NFL Week Nine Predictions
Srikar Kalapala
Overall Record: 74-48-1
Philadelphia Eagles (7-0) vs. Houston Texans (1-5-1)
Eagles. This one looks like another boring TNF game, as the unbeaten Eagles should make quick work this week. The Titans’ defense clamped up against Davis Mills, and this Philly defense is better, so I don’t see the Texans putting up much of a fight in this one.
New England Patriots (4-4) vs. Indianapolis Colts (3-4-1)
Patriots. The Colts’ offense just hasn’t been good to start this season, and even Sam Ehlinger couldn’t change that, in a last-minute loss against the Commanders. The Patriots showed signs of life in their game against the Jets last week, and I think the Patriots defense can clamp up against the Colts this week.
Detroit Lions (1-6) vs. Green Bay Packers (3-5)
Packers. Although the Packers lost last week, it was expected, as they faced the best team in the league. However, there were some very positive things that came out of that game, as Aaron Jones had a field day when he got his touches. Although Detroit has started fast recently against the Packers, I think Green Bay will score on their opening drive and play great defense in order to win this game.
Atlanta Falcons (4-4) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)
Chargers. The Falcons have been a little surprising to me in terms of how well they have played overall this season, even after losing franchise icon Matty Ice. I think the Falcons will have success running the football against the Chargers, but it won’t be enough against a Chargers team coming off their bye.
New York Jets (5-3) vs. Buffalo Bills (6-1)
Bills. Zach Wilson got exposed last week against the Patriots, and without Breece Hall, I think the Bills defense will take care of this offense. I don’t think the Jets will be able to contain the MVP front-runner in Josh Allen, and I think the Bills will be able to cruise to their seventh win.
Washington Commanders (4-4) vs. Minnesota Vikings (6-1)
Vikings. The Commanders have gone on a little win streak here in the last several weeks, but I think that stops now. If it wasn’t for Scary Terry’s heroics, the Commanders would probably still be a one-win team. On the other hand, the Vikings have been trying to make a statement to the league that says that they are contenders, and I think that Justin Jefferson and their offense will be able to take advantage of the Washington secondary.
Cincinnati Bengals (4-4) vs. Carolina Panthers (2-6)
Bengals. Well, the Bengals got humiliated and obliterated against the Browns on Monday. If that is what this offense will look like without Ja’Marr Chase for the next several weeks, the Bengals might be in big trouble. However, I think that could be a big wake-up call for them, and they will look to beat a Panthers team that should have beaten the Falcons last week. PJ Walker has been a little bit of a bright spot for this Panthers team, and it will be interesting to see what they do next year if he keeps playing well.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (2-5)
Jaguars. Both teams are coming off losses in this one, the Raiders getting shut out, and the Jags losing a tight one to the Broncos in London. The Jaguars are 2-6, but with a +14 point differential. I think Trevor Lawrence will have his bounce-back game against a Raiders team that has not lived up to expectations.
Chicago Bears (3-5) vs. Miami Dolphins (5-3)
Dolphins. The Bears traded away their franchise linebacker Roquan Smith to the Ravens on Monday, and now I think GM Ryan Poles has acknowledged that this season is just a Justin Fields trial season. I think the Dolphins have enough offensively and defensively to beat this team, after another comeback against the Lions
Arizona Cardinals (3-5) vs. Seattle Seahawks (5-3)
Seahawks. If you told me at the beginning of the season that Seattle and Atlanta would be leading their divisions through eight weeks, and that the Jets and Giants were playoff teams, I would have called you crazy. But that speaks volumes about the parity of this league in 2022, where any team can beat any other team. These two teams played already a couple of weeks ago, with Seattle winning in convincing fashion. I see no reason to pick against them this week. Let Geno Cook.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5) vs. Los Angeles Rams (3-4)
Bucs. Before this season started, this game had the potential to be the game of the year with how their playoff game played out last year. Now, these two teams look to be washed and look to revive their season in a pivotal game. Cooper Kupp got injured last week in garbage time against the Niners, but it doesn’t look to be too serious as he is expected to play. If he is on a snap count though, I expect this offense to struggle a little bit. Although I have no faith in this Bucs offense either, I think Brady will look to have revenge from last year, and that will be enough to win this game.
Kansas City Chiefs (5-2) vs. Tennessee Titans (5-2)
Chiefs. This one is a rematch of the playoff game from a couple of years ago, and both teams will look to make deep runs again this year. The Titans were able to choke the Texans offense last week, but if they start Malik Willis again this week, I don’t know if they have much of a chance in a shootout against Patrick Mahomes.
New Orleans Saints (3-5) vs. Baltimore Ravens (5-3)
Ravens. The Ravens were able to hold on to a lead again on Thursday against Brady and the Bucs, and now they travel to New Orleans to play the Saints. The Saints shocked the Raiders last week, as they shut them out 24-0. I think this game will be really close with how the Saints have been playing recently, and they might get a couple of players back too. This is honestly a 50-50 game to pick for me, so I’ll go with the team that has an MVP at QB.
