NFL Week 9 games: 5 best bets on favorites
We get deep into the NFL Week 9 games, and pick our top five favorites to both win and cover this Sunday for you.
5. New England Patriots (-3.5) at Carolina Panthers
The Patriots aren’t explosive, but they’re efficient and well-coached as always. Mac Jones has been the best of the rookie quarterbacks. Meanwhile Sam Darnold had a hot start for the Panthers, but he has come apart since Week 3. While Carolina has a very good front, the Panthers are likely to lose the turnover battle due to the signal-callers, nullifying a good defense with bad field position.
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4. Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5) vs. Green Bay Packers
There’s no way the Chiefs would have been on this list without Aaron Rodgers being forced to sit out after testing positive for COVID-19. With Rodgers out, Jordan Love is getting his first NFL start, and it’s going to be against a complex defense in Kansas City at loud, raucous Arrowhead Stadium. This is a tough spot, and while Green Bay should hang around, the Chiefs, even with their issues, are the better team with the Packers missing Rodgers.
3. Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5) vs. Cleveland Browns
Why are the Bengals only laying 2.5 points here? The Browns have done nothing this season to get respect and now they’re releasing Odell Beckham Jr., losing another weapon in the passing game. Baker Mayfield has struggled throughout the campaign and conversely, Joe Burrow has largely been excellent. Factor in that Cincinnati is trying to bounce back off an awful loss to the New York Jets, and it wins with comfort.
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2. Dallas Cowboys (-10) vs. Denver Broncos
The Cowboys are clearly the better team, and the Broncos have to be emotionally reeling after general manager George Paton traded edge rusher Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday afternoon. While the jettisoning of Miller makes sense, it also tells Denver the season is over. Look for a depressed Broncos team to get taken apart by the Cowboys, who continue their march towards an easy NFC East title.
1. Los Angeles Rams (-7.5) vs. Tennessee Titans
Love this line. The Rams are laying a significant number but have all the matchups working in their favor. Tennessee’s offensive line struggles, and the Rams have Aaron Donald, Von Miller and Leonard Floyd. The Titans have to throw the ball without Derrick Henry, and Los Angeles has Jalen Ramsey in the secondary. Tennessee’s secondary is banged-up, and the Rams have quarterback Matthew Stafford and receivers Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. Look out.
