This week, Danny gave “Pic’s Picks” for Week 9 in the NFL:
I went 4-1 against the spread in Week 8, giving me a 7-3 record over the last two weeks with my NFL picks.
Here are my picks for Week 9:
CHICAGO BEARS (+4.5) over Philadelphia Eagles
-What in the world is going on with the Bears? They’ve lost three straight and are 3-4 on the season, including 1-3 at home. Still, their defense ranks tied for fifth in the NFL, allowing just 17 points per game. So the problem is their offense, which scores just 18 points per game. Ouch. Is Mitch Trubisky the answer at quarterback in Chicago? Probably not, but the Bears say they’re sticking with him for this one Sunday at 1 p.m. in Philadelphia against a 4-4 Eagles team that’s coming off a big bounce-back win in Buffalo last Sunday. But are the Eagles really “back”? I’m not so sure about that one. I think they beat a Bills team whose record is somewhat deceiving. The Bills aren’t that good. Neither is Philly. I’m taking Chicago to go on the road and get a bounce-back win of their own. If they don’t win, the Bears should still keep it competitive and cover the spread in a close game. I’ll take the points.
NEW YORK JETS (-3) over Miami Dolphins
-I know what you’re thinking. Danny, why would you pick this game? Well, because it’s kind of a tough week. But also, because picking against the 0-7 Dolphins is just the thing to do. Usually Miami is a heavy underdog. But against a 1-6 Jets team, the spread is only three points. That means New York doesn’t have to blow them out to cover. This game is in Miami Sunday at 1, and it’s a short week for the Dolphins, who lost to the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Monday night. The Jets are coming of back-to-back losses to the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars, after picking up their first win a few weeks ago against the Dallas Cowboys. The Jets were involved in plenty of trade rumors before Tuesday’s trade deadline, but they didn’t pull the trigger, which could make for some hurt feelings. But should the Jets still be able to beat Miami? Of course. And they will, by more than three points.
OAKLAND RAIDERS (-2.5) over Detroit Lions
-The 3-4 Raiders lost a close three-point game to the Houston Texans last Sunday, and they covered for me as seven-point dog. If Oakland has shown anything at all this season, it’s that they’re talented enough to put up a fight as a young team being led by a veteran coach. The Raiders should benefit from being at home in this one, Sunday at 4:05, against a 3-3-1 Lions team that’s coming off a win over the new York Giants. With an over/under of 50, I expect this to be a high-scoring affair. Less than a three-point spread? I’ll take the home team to get back to .500 with a three-point win. Give me the Raiders.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (-3) over Denver Broncos
-The Cleveland Browns. My goodness. At the end of the day, Cleveland is just gonna Cleveland. The 2-5 Browns have lost three straight and are coming off a loss to the Patriots last Sunday. Their coach is a boob. Their top wide receiver is a clown. I actually like their quarterback a lot, but not even Baker Mayfield can’t save this group. Luckily for the Browns, they play the 2-6 Broncos on Sunday. It’s in Denver at 4:25. The Broncos have lost two straight, and they recently traded Emmanuel Sanders to the San Francisco 49ers. Also, quarterback Joe Flacco has been ruled out with an injury, meaning Brandon Allen will be Denver’s sixth starting QB since 2017. Who? Exactly. I’ll take the Browns to win, and possibly win big.
LOCK OF THE WEEK: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-3.5) over Baltimore Ravens
-It’s the game of the week on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, as it should be. The 8-0 Patriots travel to Baltimore to take on the 5-2 Ravens. Baltimore is coming off the bye, while the Patriots are playing their last game before the bye. I don’t expect Tom Brady and Bill Belichick to be looking ahead to their week off, so I don’t expect the Patriots to lose this game. The Ravens have won three straight, and you’re going to get a lot of the NFL analysts predicting a Baltimore upset in this one. But I just don’t see it. New England’s defense allows just seven points per game. That’s crazy. And they’ve created 25 turnovers in eight games, which is the most in the league. Perhaps Baltimore keeps it interesting for a little bit, but I expect the Patriots to pull away at some point by forcing a couple late turnovers when Lamar Jackson tries to get nuts. Patriots by 10.
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