DALLAS — We’re on to Week 9 in the NFL, which is headlined by Cardinals-49ers Packers-Chiefs, Broncos-Cowboys, Browns-Bengals, Falcons-Saints and more.
This year at Locked On, Locked On Saints host Ross Jackson and me (Locked On national content producer Cameron LaFontaine) will predict the outcomes of every NFL game week to week.
Last week, Ross and I both ended the week positive both with straight up picks and against the spread. It was one of those weird, rare weeks where we actually did better against the spread than straight up. Not complaining!
Pick records last week:
Pick records so far this season:
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New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts
Time: Thursday, 8:20 p.m. (all times eastern)
Watch: FOX
Spread: IND -10.5, O/U 45
The New York Jets picked up a huge win last week against the Bengals led by backup QB Mike White. Can the young team keep it going on the road on a short week in prime time? We’ll see.
Ross Jackson: Colts 19, Jets 13
Cameron LaFontaine: Colts 26, Jets 20
Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m.
Watch: FOX
Spread: MIA -6.5, O/U 45.5
News came out on Thursday that Tyrod Taylor is back to start for the Texans on Sunday against the Dolphins. Houston hasn’t won since Week 1 when Taylor started and defeated the Jaguars. Can he bring the magic back against the struggling Dolphins?
Ross Jackson: Texans 21, Dolphins 20
Cameron LaFontaine: Dolphins 27, Texans 25
Denver Broncos at Dallas Cowboys
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m.
Watch: FOX
Spread: DAL -10, O/U 49.5
The Cowboys will have Dak Prescott back after he missed last week, when Dallas was able to get it done in Minnesota with backup Cooper Rush. The Broncos finally got back in the win column but in ugly fashion. They also lost Von Miller this week.
Ross Jackson: Cowboys 26, Broncos 20
Cameron LaFontaine: Cowboys 27, Broncos 16
Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m.
Watch: FOX
Spread: BAL -6, O/U 49.5
The Vikings straight up dropped the ball last week against Dallas with backup Cooper Rush starting for them. Now, they have to head to Baltimore coming off a bye after they were pounding by the Bengals. This will be an interesting game to see where both teams are at.
Ross Jackson: Ravens 30, Vikings 21
Cameron LaFontaine: Ravens 31, Vikings 28
New England Patriots at Carolina Panthers
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m.
Watch: CBS
Spread: NE -3.5, O/U 41
The Panthers were able to get back in the win column last week after dropping four straight. But, they have the suddenly hot New England Patriots coming to town after they went into L.A. and defeated the Chargers.
Ross Jackson: Patriots 17, Panthers 13
Cameron LaFontaine: Patriots 23, Panthers 17
Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m.
Watch: CBS
Spread: BUF -14.5, O/U 48.5
The Bills have beat up on bad teams all year and now they have another one. The Jaguars were dominated by the Seahawks last week on the road. There’s no reason to think they hang with the Bills this week.
Ross Jackson: Bills 35, Jaguars 17
Cameron LaFontaine: Bills 34, Jaguars 15
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m.
Watch: CBS
Spread: CIN -1, O/U 46.5
The Browns have been in the news plenty this week after Odell Beckham Jr. is now away from the team and won’t play Sunday in Cincinnati. How will the loss of OBJ affect the rest of the team? The Bengals are back home after an embarrassing loss to a poor Jets team. They should be determined to get back in the win column.
Ross Jackson: Bengals 24, Browns 21
Cameron LaFontaine: Bengals 21, Browns 18
Las Vegas Raiders at New York Giants
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m.
Watch: CBS
Spread: LV -3, O/U 46.5
The Raiders are facing major adversity again after Henry Ruggs III was arrested, facing felony charges after prosecutors say he caused a drunk driving accident that killed a 23-year-old woman. The last time they were facing major distractions with Jon Gruden, they went out and crushed the Eagles. But, this one is in New York.
Ross Jackson: Giants 21, Raiders 18
Cameron LaFontaine: Raiders 24, Giants 20
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m.
Watch: FOX
Spread: NO -6, O/U 41.5
The Saints will have a new QB starting, likely Taysom Hill, after losing Jameis Winston for the season in last week’s win over the Bucs. They still come into this one favored by six after the Falcons stunk last week against the Panthers.
Ross Jackson: Saints 23, Falcons 16
Cameron LaFontaine: Saints 24, Falcons 20
Los Angeles Chargers at Philadelphia Eagles
Time: Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
Watch: CBS
Spread: LAC -1, O/U 50
We were just talking a few weeks ago about how the Chargers might be one of the top two or three teams in the AFC. Since then, they were dominated by the Ravens and lost to the Patriots at home. Can they go to the east coast and stop the bleeding? The Eagles are coming off an easy win against the Lions and will look to keep it going.
Ross Jackson: Chargers 24, Eagles 21
Cameron LaFontaine: Chargers 31, Eagles 24
Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs
Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
Watch: FOX
Spread: KC -7.5, O/U 48.5
A mid-week bomb dropped when it was announced Aaron Rodgers was going to miss Sunday’s game due to a positive COVID-19 test and we also learned he was unvaccinated. The line for this game moved from a pick ’em to Chiefs by more than a touchdown. The Chiefs have covered the spread just twice this season. The Packers have won seven-straight and are on a long week while the Chiefs are on a short week. Can Jordan Love come in and keep this one close? Or will Kansas City assert some dominance?
Ross Jackson: Chiefs 31, Packers 14
Cameron LaFontaine: Packers 27, Chiefs 24
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
Watch: FOX
Spread: PK, O/U 45
The Cardinals lost their first game last Thursday against the Green Bay Packers but had a good shot to win. Now they’re dealing with more COVID issues and have to go on the road to Santa Clara. They already defeated the 49ers once but it was an ugly game. Can the 49ers tag the Cardinals back this week?
Ross Jackson: 49ers 21, Cardinals 20
Cameron LaFontaine: Cardinals 20, 49ers 17
Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Rams
Time: Sunday, 8:20 p.m.
Watch: NBC
Spread: LAR -8, O/U 54
How will the Titans handle being without Derrick Henry? They’re not exactly getting to ease into it, as they have to play arguably the NFL’s best team on the road. Oddsmakers aren’t giving the 6-2 Titans too much credit without Henry, favoring the Rams by more than a touchdown. But, this is the first good team the Rams have faced in weeks.
Ross Jackson: Rams 33, Titans 26
Cameron LaFontaine: Rams 30, Titans 24
Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears
Time: Monday, 8:15 p.m.
Watch: ESPN
Spread: PIT -6.5, O/U 41
The Steelers are good now again, at least for now, and are back above .500 after a good win on the road against the Browns. Now they head back to the road to take on a struggling Bears team. But Chicago in primetime can be sneaky.
Ross Jackson: Steelers 24, Bears 17
Cameron LaFontaine: Steelers 20, Bears 13