We're officially at the halfway point of the 2019 NFL Season. The legit contenders are starting to distance themselves from the pack, and week nine gives us some great matchups for both viewing and gambling purposes. Lets get to it.
All spreads courtesy of Vegas Insider
Home Team in CAPS
ARIZONA +10 over San Francisco
Underdogs are 6-2 thus far on Thursday Night, with the Patriots and the Chiefs being the two favorites to buck the trend. San Fran is going to win this one but I like the Cardinals to back door cover at home. The Pick: San Francisco 28 Arizona 20
Houston -2 over JACKSONVILLE
It appears that Deshaun Watson isn’t suffering any lasting effects from getting kicked in the eye this past week against the Raiders, and with Jalen Ramsey out of the picture, I think Watson and DeAndre Hopkins are going to put up big numbers against the Jags in Week 9. It’s too bad about JJ Watt (3 of the last 4 seasons end on IR) but the Texans defense is talented enough to stop Gardner Minshew & co. The Pick: Houston 34 Jacksonville 24
BUFFALO -9.5 over Washington
The Bills have to respond after last week’s dismal performance and put a solid beat down on the lowly Redskins. I believe that they will. Washington hasn’t revealed who their quarterback will be Sunday, but it won’t matter, Buffalo’s defense will be out for blood. The Pick: Buffalo 23 Washington 10
CAROLINA -4 over Tennessee
Tough look for the Panthers last week, we got to see what Kyle Allen looks like against a top tier defense and it wasn’t pretty. I think he’ll rebound against a Titans squad that hung on for dear life against the Buccaneers. The Pick: Carolina 24 Tennessee 17
PHILADELPHIA -5 over Chicago
I can’t take Mitchell Trubisky or Matt Nagy seriously after last week, the Bears have a real problem on their hands and are going to have to make some franchise-altering decisions this offseason. On the other hand, the Eagles have struggled to put back to back strong weeks together, I think that changes in Week 9. The Pick: Philadelphia 28 Chicago 17
Minnesota -2.5 over KANSAS CITY
The Vikings have an extra three days to prepare for this one, I like the way Kirk Cousins and Stefon Diggs are starting to heat up with each other, and Matt Moore is no Patrick Mahomes. Add all those things up and you get Minnesota coming out of Arrowhead victorious. Of course, this pick could blow up in my face if Kirk Cousins decides to do what he does from time to time, which is SUCK. The Pick: Minnesota 27 Kansas City 20
NJ Jets -3 over MIAMI
What a terrible game, the Dolphins don’t want to lose the number one pick in next years draft, so for that reason alone, I’m taking the Jets. The Pick: NY Jets 28 Miami 24
Indianapolis -1 over PITTSBURGH
The Steelers survived a Monday Night scare against the Dolphins, Miami was winning ten nothing at the end of the first! The Colts needed Adam Vinatieri to kick another game winning field goal for them come out on top over the Broncos. I like the Colts to go into Pittsburgh and improve to an impressive 6-2 at the midway point of the season. The Pick: Indianapolis 20 Pittsburgh 17
Detroit (PK) over OAKLAND
The Lions have shown they have a lot of fight in them during every game this season. The same can’t really be said about the Raiders. Neither of these teams’ defenses are anything to write home about so I think both quarterbacks are in for big games this week. I like the Lions’ weapons more than Oakland’s, so give me Detroit in a shootout. The Pick Detroit 34 Oakland 31
SEATTLE -6 over Tampa Bay
No way am I taking Jameis Winston in Seattle. Russell Wilson is going to shred this team.The Pick: Seattle 38 Tampa Bay 24
Cleveland -3 over DENVER
Brandon Allen is now the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos since Joe Flacco was placed on season ending injured reserve. Cleveland desperately needs a win and the Broncos are the perfect opponent to make that happen. Myles Garrett will be in Allen’s face all day long. The Pick: Cleveland 27 Denver 14
Green Bay -3.5 over LA CHARGERS
Aaron Rodgers is playing like a man possessed, putting up gaudy numbers over the past few weeks, I think that trend will continue against a struggling Chargers team. The Chargers have lost a lot of games they should have won already this season, and I don’t see them turning things around against Rodgers and the Pack. The Pick: Green Bay 35 LA Chargers 24
New England -3.5 over BALTIMORE
We’re going to find out a lot during this week’s primetime matchup. Is the Pats defense really as good as they’ve been? They were helped out big time by Nick Chubb not being able to hold onto the football because otherwise he actually was able to pick up big chunks of yardage. Lamar Jackson can run with the best of them and if Baltimore hangs around, I expect him to be able to exploit the holes in the Pats defense. The problem with Jackson is, if he has to make that gotta have it throw, can he do it? I don’t think he can. The Patriots undefeated train rolls on. The Pick: New England 24 Baltimore 17
Dallas -7 over NY GIANTS
The last time the Cowboys were at Metlife Stadium, they played their worst game of the season. I don’t see that happening again, they’ll make quick work of the Giants on Monday night. The Pick: Dallas 31 NY Giants 21
Byes: Atlanta, New Orleans, Cincinnati, LA Rams
Last Week
ATS: 8-7
SU: 15-0
Season Total
ATS:62-58-1
SU: 80-40-1