NFL Week 9 Picks and Predictions: Surprises, Storylines, and Showdowns
Alright, so Week 9 of the NFL season is shaping up to be a fascinating one — a week filled with potential upsets, major matchups, and a few teams fighting to keep their seasons alive. The NFL.com editors — Ali Bhanpuri, Tom Blair, Brooke Cersosimo, Gennaro Filice, and Dan Parr — have released their official game-by-game predictions, and let’s just say, there are some interesting calls here.
Let’s start in Cincinnati, where the Chicago Bears (4-3) visit the Bengals (3-5) . The Bears are the favorites, and all five analysts are picking them to win. Cincinnati’s defense has been a disaster lately — giving up 23 fourth-quarter points to the Jets last week — and star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is doubtful. On offense, quarterback Joe Flacco’s shoulder injury puts the team in limbo. Even if he plays, Brooke Cersosimo points out that the Bears’ strong run game could control the tempo. Chicago ranks third in rushing since Week 6, while the Bengals have allowed the most rush yards per game in that same span. It’s hard to see Cincy holding up here.
In Detroit, the Lions (5-2) are heavy favorites over the Vikings (3-4) . This game marks the return of young quarterback J.J. McCarthy for Minnesota — and all eyes will be on him. He’s had a rocky start to his career, and now he’s back against his former Michigan teammate, Aidan Hutchinson, and a dominant Lions defense. Every analyst expects Detroit to roll, and it’s easy to understand why — they’ve been nearly unbeatable at Ford Field.
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Then we’ve got the Panthers (4-4) heading to Lambeau Field to take on the Packers (5-1-1) . The Packers have yet to lose at home this season, and Ali Bhanpuri doesn’t think that’s changing now. Carolina got crushed by Buffalo last week, and against teams with winning records, they’ve been outscored 108 to 32. The Packers’ defense is top-three against the run, and Jordan Love is quietly having a strong season. This might be a long afternoon for the Panthers.
In Houston, the Texans (3-4) face the Broncos (6-2) — and this one’s almost a toss-up. Tom Blair’s siding with Denver, mainly because of their defense and the reliability of rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Houston’s had timing on their side all season, beating injury-depleted opponents, but Denver’s pass rush could make life miserable for C.J. Stroud.
Elsewhere, the Patriots (6-2) look to keep rolling against the Falcons (3-4) . New England’s second-year quarterback Drake Maye leads the NFL in completion percentage and passer rating, and Brooke Cersosimo calls the Patriots “legit.” Their defense hasn’t allowed a running back to top 50 yards all season. If history’s any indication, quarterbacks in Maye’s position often end up MVPs by year’s end — so this could be another statement win.
The rest of the slate features the 49ers , Colts , Chargers , and Rams all favored in their matchups, while the Chiefs-Bills showdown looks like a classic in the making. Kansas City has the edge, with Patrick Mahomes in MVP form, and Buffalo missing key defensive pieces.
And finally, Monday night gives us Cardinals vs. Cowboys , where Kyler Murray’s return headlines the action. The Cowboys’ defense has been leaky, but Dak Prescott’s recent form at home could be enough to steady the ship.
Week 9 has it all — redemption stories, injury drama, and a few chances for underdogs to shake up the standings. It’s that point in the season where every win starts to matter, and every mistake could cost you January football.
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