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NFL Week 9 Predictions and Best Bets

The annual showdown between the Chiefs and the Bills headlines our NFL Week 9 predictions. Other key matchups to keep an eye on this weekend include a battle of top defenses in Denver vs. Houston and an NFC North showdown in Vikings vs. Lions.

Keep reading for a closer look at my top NFL predictions in Week 9. I discuss the latest odds for every game this week and highlight my favorite wagers. 

NFL Week 9 Overview

BetOnline provided the following odds for Week 9 in the NFL.

• Baltimore Ravens -7.5 (-110) vs. Miami Dolphins
• Chicago Bears -2.5 (-125) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
• Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions -9.0 (-110)
• Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers -13.0 (-115)
• Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans -1.0 (-125)
• Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots -5.0 (-115)
• San Francisco 49ers -2.5 (-115) vs. New York Giants
• Indianapolis Colts -3.0 (-103) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
• Los Angeles Chargers -9.5 (-105) vs. Tennessee Titans
• New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams -13.5 (-120)
• Jacksonville Jaguars -3.0 (+100) vs. Las Vegas Raiders
• Kansas City Chiefs -2.0 (-110) vs. Buffalo Bills
• Seattle Seahawks -3.0 (-115) vs. Washington Commanders
• Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys -2.5 (-115)

There are four teams on bye in Week 9, including the Jets, Browns, Buccaneers, and Eagles.

Top NFL Week 9 Games to Watch

The five games to target at the best NFL betting sites this weekend are:

• Chicago Bears -2.5 (-125) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
• Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans -1.0 (-125)
• Jacksonville Jaguars -3.0 (+100) vs. Las Vegas Raiders
• Kansas City Chiefs -2.0 (-110) vs. Buffalo Bills
• Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys -2.5 (-115)

NFL Week 9 Predictions 2025

Here is a closer look at all my top NFL predictions for Week 9.

Chicago Bears -2.5 (-125) vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Team	Point Spread	Moneyline	Total
Chicago Bears	-2.5 (-125)	-160	Over 51.5 (-104)
Cincinnati Bengals	+2.5 (+105)	+140	Under 51.5 (-116)

The Bears suffered one of the most puzzling losses of Week 8. Chicago could not move the ball against Baltimore, which has one of the worst defenses in the NFL. On the bright side, the Bears’ defense was also unable to stop Baltimore’s offense even though Lamar Jackson missed the contest.

Chicago takes on another AFC North team this weekend, laying 2.5 points against the Bengals in Cincinnati. Despite having a winning record, Chicago has a -17 point differential so far this season.

The Bengals’ defense is on par with the Ravens’ this season, with both teams allowing 30+ points and 250+ passing yards per game this season. However, Cincy’s passing offense has been productive this season.

Most of that production has come from Ja’Marr Chase. Last year’s Triple Crown winner has 720 receiving yards, more than 40% of the Bengals’ total receiving yards this season.

This game will largely depend on Joe Flacco’s health. If the 40-year-old plays, he can lead the Bengals to an upset. Should Jake Browning start for Cincy, though, the Bears should cruise to a win.

Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans -1.0 (-125)

Team	Point Spread	Moneyline	Total
Denver Broncos	+1.0 (+105)	+110	Over 40.0 (-110)
Houston Texans	-1.0 (-125)	-130	Under 40.0 (-110)

Houston improved to 3-4 last week with its win over San Francisco. The Texans can get to .500 this week with a win over the visiting Broncos.

Taking down Denver is easier said than done, but the Texans are favored by 1.0 at home.

Both teams allow under 19.0 PPG and fewer than 90 rushing YPG. Denver’s offense, which has been far from perfect this season, has done enough to earn a 6-2 record. Houston, conversely, is just 3-4 despite having the league’s best scoring defense.

The Broncos are likely to be without reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II. His absence will hurt, but Denver’s pass rush, which leads the NFL with 36 sacks, will shut down the Texans’ struggling offense.

Jacksonville Jaguars -3.0 (+100) vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Team	Point Spread	Moneyline	Total
Jacksonville Jaguars	-3.0 (+100)	-160	Over 44.5 (-110)
Las Vegas Raiders	+3.0 (-120)	+140	Under 44.5 (-110)

Speaking of great defenses, the Jaguars are second in both interceptions (10) and total turnovers forced (14). Their opportunistic defense has another chance for a turnover-heavy day against the Raiders this weekend.

Both teams had byes last week, but the Raiders are 3.0-point home underdogs despite the extra rest.

Raiders’ quarterback Geno Smith has 10 INTs this season, tied for the most in the NFL. He has also been sacked 19 times and has a season-long QBR of 34.4. Trevor Lawrence has not been much better, getting sacked 20 times and earning a QBR of 41.8 this year.

On the bright side, Lawrence has only thrown five picks this season.

Smith’s struggles are likely to continue this weekend against Jacksonville’s aggressive defense. The Jaguars will win and potentially end Smith’s time as a starter in the NFL.

Kansas City Chiefs -2.0 (-110) vs. Buffalo Bills

Team	Point Spread	Moneyline	Total
Kansas City Chiefs	-2.0 (-110)	-135	Over 52.5 (-110)
Buffalo Bills	+2.0 (-110)	+115	Under 52.5 (-110)

In the marquee matchup of Week 9, the Chiefs (5-3) take on the Bills (5-2) in Buffalo. KC has dominated this matchup in the postseason, but Patrick Mahomes is just 1-4 against Josh Allen in the regular season.

Despite that record, Mahomes and the Chiefs are favored by 2.0 points on the road this week.

KC is only 1-2 on the road this year, and that one win came against the then-winless Giants. Buffalo, for comparison, is 2-1 at home. However, they did lose their last home game, falling 23-20 on SNF to the rival Patriots.

This is Buffalo’s first home game in nearly a month, so their crowd will be rocking. However, the Bills’ soft defense will not be able to handle the Chiefs’ quick passing game. KC will win and cover the 2.0-point spread on Sunday.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys -2.5 (-115)

Team	Point Spread	Moneyline	Total
Arizona Cardinals	+2.5 (-105)	+130	Over 53.5 (-105)
Dallas Cowboys	-2.5 (-115)	-150	Under 53.5 (-115)

This week’s Monday Night Football matchup pits the Cardinals (2-5) against the Cowboys (3-4-1) in Jerry World. Arizona has lost five straight games, but the Cards could get starting QB Kyler Murray back this weekend.

Dallas, on the other hand, is undefeated at home this year. The Cowboys’ lack of a pass rush, though, is a major reason they have allowed 258.6 passing YPG, second-most in the NFL. Dallas is also second in points allowed, giving up 31.3 PPG.

The Cardinals’ running game is nonexistent. Murray, who has missed the last two games, leads the team with 173 rushing yards this season.

Arizona’s passing attack has been better, even with Murray missing time. TE Trey McBride leads the team with 47 receptions for 421 yards and four TDs. Four other receivers have at least 100 yards receiving this year, and three Cards’ players are averaging over 11 YPR.

Moving the ball effectively through the air is the key to beating the Cowboys. Arizona has talented enough receivers to do just that. Also, Murray is 9-0 at AT&T Stadium dating back to his high school days, and he will keep that streak alive this week.

More NFL Week 9 Picks & Predictions

Matchup	Week 9 NFL Prediction
Baltimore Ravens -7.5 (-110) vs. Miami Dolphins	Baltimore Ravens -7.5 (-110)
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions -9.0 (-110)	Minnesota Vikings +9.0 (-110)
Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers -13.0 (-115)	Carolina Panthers +13.0 (-105)
Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots -5.0 (-115)	Atlanta Falcons +5.0 (-105)
San Francisco 49ers -2.5 (-115) vs. New York Giants	San Francisco 49ers -2.5 (-115)
Indianapolis Colts -3.0 (-103) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers	Indianapolis Colts (-171)
Los Angeles Chargers -9.5 (-105) vs. Tennessee Titans	Los Angeles Chargers -9.5 (-105)
New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams -13.5 (-120)	New Orleans Saints +13.5 (+100)
Seattle Seahawks -3.0 (-115) vs. Washington Commanders	Seattle Seahawks -3.0 (-115)

Where to Bet on Your NFL Week 9 Predictions

BetOnline is the best place to wager on your NFL Week 9 predictions. In addition to offering competitive lines for every game, it also has excellent sports betting bonuses. New members, for instance, can get up to $250 in free bets when they use the code FREE250 when making their first deposit.