NFL picks and predictions: Week 9
Eight weeks in, the NFL landscape has taken shape. Week 9 gives us a number of intriguing matchups -- most notably the Denver Broncos traveling to the Bay Area to take on the Oakland Raiders for the AFC West lead, and the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles sparring at the Meadowlands in a battle between two 4-3 teams.
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We picked all of this weekend's games below. Take a gander and let us know where you disagree.
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings (MIN -7.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Minnesota's Week 8 loss to Philadelphia was easily its worst performance of the year, but now get the chance to host Detroit, also coming off a loss. After lighting it up for most of the season, Matthew Stafford was contained by Houston last week. If the shotcaller comes in with a chip on his shoulder after being humbled a week ago, Detroit may make it interesting -- but we see the Vikings pulling it out.
Pick: Vikings
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (BAL -3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
The expectation is that Ben Roethlisberger will start for Pittsburgh on Sunday, but just weeks removed from a knee procedure, expect some rust. Not enough rust to put the Steelers at risk of losing to Baltimore, which hasn't won since Sept. 25.
Pick: Steelers
New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins (MIA -3.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
The Jets have now won two straight games after getting out to their 1-5 start. The Dolphins, too, are winners in their last two, and behind the strong running of Jay Ajayi, seem like they can compete. We just don't have faith in Ryan Fitzpatrick to lead the Jets to a victory here on the road.
Pick: Dolphins
Dallas Cowboys vs. Cleveland Browns (DAL -7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Josh McCown is a legitimate NFL quarterback. The Browns have that much going for them. But that's not enough to win a game, especially against a first-place Dallas team.
Pick: Cowboys
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Kansas City Chiefs (KC -7.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
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The Jaguars haven't looked competitive all season, and Kansas City only seems to get stronger as the season goes on. Alex Smith won't be active, but that's just a chance for the Nick Foles-Andy Reid bromance to go into effect once again.
Pick: Chiefs
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants (NYG -2.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
An NFC East matchup between a pair of 4-3 teams should be a close with, with neither team playing up to snuff over recent weeks. The two sides are evenly matched, but we're inclined to go with the team that has one of the biggest playmakers in the game in Odell Beckham.
Pick: Giants
Carolina Panthers vs. Los Angeles Rams (CAR -3)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
Carolina may finally be piecing their season back together after the bye week, and they'll have a chance to improve to 3-5 with a win in Los Angeles against the Rams, who haven't won in more than a month. We'll take a resurgent Panthers team.
Pick: Panthers
New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers (NO -3.5)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
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The Saints are fresh off an impressive win over Seattle, while the 49ers have yet to win a game since their Week 1 victory. San Francisco may be one of the only offenses that won't be able to take advantage of the futile New Orleans defensive corps.
Pick: Saints
Tennessee Titans vs. San Diego Chargers (SD -5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Tennessee has been playing well of late, but on the road against a decent San Diego team, their good fortune will likely come to an end. It should be a close one, with Tennessee playing for a potential AFC South lead, but we're siding with the home team.
Pick: Chargers
Indianapolis Colts vs. Green Bay Packers (GB -7.5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Packers have yet to find the groove, but a matchup against the awful Colts defense should help them assert themselves as one of the league's best. At Lambeau, we don't see it ending any other way.
Pick: Packers
Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders (EVEN)
Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET
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A rare even-odds matchup in Oakland on Sunday night, and it should live up to the hype. The winner takes firm control of the AFC West lead by moving to 7-2 -- and while we'd love to see Oakland make the leap, they're just not ready yet. We'll side with Denver's defense leading the way to victory.
Pick: Broncos
Buffalo Bills vs. Seattle Seahawks (SEA -7)
Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET
Buffalo has now lost two straight after four consecutive victories, and travels to perhaps the most difficult stadium to play in as a visitor. Coming off a close loss to a lesser Saints team in Week 8, it's unlikely Pete Carroll's crew drops another winnable game in a row.
Pick: Seahawks
Week 9 Power Rankings:
