Week 9 NFL Picks: Vikings Try to Avoid Three-Game Losing Streak in Detroit
It’s just been a brutal year so far for the picks.
We lost the battle to inch closer to .500 again this week, finishing with a 6-7 record and losing every single underdog pick. Maybe this week will be all about not overthinking the matchups. Before we get into the Week 9 NFL picks and officially mark the halfway point of the regular season, here is a look back at how we did in Week 8:
- Chargers -3.5 (W)
- Falcons -7.5 (L)
- Bengals -6.5 (L)
- Patriots -6.5 (W)
- Giants +7.5 (L)
- Bills -7.5 (W)
- Bears +6.5 (L)
- 49ers +1.5 (L)
- Buccaneers -4.5 (W)
- Cowboys +3.5 (L)
- Colts -14.5 (W)
- Steelers +3.5 (L)
- Chiefs -12.5 (W)
Season Record: 57-64
Week 9 NFL Picks
Baltimore Ravens vs. Miami Dolphins
- Spread: Ravens -7.5
- O/U: 50.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Ravens -7.5
This is a really tough one to start the week. The Miami Dolphins just played their most complete game of the season, but we’ve seen them look really bad so far this season too. On the other hand, this could be a great opportunity for this speedy offense to put up points against a Baltimore Ravens defense that has looked horrific for most of the early portions of the season. A healthy Lamar Jackson adds a whole new wrinkle to this though. It’s technically a short week, but Jackson will be fresh after sitting out about a month with a hamstring injury, and he puts Baltimore over the top.
Chicago Bears vs. Cincinnati Bengals
- Spread: Bears -2.5
- O/U: 50.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Bengals +2.5
A little bit of air came out of the Bears’ sails this past weekend after their loss to a Lamar Jackson-less Baltimore Ravens team. Their defense has become a big worry as the season has gone on too. As a result, I’ll take the Bengals to pull this one out after a really tough loss to the Jets.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions
- Spread: Lions -8.5
- O/U: 48.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Lions -8.5
The Lions have had the Vikings’ number over the past few years, winning each of the past five matchups. Vikings fans will have high expectations with J.J. McCarthy returning to the starting lineup, but they should be tempered against a very tough Lions defense.
Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers
- Spread: Packers -13.5
- O/U: 44.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Packers -13.5
The Panthers looked really bad last week against the Buffalo Bills, but Bryce Young seems set to return to the lineup on Sunday after returning to practice in full. Still, this offensive line is not healthy right now, and there’s only so much Young will be able to change against a ferocious Packers defensive front. Packers win big.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Tennessee Titans
- Spread: Chargers -9.5
- O/U: 43.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Chargers -9.5
It’s a dead horse that continues to get beaten: Tennessee Titans are not a good football team. The Chargers bounced back in a big way on Thursday night, and after getting some extra rest over the weekend, LA should have no problem against this team.
Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots
- Spread: Patriots -5.5
- O/U: 45.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Patriots -5.5
I thought Kirk Cousins would be able to get some juice pumping for this Falcons offense, but that simply was not the case at all against the Dolphins last weekend. Meanwhile, the Patriots continue to look like a true contender in the AFC. Even if Atlanta didn’t look as bad as they did last weekend, I’d probably pick New England to win by a touchdown. I’m definitely doing it now.
San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Giants
- Spread: 49ers -2.5
- O/U: 48.5 points
Frey’s Pick: 49ers -2.5
The New York Giants suffered a major loss when Cam Skattebo went down for the year due to a horrific looking ankle injury. Luckily for Skattebo, he should be back for next season. Unluckily for the Giants, they have to go up against a 49ers team that is going to be extra motivated after their loss to the Houston Texans last week without their emerging star at running back.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Spread: Colts -3.5
- O/U: 50.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Colts -3.5
At this point, I’m not picking against the Indianapolis Colts until they prove me wrong. They’ve continued to look like an elite team with the highest scoring offense in the league and a top 10 defense. They will give this struggling Steelers defense plenty of problems.
Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans
- Spread: Texans -1.5
- O/U: 39.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Broncos +1.5
The Texans are certainly improving as the season goes along, and I had my doubts about the Denver Broncos coming into the year. However, that win against the Cowboys can’t be overlooked no matter how you feel about Dallas this season. The Texans defense will certainly keep this close, but Denver pulls it out late.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Las Vegas Raiders
- Spread: Jaguars -2.5
- O/U: 44.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Jaguars -2.5
Both teams are coming off a bye week here and are in need of a win. However, I trust the Jaguars offense way more in this spot even against a Raiders defense that has been frisky. I’ll take Jacksonville in this spot.
New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams
- Spread: Rams -14.5
- O/U: 43.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Rams -14.5
Tyler Shough is making his first NFL start this weekend, but this Saints team has really started falling apart in part due to turnovers resulting in points for opponents over and over again. A rookie quarterback doesn’t seem like the solution to that problem, particularly against a Rams defense that has a knack for turning the ball over.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills
- Spread: Chiefs -2.5
- O/U: 52.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Chiefs -2.5
We all know how this game ends, right? Josh Allen puts on the Superman cape for the Bills, but in the end, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs find a way to squeak out a win. Buffalo’s defense has been solid, but the list of quarterbacks they’ve played outside of Lamar Jackson and Drake Maye (both losses) hasn’t been exactly impressive. Kansas City squeaks out another one against Buffalo.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Commanders
- Spread: Seahawks -3.5
- O/U: 47.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Seahawks -3.5
That Commanders collapse on Monday night was tough to watch, but they could get a boost with Jayden Daniels back in the lineup. Still, that might not be enough against a very good Seahawks defense that is coming off of a bye week. I’ll take Seattle to keep rolling.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Spread: Cowboys -2.5
- O/U: 53.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Cowboys -2.5
If Kyler Murray plays this week, this game should be a shootout as many games featuring the Dallas Cowboys have been this season. The Cardinals are coming off a bye week, and they’ve found a way to keep games close all season long. At home though, the Cowboys are yet to lose this season. I think it stays that way.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via ESPN and Pro Football Reference.
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