NFL WEEK 9: Our official predictions for who wins this weekend

• Through eight weeks of the NFL season, there’s never been a more chaotic year to bet.
• Last week, our picks against the spread eked out a 7-6 record thanks to big wins by the Steelers and Dolphins.
• This week we’re back at it, picking every game against the spread with hopes of finding some winners.
• Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Halfway through the NFL season, it’s clear that there has never been a year as difficult to bet on.

Schedules and rosters change at a moment’s notice due to COVID-19. Sometimes a team’s practice schedule is completely upended, but then by the time Sunday comes around, they’ll be ready to beat the breaks off of their opponents, practice be damned.

So far this season, our picks have gone a middling 54-56-4 against the spread — far from a disaster, but you don’t bet on football to break even.

Please take a look below at our best bets against the spread for Week 9 of the NFL season (* indicates home team).

LAST WEEK: 7-6
OVERALL: 54-56-4

Green Bay Packers (-6.5) over San Francisco 49ers*

Both of these teams are dealing with a slew of injuries, not to mention several 49ers offensive weapons now in jeopardy of missing the game after wide receiver Kendrick Bourne tested positive for COVID-19. Regardless of how many key players on each team will get to see the field tonight, I think this one comes down to Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers' Packers got beat out in the NFC title game last year by the 49ers in a game that wasn't all that competitive. Rodgers is looking for vengeance, and that's something I'll bet on 10 times out of 10.

Buffalo Bills* (+3) over Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks beat a battered 49ers team handily last weekend, but they still have tended to play chaotically close games for most of the season. The Bills have the talent on offense to keep pace in what should be a high-scoring affair.

Denver Broncos (+3.5) over Atlanta Falcons*

These are both bad teams coming off of wins. The Falcons are a bad team that was supposed to be good. The Broncos have punched above their weight a few times this year and now sit with a 3-4 record. They feel like a team more excited to be out there rather than in the middle of a lost season. Just gut here, but I'll back the team I think wants to be there.

Tennessee Titans* (-5.5) over Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are falling apart. They've lost two straight games and lost wide receiver Javon Wims to a two-game suspension after throwing punches at a Saints defender on Sunday. On Thursday, the Bears shut down their team facility after a third player tested positive for COVID-19. Too much going in the wrong direction for this team.

Minnesota Vikings* (-5.5) over Detroit Lions

The Lions are giving up nearly 20 points per game and 130 rushing yards per game. The Vikings just got Dalvin Cook back and looked like a brand new team with him in the backfield last weekend against the Packers. I don't think this one will be close.

Baltimore Ravens (-2.5) over Indianapolis Colts*

The Ravens are coming off of a disappointing loss to the Steelers. A solid win here against a Colts team playing a bit hotter than they actually are would go a long way in re-establishing them as one of the teams to beat in the AFC. 

Kansas City Chiefs* (-10.5) over Carolina Panthers

The Chiefs have won seven games this year, and five of them have come by double-digit margins. While a 10-point spread is a lot for most teams in the NFL, given how quickly the Chiefs can score, it's just a different equation when backing them as a favorite.

Jacksonville Jaguars* (+7) over Houston Texans

With Gardner Minshew out, rookie Jake Luton out of Oregon State will start for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Last season, we saw how hard the Jaguars played when Minshew was thrown into the starting role due to injury — maybe they can recreate the magic this year.

New York Giants (+2.5) over Washington Football Team*

Two bad teams in the NFL's worst division. Take the points and don't watch.

Las Vegas Raiders (PK) over Los Angeles Chargers*

I don't understand why this game is a pick'em. The Raiders have shown impressive offensive firepower all season and are the only team in the league to beat the Kansas City Chiefs in a calendar year. The Chargers seem to find a new way to lose every week. If I had to spot the Chargers some points, I'd be concerned, but they've already shown a tendency to fall flat in the fourth quarter.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-14) over Dallas Cowboys*

I legitimately think the Cowboys might not score in this game. It's a big line, but give me the Steelers.

Miami Dolphins (+5) over Arizona Cardinals*

Tua Tagovailoa didn't light up the box score in his debut with the Dolphins, but Miami's defense and special teams came through in a big way to put the Rams away last weekend. I expect Tua to be a bit better and the Dolphins' defense to be just as good. Not sure if they'll have enough to win outright, but they can keep it within the number.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers* (-4.5) over New Orleans Saints

In Week 1, the Saints spoiled Tom Brady's debut with the Buccaneers. I don't see Brady letting Drew Brees get the best of him twice in one year.

New England Patriots (-7) over New York Jets*

The Patriots are certainly not the team they used to be, but they still aren't losing to the Jets.