Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season is here, and with it comes one of the most highly-anticipated games of the season.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills lock horns on Sunday afternoon in what is almost guaranteed to be a preview of their inevitable playoff meeting later this season.
We went 7-6 with our picks last week, so we're hoping for a bit of a bounce back with our predictions for Week 9. Let's ride!
Baltimore Ravens (2-5) vs Miami Dolphins (2-6)
Line: Ravens -7
Lamar JacksonKevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Lamar Jackson is officially back after dealing with a hamstring injury the last few weeks, and while the Baltimore Ravens are far from looking like the Super Bowl contenders everyone expected them to be, the two-time MVP's return might just jolt their season back to life before it's too late.
They're coming up against a weak Miami Dolphins team that has a hard time stopping the run. Jackson and Derrick Henry should have a field day with the ball in their hands if they can stay on the field.
GIVEMESPORT Pick: Baltimore Ravens
Minnesota Vikings (3-4) vs Detroit Lions (5-2)
Line: Lions -8.5
Jahmyr Gibbs
The Detroit Lions are coming off a bye and welcome divisional foes Minnesota to Ford Field in Week 9, and all signs point to this one going Detroit's way.
The Lions are looking like their 2024 selves, scoring with ease after some early-season hiccups. Jahmyr Gibbs has been a force of nature, and should once again be the focal point of Detroit's offense on Sunday.
The Vikings, meanwhile, are having major issues at quarterback, and seem to be forced to start rookie J.J. McCarthy after a couple of unconvincing performances by veteran Carson Wentz.
GIVEMESPORT Pick: Detroit Lions
Atlanta Falcons (3-4) vs New England Patriots (6-2)
Line: Patriots -5.5
Drake Maye
The New England Patriots are rolling, winning five in a row while averaging over 30 points per game, and giving up less than half of that on defense. Drake Maye looks like a legit star, turning New England into one of the best teams in the AFC.
The Atlanta Falcons, meanwhile, are coming off a bad loss to the Dolphins. They should be getting Michael Penix Jr. and Drake London back for Sunday, but we're not sure that gives them enough of a chance to stop the high-flying Pats.
GIVEMESPORT Pick: New England Patriots
Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) vs Tennessee Titants (1-7)
Line: Chargers -10
Jim Harbaugh Los Angeles Chargers head coachJayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Chargers are huge favorites this week, and for good reason: six of the Tennessee Titans' seven losses this season have come by double digits.
The Titans have failed to show any signs of improvement following Brian Callahan's firing, and the Chargers seem to gaining some momentum as they get healthy again.
This one won't be close.
GIVEMESPORT Pick: Los Angeles Chargers
Indianapolis Colts (7-1) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)
Line: Colts -3
Daniel Jones-1
This matchup might look like a wash on paper, but the Pittsburgh Steelers have a habit of being competitive in games where they are underdogs.
The Indianapolis Colts are still the talk of the town, fielding the NFL's most efficient offense with the best running game, thanks to Jonathan Taylor. Furthermore, the Steelers' defense have given up at least 369 yards in six of their last seven games, and they'll likely struggle to contain Daniel Jones and Co.
Pittsburgh could keep this close if Aaron Rodgers is clicking, but we see the Colts edging it.
GIVEMESPORT Pick: Indianapolis Colts
Denver Broncons (6-2) vs Houston Texans (3-4)
Line: Broncos -1.5
Bo Nix without a helmetMarc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
This clash between the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans should be one of the most interesting games of Week 9.
The Broncos are looking like championship contenders after five consecutive wins, while the Texans currently boast the league's best defense.
Denver is top-10 on both sides of the ball, but they'll be missing All-Pro corner Pat Surtain II this week. With star receiver Nico Collins returning to the Houston lineup, CJ Stroud and the Texans might have the edge in the passing game. That could decide this one.
GIVEMESPORT Pick: Houston Texans
San Francisco 49ers (5-3) vs New York Giants (2-6)
Line: 49ers -2.5
Jaxson Dart
The New York Giants were dealt a huge blow with Cam Skattebo's season-ending ankle injury last week, hurting any momentum and mojo Big Blue was starting to cook up.
The San Francisco 49ers are a wounded animal (literally), still suffering through a long injury list, but this team has shown an ability to bounce back after setbacks — they haven't lost back-to-back games yet in 2025.
Christian McCaffrey is in his prime, and just his presence alone should give the Giants enough headaches on Sunday. Niners win here.
GIVEMESPORT Pick: San Francisco 49ers
Chicago Bears (4-3) vs Cincinnati Bengals (3-5)
Line: Bears -2.5
Ja'Marr ChaseKatie Stratman-Imagn Images
Neither of these teams will feel confident heading into Week 9, with the Chicago Bears laying an egg against the Ravens last week, and the Cincinnati Bengals gifting the Jets their first win of the season.
Still, the Bengals might really be screwed. Joe Flacco doesn't seem to be at 100 percent as he deals with a shoulder issue, and their defense is horrible. The Bears aren't much better defensively, so this might be a shootout if Flacco can somehow find Ja'Marr Chase often enough.
We'll favor the Bears here, but this is probably the toughest call of the week.
GIVEMESPORT Pick: Chicago Bears
Carolina Panthers (4-4) vs Green Bay Packers (5-1-1)
Line: Packers -12.5
Packers QB Jordan Love throws pass against Dallas CowboysCredit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers will be feeling good after a statement win in Pittsburgh in Week 8, and will be happy to be back home to take on the Carolina Panthers, where they've been dominant this season.
The Panthers are playing well, emerging as a possible wild-card team, but they have a huge task ahead of them. Jordan Love might back to his best, and Green Bay's receiving core finally seems to be making a positive impact.
The line might be too big, but the Packers come out on top at Lambeau.
GIVEMESPORT Pick: Green Bay Packers
New Orleans Saints (1-7) vs Los Angeles Rams (5-2)
Line: Rams -13.5
Puka Nacua
There is no world where the New Orleans Saints pull off a miracle and win this game.
New Orleans is starting 26-year-old rookie Tyler Shough at quarterback, and he might as well be thrown into the fire for his first ever NFL start. The Los Angeles Rams have one of the best defenses in the league this year, and are second in sacks.
Not to mention that LA will have Puka Nacua back in the fold, giving Matthew Stafford his favorite target back in what should be a blowout at SoFi Stadium.
GIVEMESPORT Pick: Los Angeles Rams
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3) vs Las Vegas Raiders (2-5)
Line: Jaguars -3
© Brad Rempel-Imagn Images<\/p>\n""> © Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Brock Bowers is set to return for the Las Vegas Raiders against the Jacksonville Jaguars after missing the last few weeks with a knee injury.
With Bowers, Jakobi Meyers and the newly-acquired Tyler Lockett, Geno Smith has enough weapons to hurt the Jags' 27th-ranked defensive unit.
Jacksonville is the better team on paper, and with both teams coming off a bye, we should see two rested squads go toe-to-toe in a sneaky good matchup. We have the Raiders winning it.
GIVEMESPORT Pick: Las Vegas Raiders
Kansas City Chiefs (5-3) vs Buffalo Bills (5-2)
Line: Chiefs -2.5
Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen embrace following a gameBiggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
We're in for a treat on Sunday afternoon.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills never fail to disappoint, and this clash in Week 9 should be no different. The Bills have beaten the Chiefs in each of their last four regular-season meetings, but have failed to beat KC in the playoffs over the last four seasons.
The Chiefs are undoubtedly the hotter team at the moment, and Buffalo lost its last home game to the Patriots. They haven't lost consecutive home games since the 2021 season, but that could change with Patrick Mahomes coming to town.
We like the Chiefs here.
GIVEMESPORT Pick: Kansas City Chiefs
Seattle Seahawks (5-2) vs Washington Commanders (3-5)
Line: Seahawks -3
Sam Darnold
The Seattle Seahawks have won an astonishing nine straight games on the road, and should make it 10 on Sunday night.
The Washington Commanders are a bit rudderless at the moment, and even with Jayden Daniels expected to be back for SNF, there's little hope he'll be able to conjure up anything meaningful against a very good Seahawks defense.
GIVEMESPORT Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals (2-5) vs Dallas Cowboys (3-4-1)
Line: Cowboys -3
Dak PrescottCredit: © Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The Dallas Cowboys may not look like a playoff team, but they should be licking their lips at this Arizona Cardinals team.
Dallas didn't look great against Denver last week, but Dak Prescott and Co. will be eager to bounce back against a Cardinals defense that struggles to stop the pass.
Kyler Murray has never lost at AT&T Stadium, but whether it's him or Jacoby Brissett under center, there's little reason to think Arizona has enough in the tank to pull off the upset on Monday Night Football.
GIVEMESPORT Pick: Dallas Cowboys