Must Bet Games & Free Picks for NFL Week 9

Must Bet Games & Free Picks for NFL Week 9

Written by on July 31, 2017

It’s time to look at a couple more picks for the regular, with the two top NFL betting picks and matchups for Week 9. The Baltimore Ravens decided against signing Colin Kaepernick when starting QB Joe Flacco injured his back while lifting weights. Baltimore now is considering former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin III instead. Griffin has barely been able to get a sniff this offseason. The Chargers brought him in for a tryout but decided against signing him, and otherwise he’s drawn no interest. RGIII was awful in his limited time in Cleveland last year. Here are two NFL Week 9 games I recommend.

Must Bet Games & Free Picks for NFL Week 9

Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks

When: Sunday, Nov. 5, 4:05 PM ET Where: CenturyLink Field TV: Fox Radio: ESPN WTEM 980 AM(Washington) / 710 AM ESPN (Seattle) Opening NFL Week 9 Lines: Seahawks -8

Bad News Already For Seattle

Potentially awful news for the Seattle Seahawks as 2017 second-round pick Malik McDowell’s season could be in jeopardy. He’s not at training camp after being involved in an ATV accident recently. As a matter of fact, he suffered a concussion, along with facial injuries. McDowell said in a statement posted on Twitter that his injuries aren’t life-threatening and won’t put his career in jeopardy. The Seahawks drafted McDowell out of Michigan State with the 35th overall pick. The team had plans for him to contribute as an interior pass-rusher as a rookie, and Pete Carroll raved about McDowell’s progress in the spring. But the coach admitted it’s possible that McDowell doesn’t play this season. They also traded out of the first round and McDowell was their first pick in the draft. Many expected him to be a first-round pick. McDowell is on the reserve/did not report list. In late May, he signed a $6.9 million contract that included $3.198 million signing bonus and salaries of $1.2 million, $1.5 million, $1.9 million and $2.2 million over the next four seasons. Seattle made a move to bolster its defensive line depth likely because of the McDowell injury. The team signed DE Marcus Smith, formerly of the Eagles. The 26th overall pick in the 2014 draft, Smith was cut by the Eagles last week and cleared waivers. Meanwhile, Seattle has placed WR/KR Tyler Lockett on the active/PUP list, but Lockett is eligible to come off the list at any time in camp, and Carroll promised he “won’t be there long.” Lockett broke his fibula and tibia late last season, but he has made good progress.

Last Meeting

Seattle visited Washington in Week 5 of the 2014 season and won 27-17 on a Monday night. Russell Wilson rushed for a career high 122 yards and a score while throwing for 201 yards and two scores. The Redskins pulled within a touchdown on Kirk Cousins’ 6-yard pass to Andre Roberts with 3:35 to go, but the Seahawks took the ensuing kickoff and marched back down the field. Steven Hauschka then iced the game with a 43-yard field goal with 21 seconds to play.

Latest NFL Betting Trends

Washington Redskins
  • Odds to Win Super Bowl LII: +4000
  • Odds to Win NFC Conference: +2000
  • Odds to Win NFC East Division: +450
  • 2017-18 Regular Season Win Total: O 7½ -115 / U 7½ -115
Seattle Seahawks
  • Odds to Win Super Bowl LII: +750
  • Odds to Win NFC Conference: +400
  • Odds to Win NFC West Division: -350
  • 2017-18 Regular Season Win Total: O 10½ -130 / U 10½ +100
Are the Bengals a safe bet in NFL Week 9?

NFL Week 8 Top Matchups, Betting Picks & Previews

Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars

When: Sunday, Nov. 5, 1 PM ET Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville TV: CBS Radio: WEBN 102.7 FM (Cincinnati) / 92.5 FM (Jacksonville) Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Week 9 Lines: Pick’em

Bortles Already Struggling

This is considered a make-or-break season for fourth-year Jacksonville QB Blake Bortles as he regressed in 2016 after a solid 2015 season and leads the NFL with 63 turnovers since being the No. 3 overall pick in 2014. Now, you don’t want to make too much of one training camp practice, but Bortles turned in one of the worst practices of his career Saturday night by throwing five interceptions, including two to a player who last played in an NFL game in 2015. In fact, Bortles threw two interceptions in 7-on-7 drills and three in 11-on- 11, one of which linebacker Telvin Smith returned for a touchdown. Cornerback Tyler Patmon, who last played in 2015 for the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins, intercepted Bortles twice in 11-on- 11 play. Linebacker Josh McNary (7- on-7) and safety Tashaun Gipson (11-on- 11) also had interceptions. Bortles spent the offseason working on his mechanical issues, in hopes of streamlining his throwing motion. “I think anytime someone doesn’t perform to what you want to do, you’re concerned about it,” coach Doug Marrone said. “He’s not the only one that’s out there. There’s some good things.”

Last Meeting

These teams met in the 2016 preseason, a 26-21 Jacksonville home win. Bortles was 10-for- 16 for 52 yards. Andy Dalton was 6-for- 10 for 77 yards and a TD for Cincinnati. The clubs last played in the regular season in Week 9 of 2014, a 33-23 Cincinnati home victory. Jeremy Hill rushed for 154 yards and two scores. Dalton threw a pair of touchdown passes, one of them to A.J. Green. The Jaguars turned Dalton’s second interception into Denard Robinson’s 5-yard touchdown run, cutting it to 26-23. But Hill broke a 60-yard touchdown run on Cincinnati’s next play from scrimmage. Bortles helped the Bengals put it away by throwing an interception to George Iloka in the end zone with 3:55 left. Cincinnati Bengals
  • Odds to Win Super Bowl LII: +3300
  • Odds to Win AFC Conference: +1500
  • Odds to Win AFC North Division: +220
  • 2017-18 Regular Season Win Total: O 8½ -110 / U 8½ -120
Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Odds to Win Super Bowl LII: +5500
  • Odds to Win AFC Conference: +2800
  • Odds to Win AFC South Division: +580
  • 2017-18 Regular Season Win Total: O 6½ -150 / U 6½ +120

Expert NFL Week 9 Prediction

I think Seattle beats Washington but by only a touchdown so take the points. I am high on the Jaguars this year, although Bortles is already making me nervous. I’ll take them here.