It’s hard to have a halfway mark in a 17-game season but I suppose in between Weeks 8 and 9 is as close as we can get! So, at the halfway stage of the 2024 campaign, I have a picks record of 80-43 after going 11-5 last week. And the train keeps on rolling. Here are my selections for Week 9.
Houston Texans (6-2) at New York Jets (2-6)
Upset alert! I think the Jets – who have lost five in a row – have a serious chance to take down a Houston team that has won four of its last five. C.J. Stroud is feeling some serious pressure behind a less-than-stellar line and I think New York can get after him. The loss of Stefon Diggs also hurts.
Neil’s Pick… NY Jets
Dallas Cowboys (3-4) at Atlanta Falcons (5-3)
The outcome of this contest depends on which kind of Falcons team shows up. They are wildly inconsistent, but they do have the offensive firepower – through the air and on the ground to hurt Dallas. Yet something tells me this is a backs-to-the-wall game the Cowboys have to win.
Neil’s Pick… Dallas
Denver Broncos (5-3) at Baltimore Ravens (5-3)
The Broncos have put together a very nice first half of a season in which they were supposed to be rebuilding. But now comes a step up in class against a Ravens team that can no longer lean on an elite defense. They are very much powered by quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry.
Neil’s Pick… Baltimore
Miami Dolphins (2-5) at Buffalo Bills (6-2)
The Bills have quietly positioned themselves as one of the best Super Bowl contenders in the AFC and I don’t see how this Miami team – even with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback – rolls into Orchard Park and delivers an upset win. Buffalo are on course for a fifth straight AFC East title.
Neil’s Pick… Buffalo
New Orleans Saints (2-6) at Carolina Panthers (1-7)
The Panthers have made the correct decision to go back to Bryce Young at quarterback. Over the next nine games, they can find out if he has it or not and then act accordingly. The Saints welcome back Derek Carr at QB and while they are also really struggling, that should spark a victory here.
Neil’s Pick… New Orleans
Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-5)
The Bengals’ playoff chances are hanging by a thread and they must pick up their first home win of the season here in Week 9. I’m not sure where the Raiders turn at quarterback now because Gardner Minshew has been so erratic, and Desmond Ridder is their third option for a reason.
Neil’s Pick… Cincinnati
Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) at Cleveland Browns (2-6)
This would have been marked down as an easy Chargers win a couple of weeks ago, but the explosive (in a good and bad way) nature of Jameis Winston makes this hard to call. I think the Browns will keep their feel-good factor going for at least another week with a home win.
Neil’s Pick… Cleveland
Washington Commanders (6-2) at New York Giants (2-6)
Don’t be fooled by the records. This could be a close game. When these sides met in Week 2, the Commanders were restricted to seven field goals in a 21-18 win. I still expect Jayden Daniels to make enough plays to keep Washington on top of the NFC East, but I don’t think it will be easy.
Neil’s Pick… Washington
New England Patriots (2-6) at Tennessee Titans (1-6)
I wouldn’t expect to see a lot of scoring in this game and the outcome really only matters in terms of draft positioning in 2025. The Titans are favoured in this one, but New England had a real confidence-boosting win last week. Much will depend on Drake Maye being cleared at QB.
Neil’s Pick… New England
Chicago Bears (4-3) at Arizona Cardinals (4-4)
I was concerned by the downturn in form from Caleb Williams in Washington, especially after he had looked so good in London. That said, Chicago should have won that game in the end. Who knows what kind of Cardinals team will show up? I think the Bears can take this one on the road.
Neil’s Pick… Chicago
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)
Doug Pederson goes up against his old team with very little room for error as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. And that is bad news for the coach who won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in the 2017 season because his old team is finding some form as winners of three straight.
Neil’s Pick… Philadelphia
Detroit Lions (6-1) at Green Bay Packers (6-2)
Another week in the NFC North and another massive showdown. The Lions are rolling right now and will strut into Lambeau Field with the confidence of an elite team. Will Green Bay be led by Jordan Love or Malik Willis at QB? They have coped well when leaning on their backup passer.
Neil’s Pick… Detroit
Los Angeles Rams (3-4) at Seattle Seahawks (4-4)
We’re only about 10 days removed from chatter suggesting a Rams fire sale was coming ahead of the trade deadline. Now, they have a legitimate chance to take a wide-open NFC West; especially with Matthew Stafford once again slinging passes to the WR duo of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.
Neil’s Pick… LA Rams
Indianapolis Colts (4-4) at Minnesota Vikings (5-2)
Joe Flacco takes the reins of the Indianapolis attack and should bring some of Shane Steichen’s play-calling to life in a way that Anthony Richardson never could. But this is a tough task against Brian Flores’ defense on the road and the Colts remain inconsistent. Vikings to get back on track.
Neil’s Pick… Minnesota
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-0)
It’s harder going without Chris Godwin and Mike Evans at wide receiver, but Baker Mayfield keeps on attacking defenses; albeit with mixed success. The Chiefs possess one of the league’s best defenses and it is that side of the ball that will power Andy Reid’s squad to an 8-0 start to 2024.
Neil’s Pick… Kansas City