Week 9 NFL BOLD Picks and Predictions

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

It's week 9 of the NFL season and that means we are half way home, so get ready for more MVP talk, playoff push, and close division battles. There have been a lot of surprises and still a lot more to come, so let's kick this second half off:

Bills at Jets

Buffalo has made an overhaul this season and their recent acquisition of Benjamin will give them a legit deep threat and a red zone target. New York has stayed close in most of their games lately but the fourth quarter is not their friend, so I'm picking Buffalo in a short week, Bills win 23-13

Buccaneers at Saints

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

This is an intriguing match-up in the NFC South, Tampa has been one of the most disappointing teams in the division but this could be a trap game for the Saints. New Orleans has played much better defensively and clicking on offense, which is why it's time to bring the Saints back down to earth. I think Jameis and Mike Evans will pick them apart, Bucs win 34-28

Rams at Giants

Jared Goff's season has been MVP-like and his teammate Todd Gurley has a lot to do with that, so if the Giants are to have a chance they must shut them down. I think the Giants are struggling on both sides of the ball and they couldn't outscore L.A. on a perfect day, Rams roll 35-17

Falcons at Panthers

Cam and the Panthers lost one of their best receivers in Benjamin which will be a big blow and they will have to lean more on Christian McCaffrey, which may be an advantage for Atlanta. Matt Ryan and the offense played better against the Jets but Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman have to get more touches for the Falcons to be successful, which I think they will do, Falcons in a close one! Falcons win 21-17

Ravens at Titans

The Ravens had a blast during a 40-0 blowout against Miami but they will have to come back down to earth against Tennessee. Joe Flacco has been turnover prone all season and against the Titans aggressive defense, Baltimore will have to establish the run to win this one, but Tennessee has a two-headed monster in Murray/Henry that will wear them down, so I'm taking the Titans, Tennessee wins 24-16

Bengals at Jaguars

The Bengals got back on the winning track last week after an overtime win but this week they will play a Jacksonville defense that will be after Andy Dalton to add to their sack total. Leonard Fournette is back which means the Jags will ram it down Cincy's throat. Jags win 27-17

Broncos at Eagles

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Carson Wentz and the Eagles are on fire and Denver has caught them at a bad time. The Broncos have been clueless on offense which has made the defense venerable, which is why I think the Eagles will roll to 8-1, Philadelphia wins 31-10

Colts at Texans

Deshaun Watson threw for over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns last week in a loss and I'm pretty sure Indy's secondary isn't n the level of Seattle, so It's safe to say Watson will strengthen his MVP resume', Houston wins 38-12

Redskins at Seahawks

Kirk Cousins will be running all game long like he's on a most wanted list, because of significant injuries on the offensive line, which will give Russell Wilson more shots downfield, I'll take the Seahawks in this one. Seahawks win 31-17

Cardinals at 49ers

The analysis for this game is simple, whomever wins the battle in the trenches will come out on top, Hyde or Peterson? I'll roll with Peterson and Arizona, oh and Arizona's secondary will probably cause Beathard to make mistakes, so yeah the Niners get closer to a top 3 pick. Cardinals win 17-9

Chiefs at Cowboys

Andy Reid has an advantage in this game and that advantage is speed, so look for the Chiefs to utilize Hill and Hunt in a lot of formations, which I don't think the Cowboys could cover. Ezekiel will be out which means it'll be Morris and McFadden, who are not Elliot but can be resourceful, but if Dallas is to win it will be on the arm of Prescott. I think Kansas City's pass rush will disrupt Prescott's timing, which means the Chiefs will be too much in the end. Chiefs win 28-20

Sunday Night Football

Raiders at Dolphins

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

I'm going to keep this short and simple, The Dolphins threw away their season with the trade of Ajayi and the Raiders passing attack will be too much for their defense to handle. Yes Jay Cuter returns but without Ajayi to give him a chance at an effective play action (his strength) Khalil Mack will live in the backfield. Raiders win 34-17

Monday Night Football

Lions at Packers

Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay is always a tough place for the Lions to play, but they may catch a break with the absence of Aaron Rodgers. The Lions lost a heart breaker to Pittsburgh after putting up 482 yards of offense and not getting in the end zone once, but Matthew won't let that happen twice. Aaron Jones is the key to how effective Brett Hundley will be, but I think they will try to get in a shootout and Detroit will take this one! Lions win 24-20