The best bets with odds spreads and picks for NFL Week 9.
Los Angeles Rams (-3.5) at New York Giants
Both of these teams exit a bye, but the Rams have a far better ATS record in this spot (7-2-1) than the Giants (4-6). L.A. has also trended favorably of late, covering in three of their four October games, while the Giants have done just the opposite.
Diving into the matchup, the Rams bring in their second-ranked scoring offense to face the team ranked 17th by the same metric. Todd Gurley, who has broken the 100-rushing yard plateau in four of his last five games, looks poised for another big performance on the ground against the Giants’ 23rd-ranked run stoppers.
Eli Manning’s 30th-rated scoring offense should face plenty of resistance from the Rams’ 10th-best defense by points allowed. He’ll also be under duress from L.A.’s solid pass rush, which has amassed 23 sacks through seven games. All signs point to a convincing road win for the Rams. They’re the best bet of the week.
The pick: Rams -3.5
Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5)
Denver has failed to register 20 points in five straight games, going 1-4 ATS in that span. The Eagles, who have won and covered in five straight, have scored no fewer than 26 points in each game during that streak. And Philly’s offense has gotten stronger since their latest victory, as they added Jay Ajayi to their backfield. He should complement an offense that’s already second-best in time of possession and fifth in rushing YPG.
Trevor Siemian, at a 76.8 passer rating and falling fast, has been a turnover machine of late, tossing six INTs in his last three starts. He’s contributed in large part to Denver’s ghastly minus-9 turnover differential over the last three games. The Eagles, by contrast, are plus-5 for the season, among the best marks in the league. Philly’s 26th-rated pass stoppers can be beaten, but Siemian isn’t a candidate to do so at the moment and neither is Brock
Osweiler, whom rumor has it may get the starting nod this week. The Broncos will also be hard-pressed to get anything going on the ground against the Eagles’ top-ranked rush defense.
With so many advantages in their favor, Carson Wentz and company should cruise to another double-digit win.
The pick: Eagles -7.5
Arizona Cardinals (-2) at San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers enter Week 9 with their third different starting quarterback of the season, but he’s their best one yet; Jimmy Garropolo. In a small sample size last year, Garropolo posted a strong 113.3 passer rating. He should come in and immediately supply San Francisco with a needed kick against the struggling Cardinals, who are 30th in points allowed.
Arizona lost Carson Palmer to injury in Week 7 and now turn to Drew Stanton, who in one start against the Niners last year managed just a 77.1 passer rating. Adrian Peterson, brought in to salvage a running attack ranked last in the NFL, seemed to be a one-week wonder after a no-show performance against the Rams two weeks ago.
The Cardinals are 0-4 ATS on the road this year and have dropped three of their last four ATS against San Francisco. This should be the week the Niners get their elusive first victory of the season.
The pick: 49ers +2
Best of the rest (picks in bold)
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers (-2)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints (-7)
Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars (-4.5)
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (-13)
Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks (-7)
Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys (E)
Oakland Raiders (-3) at Miami Dolphins
Detroit Lions (-2.5) at Green Bay Packers
Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans [OFF]
