NFL Week 9 2019: Picks and predictions

SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 20: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with Marshal Yanda #73 after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 20, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 20: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders hands the ball off to Josh Jacobs #28 in the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 20, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Detroit Lions at Oakland Raiders (-2)

Sneaky good game. The Raiders (3-4) and Lions (3-3-1) both need to win. A loss for either would be devastating. Oakland is at home, but the Raiders have yet to beat a top-tier quarterback this season. Matthew Stafford is playing great football, and that’s the difference here.

Pick: Detroit 24, Oakland 23

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks (-6.5)

The Seahawks (6-2) have been shaky at home this year. Lost to the Ravens and Saints. Almost lost to the Bengals and Rams. In that vein, the Buccaneers (2-5) keep it close, but Jameis Winston is always good for a back-breaking interception.

Pick: Seattle 30, Tampa Bay 26

Cleveland Browns (-3) at Denver Broncos

If the Browns (2-5) even come close to losing against the Broncos (2-6), fire everyone.

Pick: Cleveland 22, Denver 10

Green Bay Packers (-3.5) at Los Angeles Chargers

This is the lock of the week. The Packers (7-1) are a top-three team in football. The stands will be packed with Cheeseheads. Green Bay can block Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, which means Aaron Rodgers has all day to throw against the Chargers (3-5) secondary. This is going to be a tour de force.

Pick: Green Bay 35, Los Angeles 24

New England Patriots (-3.5) at Baltimore Ravens

Game of the week. The Ravens (5-2) are coming off a bye, trying to prove they are the biggest threat to the Patriots (8-0) in the AFC. If Baltimore wins this game, Lamar Jackson will be getting massive MVP love, and well-deserved.

Pick: New England 23, Baltimore 16

Dallas Cowboys (-7) at New York Giants

The Cowboys (4-3) need to win this game, and they should. The Giants (2-6) are a rudderless mess, led by a rookie quarterback in Daniel Jones who is… well… playing like a rookie quarterback.

Pick: Dallas 27, New York 20

Last Week: 14-1
Season: 75-45-1