It took weeks for the NFL to settle down a bit.
If in previous weeks, upsets were the norm, they weren’t last week, and they were even less so this time around. All the likely suspects — Philadelphia, New England, Kansas City, Minnesota, and Seattle — won as expected. A few had a more difficult time than others, including the Seahawks, who squeaked out a 41-38 win over the Texans.
Bing predicts called 12 of 15 games correctly in Week 7 and 12 of 13 games in week 8. Impressive. The only miss for week 8 was the Buffalo Bills vs. Oakland Raiders matchup. The Bills topped the favored Raiders.
While no team remains undefeated, the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers are still winless. Both are 0-8.
For Week 9, look for a few more tightly contested games.
The Chiefs (6-2) at Dallas (4-3) should be a close one. The two teams haven’t met since 2013. Kansas City looked unbeatable a few weeks ago but came back to Earth. The Cowboys are on a two-game win streak but have had trouble winning at home where they are 1-2. They’ve also may have finally lost Ezekiel Elliott to a six-game suspension.
The Falcons (4-3) at Panthers (5-3) should be another tight game. The Panthers defense has been fierce not allowing a touchdown for two games. The Falcons have struggled, losing three of their last four.
It’s still the unpredictable NFL, so we’ll see.
Bing’s NFL predictions use team and player statistics and web activity to build a statistical model that takes into account historical data and real-time information (like injuries, suspensions, and lineup changes). Finally, social sentiment adds a unique wisdom-of-the-crowd factor to the model. Learn more about Bing Predicts.
Click here to see Bing predictions for the NFL week 9.
Click here to see all Bing weekly NFL predictions.
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets
> Bing Predicts winner: Buffalo (64%)
> Kickoff time: 8:25 PM EDT (Thursday)
> Game spread: Buffalo -3.5
> Matchup history:Bills lead 61-53-0
Buffalo has found success putting the ball in the hands of running back LeSean McCoy. He is one big reason the Bills (5-2) are favored in this AFC East matchup. McCoy has run for 521 yards and three touchdowns, while also making 38 catches for 242 yards this season. In Sunday’s win over the Raiders he finished with 173 all-purpose yards.
So all the Jets (3-5) have to do is stop him. Good luck with that. The Buffalo offense picked up more help by trading for wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who had been with Carolina. One more thing — the Bills are tied with Baltimore for the NFL lead in takeaways with 17, so the reeling Jets, who have lost three straight, better keep their mitts on the ball. A loss here and the Jets could kiss the season goodbye.
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Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans
> Bing Predicts winner: Tennessee (63%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Tennessee -5.5
> Matchup history: Ravens lead 11-10-0
Coming off their bye week, the Titans (4-3) have the edge over the up-and-down Ravens (4-4), who throttled the Dolphins 40-0 last Thursday night. Expect to see a rejuvenated Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota who had been struggling with a hamstring for weeks. The rest may have been just what Mariota needed. The offense, which has been outscored 37-19 in the first quarters this season, struggles in the red zone (ranked 31st in NFL) and on third-down conversions.
The good news for the Ravens is that quarterback Joe Flacco has zero concussion symptoms, according to coach John Harbaugh, who expects him to play Sunday. If he can’t go, Ryan Mallett, who was grabbed by the throat by Miami’s Ndamukong Suh on Thursday, can step in. Uncertainty at quarterback is reflected in Baltimore’s league-worst ranking in passing yards per game at 152.9. Running back Alex Collins is coming off his best game, with 113 rushing yards. The Ravens defense is riding high after shutting down Miami, but can it be enough against the rested Titans?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints
> Bing Predicts winner: New Orleans (67%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: New Orleans -7
> Matchup history: Saints lead 31-19-0
Two high-octane offenses should make this matchup fun to watch, but the Saints (5-2) are favored for a few reasons. Naturally, Drew Brees tops the list. The veteran quarterback has the New Orleans offense ranked second in the NFL in yards per game at 390.4, and the Saints have posted five straight wins. This is hardly a surprise with a gunslinger like Brees who has a pair of running backs in Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara to make his job easier. Rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore is coming up big for the defense. He pulled in his second interception in three games. Watch out for this Saints’ bunch.
The Bucs (2-5) seem to be headed south with four straight losses. Quarterback Jameis Winston threw a pair of interceptions and had no touchdown passes in the 17-3 loss to the Panthers on Sunday. The Bucs are keeping it close, losing the last four games by a total of 27 points, but we all know close doesn’t count. Word from Tampa is that fans are clamoring for Jon Gruden to be brought back as coach.
Los Angeles Rams at New York Giants
> Bing Predicts winner: Los Angeles (64%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Los Angeles -3.5
> Matchup history: Rams lead 26-17-0
Prognosticators like Bing love matchups with teams like the Giants (1-6) because they are easy to call — just pick against those teams. The favored Rams (5-2) were supposed to be rebuilding this season with fresh-faced, 31-year-old coach Sean McVay. Instead, they are in contention in the NFC West with the Seahawks. McVay has stuck with quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley, the latter of which has scampered for more than 100 yards in four of the last five games, and has five touchdowns.
For the Giants, it’s not just the down year by Eli Manning, who is completing 64.2% of his passes. It is a host of other issues as well, including two cornerbacks suspensions in the past three weeks. The Giants did stun the Broncos two weeks ago. And although the Giants have won six of their last nine home games, the Rams are undefeated on the road. It all adds up to a Rams win.
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Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles
> Bing Predicts winner: Philadelphia (74%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Philadelphia -7.5
> Matchup history: Eagles lead 7-5-0
With six straight wins, the Eagles (7-1) are the hottest NFL team. No question they are favored over the Broncos (3-4). Take a bow, Carson Wentz. The quarterback is tied with Deshaun Watson for the NFL lead with most touchdown passes (19). Wentz has been more efficient and has only five interceptions. He is third in passing yards with 2,063. Running back LeGarrette Blount has not put up gaudy numbers, but he is steady.
The Broncos are coming off three straight losses, including to the Chiefs on Monday night. Quarterback Trevor Siemian is not improving, with six interceptions and just two touchdowns in the last three games. Paging John Elway — even at age 57, he couldn’t be worse. Could he? Coach Vance Joseph has hinted at a quarterback change for Sunday. Poor Broncos — not only are they looking at a possible fourth straight loss, but they will be in Philadelphia where the fans love their Eagles and make it miserable for any opponent.
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
> Bing Predicts winner: Carolina (55%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Carolina -1
> Matchup history: Falcons lead 27-17-0
Carolina’s defense could be the key here, which is why the Panthers are the favorite in this big NFC South matchup. They were merciless in a 17-3 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday, forcing three turnovers, making three sacks, and not allowing a touchdown for the second straight game. Defensive end Julius Peppers may be 37, but he’s playing like he’s 27.
The Panthers (5-3) will pose plenty of issues for the Falcons, who have the NFL’s fifth-ranked offense (averaging 374.4 yards per game) with quarterback Matt Ryan leading the way. Running back Tevin Coleman was good for 104 all-purpose yards (82 rushing) in the win over the Jets. The hot-and-cold Falcons (4-3) need to fire up if they want a return trip to the playoffs, but they will have a tough time in Carolina.
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Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars
> Bing Predicts winner: Jacksonville (61%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Jacksonville -3.5
> Matchup history: Jaguars lead 11-9-0
This matchup could be a close one, but the Jaguars get the nod because they are the home team and have a better record (4-3). Quarterback Blake Bortles is coming off his best game (330 passing yards and one touchdown pass). But it was the defense that came up huge in the 27-0 shutout at Indianapolis in their last game, sacking Jacoby Brissett 10 times, along with 20 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles. Bengals, beware.
Cincinnati’s defense has improved, with defensive end Carlos Dunlap a standout in the 24-23 win over Indianapolis. He returned an interception for a touchdown and had one of the 10 sacks. After four interceptions in the previous two games, quarterback Andy Dalton didn’t turn the ball over and threw two touchdown passes. Rookie running back Joe Mixon chipped in with 109 yards (91 receiving) for the Bengals (3-4).
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
> Bing Predicts winner: Houston (68%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Houston -14
> Matchup history: Colts lead 23-7-0
His name is Deshaun Watson. The rookie quarterback gives the Texans (3-4) a chance to win every game, and this game should be no different. Houston is coming off a disappointing 41-38 loss to the Seahawks, but they were in the game throughout. Watson passed for a career-high 402 yards and was able to score 38 points on one of the league’s best defenses.
With the Colts (2-6), it’s still the same story. They miss quarterback Andrew Luck, who is coming off shoulder surgery. He is not even practicing yet and there is no guarantee he will return this season. Running back Frank Gore finished with 101 all-purpose yards (82 rushing) in the loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. That’s a good sign, but it’s not enough.
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
> Bing Predicts winner: Arizona (63%)
> Kickoff time: 4:05 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Pick ‘em
> Matchup history: 49ers lead 29-23-0
Will the 49ers (0-8) ever win a game? Maybe so, now that they’ve traded for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who came from the Patriots. As Tom Brady’s backup, he has learned plenty (from the best) and is itching to be a regular NFL starter. The door is open, and now he has to leap through it. He’s the 49ers’ best hope for putting a ‘W’ on the board this season. Still, it’s too soon for Garoppolo to get the start for the 49ers since the trade occurred on Monday night. So it won’t happen this week.
The Cardinals (3-4) are the favorite with backup quarterback Drew Stanton getting his first start since Carson Palmer went down with a broken arm. It’s a familiar foe for Stanton, who played against the 49ers in his only start in 2016. With the extra time in the bye week, the veteran Stanton should be prepared.
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Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks
> Bing Predicts winner: Seattle (70%)
> Kickoff time: 4:05 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Seattle -8
> Matchup history: Redskins lead 11-8
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks taught the young Houston Texans a lesson on Sunday with a 41-38 win. Now they’re the favorite over the Redskins (3-4), who have lost two straight. Wilson passed for a career-high 452 yards with four touchdown passes and one interception in Seattle’s fourth straight win. He did not receive any help from running backs Eddie Lacy and Thomas Rawls, who ran a dozen times for a total of minus one yard. The defense sacked Deshaun Watson five times and intercepted him three times.
The Redskins (3-4) have lost two straight, including Sunday’s 33-19 loss to the Cowboys in a rainstorm. Kirk Cousins passed for 263 yards with one touchdown against one interception. The Redskins seem to be sinking fast.
Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys
> Bing Predicts winner: Dallas (53%)
> Kickoff time: 4:25 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Pick ‘em
> Matchup history: Cowboys 6-4-0
Nothing like snapping a two-game losing streak to get the juices flowing. The Chiefs (6-2) did just that with a 29-19 win over the Broncos Monday night. They’ve got this one, too. Quarterback Alex Smith is back in the flow after two losses. Same with running back Kareem Hunt (who averages 95.4 rushing yards per game). In glitzy AT&T Stadium, the best Jerry Jones’ money could buy, the Cowboys are 1-2 this season. That’s pathetic, but good news for the Chiefs.
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott didn’t have his best game (14-22, 143 yards) in the win over the Redskins on Sunday in the driving rain, but, hey, a win is a win. Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott had 33 carries for 150 yards and two touchdowns. He will be missed for the next six games after a judge’s ruling on Monday night upheld his suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy related to domestic violence allegations by an ex-girlfriend. It’s a killer for the ‘Boys (4-3), who were barely able to keep their heads above water with him. Already this season he had rushed for 690 yards and six touchdowns, which ties him for the league’s lead in rushing touchdowns with Leonard Fournette.
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Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins
> Bing Predicts winner: Oakland (66%)
> Kickoff time: 8:30 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Oakland -2.5
> Matchup history: Raiders lead 19-17-1
The Raiders (3-5) have lost five of their last six yet are still favored in this matchup, maybe as a result of the Dolphins’ recent 0-40 debacle. In Oakland’s 34-14 loss to Buffalo, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr threw one touchdown pass and had two interceptions.
The Dolphins (4-3), though, have won three of their last four but are coming off a 40-0 shellacking by the Ravens (yes, the Ravens). Quarterback Matt Moore threw two pick-sixes and no touchdown passes (for his team). The Dolphins yielded three defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter to turn the game into a rout. On Monday, the Dolphins traded running back Jay Ajayi, who has been the workhorse in the run game (535 rushing yards), to the Eagles. Now Miami will depend on Damien Williams and Kenyan Drake, who together have 57 rushing yards this season.
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
> Bing Predicts winner: Detroit (60%)
> Kickoff time: 8:30 PM EDT (Monday)
> Game spread: even
> Matchup history: Packers lead 100-68-7
The Lions (3-4) accounted for 482 yards of offense and yet no touchdowns in Sunday’s 20-15 loss to the Steelers. Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 443 yards without a touchdown pass, the most passing yards in a game without a touchdown. That topped the mark of 441 yards set by Joe Montana for the San Francisco 49ers in 1986. Plenty of work to do in the red zone for Stafford and his bunch. Their run game continues to be an issue. Detroit’s defense had a few hiccups but overall is playing well and should give Packers quarterback Brett Hundley a few headaches. He’s no Aaron Rodgers, that’s for certain.
The Packers (4-3) are coming off a bye week and didn’t make any changes on the trade deadline. They’re sticking with Hundley. Green Bay does have a run game with Aaron Jones rushing for 131 yards in Week 7 in a loss to the Saints. Lambeau Field has always been a tough place for the Lions to play. The Packers have won the last three meetings with the Lions, but this game should be much easier for Detroit without having to face Rodgers.
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