Week 9 could be a preview of the AFC divisional playoffs that will cover the early and late windows on Sunday.
Wake up early for the best game of the week. Division leaders Kansas City and Miami meet at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday. The Dolphins rank first in the NFL in total yards (453.3), while the Chiefs (381.5). It's another showcase game for Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes II and Miami's Tua Tagovailoa. Will Taylor Swift take an overseas trip? Stay tuned.
The Sunday Night Football Game between Cincinnati and Buffalo will be an emotional return for safety Damar Hamlin, who collapsed in the regular-season game at Paycor Stadium on Jan. 2, 2023. The Bengals are heating up in the league's toughest division, and the Bills are trying to keep up with the Dolphins. Josh Allen and Joe Burrow make for good TV, too.
Baltimore, Jacksonville and a few others might have something to say, but those games will feel like that second weekend of the postseason. The winners will be in good position heading into the second half of the season.
Each week, Sporting News picks every NFL matchup by the spread. A look at our track record this season:
- Straight up: 76-46 (11-5 in Week 8)
- ATS: 61-58-3 (7-8-1 in Week 8)
Here are our straight-up picks for Week 9 (lines courtesy of Caesars):
POWER RANKINGS: Eagles back on top as Chiefs, 49ers slip
NFL picks, predictions for Week 9
- Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers (-4)
Thursday, 8:20 p.m., Prime Video
Ryan Tannehill (ankle) is out. Rookie Will Levis threw four TDs in Week 8 in a sensational debut that included three scores for DeAndre Hopkins.. Pittsburgh is 2-2 S/U in home games this season, and Kenny Pickett (ribs) might be out on a short week. That means Mitchell Trubisky. Take the under in a low-scoring game.
Pick: Steelers 21, Titans 18
Result: Steelers 20, Titans 16
- Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5)
Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NFL Network
Tagovailoa (2,416 yards, 18 TDs, 7 INTs) and Mahomes II (2,258 yards, 15 TDs, 8 INTs) rank first and third, respectively, in passing yards. The Dolphins have an opportunity to score a major victory here and work toward home-field advantage in the AFC. We just don't see the Chiefs losing back-to-back games.
Pick: Chiefs 33, Dolphins 28
- Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons (-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
Yet another early-window game with backup quarterbacks. Jaren Hall replaced Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is out for the season with a torn Achilles. Taylor Heinicke replaced Falcons starter Desmond Ridder in Week 8. The Falcons are 3-1 S/U at home, but they might want to keep tabs on Jordan Addison – who has five TD catches in Minnesota's last four games. Both teams turn the ball over too much, so we'll stick with the home team.
Pick: Falcons 24, Vikings 17
- Seattle Seahawks at Baltimore Ravens (-4.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
This is the fourth head-to-head meeting between Pete Carroll and John Harbaugh, and Carroll has a 2-1 advantage in those previous meetings. Seattle is 2-1 S/U on the road this season, and Geno Smith has a 93.7 rating with three TDs and two INTs in those games. Lamar Jackson has a 71.4% completion percentage with 5 TDs and one interception in a three-game win streak. The Ravens win, but this game will be tight.
Pick: Ravens 29, Seahawks 24
- Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns (-7.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Kyler Murray is inching closer to a return for the Cardinals, who are on a five-game losing streak. Arizona has just one cover in that stretch and now has to face a tough Cleveland defense. Clayton Tune will start if Murray cannot go, and Deshaun Watson (shoulder) remains a week-to-week decision for the Browns. Cleveland is 3-1 S/U at home, but they are 0-2 S/U as a favorite this season.
Pick: Browns 24, Cardinals 17
- Los Angeles Rams (-1.5) at Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
The Packers have been a miserable first-half team, and they are in danger of losing their third straight game at Lambeau Field. Brett Rypien replaced Matthew Stafford (thumb) for the Rams in Week 8. The Rams are 2-1 S/U on the road, but the Packers break a four-game losing streak with a late TD drive from Jordan Love. This game won't be pretty, but Green Bay breaks the losing skid.
Pick: Packers 18, Rams 17
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houston Texans (-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Texans lost a heart-breaker to Carolina in Week 8, a reminder that it still will be a process with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has taken 13 sacks in Houston's four losses and two sacks in their three wins. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, has averaged just 65.7 rushing yards per game in a three-game losing streak. Baker Mayfield leads Tampa Bay to a victory in his home state.
Pick: Buccaneers 22, Texans 20
- Washington Commanders at New England Patriots (-2.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
The Patriots rank 31st in the NFL in scoring at 14.8 ppg.; an indictment of just how bad the offense has been this season. Washington has been in a free fall. Sam Howell's protection was much better in the loss to Philadelphia. The Commanders have allowed 30 or more points five times, but they are 2-2 S/U on the road.
Pick: Commanders 20, Patriots 19
- Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints (-5.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Tyson Bagent has a 70% completion percentage, but it is a tough road environment against a Saints defense that ranks in the top five in total yards (296.4 ypg.) and top 10 in scoring defense. New Orleans is a tough-to-predict .500 team, but Derek Carr has three straight 300-yard games and Chicago ranks 30th in pass defense (262.3).
Pick: Saints 27, Bears 14
- Indianapolis Colts (-2.5) at Carolina Panthers
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS
The Colts are stuck in a three-game skid in which they've allowed an average of 38 points per game. The Panthers stay at home after winning 15-13 in Week 8. Frank Reich is up against his old team, but Carolina allows 139.4 rushing yards per game. This could be the Jonathan Taylor breakout game for this season.
Pick: Colts 30, Panthers 22
- New York Giants at Las Vegas Raiders (-3)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Daniel Jones (neck) is expected back for the Giants, who rank last in the NFL in scoring (11.9 ppg.). The Raiders are coming off a short week, and they are 2-1 at home. New York is 2-0-1 ATS the last three weeks, and the defense has held up. That could lead to a small road upset.
Pick: Giants 17, Raiders 14
- Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (-3)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
These teams split in the regular season last year. Philadelphia could take a commanding lead in the NFC East race here. The Cowboys have limited Jalen Hurts to an average of 31 rushing yards in his last two starts against Dallas, but the Cowboys have been an average road team at 2-2 S/U this season. The Eagles haven't lost at home, and they are 4-0 ATS when favored by less than six points.
Pick: Eagles 29, Cowboys 22
- Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals (-1)
Sunday, 8:20 pm., NBC
Buffalo and Cincinnati have emerged as AFC rivals in recent seasons, and the pressure is on the Bills here. Burrow has a 77.9% completion percentage, 8 TDs and two interceptions in his last three games. Ja'Marr Chase has 31 catches for 372 yards and four TDs in that same stretch. How will Allen and Stefon Diggs – who has five 100-yard games – counter in this one? Cincinnati is 15-6 S/U the last three seasons with Burrow. We will stick with the home team in a virtual pick ‘em.
Pick: Bengals 26, Bills 24
- Los Angeles Chargers at New York Jets (-2)
Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
The Jets are back in prime time and riding a three-game win streak, but they are an underdog on a few sportsbooks with a line that has seen a lot of movement. Zach Wilson has a 52.2% completion percentage the last two weeks, and they will need to score to keep up with the Chargers. Justin Herbert is coming off his best game of the season.
Pick: Chargers 24, Jets 20
