At the end of Week 9, the 2022-23 NFL regular season will officially be in the books. Some Super Bowl contender-level teams, or at least so we thought, are struggling to stay above .500, while some bottom-dwellers from last season are thriving near the season’s hlfway point.

Big games to watch in Week 9 include:

With no shortage of juicy matchups with increasing stakes, let’s dive right in to my Week 9 NFL Picks. If you’d like to debate or discuss any picks, or want to follow for more weekly NFL content including Picks and Power Rankings, be sure to connect with Sak Sports Blog on Twitter or on Facebook!

Picks Record

Week 8 Picks:

Week 1: 7-8-1

Week 2: 8-8

Week 3: 9-7

Week 4: 11-5

Week 5: 12-4

Week 6: 6-8

Week 7: 9-5

Week 8: 9-6

Season Record: 71-51-1 (58%)

Incorrect picks included the Jaguars, Giants, Bengals, Cardinals, Colts, and Raiders.

Thursday Night Football

Philadelphia Eagles (8-0) at Houston Texans (1-6-1)

The Philadelphia Eagles should have no problem pushing their undefeated start to 8-0 against the weakest team in my Post-Week 8 Power Rankings. Eagles win 33-16

SEE ALSO: Philadelphia Eagles Acquire Robert Quinn From Chicago Bears

Sunday Day Games

Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) at Atlanta Falcons (4-4)

The Los Angeles Chargers are 4-3, but not exactly meeting expectations. The Atlanta Falcons are grossly exceeding expectations even at 4-4, and while this could very well be the game where their luck runs out, I’m actually going to go out on a limb and pick Marcus Mariota and the Falcons at home. Falcons win 30-27

Buffalo Bills (6-1) at New York Jets (5-3)

If the New York Jets think they struggled last week against the Patriots, they’re in for an even ruder awakening when Josh Allen and the dominant Buffalo Bills come to town. Bills win 36-20

Miami Dolphins (5-3) at Chicago Bears (3-5)

That big win against the Patriots in Week 7 was almost certainly a fluke, and the Chicago Bears simply won’t be able to keep up with Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and the Miami Dolphins offense. Throw in the fact Chicago just shipped out Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith, and things could get ugly. Dolphins win 34-16

Carolina Panthers (2-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-4)

While the Carolina Panthers are playing some surprisingly good football as of late, Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals will be hungry for a home win after last week’s Monday Night Football loss to the Browns. Bengals win 27-23

Green Bay Packers (3-5) at Detroit Lions (1-6)

The Green Bay Packers have been straight up struggling, but while the Detroit Lions can be feisty, Green Bay has to know what’s at stake here and take care of business on the road. Packers win 30-24

Indianapolis Colts (3-4-1) at New England Patriots (4-4)

I don’t think the New England Patriots are a particularly incredible team, which is why their 5-4 record will feel a little cheeky after New England handles Sam Ehlinger and the Indianapolis Colts at home. Patriots win 24-17

Minnesota Vikings (6-1) at Washington Commanders (4-4)

The Washington Commanders are on a bit of a hot streak with Tylor Heinickie at quarterback, but Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings have had a hot seven games to start the season. Throw in the addition of tight end T.J. Hockenson, and the Vikings offense should be able to outpace Washington’s. Vikings win 31-18

SEE ALSO: 6-1 Vikings Go All-In, Acquire TE T.J. Hockenson from Detroit Lions

Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)

Look, I know the Las Vegas Raiders put up a goose egg last week against the Saints, but I still think this team is due to break out of its rut: there’s too much talent not to. The Jacksonville Jaguars could easily have another win or two under their belt with some better late game result, but I have them falling to 2-7 at the hands of Derek Carr and the Raiders. Raiders win 27-23

Sak Sports Blog Game of the Week: Seattle Seahawks (5-3) at Arizona Cardinals (3-5)

This is probably a much bigger game than it seems: a sixth loss win nine weeks would make it very hard to Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals to make the playoffs for the second season in a row, while a sixth Seattle Seahawks win would keep the team in the unlikely driver’s seat of the NFC West heading in to the second half of the season. It’s a big game with big ramifications, and I’m not really sure what’s going to happen. I’m picking the Cardinals only because Geno Smith and the Seahawks can’t keep on winning forever.. right? Cardinals win 30-24

Los Angeles Rams (3-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)

This was nearly my Game of the Week, not for the matchup on the field of the two struggling teams, but for the implications and drama surrounding the game: a rematch of last year’ NFC Divisional Round bout that sent Tom Brady packing in to the most uncertain offseason of his life.

Now, both teams are desperate for a win: both the 3-4 defending Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams and the 3-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, losers of three straight.

The only reason I didn’t make this the Game of the Week is because realistically, either team could lose here and still end up winning their division: the Seahawks and Falcons are going to be able to be caught.

Overall, the Matthew Stafford and the Rams probably have the better squad: but I just can’t see a world where Brady loses his fourth straight. Buccaneers win 26-20

SEE ALSO: Post-Week 8 Power Rankings

Sunday Night Football

Tennessee Titans (5-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)

Another Game of the Week contender, the Sunday Night Football matchup pits the Tennessee Titans, winners of five straight, against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. But let’s be honest, with Ryan Tannhehill at quarterback, the Chiefs easily get a one-touchdown advantage in Kansas City. But with Tannehill’s availability in question and rookie Malik Willis in line for his second career straight, the Chiefs should have this one in the bag. Chiefs win 34-20

Monday Night Football

Baltimore Ravens (5-3) at New Orleans Saints (3-5)

I’m almost always on Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens’ side, and after the team acquired linebacker Roquan Smith at the trade deadline, I’m all-in on Baltimore. I will hand it to the New Orleans Saints: their offense has been churning and the defense pitched a surprising shutout last week against the Raiders, so maybe they will at least keep it close at home. Ravens win 33-26

Teams on Bye

Cleveland Browns (3-5), Dallas Cowboys (6-2), Denver Broncos (3-5), New York Giants (6-2), Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6), San Francisco 49ers (4-4)

SEE ALSO: 2022-23 NBA Predictions: Standings, Playoff Teams, NBA Finals

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Header Photo Credits (L-R): AP/NY Post

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Posted on 0 By Billy Sakmann NFL Posted in NFL, Sak Sports Blog Tagged #, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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