Week 9 is upon us, meaning it is the halfway point through the NFL season. Let’s make this week’s picks.
Abe’s Predictions:
Ravens vs Dolphins
Last week the Ravens marked Lamar Jackson as a full participant in practice on Friday, but then on gameday he was inactive. The NFL has said it will be launching an investigation. However, if Lamar plays versus the Dolphins, there is not much room for error for the team. The Ravens’ defense was mediocre to start the season, but since the blowout loss against the Texans, the defense has not allowed more than 17 points.
The Dolphins are coming off an impressive win against the Falcons 34-10. After arrests for sports betting came out, Tua Tagovailoa’s play improved heavily, as he was not hitting receivers late on routine passes. Tua had six incompletions and four touchdowns, arguably the best game of his career, accuracy-wise. Star RB De’Von Achane has been phenomenal for the Dolphins this season, and will pose a threat for Roquan Smith and other Ravens linebackers out of the backfield.
Prediction: Ravens 27-17
Chargers vs Titans:
The Titans are arguably the worst team in the NFL this season since they do not have one thing they do well. They cannot run or throw the ball and defense and special teams are afterthoughts. No.1 pick Cam Ward has struggled with turning the ball over, and it does not help him that there is no outside help. Scoring just 13 points per game, ranking dead last in the NFL, 80 rushing yards a game, ranking dead last and 168 passing yards a game, ranking second to dead last. This season is a wash and this game is a bye week for the Chargers.
The Chargers started 3-0 and then hit a lull, but came off a 37-10 win against the Vikings, a game where they looked dominant on both sides of the ball. Justin Herbert and the passing attack rank No. 12 in yards per game with 255. Injuries have killed the Charger run game of top backs Najee Harris (out for the year) and Omario Hampton (on injured reserve). It won’t take much for the Chargers to win this game. The Titans have been so bad this year that people online are asking if they could beat a top college football team like Ohio State or Alabama.
Prediction: Chargers 31-6
Lions vs Vikings:
Carson Wentz has been filling in for JJ McCarthy, but with Wentz’s season ending after getting surgery on his left shoulder, McCarthy will be the starter. In his two starts before injury, McCarthy did not pass for more than 160 yards, and when he was at QB the offense was very vanilla with minimal downfield passes. While Wentz was a turnover machine, he provided a certain downfield passing threat that McCarthy has yet to show. Aaron Jones came back last week and played very mediocre. They will need a solid run game to take some of the pressure off the QB.
The Lions have been the same juggernaut team they have been all season. Jared Goff has played like a top QB even without Ben Johnson calling plays and Amon Ra St. Brown has been explosive and abusing slot corners. The rushing attack led by Jahmyr Gibbs has been superb, but backup David Montgomery is still trying to find his groove, like he did last year when the rushing attack was deadly no matter who was in.
Prediction: Lions 31 – 17
Falcons vs Patriots:
The Patriots are rolling and have looked like true contenders. Once the run game can get established, there is nothing standing in their way of beating some AFC opponents. Drake Maye has been the best QB in the NFL this season, throwing for over 2,000 yards and a 5:1 touchdown to interception ratio. The rest of the season is a cake walk for the Patriots. Out of their nine games left, only the true tests will be against the Buccaneers, Bills and Ravens.
No Michael Penix Jr. for the Falcons while he heals from bone bruises, which means backup Kirk Cousins will be under center. Cousins was benched last season due to poor play and has been outspoken about his desire to play QB as a starter for the Falcons or a different NFL team. However, Cousins got the start and played abysmally against the Dolphins last week. Bijan Robinson has been the second-best back in the NFL this year, just behind Jonathan Taylor. Setting up the pass off the run leans into the play-action plays, so a dominant run game is the key to the Falcons’ success.
Prediction: Patriots 27-17
Colts vs Steelers:
The Steelers are unproven and coming off a loss. While their record is good, the team is not. They have no offense identity, and with TJ Watt not playing out of his mind, their defense cannot carry them. The Steelers are missing a weapon on the outside to pair with DK Metcalf. They had George Pickens, but traded him to the Cowboys before the season started, and now he is having a career year. Due to his age, the rest of Aaron Rodgers’ career is limited, with maybe one more quality year in him. They should be going for it all.
The Colts are the best team in the NFL. Even though there are concerns with Daniel Jones, he has not made mistakes like he did with the Giants. Jones has been a top QB and has the offense rolling. This is largely thanks to potential MVP Jonathan Taylor, who has four games of three rushing touchdowns, putting him in the history books. Colts owner Jim Irsay died this off-season and his daughter Carlie Irsay-Gordan has taken over. She has been very hands-on and seems to be changing the franchise for the better.
Prediction: Colts 24-21
Broncos vs Texans:
Last week, I said the Broncos are a fake good team and were going to lose to the Cowboys- and then they won 44-17. However, that doesn’t change the fact that the Broncos are not true contenders. QB Bo Nix is a glorified game manager, like Kirk Cousins with better decision-making and athleticism. The Broncos have to find a way to piece together 10+ point wins to be considered true contenders. It seems like every week, there is a new reason they won.
The Texans beat the 49ers, but this was not a very impressive win, as the 49ers are worse than their 5-3 record indicates. The Texans’ offensive line is horrible, giving CJ Stroud little to no help with getting the ball out or blocking for the run.
Prediction: Broncos 17-13
Seahawks vs Commanders:
The Seahawks have had the No.1 defense in the league for the majority of the season while missing key defensive players at different times. The projected week one line-up of Tariq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon, Nick Emanwori, Julian Love and Coby Bryant has played four snaps together. All will be healthy and available for Mike Macdonald coming off their bye week. The Seahawks’ run game has plummeted on offense, especially star RB Kenneth Walker. The Seahawks opened the 21-day window to activate fullback Robbie Outz to the active roster. When Outz played at the beginning of the season, he was great, specifically against the Steelers, where he pancaked two players at the same time and helped Walker rush for over 100 yards.
The Commanders cannot seem to figure out how to play defense. The defensive coordinator has messed up Frankie Luvus’ progress from last season, and he is using Bobby Wagner in coverage, a player who hasn’t been good in coverage since Barack Obama was President of the United States (2016). Jayden Daniels has been in and out of the lineup, dealing with injuries, but he is not the only one, seeing as star receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel have been dealing with injuries as well. All three are on track to play this week against the Seahawks on Sunday Night Football, but the Seahawks should secure the game as long as they lock in on stopping Samuel, who gave them trouble when he was with the 49ers.
Prediction: Seahawks 33-17
Conner’s Predictions
49ers vs Giants:
The 49ers are coming off their worst loss of the year to the Texans (3-4). Their offense looked terrible and could not get anything going all game. However, their defense played even worse. They allowed 475 yards to a struggling Texans’ offense. C.J. Stroud was averaging less than 200 passing yards going into the game, and he put up 318 against the Niners.
The Giants also come into this game off a loss. They lost 38-20 to the Eagles (6-2) and lost their best running back, Cam Skattebo. This was deflating for the Giants’ offense. They put up just 13 points the rest of the game after he left, which was midway through the third quarter.
Both teams are in need of this game badly, especially the Niners, to keep pace with the tough NFC West. The Niners’ defense looked bad last week, but I do not think they will look as bad as the Giants’ defense. The Giants are allowing 26.9 points a game and have been absolutely egregious through the last five quarters, allowing 71 points (source).
Mac Jones has not been great in his last three games, throwing just two touchdowns to four interceptions. However, assuming he starts and plays, I think he can bounce back, considering he is going up against a bad defense.
I also think that the Giants’ loss to the Broncos will be remembered as the loss that flipped their season around. Had they won that game, they would have been 3-4. I think their bad play continues into this game.
**Prediction:**Niners 24-20
Bears vs Bengals:
Both of these teams are also in desperate need of wins after deflating losses. The Bengals (3-5) lost to the Jets (1-7), who had not won a game before kickoff. Their offense had also been atrocious for the majority of the season, and the Bengals allowed 39 points. Breece Hall did come up big for the Jets, carrying the rock for 131 yards and two scores. However, I think this loss is more of an indictment of the Bengals’ sorry defense. Plus, they allowed 23 points in the fourth quarter alone.
As for the Bears (4-3), they lost to the Ravens (2-5), who had not won in 42 days heading into the game. The Ravens also did not have Lamar Jackson playing either. The Bears got torn up in the ground game, allowing 177 rushing yards to the Ravens. Their offense also did not come ready to play. They scored just 16 points against the Ravens, a team that was allowing 32.3 points going into the game.
This game will come down to the Bengals’ defense. The Bears’ defense has not been great by any means this season, but the Bengals have the possibility of losing to any team with how bad their defense is. Joe Flacco has been good so far with the Bengals, throwing for five touchdowns and 282.5 yards a game, but he cannot win games when their defense is as bad as it has been.
Despite Caleb Williams not playing well the past two games, having thrown two interceptions and having a 61.8 completion percentage, I think any team with a solid quarterback can beat the Bengals. I believe he will have a bounce-back game and that the defense will lose the game for the Bengals. Plus, the Bears are on a three-game win streak against the Bengals, dating back to 2013 (source).
Prediction: Bears 31-27
Panthers vs Packers:
The Panthers (4-4) got blown out by the Bills, 40-9 last weekend. They looked good for the first quarter, then James Cook III put it on them, rushing for 216 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Panthers have also now only scored 22 points in their last two games combined. Although Andy Dalton did step in at quarterback, he did not impress too many people, throwing for just 175 yards and an interception against a mediocre Bills’ defense.
As for the Packers (5-1-1), they answered some questions with their 35-25 win over the Steelers (4-3). They scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, and their defense only allowed nine points in the second half. Jordan Love threw for three touchdowns, including two to Tucker Kraft on National Tight Ends Day.
They did beat the Cardinals and Bengals, their last two opponents, but their wins were not convincing and they had a difficult time closing out games. To be fair, they were behind for a large portion of the game, but they played strong complementary football in the second half. The question is whether they can do it for a full 60 minutes.
In this game, I’m going with the Packers. They are on a three-game win streak and are undefeated at home (3-0). The Panthers are 1-3 on the road, with their lone win being against the Jets. Love has been dominant as well recently, throwing eight touchdowns to just one interception in his last four games. He is also sixth in the league in quarterback rating (source).
Whether or not Bryce Young will play is up in the air, but neither he nor Dalton has been impressive (source). Overall, I see the Panthers putting up a fight, but the Packers should win this one.
**Prediction:**Packers 23-14
Saints vs Rams:
The Saints (1-7) are on a three-game losing streak and put up just three points against the Buccaneers, a team allowing 22.3 points a game. Things went so poorly that the Saints put in Tyler Shough, their rookie quarterback, and benched Spencer Rattler. Anytime a team has a quarterback controversy, that is not a good thing. However, whenever a team does not know who to put in under center between two underperforming quarterbacks, it is disastrous. Rattler and Shough combined for 264 passing yards and two interceptions.
As for the Rams (5-2), they are well-rested after their bye week and now in second place in the NFC West. They have won three out of their last four games, including wins over the Colts and Jaguars. Matthew Stafford threw 12 touchdowns and zero interceptions in that stretch as well. They are also getting their best option at receiver back this week, Puka Nacua(source). Even if they did not, Stafford threw three touchdowns to Davante Adams against the Jags two weeks ago.
The Rams’ defense is also allowing just 16.7 points a game, while the Saints are giving up 26.1.
Overall, this game should not be close and the Rams should take it as long as they do not overlook the Saints.
**Prediction:**Rams 27-16
Jaguars vs Raiders:
Both of these teams had a bye week in Week 8 and are looking to use that rest to get the win. The Jaguars (4-3) need the win more than the Raiders (2-5), but this game could definitely be a trap game for the Jags.
The Raiders have been blown out by teams with good offense. The Colts and Chiefs, teams ranked in the top five in terms of offensive yards per game, put up a combined 71 points on their defense. However, they only let up 10 to the Titans and 25 to the Bears. 25 points is a lot, but not as bad as allowing 31 to the Chiefs and 40 to the Colts.
However, Geno Smith will need to do something offensively. He has thrown seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season, including throwing for only 156.3 yards in his last three games. He does have a new addition at receiver with Tyler Lockett (source), which could help the offense. Their top receiver, Tre Tucker, is only averaging 55.6 yards a game.
Jeanty will need to contribute more as well. He is averaging four yards a carry, but has only recorded 163 rushing yards the past three games.
As for Trevor Lawrence, he will need to lead the Jags to some sort of offensive output against this Raiders defense, which is allowing 25.7 points a game. In the past two games, he has led the Jags to 19 total points. He threw for 277 yards a game in that stretch, but those yards have not correlated to points. We are yet to see Lawrence have a breakout game this season, but he has played strong defenses.
Travis Etienne Jr. has been doing his part with 514 yards this season, and averaging 5.3 yards per run. Brian Thomas Jr. has had some big plays, but has not been overly consistent, recording just 52.1 receiving yards a game.
The Raiders are allowing 103.4 rushing yards a game, meaning they could stop Etienne (source). This could force the Jags to have to throw it a lot, but the Raiders’ pass defense is not that strong, allowing 225.1 passing yards on average.
As for the Jags, other than allowing 35 points to the Rams, they have had a strong defense. They are allowing 22.1 points per game. But they are allowing 336.9 total yards a game.
This game will come down to the quarterbacks. I think this favors the Jaguars, as Smith has been pretty bad this year. Even though Lawrence has not been turning yards into points, he has been throwing for a decent amount of yards. The Jags are also third in the NFL in takeaways, with 14 total and 10 of them being interceptions (source). As a result, I think Smith is due to turn the ball over at least once, if not more.
This should help Lawrence and the Jags’ offense put up some more points than they have been, ultimately leading them to win this game. I also believe the Jags have the better defense and run game. Although the Raiders could keep things interesting, the Jags should win this one, as long as Lawrence at least somewhat delivers.
**Prediction:**Jaguars 22-19
Chiefs vs Bills:
This is a great game for the Sunday night slot. The Chiefs (5-3) have won five out of their last six games and are again looking like this year’s favorites to win it all. Patrick Mahomes was okay against the Commanders, throwing for 299 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. However, he did impressively lead the Chiefs to a three-score win over the Commanders, 28-7.
The Chiefs’ run game also got going, with them recording 148 total rushing yards. Their defense also held the Commanders to just seven points and forced two Marcus Mariota interceptions.
For the Bills (5-2), they got back on track with a definitive 40-9 win over the Panthers. Cook III had 216 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. Josh Allen only threw the ball 19 times and recorded just 163 passing yards, but when your defense is getting your team the ball back consistently and you have an elite running back, it does not matter much.
If this were a playoff game, the easy pick would be the Chiefs. However, in the regular season, the Bills own this rivalry. In their past four regular-season matchups, the Bills are 4-0 (source).
This year’s game, in my opinion, will come down to how Josh Allen plays. The Bills are 4-0 this year when he does not throw an interception. However, they are 1-2 when he throws one or more interceptions. The Chiefs’ defense is balling out this year, too. They are allowing just 16.4 points a game and limiting offenses to 277.8 yards a game. This means Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid will need to step up and be open for him, but ultimately, Allen will likely need to put on the Superman cape if they want to win this one.
The Bills will also need to run the ball efficiently. The Chiefs are allowing 100 rushing yards a game — No. 11 in the NFL. However, Cook III is second in the NFL in rushing yards and first in yards per carry for rushers who have 100+ carries (source).
As for the Chiefs, Mahomes has played well and their offense has been fantastic. Since Week 3, they have put up 30.8 points a game. They also have a deep receiver corps that Mahomes is used to playing with, consisting of Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice.
Although their run game has not been the best, with Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt averaging a combined 71.7 yards per game, the Bills are allowing 150.3 rushing yards per game. As a result, the Chiefs are going to have to rely on the run game, especially since the Bills are only allowing 161.9 pass yards a game, second in the NFL.
This game is going to come down to Allen being smart with the ball and the Chiefs getting the running game going. Overall, considering how good the Chiefs’ offense has been and that Allen has not played his best ball lately, I’m taking the Chiefs to win. I think Mahomes will be able to dissect the Bills’ defense, especially since I think they will be able to run the ball to set up the pass. Even though Allen plays his best against Mahomes, I do not trust the Bills’ defense, and I do not think he will put up the number of points necessary to win against this Chiefs’ defense.
I also think the Chiefs have all the momentum going into the game, coming off a three-game win streak.
**Prediction:**Chiefs 30-27
Cardinals vs Cowboys:
The Cardinals (2-5) come into this game on a five-game win streak. It is crazy to think that the Cardinals were once just two minutes away from a 3-0 start to the season and first place in the NFC West. Ever since the Niners’ last-minute comeback win in Week 3, it has been all downhill. They went on to lose four more one-score games in a row. It is clear that the Cardinals can keep a game close, but they just cannot seem to close games out.
Their quarterback situation has also been a mess. Kyler Murray was the starting quarterback for the first three games in the losing streak, and then Jacoby Brissett dropped the next two. However, interestingly enough, the Cardinals’ offense has looked solid with Brissett. In his two starts, he has thrown four touchdowns and just one interception. He has 599 passing yards in those two games. In Murray’s last three starts, he has thrown three touchdowns and two interceptions and 579 yards.
Per Cardinals’ head coach Jonathan Gannon, if Murray is healthy, he will start this week (source). He suffered a foot injury in their choke against the Titans.
For the Cowboys, they have been all over the place. Their offense has been great, but their defense has been atrocious. They are allowing the second-most amount of yards and points per game in the league. In the NFL, you cannot win games by allowing 31.3 points a game, and they have proven it.
Their offense, however, is second-best in the league in yards and points per game. Hence their 3-4-1 record. Dak Prescott has been having a dark-horse MVP season. He has thrown 16 touchdowns to just five interceptions and 2,069 passing yards.
But last week against the Broncos (6-2), Prescott threw two interceptions and lost 44-24. The Broncos do have one of the best defenses in the league, but as the best offense, they needed to score more than 24.
This game will come down to the Cardinals’ quarterback play. The Cowboys will score points, but I think the Cardinals can hold them. They are allowing just 22 points a game, and even if the Cowboys put up 30, the Cardinals will still have a chance.
I think Brissett is the best option for the Cardinals. Not only has he played better, but he is 100% healthy. Murray is not. In Brissett’s last two starts, he averaged putting up 25 points against the Colts and the Packers, two strong defenses. Assuming he starts, I think he can lead the Cardinals to more than that since they are playing the Cowboys.
Overall, I think the Cardinals sneak away with a win, mainly because I believe in Brissett and do not believe in the Cowboys’ defense. However, without competent quarterback play, it could be a long night for the Cardinals, especially considering Murray is their leading rusher — he has not played since Week 5.
**Prediction:**Cardinals 35-31