NFL Week 9 schedule: 5 teams on upset alert
Looking into the NFL Week 9 schedule, there are a litany of favorites who could be taken down. Here are five on upset alert.
5. New England Patriots (-3.5) at Carolina Panthers
The Patriots are the better team, but by how much? Carolina is 4-4, just like New England, and is the host. While Mac Jones has been better than Sam Darnold this season, he’s not lighting it up either. Mostly, Jones has completed a litany of short throws while relying on the run game to do the heavy lifting. Look for the Panthers’ front to cause problems, led by star edge rusher Brian Burns. Carolina is a good enough team to pull the minor upset.
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4. Las Vegas Raiders (-3) at New York Giants
A brutal week for the Raiders. Initially, this looked like a really good bet for the road squad. Las Vegas was on the road but coming off a bye week and facing an inferior team in the Giants, who had to play at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night. Unfortunately, things turned with the tragic news of receiver Henry Ruggs III killing a 23-year-old woman in an alleged DUI accident in Las Vegas. The Raiders have had their mettle tested all year, but the horrific situation this weekend is obviously a hammer to the soul.
3. Los Angeles Chargers (-1.5) at Philadelphia Eagles
The Chargers are the better team, but this is a weird spot. Los Angeles is on the road, going across the country. Additionally, the Eagles are consistently committed to pounding the ball and do it behind a very good offensive line. Meanwhile, the Chargers are the league’s worst run defense. Philadelphia has the ability to match up and win, giving Justin Herbert’s squad some issues on Sunday.
Read: Stephon Gilmore To Properly Rehab With The Carolina Panthers
2. Miami Dolphins (-5.5) vs. Houston Texans
The Texans are getting quarterback Tyrod Taylor back, who has been out since Week 2. With Taylor, the Texans beat the Jacksonville Jaguars — who earned their only win of the year by beating the Dolphins — and played tough against the Cleveland Browns. Furthermore, the Dolphins have been a mess, not winning since Week 1 and largely getting pounded in each subsequent game.
1. New Orleans Saints (-6.5) vs. Atlanta Falcons
This is simple. The Saints don’t have a quarterback and will need to choose between Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian. While the Falcons aren’t good, they’re also respectable at 3-4. This wouldn’t have been on the list with Jameis Winston, but the turnover under center makes it an upset alert.
