Our NFL Week 9 predictions begin in Madrid on Sunday, 8 November, with the Bengals taking on the Falcons at 2:30pm UK time. It’s not the greatest slate of games, with a couple of matchups between teams with losing records and most featuring one-sided favourites. But there are still plenty of stories to follow…
The **Cincinnati Bengals** (5-2) kick off Sunday’s action as they travel to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid to take on the **Atlanta Falcons** (3-5). The Bengals are ranked second in points scored per game (29.4), with the Falcons ranked 17th in points allowed per game (23.6). The Falcons are also coming off a shutout loss to the Buccaneers. **Bengals win by seven points.**
The current No. 2 seed in the AFC, the **Denver Broncos** (6-2) take on the fourth seed in the NFC, the **Carolina Panthers** (3-4), at Bank of America Stadium. Despite the losing record, the Panthers are ranked 9th in points scored per game (25.4), with the Broncos in 22nd (21.5). However, the Panthers are 28th in points allowed (27.6), with the Broncos in 11th (20.6). **Broncos win by five points.**
The SNF game sees the **Tampa Bay Buccaneers** (3-5) take on the **Chicago Bears** (6-2) at Soldier Field. The Buccaneers, by beating the Falcons 16-0 in monsoon-like conditions, became only the second team to win an NFL game without a completion since the 1974 Buffalo Bills. However, that cannot be the case if the Buccaneers are going to win. The Bears are ranked 8th in points scored (26.8) and 8th in points allowed (20.0), with the Bucs ranked 20th (22.3) and 5th (18.9). **Bears win by seven points.**
The **Detroit Lions** (5-2) travel to Florida for their clash with the **Miami Dolphins** (1-6), and this is going to be a horror show for Dolphins fans. Detroit have just beaten the previously undefeated Vikings, and their opponents have averaged only 17.6 points per game during the Lions’ three-game winning streak. Against a Miami side with just one win, that defensive form makes Detroit strong favourites. **Lions win by 15 points, maybe more.**
Two games feature teams with losing records. First, the **Dallas Cowboys** (3-5) go to Lucas Oil Stadium to take on the **Indianapolis Colts** (2-6) in the early window. **Cowboys win by seven points.**
The **Houston Texans** (2-5) then head to SoFi Stadium to face the winless **Los Angeles Chargers** (0-7). Los Angeles have just lost 24-9 to the Rams and are still looking for their first win of the season. Houston are coming off a bye and may be better placed to grind out a result in what could be a tight game. **The Texans pile more pressure on the Chargers, winning by three points.**
The **New York Jets** (2-6) go to Arrowhead to take on the **Kansas City Chiefs** (5-2), with the Jets on a three-game losing streak and the Chiefs having lost their last two. This game comes at the right time for the Chiefs, looking to maintain their playoff push, as they have the Falcons and Cardinals after this game. **Chiefs win by 10 points.**
The **Cleveland Browns** (5-3), looking to take advantage of the Steelers being on a bye this week, face the **New Orleans Saints** (2-5) at the Caesars Superdome. The Browns are currently just outside the playoffs as the 8th seed, after losing to the Steelers last week. However, Shedeur Sanders starts under centre for the Browns, with Deshaun Watson in the concussion protocol. Both of the Saints’ wins have come on the road, having lost all four home games. **Browns win by three points.**
This all-NFC East matchup sees the No. 3 seed **New York Giants** (4-2-1) take on the bottom side in the NFC, **Philadelphia Eagles** (2-6) at Lincoln Financial Field, with the Eagles on a six-game losing streak, and missing key players on both sides of the ball. The Giants have only lost once in five games. **Giants pile more misery on the Eagles, winning by three points.**
The last two games to look at have two teams just outside the playoff picture in the NFC playing teams with slim hopes of the playoffs. Firstly, the **Los Angeles Rams** (4-4) head to Washington to take on the **Washington Commanders** (2-4-1), with the Rams hoping to have Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald on the field at the same time (a scary thought for any offense). **Rams win by seven points.**
Finally, it’s all change at the QB position, as the **Arizona Cardinals** (3-5) make the trip to Lumen Field to take on the **Seattle Seahawks** (4-4). Seahawks QB Sam Darnold is out of the game due to a quad injury, with Drew Lock replacing him, and the Cardinals have Gardner Minshew at QB, after Jacoby Brissett was traded to the Ravens. **Seahawks win a tight one by three points.**
For more NFL analysis, see our [Week 8 predictions and previews](https://taproomnetwork.com/nfl-week-8-predictions-chiefs-broncos-nine-games/).