Handicapping Sports

Steven Takes on Spreads – NFL Week 9

Screen capture courtesy of the NFL/YouTube.

Spooky season is officially over as November is here. The first game of Week 9 is tonight but it has already been an eventful week in the NFL. Hue Jackson is unemployed and Matt Patricia is scolding reporters for their posture.

The playoff races are beginning to take shape while some teams are already looking ahead toward the 2019 NFL Draft.

Let’s take a look at this week’s slate of games, starting with a dud of a Thursday night game.

Oakland Raiders at San Francisco 49ers (-3)

This will give fans some nostalgia when thinking back on the dreadful Thursday night games of the recent past. The 49ers are terrible because they lost their quarterback, while the Raiders are terrible thanks to some historically bad coaching by Jon Gruden. Good thing he is only there for (checks notes) 9.5 more seasons.

This is a total toss-up but I will go with the Raiders solely because I personally witnessed that team go off against the Browns. The ability to have a breakout game is there.

The Pick: Raiders +3

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-4)

The Lions have woken up after a 1-3 start but will square off against the Vikings for the first time this season on Sunday. Kirk Cousins and the Vikings were riding a three-game winning streak before a tough loss against the dominant Saints. Being at home will make this one an easy one for Minnesota.

The Pick: Vikings -4

Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns (+8.5)

The Browns fired their head coach and offensive coordinator a week before going up against the best team in football. This one won’t be close.

The Pick: Chiefs -8.5

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-3)

No Le’Veon Bell, no problem. The Steelers got another Browns coach fired and have won three straight. The Ravens have lost two straight, although both losses came against tough NFC South opponents.

This one should be close and even though the Ravens won the first matchup between these two, the Steelers usually find a way to stay hot once they are in a streak like this. James Conner continues to get better and the Steelers offense appears to be clicking after a big win in Cleveland.

The Pick: Steelers +3

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers (-7)

Fitz Magic is back! That means a ton of points and a close game, even if the Bucs cover at the last second.

The Pick: Buccaneers +7

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-3)

Brocktober is officially over but Brock Osweiler remains the starter for now in Miami. The Dolphins have lost two straight, which is also true for the Jets. However, the Jets have shown an ability to put up a lot of points at times this year. After giving up 42 points a week ago, the Dolphins defense will struggle once again.

The Pick: Jets +3

Atlanta Falcons at Washington Redskins (-2)

Aside from what looks like a fluke loss to the Colts, this Redskins team looks to be for real. If Adrian Peterson‘s resurgence continues, they seem to be a lock for the postseason.

The Pick: Redskins -2

Chicago Bears at Buffalo Bills (+9.5)

Nathan Peterman is projected to start for the Bills. That’s all I have to say about that.

The Pick: Bears -9.5

Houston Texans at Denver Broncos (-3)

The Texans have won five straight and should roll over a Broncos team that has a head coach on the hot seat. The Broncos have three wins this season. Two of those came against the Cardinals and the Raiders. Don’t expect this game to be close, even though it is in Denver.

The Pick: Texans +3

Los Angeles Chargers at Seattle Seahawks (-2)

The Chargers are a legitimate Super Bowl contender, while the Seahawks continue to pick up wins over bad teams.

The Pick: Chargers +2

Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints (-1)

This should be the best game of the week. The two teams have a combined record of 14-1 and the Saints are seeking to be the team that takes down the mighty Rams. I don’t see it happening.

The Pick: Rams +1

Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots (-5.5)

The Packers should have taken down the Rams last week if not for a kick returner going rogue. The Patriots didn’t look too great against the Bills on Monday night, so this should be a close one.

The Pick: Packers +5.5

Tennessee Titans at Dallas Cowboys (-6.5)

This is quite the large spread in favor of a 3-4 Cowboys team. That blowout win over the Jaguars doesn’t look as big as it did at the time.

The Pick: Titans +6.5

Last Week: 8-6

Yearly Record: 58-58-5

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