NFL Week 9 Predictions of the 2023-2024 Season

Eagles remain top of their division; Bengals continue to rise.

Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers

What a week and potential discovery of Will Levis by the Titans. It’s one week, so no one should completely overreact but a phenomenal performance for the debut. There’s also a lot to like about his leadership and reaction to the fans who booed Malik Willis. The game should be a lot tougher this upcoming week traveling to Pittsburgh but he could put together another big game.

For the Steelers, they got controlled last game by the Jaguars even if the score didn’t seem as one-sided as the performance. Still, the Steelers are 4-3 despite having the 29th-ranked offense. Going against a surging Titans who are riding a high with Levis, it could be back-to-back losses for the Steelers.

Prediction: Titans 21, Steelers 17

Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs (Germany)

This game should be a thriller. These teams theoretically should be relatively evenly matched with the Dolphins having the offensive edge and the Chiefs having the defensive edge. There are some concerns on both sides, however. Specifically, the Dolphins, have not responded well and showed up against the top teams they’ve played against.

On the Chiefs’ side, they’re coming off a bad loss. Got overwhelmed by the Broncos. It was reported that Patrick Mahomes was dealing with flu during the game and he definitely seemed affected by the sickness. If he is healthy by the time comes to Germany, they should squeak out a close exciting win.

Prediction: Chiefs 31, Dolphins 28

Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons

The Vikings have won three straight and were really building some good momentum but unfortunately, they lost Kirk Cousins to an Achilles injury. That pretty much puts a full halt to their progress. They traded for Joshua Dobbs and they plan on starting Jaren Hall in this game. Mixing that and the fact that Justin Jefferson is still out really hurts this team.

The Falcons got torn up by Will Levis and still played a competitive game. Desmond Ridder has really struggled the last few weeks and Taylor Heinicke came in and played better so that raises the question of who will start in the upcoming game. Regardless of who I believe the Falcons will be more prepared for this one.

Prediction: Falcons 23, Vikings 17

Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints

The Chicago Bears had a bit of a short honeymoon game against the Raiders with Tyson Bagent. Quickly they were humbled by the Los Angeles Chargers, however. Bagent still played a solid game outside of the bad interception he threw. With Fields most likely out this week, Bagent will play again this week against a solid Saints defense.

The Saints' offense has started to look better in recent weeks while the defense still ranks in the top ten. The Bears are gritty and play hard and just got a much-needed pass rusher in Montez Sweat but the Saints are too much for the current Bears roster and they’ll take the win at home.

Prediction: Saints 28, Bears 17

Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers

Stafford’s health will make all the difference in this game. If he’s healthy enough to go the Rams will get enough chances on offense to make enough plays and win this game. With the Packers and Jordan Love struggling they should get a bunch of short-field situations that will heavily benefit them.

The Packers are lost offensively. There is just nothing there that is putting fear into their opponents. Jordan Love isn’t progressing and if this keeps up there’s a good chance the Packers try to find their new franchise quarterback in the draft. This is still a winnable game if Jordan Love takes a jump.

Prediction: Rams 24, Packers 20

Washington Commanders at New England Patriots

The Commanders just make no sense as a team. They lost big to Chicago and won a good game against the Falcons. Lost a low-scoring mess of a game against the Giants of all teams and then played a competitive close game against the Eagles.

On the other hand, you got the Patriots who got a huge win against the Bills which they desperately needed, and then came up short against the Dolphins which seemed like more of the same if not a little improved. I’m going to go with the home team in a slugfest.

Prediction: Patriots 17, Commanders 16

Seattle Seahawks at Baltimore Ravens

One of the more anticipated games of the week with two teams with top-tier records battling it out in Baltimore. The Seahawks have played well consistently this season outside of week one. The defense has maybe been the best surprise; it’s been well above average which is more than a lot of people expected them to be and mix that will a good offense they’re 5-2 but could very well fall to 5-3 this week.

The Ravens got another comfortable win even if the score suggests the game was closer than it actually was. Also, Lamar Jackson is playing against the NFC which for some reason he is a juggernaut against the NFC and I can’t pick against the Ravens in this game for that reason alone.

Prediction: Ravens 24, Seahawks 23

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houston Texans

The Buccaneers have lost three games in a row, that’s due to their offense being unable to put more puts on the board. Their experienced defense has won them some games but it was never sustainable, if they want to stop the bleeding, they need to put up a better performance.

CJ Stroud has been great this season but they are coming off a game where they struggled against the only winless team and now they’re playing a good Buccaneers defense. This game should be competitive and could swing either way.

Prediction: Buccaneers 20, Texans 17

Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns

The Cardinals are who we thought they were. Not a good team to be blunt. They’ve lost five games in a row and this week should be no different. They just traded Joshua Dobbs which means they’ll either have Clayton Tune start or a potential Kyler Murray return. Regardless that Browns defense will smother them.

The Cleveland Browns are a quarterback away from being a legit contender. That’s with Deshaun Watson in mind. He hasn’t played well outside of one game and hasn’t been consistently available on top of that. For at least another game, their defense will lead them to another win.

Prediction: Browns 17, Cardinals 13

Indianapolis Colts at Carolina Panthers

The Colts are somewhat of the opposite of what was expected of them this season. Their offense has been pretty solid even without Anthony Richardson, the return of Jonathan Taylor certainly helps. Their defense, however, is horrid, surprisingly. They’re ranked last in points allowed.

The Panthers finally got their first win of the season. It took a lot of work and a field goal as time expired but they finally got the job done. This game is winnable for them and could be a good game for Bryce Young’s development. Most likely though their suspect defense gets overmatched against the Colts and they’re back on the losing side.

Prediction: Colts 27, Panthers 20

New York Giants at Oakland Raiders

The Giants' offense is abysmal, they haven’t scored more than 16 points since week 2, and it’s about to be week 9. Saquon Barkley is the only saving grace and even playing against the mess that is the Raiders it’s hard to see them going in and putting up enough points to win.

On the other hand, the Raiders have decided to fire and move on from Josh McDaniels, it was a mess with him on hand and now the Raiders can start to move towards a better future. Despite the coaching change and mess, this is a very winnable game from emotional and determined players at home.

Prediction: Raiders 24, Giants 16

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

Two top-tier teams in this game. The Cowboys have bounced back extremely well since the 49ers game, having played great football since then. There is concern that this game could take a similar turn to that one if they get off to a slow start on the road.

The Eagles have played some closer games than they would’ve liked to. Playing two close, competitive games against the Commanders. I do believe that they rise against better competition so I’m expecting them to come strong and perform well at home and win a close game.

Prediction: Eagles 27, Cowboys 24

Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals

Along with the Cowboys-Eagles game, this is the other biggest game of the week. For the Bills, it’s been way too up and down for the fans liking. They are very capable of winning this game and convincingly but most likely it’ll be close with them committing a couple of turnovers but with Josh Allen making enough plays to offset it.

The Bengals seem to have finally turned a corner and hit their stride and become the team everyone expected them to be. If this team looks like they have the last couple of weeks, especially their performance against the 49ers. At home, in a huge game, they’ll put off the big win.

Prediction: Bengals 30, Bills 28

Los Angeles Chargers at New York Jets

Now it was against the Bears and the lack of pass rush that they have but, they needed a win and a game where they kept Justin Herbert comfortable for a week. Now it’s a much much better defense in the Jets. Now the way they get this win is to get in rhythm and let their own defense set up some easier drives against a poor offense.

The Jets have been finding a way one way or another. From the crazy week 1 win against the Bills to the late-game heroics from Zach Wilson to lead the overtime win against the Giants. It’s impressive and their fight is inspiring, this week should bring down their hype a little bit as they’re outmatched talent-wise.

Prediction: Chargers 23, Jets 16