After a wild NFL weekend, its time to settle in with some easy money. Points are flowing this week! These are your Best Picks Against the Spread (ATS) for NFL Predictions Week 9. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Check out more of the brothers in Seesaw Sports Debate on BuzzChomp. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.
TODD:
Week 8 was another wild one in the NFL. Between the Saints shootout, last-second victory and the domination of the AFC West, we had some surprising finishes. Heading into Week 9, our season records picking winners against the spread sit at 8-8 (Todd) and 9-7 (Dan) respectively.
Cleveland Browns +11 at Cincinnati Bengals
St. Louis Rams +2.5 at Minnesota Vikings
In both of my selections this week, I don’t like the home team giving that many points, but for different reasons. The Cincinnati Bengals are legitimately good. That’s not up for debate at this point, holding a record of 7-0. But they aren’t as good as, say, New England, who has been able to blow out weaker competition. Instead, Cincinnati unleashes just enough to eek out victories. So why are they giving double-digit points against a division rival with some spunk to it?
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Four of the Bengals’ seven wins have come by a single possession against a team with a .500 record or worse. Cleveland, meanwhile, isn’t a great team, but it can put up a fight. The Browns are 2-1 against that same demographic, teams with a record .500 or worse.
For Minnesota, rather than the line simply being too high for a good team, it remains to be seen if the Vikings actually are that good. At 5-2, Minnesota’s opponents, outside of Denver (who it lost to), have a combined record of 11-36 on the year. St. Louis just seems like the better football team, home, road or otherwise. Getting 2.5 points is a bonus.
Nov 1, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback
Peyton Manning(18) hands off to running back
C.J. Anderson(22) in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Packer 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
DAN:
Its time to rebound from a rough set of picks last week. I got burned by injury and agelessness. In week 9 I’m avoiding the pitfall teams and taking two franchises coming off statement victories. They both burned me last week, so its time to jump on the bandwagon and role with some winners.
Oakland Raiders +4.5 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Denver Broncos -4.5 at Indianapolis Colts
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The Oakland Raiders made the top ranked defense of the New York Jets look silly last week. They ran and through the ball at will, taking a commanding lead and never looking back. Furthermore, the Raiders’ defense made New York’s running game a non-factor. With the injury to Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers will be one-dimensional heading into this game. Expect a close contest, decided by a field goal.
I like Oakland outright to win this game, with momentum and actual play on the field all on their side. Getting over a field goal seals this pick. Pittsburgh is reeling and desperate, but the Raiders are on a tear. Take them now before the wind leaves their sails.
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As for the Broncos, I made the mistake of picking against them last week and learned my lesson. Denver’s defense is stifling. The offense has finally gelled. Giving up less than a touchdown to a bad Colts team is an easy decision to make. Indianapolis nearly came back to beat Carolina, yes, but the Panthers are limping along on one leg. Denver is not. They just manhandled the Green Bay Packers. With this being another Manning homecoming game, don’t expect the Broncos to let off the gas. Give the points and take the money.
Dan Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also Lead Editor, Staff Writer, and Featured Vlogger at BuzzChomp, and a New York Jets Analyst for Pro Football Spot. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Instagram.
Todd Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also a Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp, a Featured Columnist at College Sports Madness, and an Analyst for Tipster Labs, among others. Follow him on Twitter.