NFL Game Picks: Week 9

Story posted November 6, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by CommRadio Sports Staff

The following article contains information that is not representative of the opinions of CommRadio. It solely expresses the opinions of Connor Fenix, Jameson Kramer, Owen Gelber, and Matt Cabram.

As we have reached the midway point in the NFL season, a lot of teams made a few acquisitions during the trade deadline that have boosted their playoff and Super Bowl chances.

Meanwhile, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are still trying to figure it out, as both of the veteran quarterbacks now have a combined record of 6-10.

It was shocking to see that Green Bay didn’t trade for a wide receiver during the deadline, but other teams have strengthened their roster and we have a lot of new looks heading into the next week.

Super Bowl contenders are becoming more and more foreseeable, but there is still a lot of football to be played.

Here are our picks for Week 9:

Connor’s Picks

Carolina Panthers (2-6) @ Cincinnati Bengals (4-4) (Sunday 1:00 p.m.) (CIN -7)

Last week’s game for the Bengals against the Cleveland Browns was bottomline ugly. It goes to show how much of a difference the absence of Ja’Marr Chase played in the 32-13 primetime defeat.

The Carolina Panthers narrowly lost in overtime to the Atlanta Falcons — a team that now sits atop the NFC South.

With Chase missing practice this week, it’s doubtful he’ll play on Sunday. With this game being in The Jungle, I think that’s the only edge the Bengals have, and it’ll be closer than expected.

My Prediction: Bengals 20, Panthers 17

Miami Dolphins (5-3) @ Chicago Bears (3-5) (Sunday 1:00 p.m.) (MIA -5)

This past week, the Dolphins heavily strengthened their Super Bowl chances with the acquisition of linebacker Bradley Chubb.

Meanwhile, Tyreek Hill is on pace to surpass 2,000 receiving yards, as the wide receiver already has 961 yards off 69 receptions through eight games.

The Chicago Bears are coming off a 20-point stomping on the road against the Dallas Cowboys, and it’s safe to say that the Bears are not quite there yet in terms of depth to compete.

My Prediction: Dolphins 27, Bears 16

Baltimore Ravens (5-3) @ New Orleans Saints (3-5) (Monday 8:15 p.m.) (BAL -2.5)

Rounding out the action in Week 9, we have a primetime game that could be the tipping point for the New Orleans Saints.

Coming off a 24-0 shutout and a three-touchdown performance from running back Alvin Kamara, the Saints are just looking to stay afloat as the NFC South is still very much up for grabs.

The Ravens, however, will be a challenge as they are coming off a mini bye week after last Thursday’s win against the Bucs.

Lamar Jackson has shown he can play well on the road, and the Ravens have a lot of momentum heading into this matchup. It will be a close game, but New Orleans’ lack of weapons due to injuries will prove their downfall.

My Prediction: Ravens 28, Saints 20

Jameson’s Picks

Philadelphia Eagles (7-0) @ Houston Texans (1-5-1) (Thursday 8:15 p.m.) (PHI -13.5)

Philly sports are on a roll, and I don’t see that changing Thursday night. The Eagles are the NFL’s last undefeated team, and the Texans might have the least amount of talent in the league, even after retaining Brandin Cooks. Coming off of a short week sometimes creates crazy upsets, but I don’t see it happening here.

My Prediction: Eagles 34, Texans 13

Minnesota Vikings (6-1) @ Washington Commanders (4-4) (Sunday 1:00 p.m.) (WAS +3)

Both of these teams are coming off of dramatic wins, but they are on two different paths right now. The Vikings have a commanding (pun intended) lead on the NFC North, and are 6-1 for the first time in forever. They just traded for Lions tight end TJ Hockenson at the trade deadline, which should give both their pass and run game a boost.

Washington is still rolling with Taylor Heinicke, who gives them a swagger they have been lacking. The Vikings at 7-1 just doesn’t feel right to me, I’m smelling an upset.

My Prediction: Vikings 23, Commanders 24

Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) (Sunday 1:00 p.m.) (JAX +1.5)

Both of these teams were supposed to be a little better this year, but it just hasn’t panned out for either squad and their first year head coaches.

Jacksonville showed that they are more focused on next year at the trade deadline, trading for suspended wide reciever Calvin Ridley. The Raiders however are still trying to salvage their season and they have the talent to do it.

I view this as a defacto elimination game, and the Raiders are more focused on winning right now.

My Prediction: Raiders 27, Jaguars 20

Owen’s Picks

Seattle Seahawks (5-3) @ Arizona Cardinals (3-5) (Sunday 4:25 p.m.) (SEA -3.5)

Geno Smith and the rest of the Seahawks will be soaring into State Farm Stadium with tons of confidence after putting on a defensive clinic versus the Giants.

Arizona, who has struggled to close out games and keep teams out of the endzone will have difficulty defending WRs DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett when they get to cruising altitude. The two combined for 11 receptions and 2 touchdowns last week against New York.

The “Battle of the Birds” will be a one sided affair and Seattle will pull two games ahead in the NFC West as San Francisco enjoys their bye week.

My Prediction: Seattle 31, Arizona 10

Tennessee Titans (5-2) @ Kansas City Chiefs (5-2) (Sunday 8:20 p.m.) (KC -12.5)

Kansas City is coming off of their bye week and are well rested to face Tennessee’s one-dimensional offense.

Ryan Tannehill has been listed as questionable to return this Sunday, and Malik Willis struggled to play at the NFL level, barely getting past Houston in week 8.

Despite Tennessee's record and Derrick Henry's recent success, Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs will take care of business at home during Sunday night’s primetime game.

My Prediction: Tennessee 21, Kansas City 35

Los Angeles Rams (3-4) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5) (Sunday 4:25 p.m.) (TB -3)

Following the 49ers beatdown of the Rams, and the Buccaneers’ devastating loss to the Ravens, both teams are looking to bounce back in their week 9 matchups.

Quarterbacks Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford are hoping to redeem themselves after a down week, but Stafford may be without star wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who’s availability is still unknown for Sunday.

Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich will establish the running game early with RB Leonard Fournette, looking to expose the Rams’ struggling run defense and avoid targeting LA’s talented secondary.

The NFC South continues to be a mediocre bloodbath that remains up in the air for any squad to take, so I anticipate Tampa coming out hungry for the win to potentially tie the Falcons for first place.

My Prediction: Buccaneers- 24, Rams- 17

Matt’s Picks

Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) @ Atlanta Falcons (4-4) (Sunday 1:00 p.m. ) (LAC - 3)

Both these teams look to keep adding to the win column, as the Falcons come off a home thriller win and the Chargers are coming off the bye week. Atlanta hosts the Chargers in the ATL.

While the Chargers have been worse than expected, they have had two weeks to prepare for this game which is a must win if they want to keep postseason talks in the picture.

The Atlanta Falcons have been way better than everyone expected. Through Week 8 as first place position is not what people thought before the season started. I believe that Justin Herbert will out-perform Marcus Mariota and the Chargers will take this one on the road.

My prediction: Chargers 27, Falcons 20

Green Bay Packers (3-5) @ Detroit Lions (1-6) (Sunday @ 1:00 p.m.) (GB -3.5)

A must win for both teams if they want to turn their seasons around now. The Lions host the Packers in Motown.

The Packers have been under achieving where no one thought, but a few expected after key players left in the offseason. This is a must win for Green Bay if they want to sniff talking about a postseason spot. In the past Aaron Rodgers has owned Detroit as he looks to add another win.

Besides the blowout losses to the Cowboys and Patriots, the Detroit Lions have been a part of many shootouts this season going against their favor. The Lions season is very underachieving where many saw a few wins on their schedule. I don't see them turning it around this week.

My Prediction: Packers 38, Lions 27

Buffalo Bills (6-1) @ New York Jets (5-3) (Sunday @ 1:00 p.m.) (BUF -12.5)

A big AFC matchup in the Meadowlands where both teams would love to add another win to get closer to one another or start spacing out more. The Jets host the Bills at MetLife Stadium.

The Bills have been a powerhouse all year, they should dominate teams they need to be dominating. Josh Allen has had himself an MVP season but the Bills have way more than the Jets expect.

While the Jets have started off the way no one expected, this is probably their toughest matchup of the season. I don’t see Zach Wilson out playing Josh Allen, and a lot of the key injuries the Jets have came at the wrong time.

My Prediction: Bills 34, Jets 17

Indianapolis Colts (3-4-1) @ New England Patriots (4-4) (Sunday @ 1:00p.m.) (IND +5.5)

Both these teams would love to grab a win here to lurk their way near postseason talk. The Patriots host the Colts in Foxborough.

The Patriots may be in a quarterback situation between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. Regardless of the fact, big time players like Jakobi Meyes and the rest of the team are going to keep it rolling over a struggling Colts team.

The hype the Colts had in the offseason is not living up to the hype. The team benched their quarterback last week and fired their offensive coordinator this week. This game is critical in New England to see if the Colts can regroup or if they collapse.

My Prediction: Patriots 23, Colts 14

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Jameson Kramer is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jek5650@psu.edu.

Connor Fenix is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email cjf5726@psu.edu.

Owen Gelber is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email omg5144@psu.edu

Matt Cabram is a third-year majoring in Broadcast Journalism. To contact him, email
mwc5817@psu.edu