2020 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 9

Gil Alcaraz IV

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

NFL picks and score predictions for Week 9 as the second half of the 2020 season gets underway.

We have officially hit the midway point of the 2020 NFL season, and what a ride it’s been. We’re inching closer to finding out who will be crowned champ this year as the contenders separate themselves from the pretenders. For now, though, we’re ready to deliver our weekly NFL picks!

As always, we’ve got you covered with the Week 9 edition of NFL picks and score predictions. Now I’ll never claim that these are going to be 100 percent on point. In fact, there’s a very good chance at least a few of my picks will go completely awry. I will, however, make my selections based on research, experience, and careful consideration.

Can we just go back to Week 7? I had gotten myself back on track two weeks ago, but unfortunately lost my way a bit with my Week 8 NFL picks. After Monday Night Football came to an end, I had a 7-6 record to show for my efforts. Definitely not my best so far this season, and I’ll admit I can do better.

Just remember that making picks is not a science. As much research goes into it, anything can happen on any given Sunday. Isn’t that part of why we watch football in the first place?

Now that we’ve gotten all of that out of the way, here are my NFL picks and score predictions for Week 9. Just keep in mind that I assume no responsibility if you choose to place wagers based on my picks — that’s your decision, not mine.

Week 9 Byes: Cincinnati Bengals (2-5-1), Cleveland Browns (5-3), Los Angeles Rams (5-3), Philadelphia Eagles (3-4-1)

Green Bay Packers (5-2) at San Francisco 49ers (4-4)

Thursday, November 5, 8:20PM ET

This one is going to come down to timing for the San Francisco 49ers. They’ve shown well at times this season, but the injury bug has bitten them hard in recent weeks. As good as this roster has the potential to be, playing severely hobbled isn’t going to help them in Week 9.

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Jimmy Garoppolo is out due to injury, and George Kittle won’t be seeing the field anytime soon. The San Francisco running stable has been decimated, and the defense hasn’t been able to avoid injury either. Staying healthy just hasn’t been an option for the 49ers, who are looking like a fringe playoff contender at best right now.

Enter the Green Bay Packers, who are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Prior to that, though, they had the look of a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Aaron Rodgers has put together another terrific campaign, and the Green Bay defense has done its part — for the most part. All of the pieces are there if Matt LeFleur can fit them together correctly.

The Packers have the edge, if anything because of relative health. The 49ers are missing too many weapons, and their defense should be able to corral Nick Mullens. Another loss won’t help San Francisco’s odds of competing in the deadly NFC West in 2020.

Prediction: Packers win 34-18

New York Giants (1-7) at Washington Football Team (2-5)

Sunday, November 8, 1PM ET

I was taken aback a bit when the New York Giants nearly took down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night. They’ve been one of the worst teams in football this season, but somehow managed to topple the GOAT and one of the hottest squads in the NFC.

Unfortunately, I don’t think that competitiveness is going to carry over to Week 9. They’ll be playing on a short week, and going up against a Washington Football Team defense that’s better than the club’s overall record would indicate. As solid as Daniel Jones can be at times, I’m not sure he’s ready to take down this divisional rival for the second time this season.

As for the Washington offense, there’s some confidence building in Kyle Allen. He showed well during D.C.’s last game, and figures to get every opportunity to put points on the board. As long as his offensive line holds up, I’d imagine it’ll be another solid outing for Allen.

This one should come down to the wire, as pretty much every NFC East matchup has this year. Washington steps up the D in the second half, forcing Jones into more mistakes than the Giants are capable of overcoming.

Prediction: Washington wins 26-22

Chicago Bears (5-3) at Tennessee Titans (5-2)

Sunday, November 8, 1PM ET

It’s been an up-and-down season for both the Chicago Bears and the Tennessee Titans. Both came out of the gates red hot, but have since cooled down to the tune of two-game losing streak. Who gets back on track in Week 9, and who suffers their third-straight loss?

Since I’m making the picks here, I’m going with the Bears to get the job done. Even on the road, Chicago has won this season with excellent defense and a methodical offense that relies on said defense to create opportunities. For the most part, it’s been the other way around for the Titans.

Tennessee boasts an outstanding offense featuring Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry. The latter has been running roughshod on defenses this season, while Tannehill continues to prove that sometimes a change of scenery is all you need to unlock your true potential. In this particular matchup, though, I don’t think of the Titans’ stars will be ready to carry the load.

There’s just too much talent on the Bears defense for them to fall to the Titans. They’ll keep Henry from going off, and force a couple of turnovers at the hand of Tannehill. Nick Foles gets just enough going on offense against Tennessee’s suspect defense to get the W.

Prediction: Bears win 18-17

Detroit Lions (3-4) at Minnesota Vikings (2-5)

Sunday, November 8, 1PM ET

Leave it to the Minnesota Vikings to start 1-5, and then knock off the 5-1 Packers in Week 8. I knew they were more talented than their record indicated, but they haven’t done a good job of showing it this season as they’ve consistently underwhelmed in 2020.

With that said, it appears the return of Dalvin Cook gave them just the boost they needed on the offensive end. And while this secondary is still a majority liability, we can’t completely assume they’ll get smoked every week after keeping Aaron Rodgers from lighting them up.

The Detroit Lions have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, which should make slowing down Cook a real pain. Even if they do find a way to slow him down, Kirk Cousins should be able to make enough plays to come out on top — it’s not like the Lions have excelled at pressuring opposing passers in 2020.

The Lions have looked good at times this season, but their defense is too weak to win on a regular basis. After getting run over by the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8, they’ll suffer a demoralizing divisional loss in Week 9 to a Vikings team that’s figuring things out a little too late.

Prediction: Vikings win 27-23

Carolina Panthers (3-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-1)

Sunday, November 8, 1PM ET

Just a few weeks ago, I had so much hope for this Carolina Panthers squad. Unfortunately for them (and my picks), things haven’t gone as expected over the last several games, leading them to 3-5 and currently caught in a three-game skid.

Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs have been just as deadly as always. Patrick Mahomes is slinging it like the former MVP he is, having tossed five touchdowns this past weekend against a pitiful New York Jets squad. Against a middle-of-the-road Carolina pass defense, look for Mahomes to have another big day.

As for the Panthers offense, they’ll be hoping Teddy Bridgewater can get things going in Week 9. He’s been solid for most of the 2020 campaign but has had a tough time carrying the scoring load with Christian McCaffrey out. As great as Mike Davis has been stepping in for CMC, there just hasn’t been enough firepower on this Carolina offense.

The Panthers will hold their own, as they have in most of their losses this season. In the end, though, the Chiefs will get the best of them, as Mahomes takes advantage of his copious playmakers to put this one out of reach for Bridgewater and Co.

Prediction: Chiefs win 34-21

Houston Texans (1-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6)

Sunday, November 8, 1PM ET

At this point, it’s looking like neither of these teams have much to play for. They can’t seem to put together a competent effort consistently, which is why they both sit at 1-6. As luck would have it, at least one has to come away with the win in Week 9.

Since I’m making picks, I’m rolling with the Houston Texans in this divisional matchup. They’ve been the more complete team so far in 2020 despite their embarrassing record and will have the edge under center with Deshaun Watson facing off against the Jacksonville Jaguars’ backup quarterback.

Gardner Minshew has already been ruled out for Week 9, likely as a result of both injury and underwhelming play. That means either Mike Glennon or Jake Luton will get the start. Although the Houston defense is far from reliable, I don’t see either of those arms picking them apart and outscoring Watson on Sunday.

It’s been a long season for both of these squads, and it’s about to get a bit longer for one of them. The Jaguars are a mess right now, and I don’t see them coming away with a W in a creampuff matchup with the Texans. Whether or not you’re a fan of these teams, you may be better off tuning into a different game in Week 9.

Prediction: Texans win 23-14

Baltimore Ravens (5-2) at Indianapolis Colts (5-2)

Sunday, November 8, 1PM ET

All season long, the Indianapolis Colts have relied on their defense to help them win games. Right now, they’re one of the very best in the NFL, and it’s played a big part in their 5-2 start. Will it be enough to get a win in Week 9 against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens?

I think so. The Colts have been absolutely relentless on the defensive side of the ball, regularly shutting down opposing passers with their superior coverage — they’ve intercepted more passes than the number of touchdowns they’ve allowed. On top of that, their run defense is also among the best in the business.

How will a struggling Jackson get things going against one of the league’s top defenses? I just don’t see it happening. He faced a similar challenge in Week 8 against the Steelers and turned the ball over four times in the process.

The Ravens are still one of the better teams in the AFC but it looks like the opposition is beginning to figure out Jackson. As long as Philip Rivers avoids too many turnovers and the Indianapolis ground game can get going, the Colts should come away victorious in Week 9.

Prediction: Colts win 30-27

Seattle Seahawks (6-1) at Buffalo Bills (6-2)

Sunday, November 8, 1PM ET

This is an excellent matchup — there’s no denying that. Both of these teams have looked like legitimate contenders for most of the 2020 season, but both also have their flaws. Seeing what they can do against each other will only shed light on what we can expect later in the season.

In terms of figuring out the eventual winner, I have to go with the Seattle Seahawks. They’ve got the superior offense led by the leading MVP candidate, Russell Wilson. They’ve got a talented defense that bends a lot but has only broken once, and is getting Jamal Adams back. On top of that, they’ve got two of the very best receivers in the NFL.

At this moment, the Buffalo Bills’ defense is solid but not great. Even if they manage to slow down one of the Seahawks’ receivers, chances are the other will go off. Plus, there’s just no stopping Wilson right now. Can Josh Allen, who has cooled down in recent weeks after a hot start, really keep up with Russ on the scoreboard?

Doubtful. It’s a high-scoring affair, as Allen takes advantage of a Seahawks defense that’s giving up 461 yards per game. In the end, though, Wilson leads a game-winning drive to keep Seattle one step ahead as they look to secure that singular bye in the NFC.

Prediction: Seahawks win 38-36

Denver Broncos (3-4) at Atlanta Falcons (2-6)

Sunday, November 8, 1PM ET

The Atlanta Falcons may be coming off their second win of the season, but I don’t exactly think they’ve suddenly turned a corner. There are still a lot of holes in this Atlanta roster, which is going to make consistently winning moving forward a difficult task for them.

The Denver Broncos aren’t exactly ready to take the league by storm either, though. Getting Drew Lock back was a good start but the offense is bipolar and can get bogged down at times. Luckily for Lock and the Denver offense, they’ve got a defense that more than makes up for their shortcomings. See their Week 8 win for evidence of this.

This upcoming Sunday, I’m expecting Lock to get the best of the Falcons and their miserable secondary. He looked great in the comeback win against the Los Angeles Chargers and continues to show flashes of greatness. If only he had the weapons to work with that he started training camp with.

Either way, the Falcons move to 2-7 in Week 9. Matt Ryan is productive and Julio Jones has another great outing, but the Denver defense steps up in crunch time and gets the last-minute stop. That’ll make it three wins in the Broncos’ last four games.

Prediction: Broncos win 24-22

Las Vegas Raiders (4-3) at Los Angeles Chargers (2-5)

Sunday, November 8, 4:05PM ET

Ugh. I keep rooting for the Los Angeles Chargers to get their act together, and they keep letting me down. I love their young quarterback, their defense is solid and they’ve got plenty of playmakers to help put points on the board. Yet the losses keep coming.

Then again, it’s classic Chargers. For years now, they’ve had a knack for blowing games in big ways. Whether it’s coming back from down big just to fall flat in the final minutes or suffering a second-half collapse like they did in Week 8, Los Angeles just can’t seem to get out of their own way. That likely won’t change against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Raiders, coming off a solid win against the Browns, have had their ups and downs this season. For the most part, though, they’ve got the makings of a playoff team. Derek Carr is having an exceptional year, the defense is much improved from a season ago, and things are finally starting to click with Jon Gruden and his grand plan.

Las Vegas needs to keep winning if they hope to keep up in the hunt for an AFC Wild Card spot. Defeating the Chargers will be a good start, especially since they have a tendency to choke against quality (or really, any) competition. Score another W for the Raiders in Week 9.

Prediction: Raiders win 34-26

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-0) at Dallas Cowboys (2-6)

Sunday, November 8, 4:25PM ET

Honestly, I’m starting to feel bad for the Dallas Cowboys (just a little). After coming into the season with sky-high expectations, they’ve crashed and burned. Even before Dak Prescott got hurt, things weren’t going well in Mike McCarthy’s first season with Dallas.

Things have only escalated since Prescott went down. Rookie quarterback Ben DiNucci was roughed up in his first NFL start, and Andy Dalton was knocked out of action before that. Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t been able to dominate as he usually does, and the defense has been a mess. Put simply, this has already proven itself to be a season to forget for the Cowboys.

Then there’s the team that’s coming to town — the Pittsburgh Steelers. They’re the only undefeated team remaining, and they’re making it happen against top competition. Just this past weekend, they make life miserable for Jackson, forcing him into four turnovers and sending him home with a devastating loss.

The Steelers win with a dependable offense armed with tons of playmaking receivers and arguably the league’s top defense. I could see this game getting out of hand quickly, regardless of who’s under center for the Cowboys.

Prediction: Steelers win 42-13

Miami Dolphins (4-3) at Arizona Cardinals (5-2)

Sunday, November 8, 4:25PM ET

I don’t think anyone expected what we’ve seen from the Miami Dolphins so far in 2020. They’ve been an early surprise this season, pulling off some impressive wins on their way to 4-3. Unfortunately, the fun ends here in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Here’s why: these offenses are not built alike. On one hand, you’ve got the Cardinals, who boast one of the best offenses in the NFL. Kyler Murray has been sensational in his second season, and having three outstanding receivers to throw to doesn’t hurt.

On the other hand, the Dolphins have been hit-or-miss on the offensive end. Things were actually going well with Ryan Fitzpatrick running the show. However, when Tua Tagovailoa took over this past weekend, the offense stalled. If it wasn’t for their defense showing up against the Rams, chances are the Dolphins would currently be 3-4.

In this one, Arizona wins largely because of their red-hot offense. Murray puts on a clinic as DeAndre Hopkins and Larry Fitzgerald make minced meat of the Miami secondary. Tagovailoa hits his first roadblock as the Cardinals’ pass rush pounds him into submission.

Prediction: Cardinals win 31-17

New Orleans Saints (5-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)

Sunday, November 8, 8:20PM ET

It would be easy to look at the Buccaneers’ near-collapse on Monday Night Football and assume they aren’t ready to take down the New Orleans Saints. But I’m not going to give in to that silly line of thought, especially as we head into Week 9 of the 2020 campaign.

Tom Brady is playing like a man possessed, helping opponents and fans alike forget about his age. He’s got a gaggle of exciting playmakers to help him out, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that the Tampa Bay defense has been wreaking havoc on just about anything that opponents throw at it.

Now the Saints obviously aren’t pushovers. Drew Brees is still playing well, and he’s got plenty of help — Alvin Kamara hasn’t been shy about making his mark on the New Orleans offense in 2020. Unfortunately, the defense isn’t living up to its potential, which is putting too much pressure on the offense to shoulder the burden on Sundays.

I’ll admit it — at the beginning of the season, I wasn’t buying into the Buccaneers’ “Dream Team” approach. With that said, they’re looking like a legitimate contender heading into Week 9 thanks to more goatly play from Brady and one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Buccaneers get the win and continue to put the rest of the league on notice.

Prediction: Buccaneers win 27-21

New England Patriots (2-5) at New York Jets (0-8)

Monday, November 9, 8:15PM ET

Right now, the New England Patriots need a win in the worst of ways. After years of AFC East supremacy, they’ve seen their star sputter out following the departure of Tom Brady. Now, having lost their last four, it’s looking like their streak of consecutive playoff berths could be at an end.

Getting a win in Week 9 is essentially a must if they have any hopes of tasting the postseason. Luckily for them, a matchup with the feeble New York Jets could be just what the doctor ordered as they hope to get this season back on track.

Despite putting together a handful of competitive games in 2020, the Jets are easily the worst roster in the NFL right now. They’re the only club without a win through eight weeks, and I don’t see that first one coming in Week 9. Even if they are scheduled to take on Cam Newton and the slumping Patriots.

Even against New York, I’m not expecting a blowout in this one. The Patriots still make mistakes, and their lack of offensive playmakers hinders them. Ultimately they get the win, but it’s not a pretty one as Bill Belichick’s squad continues to suffer growing pains.

Prediction: Patriots win 20-16

Gil Alcaraz IV

NFL expert, self-proclaimed craft beer connoisseur and proud husband/father.