NFL Picks 2019: Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys Among Best Bets Against The Spread In Week 9

The Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts could all have big wins as road favorites in Week 9. The Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens both can upset two of the best teams in the AFC.

There’s no such thing as a “sure thing” when it comes to gambling, but here are the five best bets against the spread for Week 9 of the 2019 NFL season. These are the betting odds from the Westgate Las Vegas Super Contest.

Green Bay Packers (-3.5)

The Packers are 4-0 against teams that enter Week 9 with losing records. The Los Angeles Chargers are among the NFL’s biggest disappointments in 2019. They won’t beat one of the best teams in football.

The Chargers essentially have no home-field advantage with a 1-3 record in L.A. All of those losses came by a touchdown, and two came against sub-.500 teams. Since defeating Jacoby Brissett and the Colts in overtime in Week 1, the Chargers have only beaten Josh Rosen and Mitchell Trubisky. Aaron Rodgers is playing like the MVP frontrunner, and Davante Adams might be returning from injury. The Packers won’t have trouble outscoring a team that’s only put up more than 20 points when facing the Dolphins over the last seven games.

Minnesota Vikings (+2.5)

This point spread likely assumes that Patrick Mahomes will start for the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday. There’s a good chance Matt Moore will be under center for a second straight week at Arrowhead Stadium, making the Vikings an easy pick.

Even if Mahomes does play, Minnesota can win in Kansas City. The Chiefs have lost three straight home games, unable to slow down the Colts, Texans and Packers. The Vikings are third in both total offense and yards per play. Kirk Cousins continues to torch subpar defenses with 10 touchdowns, one interception and an average passer rating of 132.7 in his last four games. League-leading rusher Dalvin Cook will run all over a Kansas City defense that ranks 30th in both rushing yards allowed and opponents’ yards per carry.

Indianapolis Colts (-1)

The Colts should probably be favored by close to a field goal against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike Tomlin’s squad remains a mediocre team, despite a two-game winning streak.

Pittsburgh’s victories have come against the NFL’s two remaining winless teams and the 3-5 Chargers. The Steelers are 0-4 against teams that sit above .500, including two losses at home. The Colts are in the hunt for a playoff bye with a 5-2 record, finding different ways to win each week. After scoring 30 points against Houston in Week 7, Indianapolis won a low-scoring affair with Denver in Week 8. Mason Rudolph will struggle against a defense that’s allowed an average of 16.3 points during Indianapolis’ three-game winning streak.

Baltimore Ravens (+3.5)

The New England Patriots might be in for their first loss of the season in Week 9. Baltimore can keep the “Sunday Night Football” matchup against the defending Super Bowl champs within a field goal, at the very least.

New England’s defense has been historic, but they have yet to face an offense as formidable as Baltimore’s. The Ravens are fifth in yards per play and second in yards per game, led by a dynamic quarterback that doesn’t need big passing numbers in order to be successful. Lamar Jackson will use his legs—he’s ninth in rushing yards per game—to move the ball against a defense that’s holding opposing quarterbacks to a 40.6 passer rating. The Patriots’ defense has been able to mask the fact that Tom Brady is playing behind a banged-up offensive line with a weakened receiving corps. New England scored just one offensive touchdown in their only road game against a winning team.

Dallas Cowboys (-7)

The Cowboys routed the Giants 35-17 when they hosted their NFC East rivals in Week 1. It should be a similar result when Dallas visits Metlife Stadium Monday night.

New York is just 1-3 at home this season, only beating the one-win Redskins. In every other game this season, the Giants have given up at least 27 points. The Giants are 25th in opponents’ yards per play and 28th in total defense. The Cowboys are first in both yards per play and total offense. Dak Prescott has recorded 11 total touchdowns, two interceptions and 8.9 yards per attempt against sub-.500 teams. Daniel Jones commits too many turnovers for New York to keep this one close.

Season Record: 16-22-2