NFL Week 9 is here. While some of the matchups seem like they could be, well, boring, some others are super exciting. Find the full NFL Week 9 schedule here. So, what are some NFL predictions for the biggest games?
Two games stand above the rest this weekend: the Seattle Seahawks at the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys at the Philadelphia Eagles. These are four of the strongest teams in the league right now. These games simply matter. Dude, these games are going to be tight, too. Here are my thoughts.
Seattle Seahawks (5-2) at Baltimore Ravens (6-2)
This game pits two division leaders against each other, and both are winning a lot right now. Despite some mistakes and turnovers, the Seattle Seahawks have managed to score consecutive victories. They’ve shut out some good teams, too, like the Detroit Lions. But, the Baltimore Ravens have been winning, winning and winning lately. Their quarterback, Lamar Jackson, is in top form. The Ravens have scored an average of 31 points per game during their three-game winning streak.
I think the timing of this game could play into the results. When it comes to early afternoon games, the Seahawks have had mixed results, going 1-1 against the spread. As mentioned before, they won over the Detroit Lions in Week 2 but fell short of covering the spread in their Week 6 clash with the Cincinnati Bengals.
I really don’t know what to think about this game. I see both teams having a pretty even shot to win. Not that it impacts my choice, but I’m a Seahawks fan. They’re not my No. 1 team, but one of my backups. It’s because I’m such a fan of Seattle grunge and the Seattle music scene from the 1990s. But, I regress. The Seahawks defense has shown significant improvement compared to last year, and that gives me some confidence in the team.
Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III (go Sparty!) and Zach Charbonnet are fantastic players and should be able to find some space against a Baltimore defense that’s somehow allowing 4.1 yards per carry. But, Geno Smith hasn’t been playing like he did in 2022. With six turnovers in his last three games, it’s tough to have confidence in him against the Ravens’ pass defense. That’s why I’m leaning to the Ravens, but just by 3.
Final prediction: Ravens by 3.
Dallas Cowboys (5-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-1)
The Week 9 NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys is set to be a crazy showdown. Okay, maybe not “crazy.” But a good game. Both teams are vying for the top spot in the NFC, adding an piece of importance to this matchup. It’s safe to say that we can expect a fiercely competitive battle on the field.
Let’s look at past games. When it comes to facing the Cowboys, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has had some success and some rough spots. He currently holds a 1-2 career record against them, but he did manage to secure a victory in their last encounter during Week 6 of last year. Unfortunately, the Eagles haven’t had the best track record against Dallas recently. They have lost four out of their last five games against them as a team.
This game is a tough one to call. Really tough. While the Eagles may have the edge on paper, Dallas has shown they can surprise on the road. However, Jalen Hurts’ injury and the Eagles’ weak pass defense could be a factor. It’s worth noting that there isn’t a clear dominant team in either conference this year, so a win for the Cowboys could shake things up. That said, I’m going with the Cowboys. I think they have something to prove, more than the Eagles. They’re going to be extra motivated going into this game.
Final prediction: Cowboys by 3.