NFL Week 9: Picks, predictions and more

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 30: Tight end Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs takes the field during player introductions prior to the game against the Denver Broncosat Arrowhead Stadium on October 30, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. ( Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images ) /

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We’ve reached the NFL’s midway point, and there are plenty of teams fighting for their playoff chances this weekend.

How did we get here? It seems like just yesterday I was having a disastrous string of picks in Week 1. We were all believing the New England Patriots were going 16-0 (or something close). We all thought the New York Jets would be lucky to win a game.

Fast forward to the midseason mark, and the standings are a circus. The Buffalo Bills are in a playoff spot, the Green Bay Packers aren’t, and a third-round rookie running back from Toledo is leading the league in rushing.

So, with all that said, let’s try to nail down some Week 9 picks. (All lines provided courtesy of OddsShark.)

Buffalo Bills (-3) at New York Jets

This looked like one of the all-time worst games before the year began. Now? Interesting. Buffalo (5-2) is the better team and should be playing with some added motivation after acquiring Kelvin Benjamin. New York (3-5) is trending in the wrong direction, and that continues here.

Pick: Buffalo 23, New York 19

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers (-1.5)

This is the toughest pick of the week. Carolina (5-3) inexplicably traded Benjamin and Atlanta (4-3) has absolutely no rhythm offensively. Cam Newton has been terrible, but Matt Ryan has been average at best. Give me the home team with the better defense.

Pick: Carolina 24, Atlanta 20

Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans (-4.5)

Tennessee (4-3) is coming off its bye and has to win this game. The Titans were supposed to be a sleeper to make noise in the AFC playoffs, but a loss here could dampen those hopes. Baltimore (4-4) has a good enough defense to stay in the game, but not enough offense to finish the job.

Pick: Tennessee 19, Baltimore 17