The Week 9 NFL schedule features several cross-conference matchups that could serve as potential Super Bowl previews, including Bills vs. Vikings, Patriots vs. Packers, and Broncos vs. Panthers. The Chargers enter as 5.5-point home underdogs against the Texans while riding a 10-game losing streak dating back to last season. Multiple games have spreads of at least a touchdown, such as Chiefs vs. Jets (+9.5), 49ers vs. Raiders (+9.5), and Seahawks vs. Cardinals (+8.5).
Two NFC West teams will start new quarterbacks: Drew Lock replaces the injured Sam Darnold, and Gardner Minshew takes over for Jacoby Brissett, who was traded to the Ravens. SportsLine's advanced computer model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, has returned more than $5,000 for $100 players on top-rated picks since its inception and entered Week 9 on a 60-51 run dating back to 2024.
Among the model's strongest Week 9 picks, the Commanders (+4.5) are projected to cover at home against the Rams well over 50% of the time. Washington is 3-1 against the spread in games Jayden Daniels has started and finished, leads the NFL in turnover differential at plus-seven, and averages over 140 rushing yards in Daniels' starts. The Rams allowed 234 rushing yards to Josh Allen and the Bills in Week 5 and are 1-3 against the spread in their last four games in the Eastern Time Zone.
Another highlighted prediction has the Chiefs (-9.5) covering against the Jets. Kansas City has covered both games as a favorite of more than a touchdown this season and is 4-1 against the spread in the last five such instances. The Jets are 2-4 against the spread in their last six games as double-digit underdogs. Kansas City's fifth-ranked scoring defense faces New York's 25th-ranked scoring offense, with the Jets projected to gain just 3.8 yards per carry and Geno Smith expected to throw for under 200 yards.
The model has also locked in four A-rated spread picks for the full Week 9 slate, which includes Thursday's Jaguars at Ravens, the Bengals vs. Falcons game in Madrid, and a Monday night Bills at Vikings matchup.
