NFL Week 9 Picks 2025 (Thursday 30th October-Monday 3rd November)

So how many people would have predicted the Indianapolis Colts would be the team with the most wins in the NFL through two months of the regular season?

Another strong Offensive showing has kept the Colts in front with the 7-1 record, but Indianapolis will still have work to do if they are going to make everyone believers in what they are putting together. The reality is that they have been playing in a weak Division and taken advantage of what has looked a manageable schedule.

The Colts will soon be heading into the Bye Week and they will certainly be tested on the return- in the 'second half' of their schedule, they will face the improving Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars twice, which will determine how the AFC South shakes out, while also having road games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks.

For now all credit has to be given to a team and management who have rallied together and they will certainly be making Jim Irsay very proud as he looks down on his team.

November is a very important time in College Football as the regular season winds down and teams look to earn spots in the Conference Championship Games and then the College Football Playoff, but it also significant in the NFL.

Bye Weeks are concluded over the next month and teams will really begin to feel the post-season as they move into the second half of the schedule.

We might not have any unbeaten teams, but there are plenty who have lost fewer than three games, while the Kansas City Chiefs have back to the head of the outright market despite being at 5-3.

Only four teams are priced up at single digits to win the Super Bowl, which underlines how wide open things continue to feel, and that is where November really begins to help sift through the pack and identify those who can have the big run through to February.

The fact there are not too many teams really pulling clear from the pack does offer opportunities to those making slower than expected starts.

One oft hose teams are playing on Thursday Night Football this week and the Baltimore Ravens also benefit from playing in a Division where the leading team is only a couple of games in front of them. Injuries are looking to be clearing up and Baltimore could see their Super Bowl price come in dramatically over the next few weeks if they can string the wins together.

Four teams have ever begun 1-5 and made the Playoffs in the NFL, but this Ravens team are capable, especially with two games against the Pittsburgh Steelers still on the schedule. They are beginning a three game road trip in Week 9 and if they can return home back at 0.500, everything is possible for this team.

The Ravens are 20-1 to win the Super Bowl, while teams like Tampa Bay, Los Angeles Chargers and Seattle Seahawks are bigger prices and deserve more respect.

You can't really argue with the facts that Kansas City, Detroit, Green Bay and Buffalo are the only single digit prices for the Super Bowl, but those four teams mentioned all could end up trading much shorter, which should be reassessed at the end of the month.

After losing the opening three selections in Week 9, four straight winners ensured a slight winning week.

There is still room for improvement and it would help if the Week 9 Picks can get off to a good start on Thursday Night Football where so many wrong selections have meant playing from behind.

Like any good team, it is important to get in front of the chains and make plays from there and that is the ambition to open this Week 9 schedule and then push onto the rest of the week.

And remember, you can sign up for Bet365, Bovada or Bodog at the links provided.

Picks for the remainder of Week 9 will be added to this thread in the days ahead.

Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins Pick: Two teams who won for just the second time in 2025 in Week 8 will meet in South Florida in this Thursday Night Football game, but it does still feel like only the road team can be considered as one capable of climbing out of a poor spot.

The Baltimore Ravens (2-5) and Miami Dolphins (2-6) may both be aware that only four teams have made it through to the post-season after beginning the season at 1-5, but the former play in a much less competitive Division.

While the Pittsburgh Steelers lead the way in the AFC North, the Ravens are only 2 games behind them in the standings.

On the other hand, Miami play in the AFC East where the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills both reside and who have a combined 11-4 record.

There is also the biggest factor of the Baltimore Ravens having Lamar Jackson returning with the team still close enough to the AFC North leading Steelers to get things moving back in their own direction. Unfortunately for the Miami Dolphins, players like Tyreek Hill are not going to be able to return, while there is still real uncertainty about the long-term belief in Quarter Back Tua Tagovailoa and a Head Coach in Mike McDaniel who is almost certainly leaving.

None of that had an impact as the Miami Dolphins upset the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8 behind Tagovailoa's best performance of the season, but sustaining that level against this Baltimore team is going to be far from easy.

Injuries have decimated the Ravens on the Defensive side of the ball, but they certainly looked a lot better all around out of the Bye Week when beating the Chicago Bears and ending their run of losses. It would have been a time when Head Coach John Harbaugh was just able to help the team reset and the boost of a returning Lamar Jackson will be felt on both sides of the ball.

The Miami Offensive Line may still feel they can help establish the run, which is extremely important for the Quarter Back and for the game-calling. but there will be a feeling within the Baltimore camp that the Defensive Line will settle down. They are without some important names, but the players who have come in will know the job is to keep for the rest of the season and they may be able to slow down Miami for just long enough to give the team a chance.

There have been some improvements in the play of the Secondary too and this inconsistent Miami passing game is without key contributors. That made no impact in Week 8 in Atlanta, but the challenge will be different on this short week and Lamar Jackson's presence could mean the road team are putting scoreboard pressure on the Dolphins.

It was clear the NFL have not been happy with the injury reporting that Baltimore put together last week and even Head Coach John Harbaugh admitted there had been mistakes. They had been implying that Lamar Jackson had been practicing in the lead up to the game against Chicago, but that proved to be untrue and the Ravens are likely to be punished for the incorrect reports they had handed out.

This week Lamar Jackson has been practicing with the first team and his return could spark the Baltimore Ravens after they had been treading water without him.

The whole Offensive game-plan changes with Jackson behind Center rather than Cooper Rush- Tyler Huntley does a decent Jackson impression and led the way in the win over Chicago, but the latter is a much stronger Quarter Back and everyone on this unit benefits with him playing.

Derrick Henry will certainly look to have a big impact running the ball against a Miami Defensive Line that have been absolutely battered up front at times this season. Credit has to be given to the Dolphins for containing Bijan Robinson in Week 8, but a mobile Quarter Back like Lamar Jackson makes things that much more difficult for any team and both the Quarter Back and Derrick Henry are expected to have some real success on the ground.

This will open up the passing lanes against an injury-hit Secondary, while the Quarter Back is expected to have time in the pocket to make his plays down the field from third and manageable spots.

You cannot ignore the fact that this is a big spread when you think of how competitive some of the Miami defeats have been this season- they were blown out by the Cleveland Browns in a miserable effort in miserable conditions, but Miami have pushed the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers in home losses by a combined 8 points.

The road losses have been much more straight-forward, but Miami have not covered in any of their last four games played against non-Divisional opponents after winning as an underdog.

In their last eleven Thursday night games, the straight up winner has covered the spread each time and that is an issue for the Miami Dolphins who are not expected to win this one.

Lamar Jackson is only just returning from a hamstring issue so there are some concerns about this selection and so units must remain at a minimum for this one, even though the Ravens feel the right choice to show what they may still achieve this season.

Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions Pick: Three teams in the NFC North have a winning record as we have entered Week 9 of the season and that will not surprise anyone considering the Division sent three teams to the Playoffs last season.

However, the one surprise may be the fact that the Minnesota Vikings (3-4) are the one team that are below 0.500 and the entire team needs to just reset.

A decision was made to move on from Sam Darnold and hand the keys to the First Round Draft Pick JJ McCarthy, who had spent the entire 2024 season on the sidelines. After a couple of mixed starts, McCarthy picked up another injury and has been out of action with Carson Wentz filling in, although the latter has been playing through the pain.

In Week 9 the ball will be back in JJ McCarthy's hands and the Vikings need him to get up to speed pretty quickly as they prepare to travel to the Detroit Lions (5-2).

The Bye Week came at a good time for the Lions and it may have given some key players the chance to get through the injury problems that have been holding them back. They are still without a couple of solid performers, but Detroit have to be really happy with the first seven games of the 2025 season as they look to finally end the long, long wait to reach the Super Bowl.

Nothing much has been wrong with the way the Detroit Lions have played on the Offensive side of the ball, although they are going up against a tough Minnesota Defensive unit.

In recent games the Vikings Defensive Line have improved the performance against the run, but slowing down Sonic and Knuckles is a different test. The Lions imposed themselves on the ground against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7 and they will certainly be confident in the ability of the Offensive Line to open up some solid running lanes in this one to ease the pressure on Jared Goff.

The Quarter Back has been under a bit more pressure in the pocket than he has perhaps been used to since signing with the Detroit Lions, but that should be eased if the team are running the ball as they were against the Buccaneers.

Jared Goff has plenty of weapons to target down the field if given the time to allow routes to develop and this Minnesota Secondary have had some problems in stopping the pass.

With the balance that the Lions can produce Offensively, they should be able to move the chains with some consistency and the pressure will be on the Minnesota Vikings to try and keep up on the scoreboard with a returning Quarter Back.

It may all be on JJ McCarthy's arm with the Vikings struggling for some consistency when it comes to running the ball, but it is simply important for Minnesota to at least keep the young Quarter Back in third and manageable spots.

Doing that will allow McCarthy to make some plays against a banged up Secondary, especially with the top Receivers that are around him. It would also be key to find some time in the pocket with the Vikings struggling in pass protection and facing a Lions pass rush that will be desperate to rush the Quarter Back and try and protect the Secondary by speeding up the passes that need to be delivered.

Turnovers could be key and that is where the Lions may have an edge as they look to move to 2-1 within the NFC North.

Last season they blew out the Minnesota Vikings at home and the latter are a team that are just 1-8 against the spread in the last nine games when facing an opponent playing with rest.

This is a big spread, but the Lions may keep the scoreboard pressure on this Divisional rival and that may ultimately see them come away with a big home victory.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Tennessee Titans Pick: An Interim Head Coach will take over the rest of the way, but the Tennessee Titans (1-7) are going to have to make big decisions at the end of this season. They do feel that they have the franchise Quarter Back in the building, but there is very little around Cam Ward right now and the Titans may end up with the top Draft Pick again.

That may actually speed up any rebuild with the likelihood that the Titans would trade out of the position, but none of the players on the roster right now can think ahead to April.

Instead they are fighting for their own jobs and Tennessee need to find something positive as they prepare to host the Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) who are a game behind the Denver Broncos in the AFC West.

Injuries are hurting both teams, but the Los Angeles Chargers have to be credited for fighting through adversity. They can certainly be grateful to Justin Herbert at Quarter Back and this is a big chance to pump out some strong passing numbers against this banged up Secondary.

Justin Herbert does not have to do everything himself- the Chargers Offensive Line have been opening up some big running lanes and Kimani Vidal has made full use of his opportunity at Running Back to impress. This looks to be another game in which Vidal can rip off some huge gains and keep the Los Angeles Chargers Offensive unit in positive field position.

The Offensive Line have not been as strong in pass protection, but they may not have to hold up that long with Herbert likely able to get the ball out of his hands pretty quickly. Running the ball well should mean Justin Herbert can employ play-action to attack Tennessee down the field and this should be a day in which the Chargers have plenty of Offensive success.

As has been the case for much of the season, the question for the Tennessee Titans is whether they can do enough when they have the ball to keep themselves competitive on the scoreboard?

While the game is close, the Titans may be able to rely on the run against this Chargers Defensive Line that have just had some issues up front, especially in recent games. This is important to put Cam Ward in a good position on the field and to just allow the rookie to make quick, decisive plays, although the Titans are struggling without any real standout skill players to aid Ward.

A real problem for Tennessee is when they have fallen behind- the Offensive Line have simply not offered much protection for their rookie Quarter Back. This is something that the Los Angeles Chargers can exploit and it is a reason the Titans have fallen away in games and we could see something similar here.

Having a mini-Bye to prepare for this game should suit the Chargers too and they can win this game by double digits and cover the mark set.

San Francisco 49ers @ New York Giants Pick: Two teams that have major names out through injury face one another in Week 9 of the 2025 season, but it is 'next man up' situations for both.

The San Francisco 49ers (5-3) are still very much in contention in the NFC West, although it is a much tougher turnaround for the New York Giants (2-6).

Once again it is Mac Jones who will be playing at Quarter Back even though Brock Purdy is edging closer and closer to a return. It is the second consecutive road game for the 49ers who were beaten at the Houston Texans last week, but that was a tough match up for them, especially on the Offensive side of the ball.

It is not expected to be the same challenge for Mac Jones and the 49ers in this one and the Offensive Line is certainly going to feel they can open up some running lanes for Christian McCaffrey. The season has been one of inconsistency when it comes to pounding the rock, but the 49ers will not have played too many teams that give up the amount of yardage on the ground that the New York Giants have allowed.

You would have to lean towards the 49ers being successful rather than the Giants finding a way to clamp down on the run and this is going to make life more comfortable for Mac Jones who has not had too many of his top skill players available at the same time.

Being able to throw from third and manageable spots will help and there are areas to exploit in this Giants Secondary.

This is something that Mac Jones has shown he can do and the 49ers can keep the chains moving with a lot more consistency than they could against a tough Houston Defense last week.

Since Jaxson Dart took over at Quarter Back, the New York Giants have won both home games played, but the team have lost Cam Skattebo to a season ending injury after the rookie Running Back had given them a big spark. Malik Nabers is already out and you do have to wonder if the Giants have enough emotional energy to help them through this difficult time.

Recent games have seen the New York Giants produce inconsistent running numbers, but Cam Skattebo's energy was a huge boost for the team. Tyrone Tracy Jr can step in, but he is not expected to have a lot of room up front against this San Francisco Defensive Line, which has remained pretty solid even as the pass rushers continue to go down with injuries.

They are trying to bring in players to give that pass rush a boost, but it should mean Jaxson Dart has a bit more time to throw the ball when he drops back. However, the injuries to key players on this side of the ball may just lead to some inconsistency, even against this banged up San Francisco Secondary.

Ultimately that is where the 49ers may eventually do enough to secure an important road game and with the likelihood that they can establish the run better than they have for much of the season.

It is unlikely to be a blowout, but the road team can do enough to win this one and cover the spread set.

MY PICKS: Baltimore Ravens - 7.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Detroit Lions - 8.5 Points @ 1.91 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Los Angeles Chargers - 9.5 Points @ 1.86 Bet365 (1 Unit)
San Francisco 49ers - 2.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Week 8: 4-3, + 0.52 Units (7 Units Staked, + 7.43% Yield)

Week 7: 3-2, + 0.69 Units (5 Units Staked, + 13.80% Yield)

Week 6: 3-4, - 1.09 Units (7 Units Staked, - 15.57% Yield)

Week 5: 3-3, - 0.33 Units (6 Units Staked, - 5.50% Yield)

Week 4: 2-3, - 1.14 Units (5 Units Staked, - 22.80% Yield)

Week 3: 5-3, + 1.56 Units (8 Units Staked, + 19.50% Yield)

Week 2: 3-2, + 0.67 Units (5 Units Staked, + 13.40% Yield)

Week 1: 0-2, - 2 Units (2 Units Staked, - 100% Yield)

2025 Season: 23-22, - 1.12 Units (45 Units Staked, - 2.49% Yield)

College Football Week 9 Picks 2025 (Saturday 25th October)

The final games of October are still full of intensity, but there will be a shift in mentality when Week 10 rolls around in the College Football.

It will officially begin the final month of the regular season and teams will really begin to take notice of the College Football Rankings as they try and push their way forward into the Playoff spots. Those in the bigger Conferences will know that they control their own destiny, but there has been a lot of upheaval through the first eight weeks and so opportunities could quickly be found as the Conference schedules are concluded and rivals throw a spanner into the works for the teams they are facing.

Last week was frustrating in the sense that a couple of backdoor covers hurt the selections made.

It could easily have been another 4-1 week, but the decision from Jonathan Smith to kick a Field Goal with less than 30 seconds left and with his team down by 28 points was bizarre to say the least. In a week where NBA athletes have been charged for insider information, Smith's actions will have raised eyebrows previously and especially as it meant his team covered the 26 point line set.

The Arkansas Razorbacks were trying to fight their way back into their own game when scoring a backdoor cover- the frustration there is that they converted a couple of Fourth Downs and also had a 2nd and 33, but managed to avoid needing a Fourth Down in that moment. One play here or there, and both would have returned winners so it is a frustration both landed in the losing side of the occasion.

We move onto Week 9 and the selections once again all come from Saturday action.

And anyone looking to sign up at Bet365, Bovada or Bodog can use the links attached,

Alabama Crimson Tide @ South Carolina Gamecocks Pick: The opening defeat to the Florida State Seminoles has not aged very well, but playing in the SEC means there were always going to be opportunities for the Alabama Crimson Tide (6-1) to prove themselves worthy of playing in the College Football Playoff.

Credit has to be given the team for a 4-0 record within the Conference and wins over the Georgia Bulldogs, Tennessee Volunteers and Missouri Tigers gives the Crimson Tide the inside track to play in the SEC Championship Game and earn one of the twelve Playoff spots that will be handed out at the end of the regular season.

They will be going into a Bye Week following this game and the Crimson Tide still have some challenging games on the schedule in a loaded Conference. Next month they will face the LSU Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners and Auburn Tigers, but the scary prospect for all of Alabama's rivals is that Head Coach Kevin DeBoer believes there is more to come from his team.

Any road game in the SEC is going to be a test and the South Carolina Gamecocks (3-4) will be motivated to snap their two game losing run. Head Coach Shane Beamer continues to downplay links with the Virginia Tech Hokies where his father Frank had so much success, but the distraction is perhaps partly to blame for the disappointing efforts in back to back losses to the LSU Tigers and Oklahoma Sooners.

The latter of those defeats was at home in Week 8 and it is going to be tough for an inconsistent Offensive unit to get things turned around.

While it has been possible to run the ball against the Alabama Defensive Line, the Gamecocks have not had any consistent success in pounding the rock as the competition has ramped up. That has made things much tougher for LaNorris Sellers at Quarter Back, who was expected to really grow in the position this year, and it is always very difficult to make plays from third and long spots on any consistent basis.

Playing behind an Offensive Line that has struggled to stand up to the pass rush has only increased the difficulty for LaNorris Sellers and he is expected to be under pressure in this one. There will be some successful moments, but sustaining drives is not going to be easy for South Carolina and that is going to make it tough to keep up on the scoreboard.

The step down in level of competition should help the Alabama Crimson Tide this week as they continue to find a way to get their Offensive unit up to the standards expected in Tuscaloosa.

One player who has been improving the more time he spends on the field is Quarter Back Ty Simpson and his numbers have been key for the Crimson Tide- 18 Touchdown passes with a single Interception would capture the attention for any team, but doing so while playing the majority of games in the SEC is very impressive and Simpson is likely going to be a key figure in this game.

The Crimson Tide have not really been able to run the ball very well in recent games in the SEC, and they are not expected to have a lot of success against this Gamecocks Defensive Line. That has not stopped the Crimson Tide having success on this side of the ball thanks to Ty Simpson and his improving chemistry with some big time Receivers and this is a chance for Alabama to leave everything on the field before heading off for a Bye Week.

With a spread set where it is for this latest SEC game, the Crimson Tide will likely need the Defensive unit to set up a couple of short fields.

They have shown they can do that and Alabama's Quarter Back can do enough to push the Crimson Tide clear, even in a relatively low-scoring game.

Alabama are 9-0 against the spread before playing the LSU Tigers so there is no reason to believe they will be looking past South Carolina to a game taking place in two weeks time. And with the Gamecocks struggling Offensively, the SEC favourites can win this one by a couple of Touchdowns on the road to enhance their place at the top of this powerful Conference.

Texas A&M Aggies @ LSU Tigers Pick: There are only two teams in the SEC who are unbeaten in Conference play and the Texas A&M Aggies (7-0) are the only one that have yet to suffer a defeat in any game this season. The road win over the Arkansas Razorbacks improved the Aggies to 4-0 in the Conference, but they continue to move through a very difficult remainder of the schedule as the bid for a Conference Championship and a place in the College Football Playoff remains the final ambition.

This is a very tough road game, even if the LSU Tigers (5-2) have dropped to 2-2 in the SEC and look on course for a fourth year in a row where they have underachieved.

Pressure has to be building on Head Coach Brian Kelly and the next couple of games could really determine what happens at the end of the season. While the chances of earning a spot in the College Football Playoff already look like they are fading, the fans are going to make their feelings known about Kelly after games against the Aggies and Alabama Crimson Tide and going 0-2 might mean the end of this Head Coaching tenure.

This is a night game hosted by the LSU Tigers and it is expected to be wet so there are some challenges for the Aggies to overcome, but they look like the stronger team on both sides of the ball and that should play out.

Texas A&M have shown they can win in tough environments already this season and they will have plenty of faith in the Offensive unit in this Week 9 game.

Over the course of the season, the LSU Defensive unit have produced some solid numbers, but the move into the SEC schedule is where teams are really going to be judged. And with that in mind, it is clear that the Texas A&M Aggies should be able to have some success running the ball against this Tigers Defensive Line, which is where any hope of consistency is usually built.

This is a huge chance for the Aggies to pick up from where they left off in the win over the Arkansas Razorbacks and it should mean Marcel Reed is going to be operating in third and manageable spots. The Quarter Back has been given ample protection in recent games, which makes things that much more comfortable, and operating in front of the down and distance should mean Marcel Reed is able to help this Aggies Offensive unit make a point about their capabilities to the rest of the SEC and to the Playoff Committee.

After seeing how the Razorbacks were able to attack the Aggies last week, the more important question in a game like this one is whether the LSU Tigers can manufacture enough Offensive output to keep themselves competitive or not?

Fans of the team would be unlikely to be offended if you said the Tigers have underperformed on this side of the ball and they have been incredibly inconsistent.

This game does give the Tigers Offensive Line a chance to at least change some of the narrative considering the huge chunks of yards that have been given up by the Aggies Defensive Line and that feels really important in the bid for the home upset. Keeping the team in third and manageable would help contain what has been a very effective Aggies pass rush, while also putting Garrett Nussmeier in a position where the burden does not feel so heavy on his shoulders at Quarter Back.

He will not have to hold onto the ball for too long if the team is able to establish the run and there are one or two holes in this Texas A&M Secondary that can be attacked with some success. Garrett Nussmeier played a clean enough game in the loss to Vanderbilt last time out and that gave his team a chance, but the Tigers have come up short and the feeling is that something similar may happen here.

Consecutive road games is a tough spot for any team, but one in the SEC will know those challenges even more.

However, Texas A&M look a lot more confident than the LSU Tigers on both sides of the ball and they may just keep the home team at arm's length, as they did to Arkansas, while coming away with a narrow cover of this spread.

Wisconsin Badgers @ Oregon Ducks Pick: They won the Big Ten Championship last season, but the Oregon Ducks (6-1) have work to do if they are going to be able to defend that crown in December.

They are expected to win out this season, which is still an important goal for a team that will be looking to retrn to the College Football Playoff regardless. However, the defeat to the Indiana Hoosiers means they are trailing both them and the defending National Champions Ohio State Buckeyes in the Conference who both have 4-0 Big Ten records.

After losing that game to the Hoosiers, Oregon made the Rutgers Scarlet Knights pay the price and the Ducks are expected to crush the Wisconsin Badgers (2-5) in Week 9. Back to back defeats are one thing, but Wisconsin have not scored a single point against Iowa and Ohio State and the Badgers have lost five in a row overall, while also propping up the rest of the Conference at 0-4 in Big Ten play.

Third year Head Coach Luke Fickell understands his position and it is hard to imagine him keeping his job if the Badgers are to suffer another losing season.

Injury to Quarter Back Billy Edwards Jr is not helping, but this Badgers team looks short of the qualities needed to compete in a Conference which is likely to have the most, or joint most, teams playing in the twelve team College Football Playoff.

After what has been witnessed in recent weeks, it is incredibly difficult to know how the Wisconsin Badgers plan on getting any Offensive production this week.

They cannot run the ball and that has meant inconsistent production out of the Quarter Back, regardless of who that has been. In Week 9 they are facing an Oregon Defensive unit that has been very strong all season and Wisconsin scoring any points might be seen as a win, which underlines how far the Badgers have fallen.

The key to the spread is obviously going to be how motivated Oregon are to put up another big effort on the scoreboard, and they should be as they look to continue to impress the Playoff Committee. Jayden Limar is missing at Running Back, but that is not likely to slow down the numbers that the Ducks are able to produce on the ground and they should be able to rip off some big gains throughout the game.

Dante Moore is expected to have time in the pocket when he does drop back to throw and he should have a lot of success from the Quarter Back position. This Badgers team have lost their way and the Secondary have allowed some big plays, which should all add up to Oregon having their way no matter if they choose to run or throw.

It is a big spread, but Oregon will be looking to match the Ohio State win, which came by 34 points on the road- being at home should make it more comfortable and everything is pointing to a big Ducks win.

Michigan Wolverines @ Michigan State Spartans Pick: It might not feel that long ago that this rivalry game could have a huge impact at the top of the Big Ten and for College Football Playoff positions. However, these days the Michigan State Spartans (3-4) are struggling to stay competitive and the 0-4 record in the Big Ten underlines the problem.

Two years ago the Michigan Wolverines (5-2) were National Champions, but they were just 8-5 last season after the unbeaten 2023 run. They are 3-1 in the Big Ten and the Wolverines have bounced back from the defeat to the USC Trojans, while there looks to be an opportunity to climb into the Playoff picture if they can win out this season.

It would include beating rivals the Ohio State Buckeyes for a fifth time in a row and so there is this feeling that there is a lot more to lose for the Wolverines compared with the Michigan State Spartans.

The Spartans are on course for a fourth losing year in a row and the real concern has to be how easily they have been beaten in the Big Ten this season.

Michigan State's Offensive Line have not been able to establish the run all season and that has really become a big issue when stepping into the Conference schedule. They are not expected to have a lot of joy trying to impose themselves at the Line of Scrimmage in this game and that really does put a lot of pressure on the Quarter Back to try and make plays from third and long spots on the field.

After the run of defeats, the Spartans have begun to take a look at Alessio Milivojevic at Quarter Back, but they have been struggling for any consistency out of the position. It doesn't help that the Offensive Line have not been able to stand up in pass protection, although the Wolverines have not been generating the kind of pass rush that they would have liked.

Even then, whether it is Milivojevic or Aidan Chiles at Quarter Back, Michigan State are likely going to see some drives stall, while they are also going to have to be aware of the Michigan Secondary and the ability to turn the ball over.

Running the ball should be more effective for Michigan when they have the ball and that is where the road team have the edge, even when it comes to covering this big spread in a rivalry game.

Keeping the team in third and manageable is clearly an advantage, while Bryce Underwood is developing at the Quarter Back position. He has over 1400 passing yards with 7 Touchdowns and a couple of Interceptions, but has also shown that he can escape pressure and make plays with his legs where needed.

Third and manageable also means being able to make plays through the air with some consistency and that should be the case against the Spartans Secondary. Keeping things ticking over is important as Michigan look to remain close to the very top of the Big Ten.

Rivalry games can produce upsets and Michigan State will be highly motivated to disrupt the Michigan plans for the remainder of the 2025 season. However, they were blown out when last hosting the Wolverines and the the Spartans have simply not shown enough consistency to believe they can avoid another relatively comfortable Big Ten loss.

Head Coach Jonathan Smith played for a cover last week, which is quite remarkable and there is always a chance he gets his team to kick a Field Goal rather than risk going for a Touchdown late in the game, which may cover again, but the Wolverines look strong enough to win by three scores, even on the road.

MY PICKS: Alabama Crimson Tide - 11.5 Points @ 1.91 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Texas A&M Aggies - 2.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Oregon Ducks - 31.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Michigan Wolverines - 14 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

BYU Cougars + 2.5 Points @ 1.95 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Cincinnati Bearcats - 3.5 Points @ 1.95 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Week 8: 2-3, - 1.18 Units (5 Units Staked, - 23.60% Yield)

Week 7: 4-1, + 2.62 Units (5 Units Staked, + 52.40% Yield)

Week 6: 2-4, - 2.22 Units (6 Units Staked, - 37% Yield)

Week 5: 1-5, - 4.20 Units (6 Units Staked, - 70% Yield)

Week 4: 2-4, - 2.14 Units (6 Units Staked, - 35.67% Yield)

Week 3: 4-4, - 0.36 (8 Units Staked, - 4.50% Yield)

Week 1: 1-4, - 3.14 Units (5 Units Staked, - 62.80% Yield)

Week 0: 2-1, + 0.75 Units (3 Units Staked, + 25% Yield)

NFL Week 9 Picks 2024 (Thursday 31st October-Monday 4th November)

Week 9 is on the board and that means we are halfway through the regular season and teams are beginning to be 'who we think they are'.

The trade deadline is fast approaching and so we are at a time in the season when teams have to decide whether they genuinely believe they can reach the Playoffs or not. Some will be thinking to next season and others will still feel that a positive run can move them into a position to play Football deep into January, although the internal thoughts of each team will become clearer at the trade deadline.

The 1972 Miami Dolphins are still waiting to crack the champagne for being the only unbeaten team in NFL history with the Kansas City Chiefs at 7-0, but surprisingly there are only six others teams in the AFC that have a winning record.

On the flip-side, only five teams in the NFC have a losing record as we move into the halfway mark of the season and so there is still a feeling that all is to play for as we approach November.

Eight weeks are in the books and seven of those have returned a profit after the 4-2 mark last week.

I had fortune- the Chicago Bears must still be wondering how they are were beaten by the Washington Commanders after one of the most ridiculous of Hail Mary's was completed. That ensured a 4-2 record for the Week 8 Picks rather than a 3-3 mark, but it is very unlikely that we are going to have that kind of luck every week.

Jordan Love's injury prevented Green Bay from covering when in a strong position against the Jacksonville Jaguars so maybe that bit of fortune was deserved. However, it will be all the better if selections made can produce winning marks without having to go through another Hail Mary play and keeping the winning mark going is the only ambition for these pages.

Thursday Night Football looks an interesting one in Week 9 before some big games to be played over the weekend as the clock turns to November. Picks will be added to this thread in the coming days, but there is a selection from the first game of Week 9 and that will open up this thread.

Houston Texans @ New York Jets Pick: Fans of the New York Jets (2-6) were expecting vast improvements now they finally could look at their Quarter Back with a much higher degree of success than some of the others that have tried to make that position their own. Last season could be excused after Aaron Rodgers play just four snaps, but even the most pessimistic of Jets fans could not have anticipated that the first half of the 2024 season will have gone as poorly as it has.

Even a Head Coaching change has not prevented the Jets from losing for a fifth time in a row and there is plenty of criticism to go around.

Some of the wounds have been self-inflicted- the Jets lost by a point to the Denver Broncos, missed multiple Field Goals in a 3 point loss to the Buffalo Bills and gave up a late Touchdown to lose to the New England Patriots in Week 8. That doesn't mean that things are going to turn around quickly, but the Jets will feel their record could look a lot stronger than it does currently.

On a short week, the Jets host the Houston Texans (6-2) who have taken a big grip of the AFC South having beaten the Indianapolis Colts for a second time this season.

That is the positive news, but the negative is that Stefon Diggs suffered a season-ending injury in that win and Houston will also be without Nico Collins for this game. CJ Stroud looks like one of the best young Quarter Backs making his way through the NFL, but it is no surprise that his passing numbers are down with the absences in the Receiver position.

It may be more of the same for Stroud in Week 9 against this New York Jets team that have a Secondary capable of making some big plays. They can perhaps chase CJ Stroud out of the pocket and force mistakes in the passing game, especially from lesser experienced Receivers, although it may make the game plan a little easier for the Houston Texans.

Joe Mixon has played well since arriving in Houston and he should be able to get something going on the ground against the Jets Defensive Line. That could be important in what may be a game that is about field position more than Touchdowns and will give Houston a chance.

However, the short week and the fact that Houston have taken complete control of their own Division may also be a factor to consider. This Texans team may be thinking about how they are going to replace Stefon Diggs rather than worrying about the struggling New York Jets and that could give Aaron Rodgers and company an opportunity.

Allan Lazard is missing for the Jets, but the overall Receiving corps look in decent shape, although there is a real pressure on Aaron Rodgers.

Much like the Texans, New York could lean on the Offensive Line and look to establish the run to put Rodgers in a good position to keep the chains moving. It will also be key to just slow down the Houston pass rush, which can be a highly disruptive force, and that may just give the Jets Quarter Back an opportunity to begin turning this season around.

Passing against this Secondary has not been easy and partly down the pass rush pressure that the Texans have put together, but that could be different for the Jets if they are running the ball well.

Even then, it is not easy to trust a New York team finding ways to lose games.

The spot looks a decent one for them and the injuries suffered by Houston may mean they may struggle on a short week and especially after taking control of their own Division. Aaron Rodgers is clearly not the player he once was, but he may be able to lean on the run and make enough plays to the likes of Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson to help the Jets come away with a victory on Thursday Night Football and keep post-season hopes alive.

Washington Commanders @ New York Giants Pick: Backing the Washington Commanders (6-2) in Week 8 proved to be hugely fortunate as they converted a Hail Mary with time ticking off the clock to beat the Chicago Bears. In reality the Bears blew the assignment, but the Commanders will not care one bit as they continue to lead the NFC East.

They have recorded one win over the New York Giants (2-6) in 2024 and the sweep will keep some momentum behind the Commanders before heading into a tough stretch of games. The likes of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Dallas are on deck so it is very important to avoid dropping a game to a struggling Divisional rival playing on a short week.

New York did not play badly on Monday Night Football and it was a competitive loss, which is an improvement on the previous two blowouts. Despite that, it was a loss and this is a team that is spiralling again and likely going to be making big changes once the 2024 season comes to a close.

Motivation can be found in trying to play spoiler for teams within the Division so the players should be ready, even on the short week.

It helps the struggling Giants Offensive unit that they are facing a Washington team besieged by injury on the Defensive side of the ball. Problems along the Defensive Line have been evident all season and the Commanders have not really gotten a grip with slowing down the run, which is hugely important for Daniel Jones and the Giants.

The Quarter Back has the ability to tuck the ball and make plays with his legs and the Giants have been able to find some solid gains on the ground even without Saquon Barkley. However, the problem has been when games get out of hand and they have to become a little one-dimensional with their play-calling, which has left Daniel Jones in a tough position to make plays down the field.

His Receiving options are back at full strength, but Jones has been constantly harassed when he has stepped back to allow routes to develop. In recent games, the Commanders have found a decent pass rush, which in turn has helped elevate the play of the Secondary and also forced turnovers that could be critical to the outcome of the game.

Having a dual-threat Quarter Back of their own has really propelled this Washington Offensive unit and Jayden Daniels will be bouncing after the fortune of last week. He is grounded enough to know the whole team will need to be better if they are going to achieve something special this season, but Daniels can lead the way on the ground to make things easier for himself in the passing game.

After what we have seen in recent games, the Giants Defensive Line may not be able to deal with Jayden Daniels, Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler and it should mean Washington are playing in third and manageable spots for much of the afternoon. Jayden Daniels has shown his qualities as a passer too, but the reliance will be on the ground game to just ease the powerful New York pass rush and open things up against a Secondary that have actually played pretty well at times.

The big play will open up if Washington are pounding the rock as expected and it may lead to a solid win for the Commanders on the road.

Prior to the meeting in Week 2, Washington had not won any of four games against the Giants and has lost three in a row. They has over 100 more Offensive yards in the first meeting between the teams and the Commanders can back that up with a wider margin of victory than they achieved at home, while pushing the Giants that much further towards the top of the next Draft order.

Denver Broncos @ Baltimore Ravens Pick: Two AFC teams with the same record meet in Week 9 of the NFL season when the Baltimore Ravens (5-3) host the Denver Broncos (5-3). The Broncos have won two in a row, while the Baltimore Ravens had won five in a row before losing in Week 8 to the Cleveland Browns, although the Ravens are huge favourites to win this one.

For the second game in a row, the Ravens will be facing a tough Defensive unit and arguably one that is stronger than the Cleveland Browns unit they faced last time out.

Everything begins with the running game as far as Baltimore go Offensively, and there is no doubting the ability of both Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry when it comes to pounding the rock. They have continued to pile up the yards on the ground, although they did surprisingly move away from those plays in the loss to the Cleveland Browns even when the game was competitive.

Moving the ball on the ground against the Denver Defensive Line is a different challenge and the battle on the Line of Scrimmage is going to be huge. In recent games, the Broncos have held opponents to less than 100 yards per game on the ground, although it has to be pointed out that Denver have faced nothing like the tandem that will be in front of them in Week 9.

It is important for Baltimore to run the ball if only to make sure Jackson is playing Quarter Back from third and manageable and to make sure the Denver pass rush is not breaking things up.

If he is given time, Lamar Jackson could make a few big plays into the Denver Secondary, but this Broncos team have to be confident in at least keeping things close on this side of the ball. This has been the game plan for Sean Payton and his team in compiling their winning record and they will not want rookie Bo Nix to have to have a huge day in a tough road environment.

Instead the key will be making sure Bo Nix knows he does not have to push the boat out in order to give his team the best chance to win. Keeping the scoreboard manageable is important to that end, especially as Denver may not be able to rely on their Offensive Line as much as they have in recent games.

Running the ball against the Baltimore Ravens is a huge challenge for any team and so Bo Nix may be forced to have to make a few big plays in the passing game to keep this one competitive. The Secondary is struggling with injuries so there is a chance that Nix can have some success, although the Quarter Back will have to be careful when it comes to turnovers.

If he can avoid those, Denver can keep this one closer than expected and avoid the blowout loss.

Opposing Baltimore proved to be a rough situation a couple of weeks ago when they crushed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the Broncos Defensive unit perhaps have a better chance of stalling some drives. This should at least give Sean Payton a chance to create some Offensive plans to help his rookie Quarter Back make enough plays through the air to help the Broncos remain competitive throughout.

Dallas Cowboys @ Atlanta Falcons Pick: The loss out of the Bye Week at the San Francisco 49ers has dropped the Dallas Cowboys (3-5) behind the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders in the NFC East and a couple of games below 0.500 for the season. There is still time to turn things around, but the Cowboys need to change their fortunes pretty quickly and some of the players are showing their frustration to the media.

They will head to the Atlanta Falcons (5-3) who have taken control of the NFC South after sweeping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Kirk Cousins has played well at times, but the Falcons will know that the veteran Quarter Back may need to improve if they are going to reach the post-season and then have a big impact in the Playoffs.

This should be a game in which the whole Falcons Offensive unit can find a very strong balance with their play-calling and that should keep drives moving forward. The Offensive Line should help establish the run against this struggling Cowboys Defensive Line and that should mean Kirk Cousins is able to drop back and make his plays to his big time Receivers.

Running the ball should also mean Cousins is playing from third and manageable spots, while keeping the pocket cleaner by needing less time for routes to develop. The Dallas Cowboys Secondary have had their own problems and Atlanta should be able to keep the chains moving and put up plenty of points.

However, there is every chance that Dallas can at least keep up for a while.

In previous seasons, Dallas might have dominated behind the Offensive Line, but running the ball has been much more challenging in 2024 and that has perhaps been a bigger reason the record is where it stands. Becoming one-dimensional Offensively is never a good thing and Dallas have perhaps been too reliant on the Dak Prescott arm.

The Cowboys could have a few more running lanes against this Falcons team, but they are not easy to trust to take advantage considering the issues. Ezekiel Elliot has been ruled out, which does not help, and so it will be up to Prescott to do what he can from the Quarter Back position.

Dak Prescott may benefit from throwing out of a cleaner pocket than he has been used to in recent starts, especially against this Falcons Secondary that has not made enough plays. Over the course of the season there has been better signs from the Atlanta Secondary, but this could become a shoot out and Dallas can certainly play their part.

Teams have been able to throw against Atlanta, but they have not been having it all of their own way- the Falcons have been capable of turning the ball over and Interceptions have been an issue for Dak Prescott, which is where this game could be won or lost.

If the Falcons can turn the ball over, those extra possessions may be key to determining this spread and Atlanta can do enough to cover. They are not that easy to trust with inconsistent performances through eight games, while Atlanta are just 2-3 at home.

However, this looks a good opportunity for the Falcons to just use their Offensive balance to eventually get the better of the Cowboys with a late Interception perhaps the difference on the day.

Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills Pick: We are almost halfway through the season, but it is already feeling pretty comfortable to use a marker, rather than a pencil, when placing the Buffalo Bills (6-2) in the NFL Playoffs. The nearest rivals in the Division have just three wins and the Bills can keep their foot down on the other three teams by beating the Miami Dolphins (2-5) for the second time this season.

The first game will be remembered for the big concussion suffered by Tua Tagovailoa, one that had some thinking that the Quarter Back should think about retirement. Instead he returned last week after several weeks in recovery, but Tagovailoa was not able to inspire the Miami Dolphins as they were down by a Field Goal in the dying embers of the Fourth Quarter.

Time is running out already for the Miami Dolphins as far as the 2024 season is concerned, and that could lead to big changes in the off-season. One win could quickly turn things around, and that could be even bigger if the Dolphins can get the better of the Buffalo Bills, who have dominated this series in recent seasons.

Buffalo have won three in a row overall and they have beaten Miami five times in a row, even when the Dolphins looked on course to win the AFC East last year.

Josh Allen is an impressive Quarter Back and he should have an impact on this game with both his legs and arm, while the dominance of the Dolphins since arriving in Buffalo is very hard to ignore. He should be able to lean on this Offensive Line and Allen and James Cook are expected to pound the ball with plenty of success through the course of this game.

Time in the pocket will make things that much more comfortable for Josh Allen and he has a new weapon in Amari Cooper that could open things up for the other collection of Receivers in Buffalo. The Bills have looked strong in their three game winning run as they have beaten up on bad teams, and that may feel the case again in Week 9 even with Tua Tagovailoa back behind Center for Miami.

Having the Quarter Back that they started the season will help Miami, but they will have a test in finding the right balance in this one against a team that has regularly gotten the better of them. The Dolphins Offensive Line have been helping to establish the run in recent games, although this time they are up against a Buffalo team that have looked much more effective at clamping down on the run of late.

Winning at the Line of Scrimmage is huge for the Miami Dolphins if only to keep Tua Tagovailoa ahead of the chains and see if that the run can open up the passing lanes. The likes of Jayden Waddle and Tyreek Hill are capable of breaking open any possession, and there have been times where the Buffalo Secondary have just made a mistake or two.

This should give Miami an opportunity, but they will just have to be aware of the Buffalo pass rush and especially with the concerns around Tua Tagovailoa.

It does feel like a game in which Miami will have some success, but they have not enjoyed playing in Buffalo in recent times and this is going to be cold. The Dolphins will not appreciate the conditions and the last three games against Buffalo have ended in blowout losses to the Bills.

A backdoor cover is a danger with the Miami Offensive unit being led by a Quarter Back with another week of recovery and practice behind him. However, Tua Tagovailoa has not matched up well against Buffalo at his best, and Josh Allen has enjoyed playing Miami and has regularly helped his team pull clear against them.

This is a considerable spread considering the Offensive firepower the visitors bring, but the Bills are capable of securing a win and cover.

MY PICKS: New York Jets - 2 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (1 Unit)

Washington Commanders - 3.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (1 Unit)

Denver Broncos + 9.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

Atlanta Falcons - 3 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (1 Unit)

Buffalo Bills - 6.5 Points @ 1.95 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

Week 8: 4-2, + 1.72 Units (6 Units Staked, + 28.67% Yield)

Week 7: 4-3, + 0.73 Units (7 Units Staked, + 10.43% Yield)

Week 6: 4-2, + 1.67 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.83% Yield)

Week 5: 4-2, + 1.64 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.33% Yield)

Week 4: 6-2, + 3.45 Units (8 Units Staked, + 43.13% Yield)

Week 3: 3-3, - 0.23 Units (6 Units Staked, - 3.83% Yield)

Week 2: 4-2, + 1.62 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27% Yield)

Week 1: 5-2, + 2.67 Units (7 Units Staked, + 38.14% Yield)

College Football Week 9 Picks 2024 (Saturday 26th October)

Has the expanded College Football Playoff contributed to some of the surprising results we have seen in the regular season?

It is a legitimate question now teams are not expected to go through the regular season unbeaten to earn a spot in the final four. These days it is going to be a twelve team Playoff and that means teams can take on tougher games and accept that even a single defeat will not spell the end of their chances of being crowed National Champions.

Two losses may be a different deal though and so there are some big games with real Playoff implications coming up.

There may not be a host of unbeaten teams, but there are a few around who will be looking to remain on track in Week 9 as we conclude the October schedule before the run to the Championship Games begin to take shape.

Washington Huskies @ Indiana Hoosiers Pick: There is an excitement building around the Indiana Hoosiers (7-0) who are one of three Big Ten teams that are still unbeaten as we approach the end of October. The run in and around the Bye Week sees Indiana face some of the top names in the Conference, although the likes of Michigan State and Michigan have not really played to any level that should worry an unbeaten team in the form the Hoosiers have displayed.

Even new Big Ten members Washington Huskies (4-3) are not looking like a team that could push for the Playoff places later in the year and the 2-2 record within the Conference leaves them under pressure.

Two weeks ago, the Huskies were crushed by the Iowa Hawkeyes, but they have had a Bye Week to try and get things worked out. The plan would have been about stopping Kurtis Rourke who has had almost 2000 passing yards with 15 Touchdowns and 3 Interceptions, but the Indiana Quarter Back has been ruled out with a thumb injury and may not be ready to return until the big game against the Ohio State Buckeyes next month.

Tayven Jackson came in as the backup Quarter Back against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and he had almost 100 passing yards while showing an efficiency completing his passes. Last year was a little tough for Jackson having started five games for the Hoosiers and finishing with a 2-3 record, but the team are confident that he can come in and do a job.

He had 2 Touchdown passes in the win over the Cornhuskers and Tayven Jackson may just be needed to remind the Washington Huskies that he can have an efficient day as a passer. If he can do that, Indiana can rely on their strong Offensive Line and rushing attack to keep the team moving forward and making sure the Quarter Back is ahead of the chains.

Stopping the run has not been easy for the Huskies as the competition has ramped up and even the Bye Week might not have been enough time to slow down a team that has played to the level that Indiana have. As long as Tayven Jackson can play up to the standard of Week 8, the Hoosiers have every chance to moving the ball and into a position to cover this mark, while also maintaining an unbeaten record.

This is not going to be an easy game for the Indiana Hoosiers, especially as the Huskies run out a strong passing attack of their own.

Will Rogers has done what he has needed to do at Quarter Back and he has largely been able to look after the ball when he has dropped back to make his passes down the field. The passing numbers are there and this Hoosiers Secondary have allowed teams to have success throwing against them, even if the Defensive Backs have then stepped up to the plate to pick up a turnover or two.

However, the bigger challenge for Rogers and the Huskies may be trying to keep things going from behind the chains and they may struggle to establish the run in this game. Making Washington look a little one-dimensional would be a huge boost for Indiana and it would also allow them to generate a pass rush that could force mistakes from a veteran Quarter Back.

Turnovers are likely going to play a big part in the final outcome and you have to believe this Indiana Defensive unit will want to show up and make sure they are putting their team in a position to win without their starting Quarter Back. The Hoosiers will need a bit more from Tayven Jackson just to keep the Huskies honest Defensively, but a week of preparation should help and Indiana can keep the unbeaten run moving through another game.

Nebraska Cornhuskers @ Ohio State Buckeyes Pick: Several years of underachievement means the Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-2) have work to do if they are going to get back amongst the elite of the Big Ten Conference. One more win this season would mean Nebraska have put together their most wins in a single season since 2016, which underlines the slip around this school compared with the consistent winning seasons they were putting together.

Head Coach Matt Rhule oversaw five wins in his first season as Head Coach of the Cornhuskers and he has matched that in 2024, while his previous successes leading the Baylor Bears makes it feel he is well suited to College Football following a tough time as Head Coach of the Carolina Panthers.

There are plenty of positives from this season, but the Cornhuskers were just given a really harsh reminder about what the Big Ten is about when getting crushed by the Indiana Hoosiers in Week 8. It drops the Cornhuskers to 2-2 within the Conference and they now have to travel to face an angry Ohio State Buckeyes (5-1) who are coming out of their Bye Week.

A single point loss to the Oregon Ducks ended the unbeaten start to the season two weeks ago and it has meant the Buckeyes have been stewing on the defeat. The Bye Week is a chance to just remind the players of what can still be achieved this season, and the Buckeyes will want to put a solid win on the board before a huge game at the Penn State Nittany Lions to take place in Week 10.

The Buckeyes will have spent the Bye Week making sure they are going to bounce back in Week 9 and they do have a balance Offensively that could make it very difficult for Nebraska to do the same after being crushed at Indiana.

Establishing the run against the Cornhuskers Defensive Line is always going to be a test, but this Buckeyes Offensive Line have been strong up front and they have continued to open up some big running lanes even as the Big Ten play has gotten underway. Ohio State will be pounding the rock, which can open the pass game, and Will Howard is a veteran College Football Quarter Back who has 14 Touchdown passes to go with 3 Interceptions.

It helps that Will Howard is standing behind an Offensive Line that has been just as convincing in pass protection as they have in run blocking. Being back at home should also help after the narrow loss on the road at the Oregon Ducks, and Nebraska's Defensive unit may have a few issues when trying to bounce back from the defeat to the Hoosiers.

The Line of Scrimmage is going to be important when the Nebraska Cornhuskers have the ball and it looks like a much more challenging task for the underdog to establish the run. And unlike the Ohio State Offensive Line, the Nebraska unit has not been as strong when it comes to protecting the Quarter Back and that is going to see Dylan Raiola under some real pressure.

That will only be furthered by a home crowd that is going to want to remind Dylan Raiola that he made a poor decision in opting out of his commitment to the Buckeyes and to eventually end up in Nebraska.

Early form displayed by Dylan Raiola was very encouraging, but the Big Ten Conference opponents have proven to be tougher to handle for the youngster. Despite their loss to Oregon, the Buckeyes Defensive unit may still be the best in the Conference and they can eventually show that off by dominating the second half and pulling clear of this spread set.

Texas Longhorns @ Vanderbilt Commodores Pick: There is a fear that the SEC might be 'eating itself' when it comes to the number of teams they can send to the College Football Playoff. Only two teams remain unbeaten within Conference play, but none of the teams involved have a perfect record overall.

The last of those records to slip was the one held by the Texas Longhorns (6-1) when they were beaten by the Georgia Bulldogs and the Ranking has dropped down to Number 5.

Time is still on their side to turn things around, but the Longhorns have to make sure they fully respect a Vanderbilt Commodores (5-2) team that have a 2-1 record in the SEC and who have already upset the Alabama Crimson Tide. That victory is perhaps not looking as strong as it did when Vanderbilt beat the Crimson Tide the week after the latter had knocked off the Georgia Bulldogs, but it is still a strong win for the Commodores and the fans will bring an intense atmosphere.

Vanderbilt have been set as the underdog four times this season and they have covered in each of those games.

There is no doubting the ability of the Texas Longhorns to bounce back, but this is a big spread and Diego Pavia and the Commodores Offensive unit will use the home crowd energy to push them forward. A narrower than expected win over the Ball State Cardinals will not be a big concern with Vanderbilt likely keeping some key plays under their hat ahead of a big game.

Putting together a strong Offensive game-plan against this Longhorns Defensive unit will be challenging, but Vanderbilt have to believe Texas could be a little short emotionally. The Longhorns will be going into their Bye Week in a bid to reset after this game and so there is very chance that this Defense is not as focused as they may have been with an unbeaten record to protect.

Texas should be able to move the chains with some confidence when they have the ball and they are likely going to lean on the Offensive Line to ensure a strong running game is produced. This will make things easier for the Quarter Back, whether that is Quinn Ewers or Archie Manning, although it should be noted that this Vanderbilt Secondary have played pretty well over their last few games.

There is a chance that Vanderbilt can generate a solid pass rush, which will help the Secondary make big plays, and the Commodores may be able to create a turnover or two which can keep this game close.

Vanderbilt have plenty of experience to help them in tough spots and they have shown they can be a very competitive underdog.

The Longhorns had been dominant before the upset loss to the Georgia Bulldogs and some may feel that this team is not fully focused with a Bye Week coming up. The fact that Alabama lost here will just serve as a reminder for Texas about what can happen against any team, but this is a big spread and it may be too wide for a team that has to still believe they can reach the SEC Championship Game and then have a big impact in the College Football Playoffs.

Florida State Seminoles @ Miami Hurricanes Pick: This may have been a game that had been circled by fans in the ACC as being one that could determine at least one of the Championship Game representatives.

Things have simply not gone that way for the Florida State Seminoles (1-6) whose unbeaten season in 2023 has been firmly left in the rearview mirror.

Too much reliance on the transfer portal has been criticised this season, even if it was key to the successes of last season, and the Seminoles have very little to play for.

One motivation will be to play spoiler for the Miami Hurricanes (7-0) who come through a couple of really tight games to remain unbeaten and who look on course to face the Clemson Tigers for the ACC Championship. Looking too far ahead would be a mistake for the Hurricanes considering how close some of their recent wins have been and the fans will try and keep Miami focused on the here and now.

Offensively the Hurricanes should be able to do what they want thanks to the Offensive Line opening up some big running lanes. They will be favourites to hit the Seminoles hard on the ground and that should open things up for Cam Ward at Quarter Back, who continues to play like one of the top players in the position.

Scoring points has not been the problem, but the Miami Hurricanes know the Defensive unit have to be significantly improved if they are going to reach the College Football Playoff and then have a deep run. This is a week in which they are facing a Florida State Offensive unit that has just lacked consistency Offensively and so you do have to wonder if the Seminoles are going to be able to score enough points to keep up with their rivals.

The Seminoles Offensive Line have not opened up too many big running lanes and that has allowed teams to bring a solid pass rush, which has just underlined other issues at the Line of Scrimmage.

Miami are not easy to trust with a line like this one after some of their recent wins, but the Hurricanes have been much better than Florida State and they can underline that gap with a much more convincing win in Week 9.

MY PICKS: Indiana Hoosiers - 5.5 Points @ 1.95 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Ohio State Buckeyes - 25.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Vanderbilt Commodores + 17.5 Points @ 2.05 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Miami Hurricanes - 21 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Penn State Nittany Lions - 6.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Kansas State Wildcats - 9.5 Points @ 1.85 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Week 8: 2-4, - 2.23 Units (6 Units Staked, - 37.17% Yield)

Week 7: 6-3, + 2.55 Units (9 Units Staked, + 28.33% Yield)

Week 6: 3-2, + 0.82 Units (5 Units Staked, + 16.4% Yield)

Week 5: 0-5, - 5 Units (5 Units Staked, - 100% Yield)

Week 4: 3-2, + 0.73 Units (5 Units Staked, + 14.60% Yield)

Week 3: 3-5, - 2.35 Units (8 Units Staked, - 29.38% Yield)

Week 2: 2-4, - 2.26 Units (6 Units Staked, - 37.67% Yield)

Week 1: 4-2, + 1.64 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.33% Yield)

NFL Week 9 Picks 2023 (November 2-6)

This has been a pretty busy week so this thread will only focus on the NFL Picks being made.

Hopefully it will be one where the Picks bounce back from the narrow deficit produced in Week 8.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Miami Dolphins Pick: Both of these teams have been used to playing international games in the NFL regular season, but it will be the first time either is playing in Germany.

The London games may not have been the most appealing on paper, but the German fans cannot have any complaints about seeing the Kansas City Chiefs (6-2) and Miami Dolphins (6-2) face off with their high-powered Offensive units. They are two of four teams in the AFC who have won six games this season and who will be targeting the Number 1 Seed in the Conference and holding home court advantage through the post-season until the Super Bowl.

Games against one another could be key to that outcome with those potential tie-breaking wins to separate teams in the final standings.

That is still a long way away though and the Chiefs and Dolphins meet in a big game after differing Week 8 performances. The Miami Dolphins bounced back from a loss to beat the New England Patriots at home, while the Kansas City Chiefs were finally beaten by the Denver Broncos.

There are factors at play though in that defeat, factors which should not be having the same kind of impact in this Week 9 game. Patrick Mahomes was playing in Denver through an illness, but he is much better now and will be travelling with the Kansas City Chiefs expecting to have a much stronger performance all around.

Vic Fangio is doing a good job with the Dolphins Defensive unit, but it is still a work in progress even with a returning Jalen Ramsey to provide a boost for the Secondary. With a Bye Week coming up, the Dolphins will be hoping some key players return to make Fangio's life that much more comfortable as the Defensive Co-Ordinator, while it should be said that Miami have not played as well on this side of the ball when they have faced the stronger teams on the schedule.

The Chiefs certainly are one of those better teams and Patrick Mahomes is likely to be a lot better than what we saw from him in Denver.

Some are questioning whether the Kansas City Chiefs should have added a couple of bodies to the Receiving corps to help their Quarter Back, but Mahomes is a Quarter Back that will get the best out of the Receivers he does have. Travis Kelce is clearly the top option through the air, but the Chiefs have others stepping up and developing and they will believe they can move the ball with some consistency against this Dolphins team.

It is the Offense that has really been making the headlines for the Dolphins and they will need them to be at their best if they are going to beat the Kansas City Chiefs. Unfortunately the team have yet to get their best foot forward Offensively when facing the likes of the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles and it could be argued that the Kansas City Chiefs have the best Defensive unit of the three.

Over the last couple of weeks, Miami's Offensive Line have really been banged up and that has slowed down the rushing attack, one that had been impressing earlier in the season. Losing De'Von Achane has been a big blow considering the Home Run threat he brings with every touch, and Raheem Mostert is not fully healthy right now either.

Along with the Offensive Line issues it feels like Miami may not be able to take advantage of some of the problems that Kansas City have had in stopping the run. Being behind the chains would be very tough for Tua Tagovailoa, even if he has been playing at a high level this season, while he is not going to be given a lot of time for routes to be run down the field thanks to the strong Chiefs pass rush.

Tyreek Hill is facing his old team for the first time and is likely going to be pumped up and able to make some big plays, but consistent success for Miami may be tough to come by as they perhaps struggle against yet another of the better teams in the NFL.

Kansas City are arriving in Germany much later in the week than the Miami Dolphins, but the feeling is that the Chiefs bounce back from a poor loss last week. They are still firmly in control of the AFC West so it is not a loss that will linger and Patrick Mahomes is likely going to put in a much stronger performance all around which will lead to a win for the Chiefs.

Seattle Seahawks @ Baltimore Ravens Pick: Two teams that will have Super Bowl ambitions meet in a non-Conference game in Week 9 of the NFL season.

Both the Seattle Seahawks (5-2) and Baltimore Ravens (6-2) are leading their respective Divisions in the NFC West and AFC North and both won in Week 8 to keep some positive momentum behind them. Those wins did not come in completely convincing fashion, but it is important to build confidence at this time of the season and look to peak in January and February.

Focus could be the biggest opponent for the Ravens in Week 9 as they will follow this game with back to back Divisional games against the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. Those are hugely important games for the Ravens in looking to achieve their overall goals, while winning a non-Conference game is always fun, but perhaps not so important in the grand scheme.

The fact is that the Ravens are also playing a Seattle Defensive unit that is much improved from last season and arguably more responsible for their winning record than Geno Smith and the Offense. Adding Leonard Williams to the mix in a trade from the New York Giants looks to be a big move for the Seahawks and he is expected to play on Sunday.

Clogging up the Defensive Line, Leonard Williams is expected to be an immediate contributor for a Seattle team that have played the run well without him. Now they could be even stronger up front with an immediate test of that theory against the Baltimore Ravens, a team that have a dual-threat Quarter Back and whose DNA is to run the ball first and foremost.

Closing down Lamar Jackson and Gus Edwards completely is a next to impossible task, but the Seahawks Defensive Line have to believe they can limit the damage that is done on the ground. They did allow the Browns to put up 155 yards on the ground last week, but the Seahawks did not allow any of the Running Backs to really get loose and with the addition of Williams, it could be even tougher to churn out big gains.

Reducing the running game will certainly give the Seahawks the edge on this side of the ball with the Secondary continuing to play well. Lamar Jackson and his Receivers are finding a rhythm, but you would expect the Seattle Defensive Backs to have an edge, while Seattle also generate enough of a pass rush to rattle Jackson and force him out of the pocket.

Containing the Quarter Back when he gets loose will be important, and this Seattle Defensive unit looks like one that can at least restrict the Ravens better than the Detroit Lions did in the last game in this Stadium and that offers the visitors a chance of the upset.

Playing on the road in the early Eastern Time Zone is not ideal for a West Coast team like the Seattle Seahawks, but they have won in New York against the Giants and also on the road against Detroit. A narrow defeat in Cincinnati has also been played out, although there is enough to suggest the Seahawks can remain competitive as long as Geno Smith and the Offensive unit avoid some of the mistakes that almost cost them against the Browns last week.

Any mistakes will be difficult to overcome and this Baltimore Defensive unit have been operating at a high level.

However, in recent games, it has been possible to run the ball against the Ravens Defensive Line and Seattle are capable of establishing the run. It will be important to ease the pressure on Smith and will also mean keeping control of the clock and making sure the Seattle Defense are getting plenty of rest between chasing after Lamar Jackson.

It will be tough to win the game if relying on Geno Smith having to throw into this dangerous Baltimore Secondary- while he is backed up by good looking Receivers, the Seahawks Offensive Line could struggle to keep the Ravens pass rush from out of the backfield and that pressure could see Smith rushed into throwing when he should not be.

Interceptions have been an issue for Geno Smith and Baltimore love turning the ball over, but a clean game will give Seattle a chance to win and that has to be the sole focus for the visiting team.

With a potentially distracted Baltimore team, Seattle can keep this one competitive with a strong day in the trenches on both sides of the ball. They are getting enough points, although it does mean asking Geno Smith to not push the boat out and ultimately make mistakes that could end up costing the Seahawks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Houston Texans Pick: After losses in Week 8, both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4) and Houston Texans (3-4) are a game under 0.500. The difference is that the Buccaneers are playing in a weak looking NFC South Division and remain in touch with the leaders, while the Houston Texans are trailing the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South, a team that has won six of eight games played.

This may be a non-Conference game, but both teams should be motivated to move out of a losing record position, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had a little more time to prepare having been in Thursday Night Football action in Week 8. The Buccaneers have lost three in a row though and so confidence is an issue, while a Houston team that has been overachieving having dropped two of three themselves.

A rookie Quarter Back has been playing very well, but the Texans were beaten by the Carolina Panthers, and their own rookie Quarter Back, which will have been a disappointment.

CJ Stroud will try and bounce back against a tough Buccaneers Defensive unit that have kept the team competitive, even through a losing run. They have given the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a chance to win games, and there is a feeling that they can at least give the rookie leading the Houston Offense something to think about.

Running the ball is not going to feel like much of a positive option for the Texans, but CJ Stroud is going to be throwing into a young Secondary which has definitely bent, if not broken. His recent throwing outings have not been the most productive and there is going to be a concern that the rookie has hit his wall a little earlier in the season, although Stroud himself is looking to show that there is still more to come from him.

Importantly, CJ Stroud has been able to look after the ball when he has taken to the air, while the Houston Offensive Line should be able to offer him enough time to attack a Secondary allowing almost 300 passing yards per game in their three game losing run.

It has increased the pressure on Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Offensive unit and we are some way down the line from when it looked like the move from Tom Brady to Mayfield would be a comfortable one for the Buccaneers. Now there has been a real problem getting the run game going and it has meant Baker Mayfield is being forced to throw from third and long spots.

Much like his opposite number, Baker Mayfield is going to be throwing into a struggling Secondary and he does have some veteran experience at the Receiver positions who can make plays. The difference for the two Quarter Backs in this game is that CJ Stroud could be afforded a bit more time when trying to pick up longer Third Downs and Baker Mayfield may have to make plays under pressure behind this Tampa Bay Offensive Line.

That can make all the difference and Mayfield may end up making a mistake or two that proves to be costly for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Texans have not been able to create the turnovers in recent games, but this may prove to be an opportunity for them and they can bounce back from the poor loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Nothing has come easy for either team, but the Houston Texans may just have the pass rush pressure to rattle Baker Mayfield a bit more than the other way around, and that can lead to a home win for the AFC team.

Indianapolis Colts @ Carolina Panthers Pick: They would have been hoping Anthony Richardson, a top four Draft choice, would be able to lead the Indianapolis Colts (3-5) forward in what is not the most testing of Divisions. However, the concern that Richardson's style may leave him vulnerable to injury in the NFL has unfortunately come true for the Colts and he is out for the season.

Having a veteran back up like Gardner Minshew should have been a positive, but mistakes have been made and you can see why the Quarter Back has struggled to hold down a permanent starter role. Three losses in a row are one thing, but the Colts can point to those mistakes as being fatal having lost by a single point to the Cleveland Browns in between disappointing defeats to Jacksonville and New Orleans.

This week the Colts are trying to bounce back against the Carolina Panthers (1-6) who won for the first time in the Bryce Young era when seeing off fellow rookie CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans. A Bye Week has helped the Panthers clear up some of the injuries that have contributed to six straight defeats to open the season, but backing that victory up is not going to be easy.

A short week is coming up for the Carolina Panthers who are scheduled to play on Thursday Night Football in Week 10 and that is a potential distraction. They are also going to be facing a tough Indianapolis Colts Defensive unit that have been able to control the line of scrimmage and who have the ability to at least contain the threat on the ground.

It is important to do that in this one so the Colts can force Bryce Young to beat them through the air, although there are one or two holes in the Secondary which can be exposed. The key for Indianapolis will be to try and get their pass rush going against this Carolina Offensive Line and see if they can rush Young into a mistake or two, especially with their Secondary being able to make plays Intercepting passes in recent games.

Gardner Minshew is difficult to trust, but it may pay for the Quarter Back that he can likely lean on Zack Moss and Jonathan Taylor who should be able to establish the run.

Being in front of the chains is only good news for the veteran and it is also good news for the Offensive Line, which has not protected Minshew as well as they would have liked. However, they are facing a Panthers pass rush which has not been able to find the Quarter Back consistently, and being in front of the chains should mean Gardner Minshew is able to get the ball out of his hands quickly.

Backing Indianapolis to win on the road is not a great position to be in- it is worse backing them as the road favourite!

However, the Colts have won two of the three wins on the board outside of their own Stadium and the Panthers might not be as focused having finally won a game and now having to play on Thursday Night Football. This feels much more important for the Indianapolis Colts if they have any remaining ambitions to challenge the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Division and they can be backed to win.

Buffalo Bills @ Cincinnati Bengals Pick: Revenge will have been on the mind of the Buffalo Bills (5-3) as soon as they were beaten in the 2022 NFL PlayOffs and Week 10 would have long been circled. Having a few extra days to prepare can only be a good thing for the Buffalo Bills after beating Tampa Bay on Thursday Night Football and they will be ready to perform in a primetime slot.

Before last week, the Buffalo Bills might have been plenty confident in earning a win over the Cincinnati Bengals (4-3) who have made a slow start to the season and sit in the basement of the AFC North.

However, Joe Burrow and the team looked so much healthier in their strong win on the road over the San Francisco 49ers and they won't be lacking any focus after already dropping three games. Next up is the Houston Texans, so the Cincinnati Bengals won't be looking past Buffalo, while the Bengals also know putting a marker down against potential PlayOff rivals is plenty important.

The Bengals will believe they can keep the Offensive rhythm going after a strong performance in San Francisco and that is mainly down to the injuries that the Bills have suffered on this side of the ball. Rasul Douglas will help the Secondary having arrived in a trade from the Green Bay Packers, but he will take some time to learn what is expected from him and Joe Burrow and the Bengals should have success.

Joe Mixon may not make the same kind of runs that he did a few years ago, but he will pound the rock and open up the passing game for Burrow.

This will also ensure the Offensive Line is giving Joe Burrow time to find his big-play Receivers and Cincinnati will be expecting to move the ball and score plenty of points.

The Buffalo Bills will think the same with Josh Allen and the strong Offensive unit likely to enjoy plenty of success both on the ground and through the air. The Bills have not leaned on James Cook as much as some though they might this season, but he has an opportunity to have a strong game against this Cincinnati Defensive Line, while the Secondary have allowed big plays to be made against them.

Closing Josh Allen will be tough if he is completely healthy, but there is a feeling that Allen is trying to battle through to the Bye Week where he will be able to rest up.

Josh Allen is well protected by the Offensive Line and so should find time to make plays down the field, and this has the makings of a very good Sunday Night Football game.

That PlayOff loss in January will not be far from the mind, but the Cincinnati Bengals looked strong last week and they may have the edge on the Defensive side of the ball in this one. Both teams are expected to move the ball up and down the field, but a bit more balance can be found by the Bengals between the run and the pass and that may end up being the main factor in the outcome of the Week 10 clash.

Sharp money looks to be behind the home team and that looks the path to follow in a big AFC encounter.

MY PICKS: Kansas City Chiefs - 1.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (1 Unit)

Seattle Seahawks + 6.5 Points @ 1.91 Coral (1 Unit)

Houston Texans - 2.5 Points @ 1.86 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

Indianapolis Colts - 2.5 Points @ 2.00 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Cincinnati Bengals - 1.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (1 Unit)

Week 8: 2-2-1, - 0.18 Units (5 Units Staked, - 3.60% Yield)

Week 7: 3-2, + 0.82 Units (5 Units Staked, + 16.40% Yield)

Week 6: 4-3, + 0.56 Units (7 Units Staked, + 8% Yield)

Week 5: 4-3-1, + 2.46 Units (10 Units Staked, + 24.60% Yield)

Week 4: 3-5, - 2.35 Units (8 Units Staked, - 29.38% Yield)

Week 3: 4-4, + 0.43 Units (9 Units Staked, + 4.78% Yield)

Week 2: 3-4-2, - 1.36 Units (12 Units Staked, - 11.33% Yield)

Week 1: 5-2, + 2.51 Units (7 Units Staked, + 35.86% Yield)