Week 9 of the 2020 NFL regular season started Thursday as the Green Bay Packers got some revenge for the beatdown they received from the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship last year, going to Levi’s Stadium and rolling to a 34-17 win. Of course, the 49ers didn’t have their starting quarterback, starting tight end as well as quite a few others who were either injured or on the COVID-19 list. Fifteen of the 32 NFL franchises have COVID-19 issues of one sort or another, and the fines the league is handing out seem ridiculous, given that the players spend games in extremely close contact to other people. Even so, there are NFL betting matchups for the coming weekend, and here are the ones we think will bring you the most money.
NFL News: Top Betting Picks for Week 9
Sunday, November 8
Detroit (+4) at Minnesota (1:00 pm ET, CBS)
The Lions will likely not have Matthew Stafford at quarterback, after his second trip to the COVID-19 list. The line may start sliding quickly, so take advantage of this while you can. The Vikings looked like a new team last week, riding Dalvin Cook and his four touchdowns to a rare win at Lambeau Field. The Vikings could use this new run-first approach to move from 2-5 to contender status. Meanwhile, the Lions, while they lead the Vikings by a game, remain a significant enigma. Vikings to win and cover.
Carolina (+10.5) at Kansas City (1:00 pm ET, FOX)
Kansas City’s offense seemed to hit a new level ast week, as Patrick Mahomes went off for five passing touchdowns in a throttling of the Jets. The Chiefs have shown an unusual willingness to rely on the running game and slow the clock down a bit, which can help them when they have a lead. Carolina has a subpar defense against the run, so you could see a lot of Le’Veon Bell and Clyde Edwards-Helaire running through the Panthers’ secondary. Can Carolina score enough points here to cover? Chiefs to win and cover.
Baltimore (-3) at Indianapolis (1:00 pm ET, CBS)
If you look at the Baltimore COVID-19 list, a lot of their defensive starters are there — and won’t be on the field. For the Colts, Jonathan Taylor will be out, putting the Colts’ ability to run the ball in jeopardy. However, quarterback Philip Rivers is playing (gulp) terrific ball right now. If you’re like me, you know that the moment is coming when Rivers will fall off the table and throw that interception at just the wrong time or have a dreadful game, but can the second-string Ravens defense make that happen? Colts to cover.
Seattle (-2.5) at Buffalo (1:00 pm ET, FOX)
Expect a bit of a shootout here, as neither team has much defense going on right now. Russell Wilson has Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf flying all over the field, and the Bills have Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley and John Brown. I see Josh Allen making just one mistake all day long — but Wilson having a flawless day. Seahawks to win and cover.
New Orleans (+4.5) at Tampa Bay (8:20 pm ET, NBC)
This will be another fun matchup between Tom Brady and Drew Brees. Both teams have great defenses against the run, so it will come down to a matchup between these two Hall of Fame quarterbacks and their weapons. Right now, Brady has more weapons, while the Saints wait for the return of Michael Thomas, and Brady has looked rejuvenated in his first season in sunny Florida. Bucs to win and cover.
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