This week the NFL season enters week nine of the season. And with a new week comes a slate of 13 more games for fans to enjoy, with a total of six teams on bye this week. Of course, that also means we have 13 more games to analyze when it comes to the Vegas spreads and over/under.
For those fans who like to have some added investment in this week’s set of games, here is a look at each game’s spread as well as the over/under. All were betting lines from Vegas Insider.
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This week is going to be a little different for us here at INSC for the betting odds. Instead of an article for each game with the picks, each game will be given a short write-up here with the picks. That way it is a one-stop check for all 13 games. No need to click on a different link for each game.
Byes: New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8:25 EST (Thursday)
Line: Atl -3.5, O/U: 51.5
Result: TBD
Pick: Falcons and the over
This is the type of game if I picked Tampa Bay, I would likely be questioning myself as to why I did it come Thursday night. Both teams are lacking on defense, and the Falcons are clearly the more talented team. Coming off a big win against the Green Bay Packers, this could be a potential trap game for Atlanta. But Tampa is too inconsistent for me to put any faith in.
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings 1:00 EST
Line: Min -6, O/U: 41
Pick: Vikings and the under
Result: TBD
The Minnesota Vikings offensive line weakness was exposed on Monday Night against the Chicago Bears. They rely solely on their defense, as Mike Zimmer’s offensive play calling is not the best. Sam Bradford is not going to be effective if he has no time. The Lions never play as well on the road, however, so I would expect a bounceback game from the Viking defense. Matthew Stafford may be in for a long day.
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants 1:00 EST
Line: NYG -2.5, O/U: 43.5
Pick: Eagles and the over
Result: TBD
The Eagles are coming off an hearbreaking loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants, on the other hand, are coming off a bye. This will be the third straight week that the Eagles face a team coming off a bye. First, they beat the Vikings, then gave away a game to Dallas that they should have won. The Giants have been a bit up and down this season, and you never know how well their defense will play. This one is a toss-up, and I usually like to lean to the underdog in those cases.
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins 1:00 EST
Line: Mia -3.5, O/U: 44
Pick: Dolphins and the under
Result: TBD
The Dolphins are coming off a bye and finally appear to have an answer at running back, with Jay Ajayi having two straight 200 plus rushing yards before their off week. Ryan Tannehill is usually inconsistent behind his makeshift offensive line, but with the mediocre Jets secondary, he should be in line for a pretty solid game. Look for a lower scoring, ugly affair, with the Dolphins being able to come out on top in the end.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs 1:00 EST
Line: KC -9, O/U: 45.5
Pick: Jaguars and the under
Result: TBD
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL this season. Their offense and Blake Bortles have been highly inconsistent. Meanwhile, the Chiefs play much better at home. They are coming off a big win on the road, and they are laying a lot of points. Alex Smith’s status for the game is up in the air. I am taking a shot that the Jags can at least hang in there close enough to where Kansas City cannot cover the nine points.
Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns 4:05 EST
Line: Dal -7.5, O/U: 48.5
Pick: Cowboys and the under
Result: TBD
The Cowboys are coming off a major divisional win where they beat the Eagles in overtime. So this should be set up to be a letdown game for them. But they are facing off against the Cleveland Browns, who are coming off a loss to the New York Jets. Every time I show some faith in the Browns, they disappoint. So I am keeping this simple. Even though this could be a letdown game for Dallas, I cannot put my trust in the Browns.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens 1:00 EST
Line: Bal -2, O/U: 43.5
Pick: Steelers and the under
Result: TBD
There is a chance that Ben Roethlisberger plays this week. I would still consider that unlikely, but nonetheless, there is a chance. Both teams are coming off a bye week, so both teams should be fresh. I am banking on this being the LeVeon Bell show, as I am not a huge believer in the Ravens. I am banking on Bell carrying the Steelers to a win, with or without Big Ben.
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New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers 4:05 EST
Line: NO -3, O/U: 52
Pick: 49ers and the under
Result: TBD
I know, I know I should never trust San Francisco. But this is a similar situation to the Cowboys game. And since I am not going to the Browns, I will roll the dice with the Niners. The Saints are coming off a big win at home against Seattle. Now they travel to the West Coast, setting this up to be a letdown game. Add in the fact that San Fran is coming off their bye, and they actually may have a chance in this one.
Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Rams 4:05 EST
Line: Car -3, O/U: 45
Pick: Rams and the under
Result: TBD
The Panthers finally showed up in week eight. Their defense made some big plays, and the team we expected at the start of the season showed up. But was this the real Panthers, or a team taking advantage of a below average Cardinals team on the road? My money is on it being a one week deal where they had the right scenario. This week they travel to the West Coast where they will take on a Rams team who had last week to heel up. Their defense had some sharp pieces but had been all beat up before the bye. With the Rams being home and having that week to get healthy, I have to take them and the points.
Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers 4:25 EST
Line: GB -7, O/U: 54
Pick: Packers and the over
Result: TBD
Two of the highest scoring teams in the league. Neither team has a particularly good defense, and solid offenses. The Packers are coming off a close loss to the Atlanta Falcons and now head home. They will likely be in another shootout in this one. I never have as much faith in the Colts when they are on the road, so I am rolling with the Packers in this one even though I am not a fan of Mike McCarthy’s play calling.
Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers 4:25 EST
Line: SD -5, O/U: 47.5
Pick: Titans and the over
Result: TBD
The Titans were coming off a solid win last Thursday. Given they have had a little extra time between games, and they have looked better than most expected this season, they should be just fine on the road this season. The Chargers are one of those teams who usually play well on offense but usually end up losing. Now they are laying five points, and I simply cannot get on board with that. Give me DeMarco Murray and the Titans.
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders 8:30 EST
Line: PK, O/U: 44
Pick: Raiders and the over
Result: TBD
I will keep this one simple. The Raiders are a team I am extremely high on. Yes, they commit too many penalties, but they are loaded with talent. This week they are home in a pick em game, so all they need to do is win. The Broncos are a team who have a few injuries and a team who I simply am not too high on. So I have to take the Raiders in a pick em type game.
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Buffalo Bills at Seattle Seahawks 8:30 EST (Monday)
Line: Sea -7, O/U: 44
Pick: Bills and the under
Result: TBD
The Seahawks are a team who are simply not as good as their record suggests. They do return home this week which will help, but that does not help the fact that their offense simply is not that great. Buffalo is coming off a terrible loss to New England and now have to go on the road to one of the hardest road stadiums in the league. It should be a defensive showdown and one where I will gamble the Seahawks cannot cover.