3 Best Bets for NFL Week 9

Coming off a really disappointing college football Saturday with an 0-3 record on my best bets for week 10, it’s time to right the ship heading into the NFL this Sunday. We went 1-1 last week after the Jets failed to hold on in the second half against a pesky Raiders squad. 

Nonetheless, it’s time to regroup and fire off more plays as we head towards the midpoint of the 2026 NFL season. 

New York Jets vs Kansas City Chiefs:

Play: Jets +10

I have a humiliation ritual. I probably should get help. I will probably regret this pick when the Jets are covering for 55 minutes and then Aaron Glenn makes another dumb decision to lose 28-17.

But I don’t trust the Chiefs to cover a double digit spread right now. The offense has been very sloppy and mediocre the last two weeks — granted it did come against two good defenses, the Broncos and Seahawks — leaving a lot to be desired in both the run and pass game. After Kenneth Walker’s hot start, he only has 105 rushing yards and no touchdowns in his last two games. 

The Chiefs are also not explosive over the top. The wide receiver room is average and beat up. Patrick Mahomes has not played like an elite quarterback for long stretches this season. He hasn’t been able to push the ball down the field as much as he has in the past, only attempting 24 passes over 20 yards. 

The Jets will most likely be without Garrett Wilson, but this team has some sneaky good offensive weapons. Omar Cooper Jr and Adonai Mitchell have emerged the last few weeks as reliable options for Geno Smith. The Jets’ quarterback has been efficient this season, ranking in the top-six in both passing yards and passer rating. 

I will probably regret this pick. But one more time I will trust Glenn to keep the final score within a reasonable range.

New York Giants vs Philadelphia Eagles:

Play: Eagles +3.5

The New York Giants have been a great story through eight weeks this season. Losing Jaxon Dart in week 2, John Harbaugh has had his team prepared every week to play hard and win some tough games.

JJ McCarthy has taken over as the starter for the Giants and it resulted in a great win two weeks ago against the Texans in overtime. McCarthy looked like a new quarterback after being traded from the Vikings. He was 20-28 for 252 passing yards against the Texans, which included some really impressive throws in that game.

Like the Giants, McCarthy has been a nice story. I, however, don’t buy both of them long term and in this game. For starters, running back Cam Skaettbo is doubtful to play against the Eagles. Without him, the run game is not nearly as effective and punishing. I will also bet on Vic Fangio having the right scheme to prevent McCarthy from dicing up his defense. 

Joe Milton takes over as the starting quarterback for the Eagles. He should have more pop than Tanner McKee. Milton has started before and has shown flashes of hitting some explosive plays, which will be key against a Giants defense that can get to the quarterback. 

Even with all the injuries the Eagles are facing, especially on offense, I will trust Fangio’s defense to keep this divisional battle close and that Saquon Barkley and Milton will have enough offense to make sure this stays under +3.5.

Los Angeles Rams vs Washington Commanders:

Play: Commanders +4.5 

I think this can be a perfect spot for the Rams to overlook Washington before heading off into their bye. Flying across the country and off two wins against some bad teams, it would be easy to bet the Rams and expect a third straight victory for Sean McVay’s team. But the Rams haven’t been great this season, which is why they sit at 4-4 right now. 

Los Angeles should be getting back Myles Garrett on Sunday, but it still has a laundry list of injuries to its defense. This is also a defense that struggles to stop running quarterbacks — and who better to exploit that vulnerability than Jayden Daniels. A few weeks ago, Josh Allen had 121 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Daniels has yet to turn over the ball this season. The Commanders have some good offensive weapons to push the ball down the field. The defense performed better last week, but it’s still a unit that is near the bottom in most categories and will be without key players on Sunday.

Nonetheless, Matthew Stafford hasn’t lit up the league this season like he did when he won the MVP a year ago. The Rams will also be without Davante Adams again, which is Stafford’s best red zone option. 

As long as Dan Quinn acts like a competent coach, which is asking a lot, I’ll take the Commanders to cover the spread as the Rams come out flat flying across the country.