Week 9 was full of surprises. From Sam Darnold having an almost perfect passing performance to blow out the Commanders, to the Panthers having an underdog victory over Green Bay, and the shootout between Caleb Williams and Joe Flacco in Cincinnati. The week ended with Jacoby Brisett and his Cardinals surprising the struggling Cowboys, and Week 9 is over.
Week 10 started embarrassingly. The Broncos can barely outdo the 2-win Las Vegas Raiders in a game where Bo Nix threw 2 picks, one straight to a cornerback. At this point, Bo Nix’s 8-2 record could be considered almost fraudulent due to his lack of actual high-tier play, barely beating out the Jets and the Raiders, but a win is a win on Thursday night.
Week 9 record: 7-6 (Horrible start to begin, and many of the blowouts predicted did not occur)
Falcons (3-5) @ Colts (7-2) 9:30 AM, NFL Network
The NFL is beginning early again, with a game in Berlin, Germany, between the Atlanta Falcons and the Indianapolis Colts. While the Falcons have seemed like a formidable foe for many teams, the Colts are looking to bounce back from a 3-interception game, and they can do this against the Falcons. With a good performance from Jonathan Taylor, who I predicted to have a massive game last week (he did not), they should be able to come out on top of Atlanta.
IND 32 – 24 ATL
Saints (1-8) @ Panthers (5-4) 1:00 PM, FOX
The Panthers are on a hot streak, becoming one of the better half of teams in the league for the first time in a couple of years. The Saints are just struggling, and Tyler Shough is just not it. The Panthers should dominate New Orleans.
CAR 27 – 17 NO
Giants (2-7) @ Bears (5-3) 1:00 PM FOX
The Bears are a confusing team to understand. They can win, but they will always make it close, through Caleb Williams showing his arm talent, even against bad teams. The Giants, without Skattebo, seem like they have lost whatever steam they had a grip of, and even if the matchup is close, the Bears should make it over New York.
CHI 28 – 23 NYG
Jaguars (5-3) @ Texans (3-5) 1:00 PM CBS
The Jaguars are fighting hard to stay in playoff contention, while the Texans are attempting to stay afloat at all. After a zero-touchdown 1 one-interception performance in a scary close overtime defeat of the Raiders, and a questionable CJ Stroud start, Trevor Lawrence and his Jags should be able to overcome a struggling Houston squad.
JAX 23 – 19 HOU
Bills (6-2) @ Dolphins (2-7) 1:00 PM CBS
The Bills look to take down the failing Dolphins, who are starting to look at Quinn Ewers as a potential QB1 option after Tua’s underwhelming 6-point performance against Baltimore. This should be an easy matchup and victory for Buffalo, and Josh Allen should shine.
BUF 28 – 17 MIA
Ravens (3-5) at Vikings (4-4) 1:00 PM FOX
The Ravens look to obtain a major season comeback after blowing out the Dolphins in Miami. With Lamar Jackson back, the Ravens offense especially should be able to shine again as it always does with Jackson at center. On the other hand, even though J.J. McCarthy had a good performance in a takedown of the NFC favorite Lions, the combination of Lamar Jackson’s efforts and quality Baltimore defense should prevent McCarthy’s squad from winning.
BAL 27 – 20 MIN
Browns (2-6) @ Jets (1-7) 1:00 PM CBS
The battle of the garbage. Both teams are absolutely horrid, but the Jets have sold their two defensive weapons, while the Browns still have Myles Garrett, making their defense just a bit less horrid than the Jets. Cleveland should make it out of New York if close.
CLE 13 – 10 NYJ
Patriots (7-2) @ Buccaneers (6-2) 1:00 PM CBS
The Patriots have looked amazing all season. Drake Maye has shown himself as one of the hottest players in the league, becoming an almost overnight MVP candidate, but the Buccaneers need a bounce-back, and winning against a strong team can help with that. I believe Baker can have a great shootout with Drake Maye to put himself back in the MVP situation and defeat the AFC East reigning Patriots in one of their finals “tests” of the year.
TB 42 – 38 NE
Cardinals (3-5) @ Seahawks (6-2) 4:05 PM CBS
The Cardinals came off an amazing bounce-back against the Cowboys, having to bench starting QB Kyler Murray for veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who went off in a 261-yard 2 TD performance, and is going to stay as quarterback against Seattle. The Seahawks are starting MVP candidate Sam Darnold, who has been doing great alongside young receiver Jaxson-Smith Njigba, and their high-powered offense has been able to stamp out teams like the Commanders. Through this offense, the Seahawks can beat out the Cardinals to strengthen their NFC West record.
SEA 35 – 21 ARZ
Rams (6-2) @ 49ers (6-3) 4:05 PM FOX
The rematch of two NFC West opponents. The last game ended in somewhat of two fluke plays, both by Kyren Williams, who sold the game to give the 49ers an OT victory. But this time, this shouldn’t be as close. The Rams have looked absolutely dominant throughout the last couple of weeks, demolishing the Jaguars and looking for more blood, especially from a team that defeated them earlier in the year. The 49ers are struggling, especially with injuries, as a loss to the Texans had shown, and the Rams can destroy that barrier.
LAR 35 – 17 SF
Lions (5-3) @ Commanders (3-6) 4:25 PM CBS
The Commanders, among an NFC East division full of failing teams, have taken the spot of the saddest East loser. Expected by many (not me) to have another amazing season, they have fully performed under expectations, and now that Jayden Daniels is injured (again), they should be even worse. The Lions have looked great essentially offensively and should be able to destroy the Commanders’ elderly defense.
DET 30 – 16 WAS
Steelers (5-3) @ Chargers (6-3) 8:20 PM NBC
Yes, the Steelers do look good, but good enough to beat the Chargers, I don’t believe so. The Chargers are just a better roster, and the Steelers are just overperforming as usual. Justin Herbert can have a great game against the mediocre Steelers’ defense, and the Chargers can win this game.
LAC 27 – 13 PIT
Eagles (6-2) @ Packers (5-2-1)
Another rematch between Philadelphia and Green Bay, after the referendum on the tush push given out by Green Bay to target Philly and ban the tush push. While Philadelphia’s defense has not looked great throughout the last couple of weeks, a bye week and added depth on the cornerback and defensive edge rooms can help the defense succeed, while, in general, a bye week will help Philly refresh. On the other side, Green Bay is looking locked and loaded to fight Philly, but I believe the off week and additions can help Philly come on top in a close game.
PHI 23 – 20 GB
Week 9 MVP: Baker Mayfield
While my prediction last week did not go well, Baker will have a great week. He needs to get back into the MVP race, and a quality win against the Patriots and a good performance can help Mayfield regain his swagger.
Game of the Week: Eagles @ Packers
A wild card rematch and a vitriol-fueled matchup, especially on Green Bay’s side. This game should be on the wire the entire time, and whoever comes out on top definitely deserves their victory.
