NFL Best Bets, Week 9: Patriots should take advantage of rebuilding Commanders

A late Jaxon Smith-Njigba touchdown saved our Week 8 picks from going 0-3.

The Kansas City Chiefs never looked comfortable in Denver, as it was announced that Patrick Mahomes had ‘flu-like’ symptoms just hours before the game, and the Chicago Bears were once again wholly outclassed when going up against a competent quarterback.

It is what it is. Let’s move on to the Week 9′ best bets.

Reminder: Lines taken from FanDuel Sportsbook.

FALCONS -4 vs Vikings

It’s hard to give the Falcons four points against anyone, but this is an exception.

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins was playing All-Pro level football before going down with an Achilles injury late in last week’s win against the Packers. The Vikings turned to rookie Jaren Hall, but the game was mostly in hand by that point.

Hall will be making his first full start on the road while missing his top offensive playmaker and working with a ground game that has yet to launch.

The Falcons suffered their own major injury with DL Grady Jarett and are dealing with QB issues of their too, but they still have their full complement of offensive skill players. Also, Taylor Heinicke has seen real action (including a playoff game), so the stage shouldn’t be an issue for him.

I think Arthur Smith plays a conservative game and wins the game comfortably.

PATRIOTS -3 vs Commanders

Washington traded two of their defensive leaders in Chase Young and Montez Sweat and will now travel to Foxborough for a matchup against the Patriots.

Don’t look now, but the Patriots have put together some continuity on offense, with Mac Jones having strung together decent games against the Bills and Dolphins.

The loss of Sweat and Young will give Jones extra time in the pocket, and I believe Bill Belichick will still be able to dial up some pressure on Sam Howell (the most sacked QB in the league).

PANTHERS +2.5 vs Colts

Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown seems to have unlocked something in rookie quarterback Bryce Young.

In his last game, Young posted a season-best 103.6 passer rating. The Panthers had been a tough out in weeks past before finally breaking through for their first win. They will now get an Indy defense that gave up yards in bunches to Derek Carr last week. Meanwhile, Colts QB Gardner Minshew has nine turnovers in his past three games.

The Frank Reich revenge game goes to the Panthers, who win this one outright.