Week 8 in the NFL was brutal. There were some considerable upsets and shocking, disappointing results from many reliable teams, either good or bad. But we survived and did pretty well to with our picks and predictions straight up and against the spread.
Beyond the unpredictable results, there were several key injuries to starting quarterbacks that have brought a lot of extra uncertainty going into Week 9. This week's reduce slate of 14 games with four teams on bye has many tight spreads and only a handful of significant favorites.
Here are Sporting News' NFL picks against the spread for Week 9.
(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)
POWER RANKINGS:Eagles back on top as Chiefs, 49ers slip
NFL picks against the spread for Week 9
Game of Midweek: Titans at Steelers (-3, 36o/u)
Thursday 8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video
Will Levis crushed it with downfield passing in his rookie NFL debut at home in Nashville. Pittsburgh's defense can give up it to wide receivers all over the field. But the issue here will be T.J. Watt and the Steelers' revved-up pass rush in prime time against a shaky offensive line that faced the pressure-less Falcons in Week 8. The Steelers find a boost for their own wideouts here against beatable corners to get enough offense regardless of who's at QB for them.
Pick: Steelers win 23-17 and cover the spread.
Result: Steelers win 20-16 and cover the spread.
Game of the Week: DolphinsatChiefs (-2.5,50.5 o/u) in Frankfurt, Germany
Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network
Patrick Mahomes was sick and wasn't himself as the entire Kansas City offense flopped with big mistakes in Denver. Miami impressed with Tua Tagovailoa getting well vs. New England. The Chiefs' defense, however, did show up to rattle the Broncos with pressure and did do its best to contain the run. The Dolphins are still too leaky in the middle of the field with an inconsistent pass rush to expect Mahomes to stumble again. Go with the defending champs flexing in Deutschland after the big upset.
Pick:Chiefs win 27-24 and cover the spread.
Lock of the Week: Browns (-8, 37.5 o/u) over Cardinals
Sunday 1 p.m.. ET, CBS
With a lot of close games expected in Week 9, it was hard to find a favorite to like more than the rest. But then this game popped up because it is Myles Garrett, Grant Delpit, Denzel Ward and defensive friends against a limited offense that will still be starting Josh Dobbs. The advantage for the Browns is knowing the offensive tendencies of Drew Petzing, who was the QB coach for Kevin Stefanski last season. May the Jim Schwartz be with them.
Pick:Browns win 23-10 and cover the spread.
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Upset of the Week: Cowboys over Eagles (-3, 46o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Dak Prescott is red-hot. So is Jalen Hurts. This should make for a fun, even matchup where the running games will be contained and it will come down to a shootout between the receivers and tight ends. Both QBs are dealing downfield so it comes down to facing key pressure. Micah Parsons will come through for Dallas in that area vs. Hurts at key moments. The Cowboys' efficient brand of offense pays off here in a mild upset to make the NFC East a real race.
Pick: Cowboys win 27-24.
Vikings at Falcons (-1, 41.5 o/u)
Sunday 1.p.m. ET, Fox
The Vikings lost Kirk Cousins to a torn Achilles' in Week 8 and don't have a choice in changing QBs. The Falcons could by choice stick with Taylor Heinicke over Desmond Ridder after his strong comeback passing effort in Nashville. Minnesota's run defense is so-so, so the Falcons can get back to their rushing-first winning formula at home in the dome. Meanwhile, whether it's rookie Jaren Hall or Nick Mullens, the Vikings won't have the same answers in the passing game without Justin Jefferson.
Pick: Falcons win 24-20 and cover the spread.
Rams (-2, 39.5o/u) at Packers
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Rams may be without Matthew Stafford at QB after he hurt his thumb and couldn't return vs. the Cowboys. The Packers' defense is playing well and needs a little more help from the offense with Jordan Love and his young receivers slumping. The key for freefalling Green Bay is pivoting for more from the running game, creating improved complementary football. The Rams can run, but they are more dependent on the pass. Jordan Love is set to get a break at home this time vs. Brett Rypien on the road.
Pick: Packers win 20-17.
Commanders at Patriots (-2.5, 40o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Commanders and Patriots' defenses have a lot of holes in downfield coverage and their pass rushes are inconsistent. This turns into a weird shootout between Sam Howell and Mac Jones. Bill Belichick will find a way to put heavy pressure on the oft-sacked Howell and take away the middle of the field. Meanwhile, Jones will see more things open up downfield and protect the ball better.
Pick: Patriots win 27-24 and cover the spread.
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Bears at Saints (-6.5, 41 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Bears should have realized that Tyson Bagent has flashes of great passing, but he's still an undrafted small-school rookie who can struggle in hostile road environments. There's a good chance he's in there again in New Orleans. The Saints got going with Derek Carr's passing downfield and Alvin Kamara got a backfield boost from Taysom Hill, too. The Bears cannot win much up front here defensively and the Saints should have their entire passing playbook open to them. The Saints continue to play like they should as default NFC South favorites.
Pick: Saints win 27-20 and cover the spread.
Seahawks at Ravens (-5.5, 43 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Geno Smith and Seattle have taken over first place in the NFC West, but it's a precarious position just ahead of bye-week San Francisco. Baltimore escaped in Arizona and is still ahead of everyone in a tough AFC North. The Seahawks tend to travel well to the East with Pete Carroll and are playing much better complete football of late. But they still have some key weaknesses that Lamar Jackson will exploit with his arm and legs at home, while Smith succumbs to a tricky pass defense.
Pick: Ravens win 23-20 but fail to cover the spread.
Buccaneers at Texans (-2.5, 40o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Texans have a good defensive matchup here as their big weakness is vs. the run, but the Buccaneers' blocking and running game isn't effective. They won't mind Baker Mayfield returning to his home state to throw often so they can get after him. The Texans don't run well, either, but they can go after the zone coverage of Tampa Bay well with C.J. Stroud rebounding with his key targets at home.
Pick: Texans win 20-17 and cover the spread.
Colts (-2.5, 44.0o/u) at Panthers
Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
The Colts are seeing the elite Jonathan Taylor emerge at the right time to exploit a weak Panthers run defense. Bryce Young plays well again opposite a game Gardner Minshew, but he doesn't have the same level of diverse weapons and supporting rushing attack. Indianapolis bounces back after two tough home losses while Carolina can't win two in a row.
Pick: Colts win 24-20 and cover the spread.
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Giants at Raiders (-1.5, 40 o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
The Giants keep losing more key offensive players. First it was their key linemen and Saquon Barkley. Now with him back, it's both top QBs, Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor and go-to tight end Darren Waller. Waller will miss his key revenge game and you can bet New York will try to win this game by running Barkley a lot more vs. a bad run defense. But the Raiders have a tricky downfield passing game with ace receivers that will burn the Giants more.
Pick: Raiders win 20-17 and cover the spread.
Bills at Bengals (-1, 48.5o/u)
Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
The emotions will be high on both sides as both teams return to the site of the scary and inspiring Damar Hamlin injury adversity from last season. The Bengals did get the better of Buffalo in the playoffs and was off to a good start in the home matchup last season. Joe Burrow is back playing at an elite level at the right time and the Bills' defense without Tre'Davious White and Matt Milano is ripe for the picking in the passing game. The Bengals' pass rush and ace coverage from corners does enough here to preserve the key AFC victory.
Pick: Bengals win 27-24 and cover the spread.
Chargers (-3, 41.5 o/u) at Jets
Monday 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Chargers got a nice get-well game at home against the Bears' listless pass defense on Sunday night. They won't have the same advantage on the road in prime time eight days later. The Jets' zone defense and inside pressure can contain what Justin Herbert does beyond shorter passes to Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen. The Chargers' defense is still exploitable in many areas, especially vs. second-year playmakers Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. Robert Saleh out-coaches Brandon Staley in a classic close game for both teams.
Pick: Jets win 24-20.
Stats of the Week
Week 8 straight up:13-3
Week 8 against the spread: 9-6
Season straight up:85-37
Season against the spread: 68-51-1
