As we are now at the mid-point of the season, we are learning more and more about some teams every week. On the slate for this week, there are some intriguing matchups. A couple of games will take place between teams in the same division in the mix for the playoffs. Below is a look into the key points for each game along with what the rest of Week 9 is looking like.
New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts
The Jets are coming off a very exciting victory led by Mike White. It will be fun to see him in his second start. Expect young wide receivers, Elijah Moore and Denzel Mims to be involved even more. Going against the Colts’ talented defensive front will be a good challenge. For the Colts, they will have to continue to rely on Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman. Carson Wentz needs to limit the turnovers. This will be a close game that the Colts win by one score.
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
This NFC South battle should be a good one. The Saints have won three in a row and are coming off an exciting game. The Falcons were playing some good football up until a disappointing home loss a week ago. For the Falcons, they will need big performances from Matt Ryan, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Kyle Pitts. The Saints’ defense has been very successful this season which should make this a competitive battle. At home, the Saints will win by one score.
Denver Broncos at Dallas Cowboys
Each of these teams are coming off close wins. The Cowboys won an exciting game to get their sixth in a row. The Broncos snapped a four-game losing streak. In this one, the Cowboys have a much better roster. Defensively, they should continue their dominance led by Randy Gregory, Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, and Anthony Brown. Dak Prescott should be back which is exciting. Expect Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb to keep up their great play. The Cowboys will win this one by at least 10.
New England Patriots at Carolina Panthers
The key in this one will be the status of Sam Darnold and Christian McCaffrey. As of now, it is unknown whether or not they will be good to go for Sunday. For the Patriots, they played a great game defensively a week ago and will need something similar to it in this one to win on the road. Matt Judon has been special all season and should make a big impact in this one. Offensively, they will need Damien Harris to control the game. On the road, the Patriots will win by one score.
Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens
This game looks to be one of the more interesting matchups for this week. The Ravens had their bye a week ago after a tough home loss. The Vikings lost a disappointing home game last week and have to keep their playoff chances alive. Being on the road against a complete team does not make it easy for them. Lamar Jackson, Marquise Brown, and Mark Andrews should all make their usual impact in this one. Hopefully, the Vikings’ talented offense with Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen make more big plays. At home, the Ravens will win this one by one score.
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
This AFC North matchup looks to be a fascinating battle. Both of these teams are currently right in the playoff mix. The Browns have been underwhelming to this point. The recent situation with Odell Beckham Jr. is an interesting one. It can either bring this team together or pull it apart. Expect Baker Mayfield to be motivated and play his best yet. For the Bengals, they were looking great up until last week’s tough loss. How they bounce back here will be worth watching. This game is a very important one. The Browns will win by a field goal.
Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars
This game should not be too close. The Bills are coming off a solid win that they needed. The Jaguars had a very tough game last Sunday. Offensively, the Bills should move the ball well once again. Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and Cole Beasley have all been great. Emmanuel Sanders should be more involved this week as he has been a core contributor as well. How Trevor Lawrence plays against the Bills’ talented defense will be interesting. The Bills will win by two touchdowns.
Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins
Each team in this one has lost seven straight. It will be worth following how Tua Tagovailoa and Davis Mills execute for their teams in this game. This should be a game where the Dolphins’ talented defense picks things up. Brandin Cooks will still make his plays, but the rest of this group they should contain. At home, the Dolphins will win by a touchdown.
Las Vegas Raiders at New York Giants
The Giants had a frustrating ending to their game Monday night. This fast turnaround may not help them in this one. Derek Carr has been fantastic all season and will make his big plays in this one. The Raiders defense will have to make plays and should throughout this game. Hopefully, Daniel Jones can also keep up his stellar play from most of this season. In the end, the Raiders will win by a touchdown.
Los Angeles Chargers at Philadelphia Eagles
Anticipate the Chargers getting an important win here. They have lost their last two and have not played up to their potential. Against the Eagles’ defense, Justin Herbert should bounce back. For the Eagles, they are coming off a convincing win but against a bad football team. It will be interesting to see the level at which their offense executes this week. The Chargers will win this one by a touchdown.
Green Bay Packers at Kanas City Chiefs
The Chiefs looked like they were in for a tough one but without Aaron Rodgers, they should pick up a crucial win. Shockingly, their offense continues to struggle. They must do a better job of committing themselves to the run as teams continue to play with two deep safeties to eliminate big plays. It will be fun to see Jordan Love get his first live game action. Expect a lot of both Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon once again in this one. The Chiefs will win a close one by about a touchdown.
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
This NFC West game is an important one for each team. The 49ers picked up a big win a week ago and need to stay in the playoff hunt. The Cardinals finally lost their first game of the season. With extra rest heading into this one they should be ready to go. For the 49ers, big games from Elijah Mitchell and Deebo Samuel will once again be needed. The 49ers’ offensive line will have to hold their own against the Cardinals’ talented front. For the Cardinals, the status of Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins is everything. On the road, the Cardinals will win by a field goal.
Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Rams
Without superstar running back Derrick Henry, the Titans are being tested in a big way on the road against the Rams. The one-on-one battles A.J. Brown and Jalen Ramsey get will be a must-see. The Titans will need someone else to step up and help contribute for them in this game. For the Rams, expect Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp to keep up their unstoppable play. At home, the Rams will win by a touchdown.
Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have done a tremendous job of playing themselves back into the playoff mix. At home, they should continue their winning ways in this one. Their dominant defensive line against the Bears struggling offensive line is a clear mismatch for them. Justin Fields will have to keep up his success with his legs in this one as he will likely be on the move a ton. For the Steelers, they should move the football pretty well led by an exciting, young core of skill talent in Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and Pat Freiermuth. They have all been great. At home, the Steelers will win by at least a touchdown.
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