As we start looking ahead to what should be a fascinating Week 9 in the NFL, what are our early NFL betting picks and predictions? Which teams will come out on top in the biggest matchups of the week, and can any underdogs potentially cause an upset? Let’s take a look at how this week may unfold when it gets underway on Thursday.
NFL picks and predictions Week 9 | NFL lines and odds
The NFL standings and the 2021 NFL Playoff picture are starting to take shape, which is helping to guide the weekly NFL odds from the sportsbooks. However, there are always surprises in the NFL, and those often lead to interesting anomalies in the lines and spreads. If you can identify where those odds differ from the potential outcome, it provides a great opportunity to make a profit.
Let’s take a look at the Week 9 picks, predictions, and NFL odds from DraftKings sportsbook as of 5:30 AM ET on November 1, starting with Thursday’s game.
Thursday Night Football: New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts (-10.5)
Mike White and the Jets surprised everyone as they knocked off the Bengals in a high-scoring affair Sunday. Meanwhile, the Colts blew a 14-point lead over the Titans to suffer a crushing loss in overtime.
The Colts’ AFC South hopes now hang by a thread and this is a must-win game. The White story is fun, but it would be a surprise if he has another game as big as his last one in Week 9.
Jets vs. Colts Prediction: Colts 31, Jets 24
Sunday, Week 9: Free NFL picks and predictions
The early Sunday slate of games sees a couple of seemingly lopsided games. However, there are a couple of fascinating clashes between teams fighting for position as we head into the second half of the season.
Let’s take a look at the Week 9 picks and predictions and NFL odds for Sunday’s 1 PM ET games as of 5:30 AM ET on November 1.
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (-4.5)
The Saints gave the Buccaneers all they could handle in Week 8. Now they face a Falcons team that looked awful in losing to the Panthers last week.
The rivalry aspect of this game will stop it from being a letdown game for the Saints, who should win with relative ease.
Falcons vs. Saints Prediction: Saints 27, Falcons 23
Denver Broncos at Dallas Cowboys (-4.5)
Given that Dak Prescott was warming up ahead of the Cowboys’ Week 8 matchup, it would be reasonable to expect he might be on the field for the Week 9 game against the Broncos. If he is, then this should be a reasonably one-sided matchup.
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Denver got an important win against Washington, but it was hardly convincing.
Broncos vs. Cowboys Prediction: Cowboys 28, Broncos 20
New England Patriots (-3) at Carolina Panthers
Both the Patriots and Panthers kept their seasons alive last week, but these two teams have been incredibly hard to make predictions about. Both quarterbacks have had their ups and downs, and this game has the subplot of the Patriots facing their former defensive back in Stephon Gilmore.
This is also the defensive scheme that famously had Darnold seeing ghosts while with the Jets. The Patriots should have too much for Carolina, but this might be another close game for New England.
Patriots vs. Panthers Prediction: Patriots 23, Panthers 20
Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens (-7)
The Vikings’ 2021 season has been a roller coaster so far. Their loss to a Cowboys team lacking Prescott is another downturn on the ride.
The Ravens have been equally hard to get a read on this season, which makes this game fascinating. Baltimore should win, but it would not really be a surprise if Minnesota came out on top in Buffalo.
Vikings vs. Ravens Prediction: Ravens 28, Vikings 24
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5)
Both of these AFC North rivals suffered tough losses in Week 8. Neither of them can really afford to lose two straight in a competitive division.
Cleveland’s offense looks anemic right now, and the Bengals should be able to move the ball on their defense. Cincinnati is rightly marginal favorites, but this one will likely ultimately be decided on the bounce of a couple of balls.
Browns vs. Bengals Prediction: Bengals 24, Browns 20
Buffalo Bills (-14) at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Bills made defeating the Dolphins look like hard work coming off their bye. It would be a massive shock if they make it look as difficult against the Jaguars, who did not muster much against a struggling Seahawks team.
Buffalo should win this with relative ease, but covering two touchdowns is always asking a lot.
Bills vs. Jaguars Prediction: Bills 30, Jaguars 17
Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins (-7)
The rumors that have swirled around Deshaun Watson for the last 10 or so months make this a more intriguing game. In reality, this is a matchup between two teams that are 1-7 and have looked bad in falling to that record.
If the Dolphins cannot win this one, Brian Flores very well might be packing his bags on Sunday afternoon.
Texans vs. Dolphins Prediction: Dolphins 21, Texans 16
Las Vegas Raiders (-3) at New York Giants
This is a tough game for the dome team traveling into New York. The Raiders should make light work of the Giants, but going into the elements is never easy for a team used to playing in a controlled climate.
Coming off a bye week adds a little more question marks, and I am simply not ready to trust the Raiders fully quite yet.
Raiders vs. Giants Prediction: Raiders 24, Giants 22
Los Angeles Chargers (-3) at Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are basically just bullying bad teams in 2021 while looking completely inept when facing any serious contenders.
The Chargers are serious contenders, even if they do keep shooting themselves in the foot. Justin Herbert has come back to earth a little in his second season, but he is still the more complete QB of these two.
Chargers vs. Eagles Prediction: Chargers 27, Eagles 24
Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5)
This game was nearly the Super Bowl last season, and the prospect of Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes has mouths watering. This game is a fascinating one, especially with the Chiefs desperately needing to win.
The Chiefs will test Green Bay’s secondary, but Rodgers and his offense should have too much against a poor Chiefs defense in a shootout.
Packers vs. Chiefs Prediction: Packers 30, Chiefs 27
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Arizona Cardinals (-3) at San Francisco 49ers
The Cardinals suffered a tough loss on Thursday Night Football, but they should have a chance to bounce back here. The 49ers were impressive in the second half against the Bears last week, but it was a far-from-convincing performance.
Arizona should have too much for the 49ers, with the weather in San Francisco being somewhat key this week.
Cardinals vs. 49ers Prediction: Cardinals 27, 49ers 23
Sunday Night Football: Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Rams (-6)
This battle of two of the best teams in their respective conferences could be a Super Bowl preview. The Titans struggled past the Colts last week, but they are coming off convincing wins over the Bills and Chiefs. Meanwhile, the Rams have not been tested much since their loss to the Cardinals.
The Rams’ defense will be the key here. If they can contain the Titans’ rushing attack and A.J. Brown, their offense should be able to move the ball with relative ease. The Rams should win this one at home, but then again, predicting the Titans in 2021 has been close to impossible: Derrick Henry’s injury could have a deflating or galvanizing effect on the team.
Titans vs. Rams Prediction: Rams 30, Titans 24
Monday Night Football: Week 9 picks and predictions
We have had some ugly-looking Monday Night Football games this season.
Rounding out our Week 9 NFL picks and predictions is another that might not be the most aesthetically pleasing.
Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers (-6.5)
Justin Fields is starting to look more comfortable marshaling the Bears’ offense, but he is still under fire seemingly on every single snap.
Meanwhile, the Steelers’ offense continues to struggle, relying on their defense to help them stay in the AFC Playoff race. The Steelers’ experience should be the difference in this one. Nonetheless, based on the Steelers’ season so far in 2021, it will be a close game.
Bears vs. Steelers Prediction: Steelers 21, Bears 17