BYE WEEK: BROWNS, COWBOYS, BRONCOS, GIANTS, STEELERS, 49ERS

THURSDAY NIGHT PREVIEW

EAGLES AT TEXANS – 5:15PM PT/8:15PM ET [PRIME VIDEO]

This Thursday Night Football just got weirder. I’m not saying it’ll be bad, but plenty of us fans see the record separation between the Eagles and Texans. Either way, anything can happen on Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football. Since Prime took over, the largest margin of victory was 12 and it happened twice.

The Eagles are the only undefeated team left and could look for more than the playoffs this season. Their offense looks stellar with Hurts looking more and more improved, and the rest of the unit are pretty much bullying the defense. The Eagles defense are as nasty as they come. They play well, smart, and relentless.

Lovie Smith is doing some rebuilding with the Texans; however, this rebuilding squad is competing to the very extent and running back Dameon Pierce and this defense are the backbone of this team. Smith is 4-2 all-time against the Eagles when he was the Bears head coach.

I feel that we’re all on the Eagles, and the Texans have yet to defeat Philly but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. While the Texans don’t match up with Philly, Philadelphia might be without big boy Jordan Davis in the defensive front to stop Dameon Pierce, and Philly’s run defense is statistically in the middle of the pack. The Eagles should still win outright, but don’t be surprised if the game is close.

MY PICK: EAGLES

SUNDAY NIGHT PREVIEW

TITANS AT CHIEFS – 5:20PM PT/8:20PM ET

One season ago, the Titans ran over Kansas City and bogged down Patrick Mahomes. Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill and Tennessee’s defense made life hell for them. This season, Tennessee travels to Kansas City but quarterback Malik Willis is the starter alongside Derrick Henry while Patrick Mahomes has probably more weapons in his arsenal than before.

Tennessee had a bad break in the first two games and doubt was put on them. Once they won five straight, more see them as a quiet threat to the Chiefs and Bills (despite losing 41-7 to Buffalo earlier). Derrick Henry looks like his usual self and running over people without remorse while the defense is more improved from last season. The defense allowed under 20 points in the last four games as of now.

The Chiefs enjoyed their bye week after a big win over San Francisco. This season looked different without Tyreek Hill, but the offense looks fine without him. Patrick Mahomes has more weapons to target aside from Travis Kelce. This time, Kansas City will be for sure a hard out against any team that faces them.

Looking at this Week 9 schedule, this is by far the best matchup of the week while the 49ers, Cowboys, and Giants are on break. It should be a back-and-forth game with a likely defensive struggle. The Chiefs could be in for another difficult matchup against a team with good defense. However, the Chiefs should win due to having an experienced quarterback.

MY PICK: CHIEFS

MONDAY NIGHT PREVIEW

RAVENS AT SAINTS – 5:15PM PT/8:15PM ET

Andy Dalton and Lamar Jackson meet for the third time since Jackson was drafted, and the first time since 2020. However, Andy Dalton hasn’t escaped the Ravens since he was drafted in the NFL. He went to the Cowboys, Bears, and now Saints, and yet he still played them. He’s 9-10 all-time and has only missed one matchup in 2019.

The Ravens just picked up Roquan Smith in a trade. This should work out since the team needs a bit more improvement on that side. Also, they just won two straight games for the first time this season. As the weeks go on, Baltimore is slowly but surely improving to become the team to beat in the AFC North.

It’s been said that New Orleans are on their way back. They are currently 2-1 against first place division teams and ran over the Raiders without hesitation last week. They’re progressing but they need more proof to show they are back. It all starts with Alvin Kamara and he’s the key to the team’s midseason surge.

The Ravens look like a team that could threaten the AFC through weekly improvements, but they need a solution to their fourth quarter woes. They were outscored 35-83 in that quarter alone. I would usually assume the Saints will close out the fourth quarter with a win, but I’ll bet on newly acquired linebacker, Roquan Smith, to bring the juice to this defense with an impactful play to help the Ravens win on Monday Night.

MY PICK: RAVENS

MY TOTAL: 56

THE REST OF WEEK 9 NFL PICK’EMS

CHARGERS AT FALCONS

DOLPHINS AT BEARS

PANTHERS AT BENGALS

PACKERS AT LIONS

COLTS AT PATRIOTS

BILLS AT JETS

VIKINGS AT COMMANDERS

RAIDERS AT JAGUARS

SEAHAWKS AT CARDINALS

RAMS AT BUCCANEERS