Week 8 was one of the weakest NFL weeks in modern memory. There were only 12 games this week, and 11 of them contained a loss of 10 points or more, with the only close final score being the Jets’ 39-38 victory to secure their initial win of their 2025 season. While week 8 was quiet, it was also National Tight End Day, but many tight ends did not get touchdowns. Dallas Goedert from the Eagles was an exception, though, with 2 touchdowns in his Eagles’ 38 – 20 rout of the New York Giants. Week 9 will mark the midway season point and the bringing of the trade deadline, making it a more interesting and competitive week.

Week 9 started with a huge Thursday night blowout. The Ravens put their full effort into beating the Dolphins, who, even with a win last week, continue to struggle. Derrick Henry was able to come back to his season with a 121-yard performance in the rout of Miami, and Lamar Jackson had a great comeback after being out for multiple weeks, torturing the Dolphins’ defense in the blowout, beginning week 9.

Week 8 record: 7-5 (Almost lost it through those early surprises, but went out over .500)

Bears (4-3) @ Bengals (3-5) 1:00 PM, CBS

If the Bears can live up to their own standards, unlike last Sunday, they can definitely win this game. While the Bengals’ offense is no joke, with Joe Flacco finally waking them up from a half-year-long slumber, their defense is the equivalent of a George Carlin joke, very, very funny, or very, very bad, as shown by last week’s loss, where the defense gave up 39 points to the winless Jets. If Caleb Williams can take advantage of this week’s defense and have a breakout game, this should be a shootout, but a Bears win.

CHI 33 – 30 CIN

Vikings (3-4) @ Lions (5-2) 1:00 PM, FOX

The Lions have returned to being one of the best teams in the NFL, stacking wins to go to 5-2. In the meantime, the Vikings have an injured Carson Wentz and nominal QB play, the structure of their entire team, and seem to be currently close to collapsing the season. The Lions can lay themselves over the Vikings and come out on top Sunday.

DET 24 – 17 MIN

Panthers (4-4) @ Packers (5-1-1) 1:00 PM FOX

The Panthers suffered a huge loss to the Bills last Sunday, breaking their 3-game win streak, while the Packers are coming off 4 straight wins, beating 

the Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers. From last week’s performance, the Panthers obviously do not have what it takes to keep up with Green Bay and will most likely have Green Bay show their dominance over them.

GB 35 – 13 CAR

Broncos (6-2) @ Texans (3-4) 1:00 PM FOX

The Broncos have been very hot lately, but seem to be able to easily trip up. Since they have been on a 3 out of 4 game NFC East streak, and barely made a win out of facing the Jets, they may not be ready to face another AFC opponent, especially one that is looking to have a season comeback. Even though their performance has not looked like it, the Texans’ potential is still full, and they, in my opinion, will be able to surprise Bo Nix and his Broncos.

HOU 20 – 17 DEN

Falcons (3-4) @ Patriots (6-2)  1:00 PM CBS

This game is not something I am worried about guessing. The Patriots, through Drake Maye’s almost MVP-caliber sophomore half-season, have looked like one of the best AFC teams, and the Falcons look like a chicken with their head cut off this season, so the Patriots should dominate Atlanta.

NE 40 – 20 ATL

49ers (5-3) at Giants (2-6) 1:00 PM CBS

The 49ers have recently shown that they have trouble, especially offensively, and their defense is going through some setbacks as well. A young, confusing Giants team, especially after losing to the Eagles, is looking to come back in week 9, and can take advantage of a confused 49ers team, taking back the Giants hype after Skatteboo’s (Halloween-themed) injury.

NYG 30 – 20 SF

Colts (7-1) @ Steelers (4-3) 1:00 PM CBS

The Colts have looked dominant throughout the first half of 2025. Through Jonathan Taylor’s MVP-worthy season and Daniel Jones’ spectacular play, this team has come out and looked like the best to do it. On the other side, the Steelers are a hard-fighting team with Aaron Rodgers having a comeback season, and they will most likely keep the game close.

IND 32 – 27 PIT

Chargers (5-3) @ Titans (1-7) 1:00 PM CBS

The Chargers, after blowing out the Vikings, look to beat out an especially bad team in the Titans, whose only hope has looked like Cam Ward, and the great Justin Simmons, while the rest of the team is embarrassingly bad, the Chargers have the play and the team to blow out Tennessee.

LAC 45 – 13 TEN

Saints (1-7) @ Rams (5-2) 4:05 PM FOX

The Saints are starting Tyler Shough instead of Spencer Rattler on Sunday. Even though Rattler has played well, the problem with the team is mainly the lackluster lineup, but the Saints don’t see it that way, and look to start 25-year-old (not very young) Shough and look to see something good from him. But he’s playing the Rams’ spectacular defense, led by Jared Verse and company. Along with playing a strong defense, the Rams’ offense is strong too, and the Rams should be able to light up the Saints in LA.

LAR 42 – 17 NO

Jaguars (4-3) @ Raiders (2-5) 4:05 PM FOX

The Jaguars are off a bye week after they lost by 28 to the Rams, and have had a week to think over their embarrassing loss. On the other hand, the Raiders are especially struggling, and their entire team is underperforming, so the Jaguars can easily take advantage of Las Vegas to come back on the season they were building.

JAX 30 – 10 LV

Chiefs (5-3) @ Bills (5-2) 4:25 PM CBS

The rematch of the 2025 AFC championship game takes place in Buffalo. The Bills, after blowing out the Panthers, look to improve to 6-2 by winning their home rematch with Allen and Cook at the helm. For the Chiefs, they have been hot the last 3 weeks, with the comeback of Rashee Rice leading Kansas City to 3 straight victories. But, the Bills have won 4 straight against Kansas City during the regular season, with the efforts of Josh Allen, being the elite QB he is, and a great season continuing from James Cook should lead the Bills to a home win.

BUF 23 – 20 KC

Seahawks (5-2) @ Commanders (3-5) 8:20 PM NBC

The Seahawks, led by Sam Darnold, looked confused at the beginning of the season, but have evened out their season due to better play by Darnold and Jaxson Smith-Njigba’s breakout throughout the season, looking like one of the best receivers in the league. On the other side of the ball, the Commanders have Jayden Daniels still questionable, who may or may not play, and Terry McLaurin out for the week. Even if Daniels is back, the team has been struggling, and the Seahawks can come out as the stronger team in week 9.

SEA 28 – 17 WAS

Cardinals (2-5) @ Cowboys (3-4-1)

The Cowboys are a team that portrays many flashes, either good, like week 7, blowing out the Commanders, or horrible, like week 8, where they got blown out by the Broncos. The Cardinals are on a 5-game losing streak, though, and the Cowboys can definitely and will definitely go all out on the Cardinals after a horrid loss last Sunday.

DAL 37 – 23 ARZ

Week 9 MVP: Jonathan Taylor

The Steelers, who have the 30th-ranked defense in total yards, will not be able to stop the MVP-like performance of Jonathan Taylor in week 9, and he will continue his run to help his team go to 8-1 on the season and provide quality rushing.

Game of the Week: Chiefs @ Bills

The rematch of last year’s AFC championship, this game should go down to the last minute, with the Chiefs’ offense improving vastly with Rashee Rice’s comeback and James Cook and Josh Allen’s always great performance, causing this to definitely be game of the week worthy.