Best NFL underdog picks and predictions of Week 9

Assessing the NFL betting odds and lines for Week 9, with three predictions and picks for the best underdog bets to make.

The New Orleans Saints came through in a big way for us in Week 8, but the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions did not, resulting in our second losing week of the season.
Still, we’re sitting pretty with a 17-7 (.708) record against the spread so far as we head into our …

NFL underdog predictions: Week 9

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Cleveland Browns +2.5 (-105) at Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

The Browns are now all alone in the AFC North basement at 4-4, having lost three of their last four games, after dropping a tightly contested home game Sunday to the hated Pittsburgh Steelers.

QB Joe Burrow and the surprising Bengals, meanwhile, are a half-game out of the AFC North lead after winning four of their last six, although Week 8, brought a stunning 34-31 defeat to the 1-5 New York Jets playing with a backup quarterback. Cincy became the first double-digit favorite to lose outright this season.

That means both teams should be highly motivated Sunday, and we’ll side with the more-desperate Browns, who won two high-scoring shootouts with the Bengals last season. Waiting to see if the line bumps up to plus-3 here would be ideal for Browns backers.

PLAY: Try our new, free daily Pick’em Challenge and win. Play now!

Las Vegas Raiders at New York Giants +3.5 (-125) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

The G-Men are a brutal 6-14 straight up and ATS at home — the league’s worst mark against the number — since the start of the 2019 season.

The AFC West-leading Raiders are coming off a bye with 5-2 SU and 4-3 ATS records in 2021. However, the major distractions at some point are going to be too much to overcome, and this week started with the horrific Henry Ruggs news.

If the Giants don’t wind up getting hit hard by their early-week COVID scare, go with the home team here.

WIN YOUR FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE!

For 25 years, TheHuddle.com has been helping fantasy players just like you win. This year, it’s your turn! Custom player rankings, tools and more to give you the edge over your competition.

Use code SBW21 to take 20% OFF a new subscription. Join now!

Tennessee Titans +7.5 (-115) at Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)

The Titans truly did suffer a King-sized blow with the RB Derrick Henry injury news Monday, but this Tennessee team continues to overcome the odds as it enters this Sunday night contest coming off three consecutive outright wins as an underdog.

A road win over a red-hot Rams team tied for the league’s best record at 7-1 is likely too much to ask, though. But rallying the troops and covering a TD-plus spread is very doable for Tennessee as L.A. has been a mediocre 4-4 ATS so far this season.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @kenpomp on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Access more NFL coverage:

TheHuddle Fantasy Football | BearsWire | BengalsWire | BillsWire | BroncosWire | BrownsWire | BucsWire | CardsWire | ChargersWire | ChiefsWire | CowboysWire | DolphinsWire | EaglesWire | FalconsWire | GiantsWire | JaguarsWire | JetsWire | LionsWire | NinersWire | PackersWire | PanthersWire | PatriotsWire | RaidersWire | RamsWire | RavensWire | SaintsWire | SeahawksWire | SteelersWire | TexansWireTitansWire | VikingsWire | WashingtonFootballWire | DraftWire | TouchdownWire | TheListWire

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1367]