This Sunday should once again be a back and forth game and as long as Bills quarterback Josh Allen doesn't turn the football over, his team should come out on top. The Chiefs and QB Patrick Mahomes have it going again with people back healthy and contributing. Kansas City running back Isiah Pacheco might not play in this game due to a knee injury, but Kareem Hunt has been solid when asked to carry the ball. This game is definitely a toss up, so fans should expect to see another classic as these two teams go at it for the tenth time since the 2020 season.
Minnesota at Detroit is another game that has questions that will be answered when the final score is posted. The Vikings (3-4) have been struggling and finally will get starting QB J.J. McCarthy back on the field. The Lions (5-2) are roaring on offense and have also shown more life on defense in recent weeks. Minnesota has lost two in a row and McCarthy hasn't played since Week Two because of a severe ankle injury, so how effective he can be is to be determined. That doesn't bode well for the Vikings playing on the road against the Lions.
After getting shut down in the second half last Sunday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) will be looking to get back on track at home against the Indianapolis Colts, who at 7-1 have the best record in the NFL. The Colts have been the biggest surprise team in the league and QB Daniel Jones has continued to confound the so called experts with his steady play this season. Once a turnover machine, Jones has been stellar at protecting the football through eight games and running back Jonathan Taylor is in the conversation as well for NFL Most Valuable Player so far this season.
Taylor has already scored 14 touchdowns (including 12 rushing scores) and is chasing the "impossible" record of 31 touchdowns in one season set by LaDainian Tomlinson with the San Diego Chargers back in the 2006 season. Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers needs to get everybody involved with the offense and spread it around against a tough Colts defense if they want to get the win and the Pittsburgh defense will have their hands full against the NFL's highest scoring team, averaging 33.7 points per game.
The rest of the action for this weekend is featured in the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo picks follow up.
Baltimore (2-5) at Miami (2-6) - Thursday night in Miami and the Ravens have QB Lamar Jackson coming back from his hamstring injury. That is a big deal for the most celebrated sub .500 team in recent memory.
Chicago (4-3) at Cincinnati (3-5) - The Bears laid an egg in Baltimore last week and face yet another AFC North team on the road, so this will not be easy. The Bengals could be without QB Joe Flacco (shoulder injury) and that's not a good thing. Toss up here in this one.
Carolina (4-4) at Green Bay (5-1-1) - The Packers are rolling and should continue to do so at Lambeau Field in this game.
L.A. Chargers (5-3) at Tennessee (1-7) - This game looks like a complete blowout on paper, so will the Chargers find a way to help keep it close against perhaps the worst team in the NFL?
Atlanta (3-4) at New England (6-2) - Patriots should get their sixth consecutive win, but the Jekyll-and-Hyde Falcons might show up this week and keep it close.
San Francisco (5-3) at N.Y. Giants (2-6) - The Giants are 2-6 for a reason and now they are without both Malik Nabers and rookie RB Cam Skattebo for the rest of this season. The 49ers should get a bounce back win after a terrible effort in Houston last week.
Denver (6-2) at Houston (3-4) - The Broncos offense has suddenly come alive in last two games, but this time they face a team from Texas that actually plays good defense. The Texans offense woke up last week, but they face one of the best defenses in the NFL this week. Toss up here in what should be a low scoring game. Turnovers will decide the outcome.
Jacksonville (4-3) at Las Vegas (2-5) - In an unusual turn of events, the Jaguars have not won a football game since that corny TV ad with Trevor Lawrence and rookie Travis Hunter started airing. The Raiders are due for a win and this week it could happen.
New Orleans (1-7) at L.A. Rams (5-2) - The Rams are coming off the bye week and should plaster the Saints in this home game.
Seattle (5-2) at Washington (3-5) - If quarterback Jayden Daniels (hamstring injury) can play this week for the Commanders, this "prime time" Sunday night game will be competitive. Seahawks looking to keep pace with the Rams and 49ers in a very competitive NFC West race.
Arizona (2-5) at Dallas (3-4-1) - The Monday night game featuring two so-so teams. Cowboys have a far better offense, but that defense they play is putrid. This game could go down to the wire and the Cardinals need to get QB Kyler Murray (foot injury) back on the field to have shot at winning this game.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Nine . . . . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Baltimore over Miami
Chicago over Cincinnati
Detroit over Minnesota
GREEN BAY over Carolina
L.A. Chargers over Tennessee
New England over Atlanta
San Francisco over N.Y. Giants
Pittsburgh over Indianapolis
Houston over Denver
Las Vegas over Jacksonville
L.A. Rams over New Orleans
Buffalo over Kansas City
Seattle over Washington
Dallas over Arizona
Last Week's Record - 9-4
SEASON RECORD - 77-43-1
Lock of the Week Record - 8-0
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