The start to this 2026 NFL season had followed a disappointing pattern that saw the 2025 season end with a negative number for the Picks for the first time in a few seasons.
However, there have been some positive signs over the last two weeks thanks to an 8-3 run, although the first six weeks of the season continue to pull back on the overall numbers.
There is still a long way to go before the end of this season, but it is up to us to reevaluate teams from their preseason expectations, especially as injuries have piled up once again.
Teams like the Los Angeles Chargers have completely collapsed after being a rival to the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, while the Houston Texans have work to do.
Injuries to Quarter Backs in Philadelphia and Baltimore leave both of those teams struggling to get back on track, while the Los Angeles Rams look like one of those teams who can overcome a slow start and move into contention in the NFC West and the Conference as a whole.
For most teams we will be reaching the halfway mark of the regular season and that means there is still so much Football to be played.
And just before we get into the NFL Picks from Week 9 of the season, thoughts are out there for Jack Campbell of the Detroit Lions with the hope that he is able to make a full recovery as soon as possible.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Baltimore Ravens Pick: A big decision is going to have to be made in the offseason after Lamar Jackson's latest injury, one that could see the Quarter Back miss the entirety of the 2026 season. The most immediate concern for the Baltimore Ravens (4-4) is snapping a three game losing run that has seen them fall into the basement of the AFC North and it is far from ideal that they are playing on a short week in Week 9 having been crushed at the Buffalo Bills.
Lamar Jackson's return did not even last an entire series, but things got even worse for Baltimore thanks to an injury suffered by Tyler Huntley and that meant Joe Fagnano had to play the majority of the game.
It was a debut for Joe Fagnano in the NFL and he is set to earn the start on Thursday Night Football, but the Ravens are making plans to bring some experience into the Quarter Back room with a trade being set up for Jacoby Brissett. The latter would likely be up to speed by the time the Baltimore Ravens are back out, but the rest of the roster are going to have to rally if they are going to move back above 0.500 by beating the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2).
The AFC South leaders just put a beatdown on rivals Indianapolis Colts as they returned from a Bye Week after splitting two games played in London.
Short weeks on the road are never easy to manage, but the Jacksonville Jaguars would have taken the foot off the pedal in the blowout win over the Colts.
It was not all good news on Sunday and the likelihood is that the Jaguars will be without one of their key Offensive players in Bhayshul Tuten who has not been in practice early in the week. Running the ball against the Ravens Defensive Line would have been challenging even with Tuten available, but that becomes that much tougher for the Jacksonville Jaguars by moving down the depth on the roster.
Despite that, Trevor Lawrence has admitted he might be playing the most consistent football of his career and the Quarter Back should be able to exploit what has been a vulnerable Baltimore Secondary. Some of that is perhaps down to players losing their confidence with the Offensive unit struggling as much as they have been, but Trevor Lawrence will also be given a bit of time by the Jacksonville Offensive Line and it should mean being able to move the ball down the field.
Plenty of credit has to be given to Lawrence and company, but the real strength of this Jacksonville team is on the other side of the ball and you do have to wonder how much success Baltimore can have with a third string Quarter Back leading the way.
No one will be surprised by a plan to feed Derrick Henry over and over again to try and keep Joe Fagnano in positive down and distance, but the Ravens Offensive Line have been struggling at the Line of Scrimmage to aid the veteran Running Back. Some of that is down to the fact that teams have not respected the Ravens passing game, but this Jacksonville Defensive Line have been priding themselves in stopping the run all season and that makes this a tough match up for the Baltimore Ravens.
They have scored 10, 13 and 10 points in the last three games and now they face a Defensive unit giving up the fewest points in the AFC, which is going to make things very tough for the home team.
Baltimore's Offensive Line have struggled in pass protection and the Quarter Back has averaged just 164 passing yards per game during this three game losing run.
Not only does Joe Fagnano have a tough match up, but he will have to be careful he does not make the mistakes that have been exploited by the Jacksonville Secondary.
Additional possessions will give the Jaguars the momentum to win the game, but turning the ball over in Baltimore territory may give Jacksonville the impetus to push clear of this spread.
Covering a number like this one the road is not going to be easy, but the Ravens have suffered back to back blowouts at the hands of two teams with high tempo Offensive units. The Jaguars may not be quite up to the level of Buffalo or Cincinnati Offensively, but they just crushed the Indianapolis Colts and have scored at least 31 points in more than half of the seven games played in 2026.
These two teams may have felt they would be potential rivals in the Playoffs, but Baltimore have a lot of issues to address to get back on track and the upcoming 'mini-break' is important for them.
Unfortunately for Baltimore, that could begin after another chastening night on the field.
MY PICKS: Jacksonville Jaguars - 9.5 Points @ 1.84 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Week 8: 4-2, + 1.72 Units (6 Units Staked, + 28.67% Yield)
Week 7: 4-1, + 2.73 Units (5 Units Staked, + 54.60% Yield)
Week 6: 2-4, - 1.95 Units (6 Units Staked, - 32.50% Yield)
Week 5: 2-2, - 0.14 Units (4 Units Staked, - 3.50% Yield)
Week 4: 4-4, - 0.52 Units (8 Units Staked, - 6.50% Yield)
Week 3: 2-5, - 3.09 Units (7 Units Staked, - 44.14% Yield)
Week 2: 3-4, - 1.31 Units (7 Units Staked, - 18.71% Yield)
Week 1: 2-4-1, - 2.23 Units (7 Units Staked, - 31.86% Yield)
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