Week 9 of the NFL regular season is basically here and sports bettors are, as always, doing calculations and moving numbers and percentages around in order to try and figure out what might happen. This article will focus on a couple of games taking place in week 9 and will have a crack at making a couple of predictions around them. Check current sportsbook bonuses for this and other games here.
Chicago Bears vs New Orleans Saints
Everyone is saying that the Saints will wipe the Bears easily. Having seen significant offensive improvements with the addition of Derek Carr, the Saints are starting to average 27.3 points per game. This new addition to their offensive lineup has thrown over 300 yards across three consecutive games and is coming off a very convincing win against the Colts in which he was instrumental, having a passer rating of 133.3 which is his highest in that stat for two years. While Carr is looking red hot right now, it did take him a few weeks to warm up to his new side, Bears fans have to hope he cools off before the 6th or the predictions are likely correct for a Saints win.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Tennessee Titans
This one is likely to be a low-scoring, tight, affair. There are two key factors that push the Steelers ahead here; firstly, the quarterback for the Titans, Ryan Tannehill, is still out after he injured his ankle on October 15th playing against the Baltimore Ravens, which lengthens the Titans’ odds somewhat. Secondly, the Steelers are doing very well at home this season, and guess where the game is taking place, Acrisure Stadium, Steeler territory. One thing lengthening the Titans’ odds and another shortening the Steelers’ odds makes it look like a Steeler-weighted game on the 3rd.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Miami Dolphins
This game is a difficult one to call, as both teams are playing well, which is good news if you want a close, exciting, game and bad news if you want an easy pick. Both teams have strong quarterbacks in Tagovailoa for the Dolphins and Mahomes II for the Chiefs, respectively ranking first and third in passing yards this season. The Chiefs will be on the warpath and will be unlikely to want to concede two losses in a row in an otherwise good-looking season, while the Dolphins are already angling to get home-field advantage in the AFC. If you have to pick one here, the Chiefs may look a little more dangerous.
Houston Texans vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The number-crunchers say that the Buccaneers are more likely to emerge on top here, but it’s unlikely to be an easy game. Neither team has been performing at their best lately. The Buccaneers have had a pretty poor rushing game lately and have barely been able to cover. Luckily for the Buccaneers, the Texans’ have their own troubles in C.J. Stroud, their rookie quarterback, who isn’t performing at the level that the Texans need him to. Can Baker Mayfield, the Bucs quarterback, push home a win for his team? This is likely to be a close one.
New York Jets vs Los Angeles Chargers
Ah, the Jets, they’ve played okay considering that Aaron Rodgers, their transferred-in star quarterback, hit the deck with a torn Achilles less than 2 minutes into the first game this season. Unfortunately for them, the Chargers have a fresh lineup and are looking dangerous, playing ‘okay’ isn’t likely to be enough and the odds reflect that. If the Jets pull this one out though, they’ll be on a 4-win streak and on track for a real turnaround of a season.
These predictions are, of course, not to be taken as gospel. Upsets are always possible, and we can’t know what might happen on game day. Do your own research and never bet more than you can afford to lose, and remember that it should all be about having fun.
