiefs find themselves at 7-1 on the season and are averaging more than three points per game than they did last season. Despite this, the competitive nature of the AFC has some believing that they are not overwhelming favorites to repeat as conference champs. That’s a joke. Patrick Mahomes (21 touchdowns, one interception) remains an elite quarterback. Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is among the NFL’s top rushers. Kansas City ranks in the top 10 in scoring defense.
Related: If you’re a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, check out #Chiefs rumors, rankings, and news here.
What am I getting at here? Despite an impressive early-season showing, the Panthers have lost three consecutive. Their unproven defense will be eaten apart. Meanwhile, an impressive Teddy Bridgewater doesn’t have the weapons to compete with Mahomes and Co, even with Christian McCaffrey back.Â
NFL Week 9 predictions: Chiefs 35, Panthers 17
Seattle Seahawks at Buffalo Bills
Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, Fox
Seahawks-Bills point spread: Seahawks -3.0 (over/under 55.0)
This should be an entertaining and high-scoring game. Seattle heads into Week 9 averaging a league-best 34.2 points per game. Russell Wilson, despite his three-interception performance in Week 7, is an MVP candidate. He showed that during a four-touchdown performance against the 49ers in Week 8. However, Seattle is also giving up an average of 28.4 points per game.
Related: If you’re a fan of the Seahawks, check out #Seahawks rumors, rankings, and news here.
The situation is equally as interesting in Buffalo. After boasting a top-10 scoring defense last season, the Bills are yielding north of 25 points per game. It’s not a great look for defensive-minded head coach Sean McDermott. The good news? Buffalo’s offense has allowed the team to start 6-2. In what should be a good game, I am going to go with the home team in a narrow Bills win.
NFL Week 9 predictions: Bills 31, Seahawks 28
Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons
Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, CBS
Broncos-Falcons point spread: Falcons -4.0 (over/under 49.0)
Two teams pretty much playing out the string this season. Denver had high hopes for young quarterback Drew Lock heading into his sophomore season. Prior to last week, he responded by throwing a measly one touchdown and four interceptions in four starts. Denver did put up a crazy late-game win over a bad Chargers team in Week 8. But this team is not well-rounded enough to make a playoff push.
Related: If you’re a fan of the Falcons, check out #RiseUpATL rumors, rankings, and news here
This might very well be the tonic a disastrous Falcons defense needs in Week 9. Here’s a unit that has blown leads three times within the final two minutes of games thus far this season. Despite this, the Falcons have won two out of three under interim head coach Raheem Morris since Dan Quinn was fired. Expect the them to continue that trend in Week 9.
NFL Week 9 predictions: Falcons 30, Broncos 17
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers
Time/station: 4:05 PM EST, CBS
Raiders-Chargers point spread: Pick em (over/under 53.0)
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden was not a happy camper when it comes to his team’s performance on defense heading into Week 8. At 3-3 on the season, Las Vegas was yielding an absurd 32.8 points per game. It was also allowing a 99.7 quarterback rating and has recorded all of seven sacks in six games (miss Khalil Mack some?). That changed in windy conditions during a 16-6 win over the Browns in Cleveland last week. Now at 4-3, these Raiders are thinking playoffs.
Related: If you’re a fan of the Raiders, check out #RaiderNation rumors, rankings, and news here.
As for the Chargers, Justin Herbert continues to play out of his mind. He’s accounted for 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions in six starts. Unfortunately, that six-game span has included just one win. Los Angeles has a way with losing close games. Expect that to be the case in Week 9, potentially leading to Anthony Lynn’s ousting as head coach.
NFL Week 9 predictions: Raiders 34, Chargers 28
Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals
Time/station: 4:25 PM EST, CBS
Dolphins-Cardinals point spread: Cardinals -6.0 (over/under 49.0)
The Josh Rosen Bowl? Yeah, not so much. Instead, Dolphins rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be making his second consecutive start since replacing Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. The No. 5 pick will be doing so with his Dolphins at 4-3 and looking to remain very much alive in the AFC East picture.
Related: If you’re a fan of the Dolphins, check out #FinUp rumors, rankings, and news here.
The same thing can be said for second-year Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. He led Arizona to a dramatic Week 7 win over the Seattle Seahawks and is playing tremendous football. At 5-2 on the season, Arizona wants to keep pace with Seattle here. Expect it to take care of business.
Related: Top 100 NFL players
NFL Week 9 predictions: Cardinals 35, Dolphins 24
Pittsburgh Steelers at Dallas Cowboys
Time/station: 4:25 PM EST, CBS
Steelers-Cowboys point spread: Steelers -15.0 (over/under 44.0)
Injury update: Cowboys’ Andy Dalton (COVID-19) out
This one could get ugly relatively quickly. Led by the return of Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh boasts a perfect 7-0 record and is averaging nearly 30 points per game. Its defense also remains the best in the NFL having yielded an average of just under 20 points while amassing 30 sacks in seven games.
Related: If you’re a fan of the Cowboys, check out #DallasCowboys rumors, rankings, and news here.
It’s a completely different story for the reeling Cowboys. They have two wins on the season and are in the midst of some major drama. It led to Dallas moving on from three defensive starters late in October. That was followed by an humiliating 23-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8. Yeah, America’s Team doesn’t look the part in 2020. Oh, Ezekiel Elliott is hurt and Garrett Gilbert is starting at quarterback. Do the math from here.
NFL Week 9 predictions: Steelers 38, Cowboys 13
NFL Week 9 Sunday Night Football
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Time/station: 8:20 PM EST, NBC
Saints-Buccaneers point spread: Buccaneers -4.0 (over/under 50.5)
Back in Week 1, New Orleans took out the Buccaneers, 34-23, in Tom Brady’s debut with Tampa Bay. It’s a game that saw Brady throw yet another pick-six as he struggled early in his Buccaneers career.
Things have changed big time since then. Tampa Bay has won six of seven while the Saints are a mere 4-2 in the six games since. For his part, Brady has thrown 18 touchdowns against two interceptions since last meet up with New Orleans. Expect his continued excellence to lead the Bucs to another win.
NFL Week 9 predictions: Buccaneers 28, Saints 24
NFL Week 9 Monday Night Football
New England Patriots at New York Jets
Time/station: 8:15 PM EST, ESPN
Patriots-Jets point spread: Patriots -10.0 (over/under 41.0
The Patriots must find a way to get better on the offensive side of the ball. Their 33-6 loss to the San Francisco 49ers back in Week 7 magnified this further. Unfortunately, Cam Newton continues to struggle under center and Julian Edelman is now sidelined with a knee injury. That came out in droves during a 24-21 loss to the Bills in Week 8. This included Newton fumbling the game away late.
None of that should matter Monday night against a Jets squad that’s averaging less than 12 points per game. In what should be a low-scoring affair, take the road team here.