The first half of the 2024 NFL season ended with a crazy Week 9. After the Rams took down the Vikings in the first game of the slate, there were plenty of wild plays and wild finishes in one-possession games. Beyond that, some road teams dominated and some home teams fell flat in the final minutes.

That makes Week 9 its own wild ride, back to 15 games from the full slate of 16 contests we saw last week.

Without further ado, here’s a fearless forecast in the latest version of Sporting News’ NFL picks and predictions against the spread.

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NFL picks against the spread for Week 9

• Texans (pick them, 42.5 o/u) at Jets

Thursday, 8:15 PM ET, Amazon Prime Video

These are two of the league’s best pass defenses, and each faces a QB with adversity. CJ Stroud is dealing with burnout at receiver, while Jets counterpart Aaron Rodgers is struggling with dysfunction all over the place. The difference will be the team more willing to run to be better offensively. The Texans were no slouch with their often dominant ground game with Joe Mixon, while the Jets would continue to mismanage touches by Breece Hall and Braelon Allen.

Choose: Texans win 23-20 and cover the spread.

MORE JETS: Aaron Rodgers Says Jets Must Embrace ‘Darkness’

MORE TEXANS: Stefon Diggs injury update

• Game of the week: Lions (-3.5, 47.5 o/u) at Packers

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

The Packers are looking at Malik Willis to start again at QB because of a Jordan Love (groin) injury. That will limit their offensive firepower needed to overcome another blowout game for the Lions offense. The Packers can be split inside in the passing game and are also shaky against the run at times, playing right into the hands of Detroit’s explosive and balanced offense.

Choose: The Lions win 30-23 and cover the spread.

MORE: Jordan Love injury update

• Block of the week: Eagles (-7, 46 o/u) over Jaguars

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS

The Eagles offense is locked down again, with Jalen Hurts feeling out his elite wide receivers to run all the big plays called by Kellen Moore. The Jaguars defense has been terrible against the pass all season, and Hurts should light it up at home. Former Eagles coach Doug Pederson is coming in with Trevor Lawrence and his QB is dealing with an injury-riddled receiving corps.

Choose: Eagles win 34-14 and cover the spread.

MORE: Update on Christian Kirk’s injury

• Upset of the week: Cowboys (+2.5, 52 o/u) over Falcons

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox

The Cowboys are a tough matchup for the more Kirk Cousins-happy Falcons. Their defense also isn’t built to win here, as it can give up a lot against the pass, and Dak Prescott will be relentless throwing downfield to CeeDee Lamb and others. Atlanta needs to run enough to win, but will fall because Dallas will wisely choose not to run at all.

Choose: Cowboys win 30-27.

MORE COWBOYS: Why the key 49ers TD was not considered offensive pass interference | Trevon Diggs confronts a reporter after the loss

MORE FALCONIES: Kirk Cousins ​​proved the Falcons made the best offseason move in the NFL

• Dolphins on bills (-6.5, 49 o/u)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Bills roll with the offense, striking the right balance between Josh Allen’s efficient passing downfield and dominance with the running game. It’s a bad 1-2 punch for a Dolphins defense on the ropes. The Dolphins can stay in the game through the leadership of De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert, but ultimately, they will wilt late with some pressure on Tua Tagovailoa.

Choose: Bills win 31-21 and cover the spread.

MORE: Tua Tagovailoa draws praise for sliding on QB scramble

• Raiders at Bengals (-7.5, 45 o/o)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox

The Bengals have been in and out of playoff contention after an 0-3 start and need to play better at home to have any small chance. Joe Burrow looks disabled whenever Tee Higgins doesn’t play to help him and Ja’Marr Chase. Here, the Bengals take the burden off Burrow with a prolific running game featuring Chase Brown and Zack Moss. Lou Anarumo’s maligned defense may provide a game of good after the Eagles’ mess.

Choose: Bengals win 34-17 and cover the spread.

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• Chargers (-2, 42.5 o/u) at Browns

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Chargers will stick with their “run the ball, stop the run” formula knowing they can cause some problems in the pass defense for Jameis Winston. Justin Herbert is building on last week’s performance to build an advantage through the air so his teammates can play Winston to keep a low-scoring game in the second half.

Choose: Chargers win 20-13 and cover the spread.

MORE: Comparing the Browns offense to Jameis Winston vs. Deshaun Watson | Jameis channels Eminem in an interview

• Patriots at Titans (-3, 38 o/u)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox

The Patriots feel it with the running game and defense, and Jerod Mayo will see another strong performance down the road. Whoever is at quarterback for either team, New England will run the ball better and also make defensive plays and takeaways to steal another one against the true worst team in the AFC.

Choose: Patriots win 20-17.

MORE: Drake Maye Injury Update

• Commanders (-3.5, 43 o/u) at Giants

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox

Jayden Daniels is locked in with the running game coming in weekly to facilitate his passing down the field. But the big recent development for Washington is the defense that is improving every week for Dan Quinn. They will continue to endure a struggling Giants offense that can’t get a break.

Choose: The Chiefs win 23-16 and cover the spread.

MORE: Jayden Daniels’ reactions Hail Mary | Daniels defeats Caleb Williams | Daniels impresses in the post-match interview

• Saints (-7, 45 o/u) at Panthers

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

QB plans were scrapped for both teams due to injuries and ineffectiveness. This is shaping up to be an uninspiring, low-scoring battle between second-year QBs Bryce Young and Jake Haener. The team with top linebackers Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave will score just enough.

Choose: Saints win 20-17 but can’t cover the spread.

MORE: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings | Week 9 NFL Picks

• Broncos at Ravens (-9, 44.5 o/u)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Broncos field a solid offense with dual-threat QB Bo Nix playing well, channeling his inside Lamar Jackson. Now, he gets to face incumbent Lamar Jackson in a big matchup for both playoff hopefuls. Nix and Sean Payton will keep Denver going with some good passing and pass defense, but eventually Denver’s face will be worn down by Derrick Henry.

Choose: Ravens win 26-23 but can’t cover the spread.

• Bears (pick them, 44.5 o/u) at Cardinals

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS

The Bears head to the desert looking to make up for their dry performance in Washington. Kyler Murray vs. Caleb Williams presents yet another duel between Heisman-winning QBs and the No. 1 in general. Murray rebounds with the supporting cast, but the problem here will be Arizona’s run defense. Chicago’s overall defense will bounce back from the shock of a Hail Mary.

Choose: Bears win 23-20.

MORE: Caleb Williams duels with Daniels | Tyrique Stevenson apologizes for mistakes made during Hail Mary

Kirby Lee

• Rams (pick them, 48.5 o/u) at Seahawks

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

The Rams will be relentless on Kyren Williams and the Seahawks will have no answers for the run. They’re also starting to struggle in the secondary, not getting pass rush for Mike Macdonald. Seattle’s fast pace will play more into the hands of Los Angeles’ loaded, rested and healthy offense.

Choose: Rams win 31-27.

MORE REMAINS: Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp quiet trade rumors in win over Vikings

MORE HAAWKS: Seahawks defensive players battle on the sideline

• Colts at Vikings (-5.5, 45.5 o/u)

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock

Anthony Richardson is trying to keep his starting job in place of Joe Flacco, but the only thing he offers is a rushing threat to help Jonathan Taylor run out of the backfield. The slumping sophomore QB won’t shy away from the Vikings’ pressure and turnover-focused attack. On the other hand, Sam Darnold can attack another secondary that can’t stop Justin Jefferson or any of Minnesota’s receivers.

Choose: Vikings win 27-20 and cover the spread.

MORE VIKINGS: How refs missed flagrant masking penalty on Rams safety against Vikings

EVEN MORE: Shane Steichen is tipping the Colts to stick with Richardson | Richardson checks himself due to fatigue

• Buccaneers at Chiefs (-9, 44.5 o/u)

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

The Chiefs have a break with a short-handed Buccaneers passing game coming to Kansas City, making this a tough first-time spot for Baker Mayfield. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce should combine for another big game and get more help from those all over the field. Tampa Bay will need to run to win, but they can’t do that effectively here, especially when the game turns negative.

Choose: Chiefs win 27-10 and cover the spread.

Statistics of the week

• Week 8 recording live: 10-5
• Week 8 record against the spread: 7-8
• Season to date: 83-39
• Season to date against the spread: 64-57