The NFL season hits the midway mark with Week 9 action that includes the Seattle Seahawks (6-1) heading to Orchard Park, New York to take on the Bills Mafia and the Buffalo Bills (6-2). The Baltimore Ravens (5-2) and Indianapolis Colts (5-2) each have five wins, and are each on a mission to join the 6-win club.
The Game of the Week falls on Sunday Night Football, much to the delight of suits at NBC, when Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Bucs host Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.
Brady faltered in his first game as a member of the Bucs when they lost to the Saints by 11 points in the New Orleans Superdome. Now, the Saints are hitting the road and have to beat Brady and Bruce Arians on their home turf.
The Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks meeting in a non-conference matchup is compelling, must-see TV even though both franchises have fervent fanbases that can’t attend the game.
NFL Big Games: Week 9
Seattle Seahawks (6-1) at Buffalo Bills (6-2) … If you like betting overs, the Seattle Seahawks are 5-2 o/u and the Buffalo Bills 5-2-1 o/u. Seattle scores the most points in the NFL (34.5 ppg), but their Swiss Cheese defense allows 28.4 ppg, which is why they’re always winning in shootouts. LINE: Seattle -3, TOTAL: 55 o/u
SNF: New Orleans Saints (5-2) at Tampa Bay Bucs (6-2) … This Sunday Night Football match up allows everyone who jumped on the Tommy Boy Bucs bandwagon to enjoy a divisional duel against Who Dat Nation. The Saints are 2-5 ATS, but the over hit in five out of their last seven games. The Bucs are 6-1 since they lost to the Saints in Week 1. LINE: New Orleans +4.5, TOTAL: 50.5
5-Wins vs 5-Wins
Chicago Bears (5-3) at Tennessee Titans (5-2) … The high-scoring Titans (ranked #6, averaging 29.7 ppg) hit the over 5-1-1 this season, yet they are 2-5 ATS overall. Da Bears lost two in a row since starting 5-1. Chicago has the fifth-lowest scoring offense in the NFL, generating just 20.1 points per game. The sorry teams in front of them include the LOL Jets, NY Giants, and Washington. LINE: Tennessee -6.5
Baltimore Ravens (5-2) at Indianapolis Colts (5-2) … Two 5-2 teams meet while seeking a sixth win. This also marks two top-5 defenses squaring off. The Colts are ranked #5 in the NFL, allowing only 19.4 points per game, while the Ravens are ranked #2 overall, allowing 18.9 points per game. In terms of DVOA, the Ravens are ranked #3 overall. LINE: Baltimore -1.5, TOTAL: 48
Good Times, Bad Times
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-0) at Dallas Cowboys (2-6)… The undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers have a layup against the demoralized Dallas Cowboys. Just as soon as Andy Dalton recovered from a concussion, they sent him on the COVID-19 list. The starting QB is a coinflip between two guys you never heard about. The Cowboys are 0-8 ATS this season, or worst in the NFL. LINE: Pittsburgh -14
Carolina Panthers (3-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-1)… CMAC returns! Christian McCaffrey missed time with a high-ankle sprain. Kansas City, the Super Bowl favorites, keep rolling. KC is also 6-2 ATS this season. LINE: KC -10.5
Communication Breakdown
Las Vegas Raiders (4-3) at LA Chargers (2-5) … The Chargers and Raiders clash again in an AFC West throwdown. The Raiders were recently docked a draft pick for their lax COVID-19 approach. The Chargers see a bright future ahead with rookie QB Justin Herbert, and a win against their rival would be a great notch in his belt. The Chargers are 5-2 ATS this season. LINE: EVEN
Miami Dolphins (4-3) at Arizona Cardinals (5-2) … Tua Time heads west! Arizona won three in a row and is fresh-off a big victory against the best team in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks. Kyler Murray and the Cards are now 5-2 ATS. LINE: Arizona -4.5
Dazed and Confused
Denver Broncos (3-4) at Atlanta Falcons (2-6) … Denver has a losing record, but the Broncos went 5-2 ATS this season despite losing Drew Lock to a shoulder injury for several games. The Falcons can’t hold a lead to save their lives with two losses by a single point. LINE: Denver +4
Detroit Lions (3-4) at Minnesota Vikings (2-5) … In NFC North divisional action, the Vikes opened -2 and moved to -4 when word got out that Detroit placed QB Matt Stafford on the COVID-19 list. LINE: Minnesota -4
Poo Emoji Game(s) of Week 9
Houston Texans (1-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6) … Man, if there’s ever a “Degen Game of the Week” for NFL Week 9, it’s this AFC South matchup. The Jags don’t have Gardner Minshew at the helm, and the floundering Texans are favorites by a touchdown even though they are 1-6 ATS this season. LINE: Houston -7
NY Giants (1-7) at Washington (2-5) … In NFC Least action, there’s another bum fight between the NY Giants and the Washington Football Team. As bad as these two teams are, this game between a one-win and two-win team in Week 9 actually has playoff implications. Drain the swamp. LINE: Washington -2.5
Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You
MNF: New England Patriots (2-5) at New York Jets (0-8) … The NFL scheduled the LOL Jets for a prime-time game in Week 9 against Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Cam Newton and his snazzy threads will get a lot of camera time on Monday Night Football when the Pats visit the crappy turf at MetLife Stadium. The winless Jets are 1-7 ATS this season, which is why we’ve been fading them. LINE: New England -7