NFL Week 9 picks: Eagles top Texans; idle 49ers gain ground
The 49ers are idle in Week 9 but that doesn't stop us from making these NFL picks.
Long story short, never boast about past picks and just move on to the next round, which we’ll do here with these NFL Week 9 offerings:
Eagles 26, Texans 16: The Eagles can claim 8-0 as the best start in franchise history. That’s only because 30-year-old walk-on Vince Papale never got to start in 41 career games from 1976-78. Line: Texans +14
Falcons 24, Chargers 20: The Chargers’ defense is allowing the NFL’s most yards per run (5.7). The Falcons run like bullies on those Atlanta streets. Line: Falcons +3
Dolphins 21, Bears 14: The Bears, after exporting another defensive captain, are taking the W-I-N out of the Windy City. Line: Dolphins -5
Bengals 31, Panthers 17: History says these teams tied 37-37 when they last met in Cincinnati in 2014. Line: Bengals -7 1/2
Packers 28, Lions 26: The Packers didn’t trade for anyone, but they do swap a four-game losing streak for a win at Detroit. Line: Lions +3/1/2
Raiders 26, Jaguars 16: Shut out last week at New Orleans, the Raiders win in their encore trip to the southeast. Line: Raiders -1 1/2
Patriots 16, Colts 14: When DeForest Buckner sacks Mac Jones, 49ers fans might wonder about the ones that got away. But don’t go there. Line: Colts + 5 1/2
Bills 31, Jets 21: Condolences to Jets coach Robert Saleh and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich for having to face the Bills’ offense, which they’ll do again in a month. Line: Jets +12 1/2
Vikings 27, Commanders 21: Washington is exploring an ownership sale. Kirk Cousins surely is among those who like that. Line: Vikings -3 1/2
Cardinals 27, Seahawks 21: J.J. Watt, as a new dad, fiercely protects his house against the scary Seahawks. That shrinks Seattle’s NFC West lead to a half-game over the idle 49ers. Line: Cardinals -2
Buccaneers 28, Rams 24: The NFL’s past two champions meet, and it’s not on prime time? Someone must have known these teams would be under .500 entering November. Line: Bucs -3
Chiefs 27, Titans 23: Google “Andy Reid after a bye” and there’s your clue for this pick: 20-3 overall (best in NFL history), 12-1 at home. Line: Titans +12 1/2
Ravens 33, Saints 21: Baltimore won the Super Bowl in the Superdome a decade ago. Monday night, the lights don’t go out on this Ravens’ win. Line: Ravens -2 1/2
Last week: 9-6 straight up, 6-9 against the spread
Season: 70-52-1 straight up, 67-56 against the spread