Matt Johnson
The 2025 NFL season has delivered a bit of unpredictability, as demonstrated in Weke 8 with the Miami Dolphins’ win over the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Jets getting their first win of the season by defeating the Cincinnati Bengals. As we look ahead to our NFL Week 9 predictions, it’s fair to assume that more chaos is coming on Sunday.
Related: Week 9 Fantasy Rankings
Let’s dive into our game-by-game NFL picks for every matchup on the NFL schedule for Week 9.
Baltimore Ravens 31, Miami Dolphins 24
The tentative expectation is that Lamar Jackson will play this week against the Miami Dolphins. It will make it even easier for the Baltimore Ravens to run the football against a unit that allows 5 yards per carry and over 140 rushing yards per game. Baltimore also boasts the secondary to limit Miami’s passing game, taking away Tua Tagovailoa’s top read and forcing him to hesitate. We expect De’Von Achane to perform very well versus Baltimore (128.9 rush ypg and 4.5 ypc allowed), but the Ravens come out of Thursday Night Football with the victory.
Chicago Beas 35, Cincinnati Bengals 31
Sunday’s matchup between the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals should be one of the highest-scoring games in Week 9. Over the last six games, opponents have averaged 251.5 passing yards and 2.5 passing touchdowns per game with a 113.4 QB rating, all while averaging 171.2 rushing yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry. To Joe Flacco’s credit, the Bengals have scored 33-plus points in consecutive games. Chicago is the better-coached team, and its defense has proven more capable of generating takeaways, with one being what could make the difference in this game.
Detroit Lions 34, Minnesota Vikings 20
There’s an opportunity here for the Detroit Lions to bury the Minnesota Vikings further down at the bottom of the NFC North. That’s our expectation. Minnesota’s defense has allowed a 5.92 yards-per-play average, 353.8 total yards, and 26.5 points per game in the last four contests. On top of that, Jared Goff has a history of picking Brian Flores’ defense apart. Given everything the Vikings have shown offensively this season, there’s zero reason to believe they can score enough here to win. The Lions currently hold a 5-2 record and sit above the Vikings, who are 3-4, in the NFC North standings. Detroit’s offense and defense rank among the top in the division, supporting the expectation of their advantage in this matchup.
Green Bay Packers 31, Carolina Panthers 21
One thing the Carolina Panthers do well is run the football, but they draw a Week 9 matchup versus a Green Bay Packers defense that allows the third-fewest rushing yards per game (76.5) and just a 3.7 yards-per-carry average. Carolina also has nothing that resembles an effective pass rush. Being unable to pressure Jordan Love paired with the Panthers’ own issues in pass protection for Bryce Young are a recipe for a two-score loss to Green Bay on Sunday.
Los Angeles Chargers 27, Tennessee Titans 13
Joe Alt’s return changed everything for this Los Angeles Chargers offense. Justin Herbert is now provided something resembling a clean pocket to operate from, allowing this Chargers’ passing game to operate in a more effective rhythm. On top of that, Khalil Mack’s return has provided some much-needed juice for the pass rush. Both players will play integral roles in Los Angeles easily defeating a Tennessee Titans roster that might not win another game this season. Joe Alt’s impact on the offensive line has been significant, improving pass protection substantially.
New England Patriots 24, Atlanta Falcons 17
The Atlanta Falcons‘ only path to victories is a highly-effective rushing attack eating up the clock and this defense getting to the quarterback with the blitz. Entering Week 9, the New England Patriots have the second-best run defense in the NFL (76 rush ypg and 3.5 ypc) and Drake Maye is dicing up the blitz this season. It’ll quickly become evident on Sunday that the Falcons will lose their third straight game, with those playoff hopes from a few weeks ago fading fast.
San Francisco 49ers 24, New York Giants 21
Without Cam Skattebo, the New York Giants offense feels lifeless. Jaxson Dart will have some opportunities from a clean pocket in Week 9 because the San Francisco 49ers front seven has been decimated by injuries. Still, San Francisco can just ride Christian McCaffrey to victory against a Giants defense that is allowing 5.5 yards per carry and nearly 150 rushing yards per game this year. New York might show a little fight, but San Francisco is well-coached and boasts the playmakers to exploit the Giants defensively.
Indianapolis Colts 35, Pittsburgh Steelers 27
This one could get ugly for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have one of the league’s worst defenses and are very poorly equipped to handle an Indianapolis Colts offense that boasts an elite rushing attack and is absolutely lethal with Daniel Jones operating the play-action. Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf might hit a deep shot or two on the Colts’ secondary, but Indianapolis should have another win by double-digit points.
Read More: NFL Defense Rankings 2025
Denver Broncos 17, Houston Texans 10
There will be plenty of high-scoring games on the NFL schedule this week, but this probably won’t be one of them. The Denver Broncos (18.9 PPG) and Houston Texans have two of the best scoring defenses in the NFL, and they each wreak havoc in backfields with their defensive line. There’s a path to victory here for Houston, but its offensive line feels like an Achilles heel that will prevent it. Denver has the better offensive line and run game, with both likely proving the difference-maker in this matchup.
Jacksonville Jaguars 27, Las Vegas Raiders 20
There’s a bit of fortune on the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ side with the timing of this Week 9 matchup. They are facing a Las Vegas Raiders team that can’t pass protect whatsoever, and the defense is nearly as problematic for Pete Carroll. Travis Etienne and Trevor Lawrence needed a rebound game; this is the one.
Los Angeles Rams 28, New Orleans Saints 20
Don’t sleep on the New Orleans Saints defense at least making this one a bit closer than expected. After all, opponents have averaged just 22 points and 316.5 total yards per game versus New Orleans in the last month. Of course, a Los Angeles Rams offense with Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams is a different kind of force to be reckoned with. What ensures the Saints won’t win this game is the Rams’ pass rush absolutely terrorizing Tyler Shough.
Kansas City Chiefs 34, Buffalo Bills 24
The recent history of these Kansas City Chiefs versus Buffalo Bills matchups would suggest that Josh Allen wins in Week 9 and Patrick Mahomes earns the more important victory in a playoff rematch. Buffalo might not experience a win over Kansas City this season. The Chiefs’ offense (31.5 points and 411.8 total yards per game since Week 4) is on fire, playing at a level the league hasn’t seen from it in years. Meanwhile, Buffalo’s defense ranks 19th in yards-per-play average allowed (5.4) and 23rd in third-down defense (40.2 percent conversion rate). Allen will do all he can, but the Chiefs look like they are in a higher tier right now than Buffalo is.
Seattle Seahawks 28, Washington Commanders 21
Jayden Daniels (hamstring) playing on Sunday Night Football in Week 9 would only mean that the Washington Commanders don’t lose in a blowout on national television. The Seattle Seahawks will absolutely exploit Washington’s run defense, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will have little trouble torching whatever Commanders cornerback lines up against him in coverage. On top of that, Seattle’s defense boasts depth in the secondary and a strong enough pass rush to put the clamps on Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.
Dallas Cowboys 31, Arizona Cardinals 28
Fans across the league see an Arizona Cardinals team with a 2-5 record and infamous fourth-quarter collapses and assume this is one of the worst teams in football. In reality, this is a club that plays extremely well for three quarters (+44 point differential) and then implodes. Arizona has played tough against the Seahawks (lost on a game-winning field goal), Colts (game-winning TD drive came up short), and Packers.
So, the Dallas Cowboys have to make the most of their opportunities in this one. Dak Prescott should rebound on Monday Night Football, regularly hitting CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens as they win their matchups versus the Cardinals’ secondary. We just wouldn’t rule out Arizona winning at AT&T Stadium.
