NFL - Week Nine Preview

As the NFL season goes into Week Nine, the COVID-19 virus is starting to wreak havoc around the league and that was evident in the Thursday night game where the San Francisco 49ers had numerous players out of action due to either testing positive for the virus or because they had contact with persons who tested positive. The Green Bay Packers also have had many issues with the virus as well as the state of Wisconsin is one of the hottest spots in the country for new cases.

The Packers destroyed the depleted 49ers, 34-17 with quarterback Aaron Rodgers throwing four touchdown passes. The 'Niners were without starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo and tight end George Kittle (both injured) as well as other starters who are out with the virus or having to go on COVID-19/IR list. Hopefully, other teams won't suffer similar fates as quite a few teams have seen cases rising on their rosters. 

As for the action this weekend, the Baltimore Ravens travel to face the Indianapolis Colts (both teams are 5-2) in what should be a physical contest with both teams having strong defenses. Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson has struggled in recent games and turned the football over four times in last week's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Colts QB Philip Rivers started out the season as a turnover machine, but has improved in the last three games, throwing no interceptions while tossing for five scores. 

The Seattle Seahawks (6-1) will play at the Buffalo Bills (6-2) who are coming off a close win against New England last Sunday. The Seahawks bounced back from their only defeat two weeks ago with a 37-27 win over the San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Russell Wilson has thrown 26 touchdown passes so far this season. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2) host the New Orleans Saints (5-2) in a huge game in the NFC South division on Sunday night. Bucs QB Tom Brady has 18 TD passes with four interceptions and will now have much maligned wide receiver Antonio Brown in the mix as he has completed his eight-game suspension. Tampa Bay is averaging just under 31 points per game while the Saints, led by QB Drew Brees, have averaged 28 points per game. 

The Chicago Bears (5-3) will be in Tennessee facing the Titans (5-2) as each team has lost their last two games. The Bears offense has been struggling to put points on the board and QB Nick Foles hasn't been real effective since taking over for Mitch Trubisky as the starter. The Titans defense has been getting ravaged, allowing 31 points per game in the last three since their blowout victory over Buffalo. This game could come down to the final possession. 

One other game that looks to be real interesting is the Miami Dolphins (4-3) at the Arizona Cardinals (5-2) on Sunday afternoon. Both teams have won three consecutive games and the Dolphins have been destroying opponents in that time frame, outscoring the opposition by a 98-40 count. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are coming off a bye and knocked off the Seattle Seahawks, 37-34 in overtime two weeks ago. The Cards have averaged 29 points per game this season while the Dolphins defense has been real stingy in recent games, so something has to give. 

The rest of the games for Week Nine are featured in the capsule style previews and are followed up by the Heftyinfo predictions. 

 

Denver (3-4) at Atlanta (2-6) - Two teams that need to keep winning games battle it out. This could go either way. 

Houston (1-6) at Jacksonville (1-6) - Round Two in the battle for possibly the top pick in the next NFL Draft. 

N.Y. Giants (1-7) at Washington (2-5) - See above comments.

Carolina (3-5) at Kansas City (7-1) - The Chiefs should win big, but the Panthers have been in every game they play so far this season. 

Detroit (3-4) at Minnesota (2-5) - Will Lions QB Matthew Stafford (COVID-19/IR list) be able to play in this game? 

Las Vegas (4-3) at L.A. Chargers (2-5) - The Chargers cannot possibly blow a big lead in a fifth straight game, can they? 

Pittsburgh (7-0) at Dallas (2-6) - This should be a complete blowout for the Steelers. 

New England (2-5) at N.Y. Jets (0-8) - The stinker game of the week on Monday Night Football?  Sure looks like it. 

 

The Heftyinfo picks for Week Nine   .  .  .  .  .  .  .    (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS) 

Green Bay over San Francisco 

Atlanta over Denver 

Seattle over Buffalo 

Indianapolis over Baltimore 

Houston over Jacksonville 

Kansas City over Carolina 

Minnesota over Detroit 

Tennessee over Chicago 

N.Y. Giants over Washington 

Las Vegas over L.A. Chargers 

Arizona over Miami 

PITTSBURGH over Dallas 

Tampa Bay over New Orleans 

New England over N.Y. Jets 

 

Last Week's Record -  9-5 

SEASON RECORD -  80-38-1 

Lock of the Week Record -  6-2