NFL Picks Week 9: Point Spreads, Betting Lines, and Whatever Else You Call Them

Here are the opening point spreads for Week 9 of the NFL season. Lines are from the LVH SuperBook, unless noted with an asterisk.

Thursday, October 31

Bengals (-2) at Dolphins

Cincinnati improved to 6-2 on the year by throttling the Jets, 49-9, on Sunday. They’ll have a short week before heading to Miami to take on the Dolphins, whose 27-17 loss in New England marks their fourth consecutive straight up and against the spread defeat. The Week 8 Thursday nighter opened Cincy -1 at the Wynn.

Sunday, November 3

Falcons at Panthers (-7.5)

Two teams on decidedly different paths. Atlanta looked listless in Arizona on Sunday and fell to 2-5 for the season, while the Panthers pulled themselves above .500 win a win in Tampa on Thursday and have a few extra days to get ready for their NFC South rival. The Wynn opened Carolina -7 (-120).

Vikings at Cowboys (-9.5)

Dallas let one slip away in Detroit but held on to get the cash as 3-point underdogs. The Cowboys will lay a big number at home next week against Minny, who were touchdown-plus dogs at home vs. Green Bay Sunday night.

Saints (-4.5) at Jets

New Orleans continues to look like a contender, beating Buffalo, 35-17, while the Jets were blown out of Cincinnati. The Wynn opened the Saints -5.

Titans (-3.5) at Rams

Off a bye week, Tennessee opens as over a field-goal favorite on the road in St. Louis. The Rams are double-digit home dogs Monday against the strong Seahawks.

Chiefs (-3.5) at Bills

Kansas City remains unbeaten but failed to cover for the second straight week. Buffalo lost and also couldn’t get the cash as a double-digit dog in New Orleans.

Chargers at Redskins (-1)*

This is William Hill’s opening price, as the LVH did not hang a number on this game when it posted opening lines Sunday night. Robert Griffin III left Washington’s blowout loss in Denver in the late fourth quarter with a knee injury.

Eagles at Raiders (no line)

Michael Vick aggravated his hamstring injury during Philly’s home loss the Giants, and no early number was posted for the Eagles’ visit to Oakland.

Bucs at Seahawks (-16.5)

You won’t find many bigger mismatches in the NFL. Tampa’s first win of the season isn't likely to come at the toughest place to play in the league. William Hill posted an even bigger number, Seattle -17.

Ravens (-3 even) at Browns

The Wynn and William Hill both hung Baltimore -2.5. Cleveland lost but covered in Kansas City; the Ravens were off.

Steelers at Patriots (-7)

New England came from behind for the win and cover at home against the Dolphins. Pitt went down in Oakland, but the game probably wasn’t as close as the 21-18 score suggests. The Wynn opened the Pats -7 (even).

Colts at Texans (-2)

Indy drew immediate action at +2, and actually became a 1.5-point favorite later Sunday night. On Monday morning, the LVH moved this game to Colts -2.5. Houston opened -1 at the Wynn but were a 1-point dog by Monday morning. These AFC South rivals both had their bye in Week 9. The Texans got their first cover of the season in a 17-16 loss in K.C. in Week 8. That wasn’t as impressive as Indy delivering Denver its first loss of the season.

Monday, November 3

Bears at Packers (-7.5)

Chicago will be Jay Cutler-less when it visits its longtime rival, who played in Minnesota Sunday night.