With the Cardinals, Colts, Eagles, Jaguars, Bengals, and Giants all on bye this week, byenado is officially upon us. Pick up Courtland Sutton, set your lineups accordingly, and good luck in Week 9! Here are the NFL weekly picks. 

Please keep in mind that by the time you’re reading this, the line may have shifted depending on breaking news during the week, or money flowing through the market.

Thursday 8:20 PM EST

Oakland at San Francisco, -3.5

This week’s iteration of Thursday Night Football will feature two teams with a combined record of 2-13, meaning that if you’re tuning in for this one, congratulations, you’re either a die hard Raiders/49ers fan, or you’re a degenerate. C.J. Beathard attempted only 28 passes for 190 total passing yards as the 49ers struggled to get their offense going against the Cardinals. While the Raiders might be in the midst of a fire sale, the 49ers are 0-3 against the spread at home, and 0-3 against the spread when favored this year. With both teams in full on tank mode, I’ll take the Raiders and the 3.5 points.

Pick: Raiders.

Sunday 1:00 PM EST

Atlanta at Washington, -1.5

Both the Falcons and the Redskins played the Giants last with each team coming out on top, but the Falcons will have an extra week to prepare for this matchup. The 5-2 Redskins added safety HaHa Clinton-Dix to their roster at the trade deadline. This will only be their second time this year as favorites, but they are 3-1 against the spread at home this year. I don’t have a really strong feeling on this game, but I lean towards the Redskins to win and cover.

Pick: Redskins.

Embed from Getty Images

Kansas City at Cleveland, +8.5

In the least shocking move of the season, the Cleveland Browns have fired head coach Hue Jackson, who had won only 3 games in 2.5 seasons, and offensive coordinator Todd Haley; they will be replaced by Gregg Williams and Freddie Kitchens, respectfully. Hopefully, this coaching change can get their play calling in order and continue to develop rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has struggled of late. Meanwhile, the Chiefs failed to cover the the spread for only the first time time this season against the Broncos at home, despite another strong performance by Patrick Mahomes, who is now at even odds for the MVP race this year, and while I am hesitant to lay this many points on the road, I still think the Chiefs can easily cover this spread against a team in total disrepair.

Pick: Chiefs.

Detroit at Minnesota, -5.5

Things went sour in the last minutes of the first half for the Vikings against the Saints, as momentum shifted away from them quickly and they ultimately lost the game 30-20. Quarterback Kirk Cousins did throw for 359 yards and 2 touchdowns for a completion percentage of 76%. The Lions, meanwhile, dropped to last place in the NFC North with their 28-14 loss to the Seahawks at home and have traded away wide receiver Golden Tate for a third round draft pick. I’m not exactly sure why they’ve made this move in a division race that seems very much up for grabs. That said, I think Minnesota bounces back at home and while this feels like a lot of points for a divisional matchup, I like the Vikings to win and cover the 5.5 point spread.

Pick: Vikings.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore, -3.5

The hyped up Ravens defense was exposed in Week 8 and were unable to hold off Cam Newton and the Panthers in their 36-21 loss. They’ll be home against a hot Pittsburgh team that’s won and covered their last three games against the spread. These two teams already met this year in Pittsburgh, where the Ravens picked up the win 26-14. Keep an eye on the injury report because Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is dealing with a fractured finger, but is expected to play per coach Mike Tomlin. With both teams trending in different directions, I like the Steelers as underdogs on the road.

Pick: Steelers.

Chicago at Buffalo, +5.5 *

The big news for this game is that since these lines were posted, quarterback Derek Anderson, who entered the concussion protocol during Monday night’s game, has been ruled out, meaning that it is the Nathan Peterman show again. You won’t get 5.5 at any book in light of this news, as this line has been pushed up to 9.5 and 10 at most books. Anderson is pretty bad, so this 4 point swing should tell you just how awful Peterman is. The Bears are dealing with injuries on both sides of the ball, with right guard Kyle Long out for 6-8 weeks and pass rusher Khalil Mack questionable with an ankle injury. All this said, Peterman is a turnover machine and the Bills, who will be off short rest, are frankly a disaster. Obviously I love this game at 5.5, but in reality there’s no number where I’d look at Buffalo at this point. Give me the Bears to cover almost any number against the spread.

Pick: Bears.

Tampa Bay at Carolina, -6.5

Jameis Winston’s return as the Buccaneers starter lasted only three games, which means it’s the return of Ryan Fitzpatrick. I think this is probably the right call for Tampa, but let’s not forget that Fitzmagic quickly came back down to earth after his 3-0 start and was benched in Week 5 for Winston during a 48-10 blowout loss to the Bears. Meanwhile, it looks like things are coming together for Carolina, as they were able to pick up a win against a strong Ravens defense in Week 8. That said, this feels like a big number for a divisional game, especially since the Buccaneers have managed to keep every game this season except for one within a touchdown. No strong lean here, and hopefully Fitzpatrick avoids being Fitztragic – I’ll take the Buccaneers with the points.

Pick: Buccaneers.

NY Jets at Miami, -3.5

The Jets and the Dolphins are really looking like the teams we thought they’d be at the beginning of the season. For the Dolphins, it doesn’t look like Ryan Tannehill will be returning for Week 8, meaning they’ll have to roll with backup quarterback Brock Osweiler, who has been underwhelming at best since the overtime win against the Bears. On the Jets side of the ball, Sam Darnold has struggled of late and completed only 14 of 29 pass attempts for 153 yards and a touchdown last Sunday. I have serious concerns about Miami’s defense, which gave up 6 touchdowns to the Texans last week, but with the Jets on the road for the second week in a row, I think this is a lay it or don’t play it spot with the Dolphins.  

Pick: Dolphins.

Sunday 4:05 PM EST

LA Chargers at Seattle, -1.5

The 5-2 Chargers will be well-rested coming into this week’s matchup off their bye against the Seahawks. They’ve looked good this year, but have shown permeability to bad teams, like the 49ers and Titans. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson and the Seahawks appear to be bouncing back in a big way from their 0-2 start to the season, winning 4 of their last 5. Wilson had only three incompletions last week against the Lions and threw for 3 touchdowns on 248 yards. They’ll be home for the third time this season, and have covered both previous times this year. Seahawks win, Seahawks cover.

Pick: Seahawks.

Houston at Denver, -2.5

Long-time Denver wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was traded to Houston for a future draft pick on Tuesday only hours before the trade deadline, and in a strange turn of events, he’ll face his former team this Sunday. The Texans traded for him in hopes of filling a void left by wide receiver Will Fuller, who tore his ACL in last week’s game against the Dolphins. They seem to be legitimate playoff contenders in a very soft AFC South division and are currently on a five game winning streak. Mile High is a tough stadium, giving the Broncos probably one of the better home field advantages in the league, but I have little faith in Vance Joseph and Case Keenum. Give me the Texans laying road chalk.

Pick: Texans.

Sunday 4:25 PM EST

LA Rams at New Orleans, -1.5

The undefeated Rams got even better on Tuesday and added edge rusher Dante Fowler from the Jaguars. Their defense now consists of 7 first rounders, and Sean McVay’s squad is starting to look like the Golden State Warriors of the NFL. The Saints have also looked very strong and this game could very well be a preview of the NFC conference game, as these teams come in with a combined 14-1 record. There is so much talent on both sides of the ball, but this line suggests the Rams would only be around 2 point favorites on a neutral field. I think the advantage lies with the Rams, who ultimately win this game and advance to 9-0.

Pick: Rams.

Sunday 8:20 PM EST

Green Bay at New England, -6.5

The Packers, who are coming off of a close loss to the Rams, made some curious, last minute trades at the deadline, suggesting that they may not think they’re close to playoff contention. Safety HaHa Clinton-Dix has been traded to the Redskins, and Ty Montgomery, after a kickoff snafu on Sunday, was traded to the Ravens. The Patriots, meanwhile, are coming off of a Monday night 25-6 trouncing of the Bills in Buffalo and will be home for the first time in three games. They’ve won their last 5 games in a row as they are now in complete control of the AFC East. This line is moving in the other direction, meaning Vegas is begging you to take Green Bay, but you generally don’t make much money betting against Tom Brady in Gillette in primetime. I predict the Patriots win by at least a touchdown.

Pick: Patriots.

Monday 8:15 PM EST

Tennessee at Dallas, -6.5

Jerry Jones and the Cowboys made the biggest trade of the year, acquiring wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Raiders, in hopes of catching up to the Redskins in a soft NFC East division. Meanwhile, the Titans are coming off of a Week 8 bye and somehow aren’t dead yet, but all the rest in the world may not ignite this offense, which has yet to score more than 20 points in regulation this year. While I am hesitant to lay a touchdown, this is a lay it or don’t play it spot for me with the Cowboys.

Pick: Cowboys.