Week 9 looms as a massive week of what ifs. Our NFL picks have sorted through the best clashes of the weekend but the class of the competition has dropped significantly.
Green Bay and Kansas City were supposed to put two of the best quarterbacks in the game against each other, however one is now out with COVID-19. The best team in the AFC and NFC, the Titans and Rams, were scheduled to give us a heavyweight clash, but now the best player on either side is out with injury. Will these games still live up to the hype?
We have still sorted through the form, doing the analysis and found out bets to provide you with our NFL picks and predictions for the five best contests on Week 9’s schedule!
New England Patriots @ Carolina Panthers – 1pm ET
The Carolina Panthers are coming off a victory over the Falcons that saw them snap their four game losing streak. They now have the challenge of trying to string a second consecutive win together and have to do so by hosting the New England Patriots, who have had back to back strong wins, including beating the red-hot Chargers last Sunday.
Tim Newton
Will Christian McCaffrey be back? That is the important question that may determine how this game pans out. He was brought off IR this week, meaning he could be active to play, but given he is only just getting some reps in with the squad on Wednesday, will he be good to go on Sunday? I am going to lean towards the conservative approach and say that he won’t play, meaning that New England, who very well may have won even if he did play, will definitely win this game.
The Patriots have scored 25+ points in four straight games, thanks to a terrific offensive line that is giving Mac Jones the time he needs to read the defense and make the right play. Over that four game stretch, Mac Jones has had five touchdowns and two picks while completing 68% of his throws, but also hasn’t thrown a pick over their two game winning streak. This shows that Jones has settled in very nicely and has the weapons around him to help him succeed.
Sam Darnold on the other hand has been a roller coaster for the Panthers. Over their four game losing streak, Darnold had just four touchdowns compared to seven interceptions, and while he didn’t have a turnover in their win over Atlanta, he completed just 54% of his passes, his second lowest mark of the season, and didn’t throw a touchdown. He now faces a much, much tougher defense this week, and he won’t have anywhere to hide.
Tim’s NFL Pick: New England Patriots (-180)
Patriots just went to LA and beat the Chargers 🤯
New England moves up to 4-4 on the year pic.twitter.com/5ZX74t26gQ
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) October 31, 2021
Mike Su
The Patriots come off of a resounding win against the Chargers which saw them play their typical brand of balanced football. They beat a Chargers team that has been great all season, including a win against the Chiefs. New England will now be facing a Panthers team that has regressed from their early season form. The Panthers did beat the Falcons last week in a 19-13 matchup but may find victory a lot more difficult against a Patriots team who is far better than the Falcons.
The biggest story of this game is Stephon Gilmore and his first game against his former team. There is some level of bad blood here so watch for Gilmore to completely lock down one of New England’s poor receivers. The Patriots offense will likely throw away from Gilmore and focus on feeding their duo of Tight Ends. This will mean dump off passes for Mac Jones who barely had a completion percentage above 50% last week. The Patriots will also lean on their running attack which has been great all season. The Panthers offense will struggle against a balanced Patriots defense who has been good at slowing down offenses. I think the Patriots pull out a close win here.
Mike’s NFL Pick: New England Patriots (-180)
Tony Battalio
Carolina started out the season on an impressive hot streak but has since cooled off, while New England is floating around the .500 mark on the season. Both teams come into this contest with identical records of 4-4 on the year, and could both use a win to keep them alive in their respective playoff races as the season heads towards the back half.
Carolina looked like geniuses for bringing in Sam Darnold at quarterback following the first few weeks of the season. He has since suffered a major decline as injuries around him have left him with little to no supporting cast. The Carolina Panthers will have to find a way to win until Christian Mccafferty returns if they want to keep playoff hopes alive late into the season.
As for the New England Patriots, the progress is there and they are showing improvement. The downside is they have not been able to close games out and it has made a difference this season. New England could easily be 6-2 or possibly even 7-1 if they found ways to close out tough games. They are a team that is living close to the edge as they have played in 5 games that have been decided by 5 points or less, winning 2 and losing 3.
As for the game I can truly see this one going either way, both teams are capable of winning this one, but I am leaning with the New England Patriots, because without CMC, Carolina seems to look like a deer in headlights.
Tony’s NFL Pick: New England Patriots (-180)
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals – 1pm ET
The 5-3 Cincinnati Bengals host the 4-4 Cleveland Browns in what is a massive matchup for the AFC North landscape. With just one win separating the four sides, playoff implications are on the line as Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield face off on Sunday afternoon.
Tim Newton
Cleveland is the better side, on paper. Cleveland are also playing much worse, on the field. It is hard to know which side Kevin Stefanski will present each weekend, but there is an interesting stat that plays a big part in previewing this game. The Browns, under Stefanski, are 0-7 ATS against their AFC North rivals. Given they are 2.5 point underdogs for this clash, that doesn’t bode well for their chances of coming out on top.
While Pittsburgh has a top level defense, the Browns could only manage 10 points last week and they have really shown that they are missing Kareem Hunt. It is meant that Nick Chubb has had to do the heavy lifting out of the backfield by himself, and the offense has suffered because of it.
Meanwhile, the Bengals have had an interesting couple of weeks, blowing out the Ravens before losing to the Jets by three. This sort of inconsistent play is to be expected when your best two offensive weapons are a quarterback that has played 18 games and a wide receiver that has played eight. While Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are both exceptional talents, this Cleveland defense is supposed to be one of the best in the league.
Ultimately this comes down to consistency from the quarterback and the defense, with Cincinnati leading in both of those areas. I don’t think they are the better team, but I think they are playing better at the moment, and are at home for this clash.
Tim’s NFL Pick: Cincinnati Bengals (-142)
Mike Su
The Browns have been struggling lately despite their early season hype. Their receivers have been off, Mayfield has been hobbled and the running game has been impacted heavily by injury too. Things just aren’t looking great for this Browns team. Last week they lost to a Steelers team that isn’t good and they now face a Bengals team that sits on 5-3 and has been led by potential MVP darkhorse Joe Burrow.
The Bengals have been impressive all season and their offense looks great with their off season additions. The biggest impact maker is Ja’Marr Chase who has revitalized the unit. Despite this newfound success, the Bengals lost to the lowly Jets in a 34-31 shootout. The Jets caught the Bengals sleeping and made a ferocious comeback.
Both the Browns and Bengals will be looking to bounce back in this division matchup. The Browns defense is nothing to take lightly and should slow down the Bengals considerably. The Bengals defense isn’t as potent but will be taking on a hobbled Browns offensive unit. Overall I think that the Browns are the slightly better team here and should put up more points due to their matchup with the Bengals defense. Burrow will have a tough time against this stellar Browns defense.
Mike’s NFL Pick: Cleveland Browns (+122)
Tony Battalio
Both teams will be coming off of losses heading into their first meeting of the year in 2021. However the difference between the losses is what’s immense here as the Cleveland Browns were not expected to win, meanwhile the Cincinnati Bengals were upset by the helpless New York Jets.
The Browns are performing way below the expectations that were placed upon them in the offseason and preseason. A big that can be attributed to injuries to top stars like Jarvis Landry, Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb. They currently find themselves in the basement of a very competitive AFC North division that could likely put 3 teams into this year’s postseason.
As for the Cincinnati Bengals they are currently sitting at 5-3 and in 2nd place of the AFC North. Joe Burrow’s comeback season has gone so much better than many expected and he looks like the clear winner of the Comeback Player Of The Year award. He could very well be the first Bengals quarterback to lead them to a playoff win in two-plus decades if they keep up this level of play.
As for the game, this will be an offensive shootout led by two of the best running backs in the NFL in Cleveland’s Nick Chubb and Cincinnati’s Joe Mixon. It is so evenly matched that I am finding it hard to pick a winner, which is why I am taking the Over in this one.
Tony’s NFL Pick: Over 47 Points (-110)
Green Bay Packers @ Kansas City Chiefs – 4:25PM ET
What was supposed to be the matchup of the weekend has been hampered by a multitude of factors. Aaron Rodgers is set to miss this game after testing positive for COVID-19, while the Chiefs have been underperforming all season long. Who will come out of this matchup alive?
Tim Newton
This is a tough one to pick. The Packers have called up Blake Bortles to fill the void left by last season’s MVP, but is it enough against a reeling Kansas City side. The Chiefs have been having their own issues this season, yet still sit at 4-4 and just 1.5 games back from the lead for the division. This was supposed to be a showdown between two of the last three MVPs, but now we are left with a hollow game that will likely see the Chiefs win their second straight and have their followers claiming that they are back on the path to the Super Bowl.
Given Rodgers will be out, I do believe that the Chiefs win this clash, but I have no confidence in any selection here. While there has been plenty of talk about how bad Kansas City’s defense has been, their offense has been the major issue. The Chiefs end 25% of their drives with a turnover… One in every four times they have the ball, they turn it over. That leads the league by a wide margin and now they have to face a Green Bay defense that often gets overlooked due to how good the offense is.
However, is the offense that good if Rodgers doesn’t play? I am leading towards no, and that has allowed me to find my bet for this game. I am mixing up a FanDuel Same Game Parlay with the Chiefs to win and the total to stay under. I don’t see how the Packers will be able to compete in this one, even if Kansas City isn’t the same Kansas City we have gotten used to over the last few years.
Tim’s NFL Pick: Same Game Parlay – Kansas City Win / Under 47.5 (+146)
Make that SEVEN STRAIGHT WINS‼️#GBvsAZ | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/H4WIz7j2en
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 29, 2021
Mike Su
**This preview and prediction was completed before the news breaking that Aaron Rodgers would miss**
The Packers come off an extended rest and a phenomenal win against the Arizona Cardinals. The Packers now sit atop the NFC at 7-1 and are red-hot as they sit on a 7 game winning streak. The only concern for the Packers is that they haven’t played the best teams so far, with a majority of the teams they’ve beaten sitting below a 50% win rate. Beating the Cardinals certainly highlights how their form may not be only a result of their easy schedule, but the Cardinals only lost due to a brain malfunction by AJ Green. Green had an easy catch and failed to turn around leading to an interception.
The Packers will be playing a Chiefs team that has not looked the same since the Super Bowl. The Chiefs will be on a short week as they played Monday Night Football against the Giants. In that match the Chiefs barely scraped past and continued their bad form. The addition of Melvin Ingram will help but the Chiefs need Mahomes to stop making bad turnovers in order to have a chance at beating the Packers. The Chiefs will be playing at home, and Arrowhead stadium is notoriously difficult for away teams to play at, so they will have an edge there. However, the packers do hold the edge everywhere else. The Packers winning here is great value and bar some Mahomes magic, they should win here.
Mike’s NFL Pick: Green Bay Packers (-106)
Tony Battalio
**This preview and prediction was completed before the news breaking that Aaron Rodgers would miss**
In the preseason this matchup was circled on many calendars as a possible Super Bowl prequel. Now 8 weeks into the 2021 NFL season, both of these teams are no longer the favorites or even top 3 in their respective conferences. Patrick Mahomes has struggled as the Chiefs are towards the bottom of the AFC West and would not even make the playoffs if they started today.
As for the Green Bay Packers it has been business as usual. They are currently on a 7 game win streak and have not lost since week 1 of the season. In their last game they took down the last remaining undefeated team in the league, the Arizona Cardinals. Rodgers is playing himself into the National Football League MVP conversation with each passing week.
As for the game this will be a spectacular show put on for the fans by two of the best quarterbacks and possibly two of the best Wide Receivers in the NFL. The end result will likely come down to which dynamic duo performs better. In my opinion it will be Davontae Adams and Aaron Rodgers who come out of this game victorious as the Packers will continue their impressive win streak.
Tony’s NFL Pick: Green Bay Packers (-106)
Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers – 4:25PM ET
Week 8 saw the Arizona Cardinals suffer their first loss of the season, but the bigger story out of that game is that Kyler Murray went down with an ankle injury. That is terrible timing as the Cardinals need to get on the road for an NFC West showdown against the San Francisco 49ers, who look like they may have turned the corner.
Tim Newton
I’m going to take a risk with the 49ers here. Surely the Cardinals have to think long-term for Murray and can keep him out for just one week, especially considering he didn’t practice with the team on Wednesday. Arizona has a chance to be a juggernaut for not only this season, but seasons to come, so surely Murray can take a week off.
In saying that, San Francisco isn’t a push-over, and I’m very impressed with how Jimmy Garappolo has returned from injury to lead the side. The Niners were able to score on seven straight possessions last week against the Bears, who had a good defense through the first seven weeks of football. Garappolo finished with 322 passing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 33-22 win, indicating that this team may be back on track.
I will admit, the Cardinals are the better team here, but I don’t think that they will be able to compete without their dynamic QB under center. While the backups were the story last weekend, can Colt McCoy come out and deliver for the Cardinals in a big divisional matchup on the road? I am leaning towards no and I expect the 49ers’ odds to come in once Murray gets wiped, so I’m happy with the underdog odds on offer.
Tim’s NFL Pick: San Francisco 49ers (+102)
Mike Su
The Cardinals are looking to bounce back from a big time blunder against the Packers which lead to a bad loss. AJ Green will certainly be kicking himself after his poor play which led to a game ending interception in the red zone. The Cardinals are now 2nd in the NFC and will be playing their division rivals. The Cardinals will have a long week and extended rest after playing in Thursday Night football last week. The biggest issue for the Cardinals is dealing with the loss of JJ Watt on defense as the unit hasn’t fully adjusted yet. The Cardinals will need Chandler Jones to step up after disappearing after his Week 1 masterpiece.
The 49ers sit at 3-4 and have not been good this season due to below average play by Jimmy G and the lack of a marquee running back. The 49ers offense thrives when their running backs can get going but due to the lack of talent, that hasn’t always been the case. The 49ers did beat the Bears last week snapping a 4 game losing streak but the Bears aren’t anywhere close to the Cardinals. Both teams will be looking to put up big points this week and I think they will be able to. The 49ers put up 33 against an impressive Bears defense and should do similar damage against a weakened Cardinals defense. I think this game goes overs easily.
Mike’s NFL Pick: Over 45.5 (-110)
Tony Battalio
After one of the most confusing and heartbreaking losses I can recall in recent memory the Arizona Cardinals will look to bounce back against a struggling NFC West rival on Sunday afternoon. Kyler Murray has made a serious case for MVP consideration and the Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams seem to be heading towards a showdown at the end of the year to determine the NFC West champion, and will potentially meet again in the playoffs.
As for the San Francisco 49ers, a quarterback controversy continues to brew in the Bay Area. Even with Jimmy Garoppolo’s impressive 322 passing yards performance last Sunday in Chicago, one must still wonder how much longer he has before Trey Lance gets healthy and takes the job over. This game is a great chance for Jimmy G to show his team and the league that he is not ready to step to the side yet.
As for the outcome of the game I am going with the Arizona Cardinals to win this one. They are clearly the most talented team in this matchup and I expect a huge performance from Kyler Murray if he is available following his end of game injury last Thursday night.
Tony’s NFL Pick: Arizona Cardinals -1 (-105)
Tennessee Titans @ Los Angeles Rams – 8:20PM ET
We round out the night with another matchup that has been ruined by absences, this time with Derrick Henry missing. The Tennessee Titans will be scrambling to find ways to replace their MVP candidate in the backfield, opening up the door for the Los Angeles Rams to make a statement at home.
Tim Newton
While the Rams faltered to close out their game with the Texans, seeing a 38-0 lead get cut to a 38-22 lead in the final quarter alone, they should be feeling good about their chances on Sunday night. Tennessee won’t know what hit them in this one, playing their first game without King Henry, whilst also facing the toughest defense in the league. This should be one of the matchups of the season, with the top of the NFC taking on the top of the AFC, but it is another matchup that has left us thinking what if…
While the Titans have been able to pull off upsets against the Chiefs and Bills, thanks to a good offensive line, they haven’t faced anything like the Rams. While the newly acquired Von Miller is unlikely to play for LA this weekend, the Rams still lead the league in sacks, and now have one less, extremely dangerous, piece to worry about.
On the other side of the ball, there have been some teething issues continuing into the season but LA’s offense is on fire. They are averaging 6.5 yards per play, which is an extraordinary number and one that can’t be taken lightly, especially against a defense that has the ability to leak points, and big plays. If Henry was playing, the Titans would probably still lose but make it close. However, he isn’t playing and LA is going to let us know how good they are.
Tim’s NFL Pick: Los Angeles Rams -7.5 (-110)
Applying pressure. 🤫 pic.twitter.com/wnxNeUjUeg
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 3, 2021
Mike Su
The Titans will be playing without their marquee back Derrick Henry against one of the best teams in the NFL, however they did sign Adrian Peterson to try fill the gap left by Henry’s departure. The Titans were able to pull out an overtime win last week against the Colts but face stiffer competition this week. They will likely have to lean on their passing attack which is now their strongest part of their offense. It will be interesting to see how defenses adjust to the lack of Derrick Henry and how the Titans respond. The Tennessee offense will have a huge mountain to climb as they play a Rams defense that is the best in the league talent wise, especially after adding Von Miller. The Rams now have 2 of the best pass rushers over the last 10 years. The Titans will need their offensive line to hold up for this offense to gain any ground.
The Rams will be going into this matchup looking to score points, with Stafford being on a career best pace and has been great with the team. Their offense will be playing a Titans defense which has allowed 30 points or 4 times in 8 games. The Rams should easily drop 30. Combine that with the fact that the Titans will likely be playing from behind and I think we go overs easily.
Mike’s NFL Pick: Over 53.5 (-112)
Tony Battalio
The Tennessee Titans have looked like a completely different football team in recent weeks, following a slow start to the season. Now they must find a way to replace the NFL’s best running back in Derrick Henry after he fell to what is likely a season ending injury in last week’s overtime win against the Colts. They will have to do it fast as well as they come up against arguably the NFLs best team the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night.
As for the previously mentioned Los Angeles Rams, quarterback Mathew Stafford is showing the league he is an elite quarterback when given the help he so desperately needed towards the end in Detroit. Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods make up one of the top wideout duos in the league and trio as well when you add Tight End Tyler Higbee into the equation.
As for the game, despite Tennessee’s impressive play this season, they will have such a hard time replacing Henry and it will likely cause them to lose this game on the road in Los Angeles. That is why I am taking the Rams Moneyline in this one, because Ryan Tannehill and AJ Brown will be able to keep it close but not get over the top without their star running back.
Tony’s NFL Pick: Los Angeles Rams (-360)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
