We’re on the backend of the season, /r/NFL! We have another game in Germany this week and it looks like it’ll be a bargain bin game compared to last week’s. The byes are fours teams this week, meaning two less games to watch. I had a great Week 9, going 12-2 and bringing me to 91-45 on the season. How did everyone else do? We only have two division games this week with four inter-conference and eight cross-conference games lined up. Let’s get to it!

Winner Loser Comments
Bears over Panthers We’re starting the week off on an absolute clunker. Young, the running game, receiving corps and O-line have all been limited or inconsistent for Carolina. Whether it’s Bagent or Fields, the Bears can go after the Panthers defense well through the rushing attack and a motivated Moore in the passing game.
Colts over Patriots Minshew is taking hits in the passing game, but he’s been helped out by Taylor and Moss running every week while the defense gets better. Jones has been more competent with more diverse weapons and the running game is improving, but he’s still missing throws and making a few key mistakes.
Bengals over Texans Stroud is red-hot as a former Ohio State QB. Burrow is also sizzling as a former Ohio State QB. Stroud and the offense hasn’t been the same on the road and Cincy has a tough pass defense with its strong CBs and bookend pressure. Burrow picks apart Houston’s pass defense inside out.
Saints over Vikings This will be a close one; coinflip. The Saints’ offense is finally starting to gel, with some hiccups last week, but they got some big plays from Taysom as well as five turnovers from Bagent to get the win. Dobbs brings the support the Vikings need after losing Cousins, but I think the NOLA defense pressures him enough to make winning this matchup just out of reach.
Steelers over Packers Steelers’ defense will be primed to jump on a limited Packers offense with Love still fighting through it. Watt will be ready to tear into Green Bay’s O-line and Pittsburgh’s run blocking should keep both Harris and Warren hot. Pickett won’t need QB heroics here.
Buccaneers over Titans Another coinflip game. If Levis can play like he did against Atlanta, the Titans have a good shot in this one. But this Bucs defense has been legit for most of the season. Baker also has the receivers to give the Titans’ corners trouble.
49ers over Jaguars Given that San Fran has to go cross-country on this one, I’m calling this my “upset”. Purdy should be sharper from the bye with better weapons around him. Look for the Niners’ pass rush to rev up with more help and do enough for Purdy to outduel Lawrence on the road.
Ravens over Browns Probably a low-scoring divisional matchup given these two teams’ great defenses. Garrett and crew tend to play much better defense at home; not the case this week. Baltimore brings a nasty pass rush and secondary. Watson still isn’t playing well and he’ll make too many mistakes under pressure.
Cardinals over Falcons Bird battle. Murray should be back this week. Heinicke and the Falcons offense continues to lose any rushing or passing identity. If Murray plays, the Falcons’ defense has proved the past two weeks it doesn’t respond well to QB curveballs, either with athleticism or a big arm.
Lions over Chargers The Lions will have their offense at full strength after a bye around Goff and St. Brown. The defense will chase Herbert as L.A. gets too one-dimensional with limited weapons. The Chargers’ pass rush will be held in check while St. Brown goes off to lead a big scoring charge.
Cowboys over Giants The Giants have lost Jones and Taylor, leaving them with DeVito and Barkley. That doesn’t feel good against Dak and a defense that beat them up 40-0 in the first meeting in Week 1. Dallas will take out its disappointment at Philly by ripping into another, much weaker NFC East rival.
Seahawks over Commanders Commanders go from Washington D.C. to Washington state, hoping to keep playing well on the road with Howell. Seattle is coming back from getting blasted in Baltimore and won’t mind a get-well game. Smith plays much better, while Howell gets rattled a few too many times.
Raiders over Jets Jets are coming off a short week to play another AFC West opponent. The Raiders are playing more inspired defense with a tough running game at home under interim coach Pierce, having just ripped into a much worse New York team. The Raiders can hang in there with a run-heavy, physical approach.
Bills over Broncos Ungulate battle. Wilson is playing well and at 3-5, the Broncos were inspired enough to think their offense can put them back in the playoff picture. Denver does have confidence with the defense playing well and just having dusted K.C. before the bye. But Buffalo is ready to bump off a lesser team at home after losing to New England and Cincy.

Byes: Chiefs, Rams, Dolphins, Eagles

Those are my predictions, let’s hear yours. Keep it civil and fun. Best of luck!

  • EGGPLANTORBUSTBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Bears over Panthers

    Colts over Patriots

    Bengals over Texans

    Saints over Vikings

    Steelers over Packers

    Buccaneers over Titans

    Jaguars over 49ers

    Ravens over Browns

    Cardinals over Falcons

    Lions over Chargers

    Cowboys over Giants

    Seahawks over Commies

    Raiders over Jets

    Bills over Broncos

    Week 9: 10-4

    Overall: 79-57