Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season brings 13 exciting games from Thursday through Monday night. The Indianapolis Colts lead the NFL with a 7-1 record while the Green Bay Packers hold the top spot in the NFC at 5-1-1.
Four teams enjoy their bye week. The Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all get a rest during Week 9.
Week 9 Quick Picks Recap
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | Predicted Winner | Predicted Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 30 | Ravens at Dolphins | 8:15 PM | Ravens | 30-23 |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Bears at Bengals | 1:00 PM | Bengals | 27-23 |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Vikings at Lions | 1:00 PM | Lions | 31-17 |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Panthers at Packers | 1:00 PM | Packers | 28-14 |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Broncos at Texans | 1:00 PM | Texans | 23-20 |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Falcons at Patriots | 1:00 PM | Patriots | 24-21 |
| Sun, Nov 2 | 49ers at Giants | 1:00 PM | 49ers | 27-20 |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Colts at Steelers | 1:00 PM | Colts | 30-20 |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Chargers at Titans | 1:00 PM | Chargers | 33-13 |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Saints at Rams | 4:05 PM | Rams | 31-10 |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Jaguars at Raiders | 4:05 PM | Jaguars | 24-16 |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Chiefs at Bills | 4:25 PM | Chiefs | 27-24 |
| Sun, Nov 2 | Seahawks at Commanders | 8:20 PM | Seahawks | 24-20 |
| Mon, Nov 3 | Cardinals at Cowboys | 8:15 PM | Cowboys | 37-24 |
We also made a Free Printable NFL Week 9 Pick’em Sheet for you. Hope you enjoy it.
Week 9 Storylines to Watch
The Colts continue to shock the NFL world with their 7-1 start. Daniel Jones has completely revived his career in Indianapolis. Jonathan Taylor is playing at an MVP level with 11 touchdowns through seven games. The Colts face a tough test at Pittsburgh this week.
Lamar Jackson returns from his hamstring injury for Thursday Night Football. The Ravens desperately need their star quarterback back. Baltimore sits at just 2-5 and cannot afford another loss. Jackson’s health will determine if the Ravens can salvage their season.
The Patriots have won five straight games under rookie Drake Maye. New England looked dead in the water early in the season. Now they are legitimate playoff contenders in the AFC. The Patriots host Atlanta as they try to extend their winning streak to six games.
The Chiefs visit Buffalo in a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game. This matchup could preview the playoffs again. Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen always deliver in these big moments. The winner gains major momentum heading into the second half of the season.
Thursday Night Football – October 30
Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins
Kickoff: 8:15 PM ET on Prime Video – Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
The Ravens hope to get Lamar Jackson back from his hamstring injury. Baltimore won in Week 8 without their star quarterback but struggled on offense. Miami shocked everyone with a blowout win over Atlanta in their previous game.
Baltimore runs the ball extremely well. Miami allows 5 yards per carry and gives up over 140 rushing yards per game. The Ravens defense can shut down the passing game. Tua Tagovailoa will struggle to find his top targets against this secondary.
Jackson makes all the difference for this team. Baltimore has too much firepower for Miami on both sides of the ball.
Pick: Ravens 30, Dolphins 23
Sunday Early Games – November 2
Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET on CBS – Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Both teams need this win badly. The Bengals fell to 3-5 after blowing a huge lead to the Jets. Joe Flacco has played great football in his three starts this season with at least 22.8 fantasy points in each game.
Cincinnati’s defense remains a huge problem. They gave up 39 points in their last game. The Bengals must protect their home field to stay in the playoff race. Flacco outplays the Bears’ offense in a shootout.
Pick: Bengals 27, Bears 23
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET on FOX – Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
The Lions sit at 5-2 while the Vikings dropped to 3-4 in the NFC North. Detroit enjoyed a bye week to prepare. Minnesota comes in after getting blown out on Thursday Night Football by the Chargers.
The Vikings defense has been terrible lately. They allowed nearly 354 total yards and 26.5 points per game over their last four contests. Jared Goff always performs well against Minnesota. Detroit covers easily at home.
Pick: Lions 31, Vikings 17
Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET on FOX – Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
The Panthers run the ball well but face a huge challenge this week. Green Bay allows just 76.5 rushing yards per game and only 3.7 yards per carry. The Packers rank third in the NFL in run defense.
Green Bay sits atop the NFC standings. Jordan Love and this offense should roll at home. Carolina has improved but cannot keep up with one of the best teams in football.
Pick: Packers 28, Panthers 14
Denver Broncos at Houston Texans
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET on FOX – Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
This game features two elite defenses. The Broncos and Texans both have top scoring defenses in the NFL. Both teams create havoc in the backfield with their defensive lines. Points will be hard to come by.
Denver has the better offensive line and run game. Those two factors usually decide close games. The Texans are 2-1 at home this season though. C.J. Stroud has played better football lately. Houston ends Denver’s five-game winning streak in a thriller.
Pick: Texans 23, Broncos 20
Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET on CBS – Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
The Patriots have won five straight games. New England looks like a team capable of winning 11 games this season. Rookie Drake Maye has fans chanting MVP at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots defense has improved greatly. Drake Maye keeps making big plays in crucial moments. New England extends their winning streak to six games at home.
Pick: Patriots 24, Falcons 21
San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET on CBS – Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
The Giants suffered a devastating loss in Week 8. Rookie running back Cam Skattebo went down with a dislocated ankle. He had surgery and will miss the rest of the season. This is a crushing blow for New York.
The 49ers need to bounce back from their loss to Houston. San Francisco has too much talent to struggle against this depleted Giants team. The Niners win on the road.
Pick: 49ers 27, Giants 20
Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET on CBS – Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
The Colts own the best record in football at 7-1. Jonathan Taylor is playing like an MVP candidate. Indianapolis averages 33.1 points per game which leads the entire league. Daniel Jones has breathed new life into this franchise.
Pittsburgh dropped to 4-3 after getting dominated by the Packers on Sunday Night Football. The Steelers defense had no answers for Jordan Love. Now they face an even more dangerous offense. The Colts keep rolling in Pittsburgh.
Pick: Colts 30, Steelers 20
Los Angeles Chargers at Tennessee Titans
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET on CBS – Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
The Titans are the worst team in football at 1-7. Tennessee is 0-3 at home this season. They have been outscored by 120 points total. The Chargers come in rested after their Thursday night win over Minnesota.
Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense should dominate. Tennessee has no answers on defense. This game could get ugly fast. Los Angeles wins big on the road.
Pick: Chargers 33, Titans 13
Sunday Late Games – November 2
New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams
Kickoff: 4:05 PM ET on FOX – Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
The Rams had a bye week after winning two straight games. Matthew Stafford threw five touchdown passes in their last game despite missing Puka Nacua. The star receiver returns for this Week 9 matchup.
The Saints are 1-7 after another blowout loss. Spencer Rattler got benched against Tampa Bay. New Orleans has lost three straight games. This game gets out of hand early in Los Angeles.
Pick: Rams 31, Saints 10
Jacksonville Jaguars at Las Vegas Raiders
Kickoff: 4:05 PM ET on FOX – Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
The Raiders struggle to protect their quarterback. Las Vegas has one of the worst pass blocking units in football. Jacksonville needed this matchup after losing two straight games. Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne should have big days.
The Raiders have scored only 103 points in seven games this season. Geno Smith has regressed back to his Jets form. Brock Bowers is dealing with a serious knee injury. Jacksonville gets back on track in Vegas.
Pick: Jaguars 24, Raiders 16
Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills
Kickoff: 4:25 PM ET on CBS – Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
This is the marquee matchup of Week 9. The Chiefs and Bills played in last year’s AFC Championship Game. Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen meet again in what could be a playoff preview.
Buffalo bounced back strong after losing two straight. The Bills destroyed Carolina 40-9 at home. James Cook ran for 216 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Allen accounted for three scores total.
The Chiefs have dominated this rivalry in recent playoff matchups. Kansas City knows how to win these big games. Patrick Mahomes thrives under pressure. The Chiefs win another thriller in Buffalo.
Pick: Chiefs 27, Bills 24
Sunday Night Football – November 2
Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders
Kickoff: 8:20 PM ET on NBC – Location: Northwest Stadium, Landover, MD
Seattle ranks as the top team in the NFL by DVOA metrics. Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the league with 819 receiving yards in just seven games. The Seahawks enjoyed a bye week to prepare for this game.
Washington played on Monday Night Football in Week 8. The short week puts them at a disadvantage. Seattle has too much offensive firepower. Sam Darnold leads the Seahawks to their third straight win.
Pick: Seahawks 24, Commanders 20
Monday Night Football – November 3
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys
Kickoff: 8:15 PM ET on ESPN/ABC – Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
The Cardinals have lost five straight games. Kyler Murray is dealing with a foot injury. Arizona has struggled to find any consistency on either side of the ball.
Dallas got embarrassed 44-24 by Denver at home. The Cowboys are 2-0-1 at home this season though. They have scored at least 40 points in every home game. Dak Prescott bounces back in a big way. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens both have huge games. Dallas wins big on Monday night.
Pick: Cowboys 37, Cardinals 24
Game Analysis and Key Matchups
The Chiefs versus Bills game is the must-watch matchup of the week. Both teams are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. The winner gains a major advantage in AFC playoff seeding. These two quarterbacks always deliver in primetime spots.
The Colts face their toughest test yet in Pittsburgh. Indianapolis has dominated weaker opponents all season. The Steelers defense will provide a real challenge. This game shows if the Colts are truly elite or just beating bad teams.
The Lions host the Vikings in a crucial NFC North showdown. Detroit can put Minnesota in a deep hole with a win. The Lions are 5-2 and playing their best football. This is a statement game for Detroit at home.
The Patriots keep winning with Drake Maye at quarterback. New England hosts Atlanta in a very winnable game. The Patriots could be 6-2 at the halfway point. Nobody saw this coming after their slow start.
Final Thoughts
Week 9 marks the halfway point for most NFL teams. The playoff picture starts taking real shape now. Teams below .500 are running out of chances to turn things around.
The Colts look like legitimate championship contenders. The Patriots have turned their season around completely. The Chiefs and Bills rivalry continues to deliver classic games.
Injuries pile up as the season grinds on. Depth becomes crucial at this stage. The best teams separate themselves from the rest of the pack.
Enjoy Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season!
