NFL Picks Against The Spread 2016: Week 9 Games

Photo by: Jeff Fusco

Before Week 9 of the 2016 NFL season schedule kicks off, let’s have some fun by taking a look at the spreads for this week’s round of games. (Click here for our NFL Week 9 straight up predictions.)

Here are suggestions when trying to beat the odds. You can find all of today’s NFL betting lines and more at Bovada. My record so far this season is 54-49-7 after going 5-5-1 last week. Let’s get to the picks.

2016 NFL WEEK 9 PICKS AGAINST THE SPREAD

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-2.5): The Ravens have never lost four games in a row under John Harbaugh until this season. It’s hard to see them dropping five straight, especially since they’re playing at home coming off a bye. The Steelers would be an easier pick here if Ben Roethlisberger was healthy but he’s not. If he can’t finish the game and Landry Jones has to play, then it’s definitely over for Pittsburgh. PICK: Ravens -2.5

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (-3): Why are the Giants favored here? The Eagles are the better team on paper. Philadelphia ranks No. 1 overall in DVOA and second overall in point differential. The Giants, meanwhile, rank 17th and 20th respectively. Jim Schwartz’s defense should be able to shut down a New York offense that has really struggled to score. Ben McAdoo’s offense is only averaging 17.1 points per game. The Eagles own the Giants in recent history (13-3 straight up and 12-4 against the spread) and the Birds have the desperation factor working in their favor. Eagles win this game outright. PICK: Eagles +3

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-4): The Dolphins have played better in recent weeks and they have the advantage of extra rest as they come off their bye. The Jets almost lost to the Browns last week. It’s very hard to trust Ryan Fitzpatrick right now so the home team is the safer bet here. PICK: Dolphins -4

Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns (-7.5): It’s tempting to take the points in this one because this could be a classic trap game for the Cowboys. Dallas is coming off a big division win and they play the Steelers next week. They might be overlooking this winless Cleveland team. With that said, Hue Jackson’s squad doesn’t inspire a lot of faith. Beware of upset potential in this one, but for now I’ll say the Cowboys cover. PICK: Cowboys -7.5

Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5): Another game with a big spread. This one is simple: the Jaguars are bad and Gus Bradley should be fired. He’ll easily be out-coached by Andy Reid this week. PICK: Chiefs -7.5

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-6.5): Minnesota is 0-2 in their last two games after starting 5-0. The Vikings lost soundly to a bad Bears team on Monday Night Football. Now they’ll be playing the Lions on short rest. And without their offensive coordinator as Norv Turner resigned this week. Playing at home should help the Vikings’ offensive line when it comes to the snap count, but that factor alone can’t mask their talent deficiencies up front. Ezekiel Ansah going against the Vikings’ tackles is a big mismatch. The Vikings can’t score enough to cover this spread even if they win. Take the points. PICK: Lions +6.5

Carolina Panthers (-3) at Los Angeles Rams: It feels like the Panthers got some of their mojo back after beating the Cardinals last week. Carolina could keep the good fortune going against Jeff Fisher’s uninspiring side. Case Keenum is just so bad. It’s hard to imagine him outperforming Cam Newton. PICK: Panthers -3

New Orleans Saints (-4) at San Francisco 49ers: The Saints just beat the Seahawks. If New Orleans can score on the Seattle defense, it’s hard to imagine they’ll have trouble scoring on San Francisco. The fact that it’s a road game for the Saints’ makes things tricky, and the 49ers’ offense might even find success against a bad New Orleans defense, but betting on Drew Brees still feels like the right move. PICK: Saints -4

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers (-4): The Titans have a better record than the Chargers, but their wins haven’t been all that impressive. They’ve mostly come against bad teams. San Diego isn’t great but the Bolts are a little better than their record indicates due to blowing some close games. Mike McCoy’s squad will take care of business at home. PICK: Chargers -4

Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers (-7.5): The Packers don’t look dominant by any means but the Colts are dreadful. Expect Aaron Rodgers to have a big day against Indy’s defense. Green Bay had success against a bad Falcons defense last week and could do the same this Sunday. PICK: Packers -7.5

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders (-1): Jack Del Rio’s Raiders, who could potentially be known as the Las Vegas Raiders in the future, are a fun team. They’re good, too. But are they good enough to have success against the Broncos? It’ll be a true test for them. For now, there’s confidence to be had in Denver’s defense keeping the Raiders’ offense in check. The Broncos’ offense should be able to do enough against a Oakland defense that’s struggled at times this season. PICK: Broncos +1

Buffalo Bills at Seattle Seahawks (-7): The Seahawks will win this game. The question is: can they cover? It’s hard to call it a lock given some of their offensive struggles. The feeling here is that the Bills will struggle even more offensively, however, especially if LeSean McCoy isn’t playing. Buffalo can’t succeed without their run game. They’ll struggle against Seattle’s defense. PICK: Seahawks -7