NFL Week 9 Picks & Predictions 2026: Game-by-Game Winners
NFL Week 9 picks 2026 cover all 15 games, from Jaguars at Ravens on Thursday night to Bills at Vikings on Monday. Every game gets a straight up winner, the injury news that matters and a short reason why.
The week opened Thursday with the Jaguars beating the Ravens 33 to 10, so our Week 9 picks start 1 and 0. Only the Steelers and Titans are on bye, and the Bengals and Falcons play at Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid on Sunday morning. Backup quarterbacks are everywhere: Carson Wentz starts for Minnesota with Kyler Murray out, Shedeur Sanders starts for Cleveland, Drew Lock for Seattle, Joe Milton III for Philadelphia and Gardner Minshew for Arizona.
The Bills, 49ers and Vikings lead the league at 6 and 1. We went 12 and 2 in Week 8, our best week of the season, and our record is 80 and 39 with one tie. Records and injury news below are current through Friday, November 6.
For every kickoff time and channel, see the NFL Week 9 schedule 2026. These are fan predictions for entertainment only.
In This Article10 sections · tap to jump
Thursday Night Football Result
Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens, 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video
Jacksonville improved to 6 and 2. Trevor Lawrence completed 16 of 26 passes for 242 yards and a 50 yard touchdown to Parker Washington, Bhayshul Tuten played through his ankle injury and scored on the opening drive, and Cam Little kicked four field goals. The Jaguars have scored 30 or more points in three straight games.
Baltimore fell to 4 and 5 with its fourth straight loss. Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano, making his first start with Lamar Jackson on injured reserve and Tyler Huntley out for the season, went 10 of 18 for 60 yards with two interceptions. Justice Hill had a 65 yard touchdown run. The Ravens completed a trade for Jacoby Brissett on Friday, and he is expected to start in Week 10.
Pick: Jaguars
Final: Jaguars 33, Ravens 10. Our pick was correct.
Sunday, November 8: Madrid Game Pick (9:30 a.m. ET)
Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons, 9:30 a.m. ET on NFL Network, Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
Cincinnati is 5 and 2 after a 43 to 36 overtime win over Tennessee. Joe Burrow went 38 of 48 for 462 yards and five touchdowns, with three interceptions, and ran in the winning score. Tee Higgins had 155 yards and two touchdowns, and Ja’Marr Chase had 141 yards and a score.
Atlanta is 3 and 5 and the designated home team in Spain. The Falcons were shut out 16 to 0 in Tampa Bay, where Michael Penix Jr. completed 8 of 24 passes for 125 yards and four interceptions. Penix remains the starter. Burrow and his receivers are too much for this defense right now.
Pick: Bengals
Sunday, November 8: Early Game Picks (1:00 p.m. ET)
Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints (CBS)
Cleveland is 5 and 3 after a 27 to 6 loss in Pittsburgh, where Deshaun Watson was sacked eight times. Watson is still in the concussion protocol and is listed as questionable, and coach Todd Monken named Shedeur Sanders the starter on Friday.
New Orleans is 2 and 5 and comes off its bye. Tyler Shough threw for 278 yards in the 16 to 10 loss to Pittsburgh in Paris before the break. This is our upset pick: a rested Saints team at the Superdome against a Browns offense starting its backup quarterback.
Pick: Saints
Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers (CBS)
Denver is 6 and 2 and leads the AFC West after a 28 to 24 win over Kansas City. Bo Nix threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns for his 15th career game winning drive, and Malcolm Roach sacked Patrick Mahomes on fourth and goal on the final play.
Carolina is 3 and 4 after a 27 to 19 loss in Green Bay, where Bryce Young was sacked six times. Young is practicing fully. The Broncos pass rush should control this one.
Pick: Broncos
New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs (CBS)
The Jets are 2 and 6 after a 38 to 33 loss to Las Vegas. Geno Smith threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns and Braelon Allen ran for 147 yards, but Garrett Wilson has been ruled out with a concussion. Breece Hall expects to play.
Kansas City is 5 and 2 after a 28 to 24 loss in Denver. Patrick Mahomes threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns in that game, and he is practicing fully. Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice practiced fully on Thursday and are expected to play. The Chiefs bounce back at Arrowhead.
Pick: Chiefs
Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins (CBS)
Detroit is 5 and 2 after handing Minnesota its first loss, 19 to 15. Jared Goff threw the go ahead touchdown to Jameson Williams, and Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 153 yards. Linebacker Jack Campbell (neck) has not practiced, though Dan Campbell says he continues to improve, and Amon-Ra St. Brown (rib) has been limited. Brian Branch practiced fully and is expected to play.
Miami is 1 and 6 after a 24 to 19 loss to New England. Malik Willis threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns but was sacked five times. The Lions offense should have enough even with injuries on defense.
Pick: Lions
Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts (FOX)
Dallas is 3 and 5 after a 33 to 30 overtime loss to Arizona. Dak Prescott threw a touchdown and ran for another. Tight end Jake Ferguson (ankle) missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, safety Caleb Downs (concussion) was limited Thursday and George Pickens (hamstring) is limited but expected to play.
Indianapolis is 2 and 6 after a 42 to 7 loss in Jacksonville. Daniel Jones threw for 144 yards and two interceptions, and the Colts traded DeForest Buckner and Quenton Nelson last week. Shane Steichen is sticking with Jones. Prescott gives Dallas the edge.
Pick: Cowboys
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (FOX)
The Giants are 4 and 2 and 1 and lead the NFC East coming off their bye. J.J. McCarthy threw for 252 yards in his first start, an overtime win in Houston.
Philadelphia is 2 and 6 and has lost six straight after a 27 to 10 loss in Washington. Tanner McKee has been benched, and Joe Milton III makes the start. Saquon Barkley (hamstring and back) was limited Thursday, and DeVonta Smith (hamstring) has not practiced. The rested Giants are the pick.
Pick: Giants
Los Angeles Rams at Washington Commanders (FOX)
The Rams are 4 and 4 after a 24 to 9 win over the Chargers. Matthew Stafford threw a touchdown to Puka Nacua, who caught 11 passes. Cornerback Jaylen Watson needs season ending shoulder surgery.
Washington is 2 and 4 and 1 after a 27 to 10 win over Philadelphia on Sunday night. Jayden Daniels threw a touchdown to Stefon Diggs and rookie Drew Stevens kicked four field goals, but defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw is out for the season and Daron Payne is on injured reserve. Stafford and the Rams get a slight edge on the road.
Pick: Rams
Sunday, November 8: Late Game Picks (4:05 and 4:25 p.m. ET)
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)
Houston is 2 and 5 and comes off its bye. C.J. Stroud threw two touchdowns in the overtime loss to the Giants before the break, and Marvin Harrison Jr. is settling in.
The Chargers are 0 and 7, the only winless team in the league, after a 24 to 9 loss to the Rams. Justin Herbert threw two more interceptions. Until the Chargers win, we keep picking against them.
Pick: Texans
Las Vegas Raiders at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
Las Vegas is 4 and 4 after a 38 to 33 win over the Jets that snapped a four game skid. Kirk Cousins threw three touchdowns and ran for another, Brock Bowers scored twice and Dylan Laube returned a kickoff 95 yards.
San Francisco is 6 and 1 and comes off its bye. General manager John Lynch said Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel are likely out, and Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) was limited Thursday. Nick Bosa is practicing on a limited basis, and the 49ers traded for DeForest Buckner. Rest and home field favor the 49ers.
Pick: 49ers
Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
Green Bay is 5 and 3 after a 27 to 19 win over Carolina. Jordan Love threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns, and Christian Watson had 113 receiving yards while playing with a broken rib. Micah Parsons has returned to practice but is not expected to play yet.
New England is 5 and 3 after a 24 to 19 comeback in Miami. Drake Maye went 16 of 20 for 199 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a score. A.J. Brown and TreVeyon Henderson are out, and Hunter Henry (foot) is questionable. With so many Patriots weapons missing, the Packers take the closest call of the week.
Pick: Packers
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
Arizona is 3 and 5 after a 33 to 30 overtime win in Dallas. Gardner Minshew replaced Jacoby Brissett and threw three touchdowns, and he is now the starter. Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love is on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain.
Seattle is 4 and 4 after a 34 to 17 loss to Chicago on Monday night. Sam Darnold (quad) is out, so Drew Lock starts despite a sore elbow, and the Seahawks traded for guard Quenton Nelson. Lumen Field and a better defense give Seattle the edge even with the backup.
Pick: Seahawks
Sunday Night Football Pick
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock
Tampa Bay is 3 and 5 after a 16 to 0 win over Atlanta in which Baker Mayfield went 0 for 3 passing. Bucky Irving ran for 170 yards and Kenneth Gainwell for 140 as the Bucs rushed for more than 300 yards. Emeka Egbuka (foot) practiced fully Thursday and is a game time decision.
Chicago is 6 and 2 after a 34 to 17 win in Seattle. Caleb Williams threw for 247 yards with no turnovers, D’Andre Swift scored three times and Jeffery Simmons had a sack in his Bears debut. Left tackle Braxton Jones is out for the season. Williams at home is the pick.
Pick: Bears
Monday Night Football Pick
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC
Buffalo is 6 and 1 after a 36 to 10 win over Baltimore. Josh Allen threw two touchdowns, ran for another and passed Jim Kelly for the most touchdown passes in Bills history, counting playoffs. DJ Moore and Dalton Kincaid both scored.
Minnesota is 6 and 1 after its first loss, 19 to 15 in Detroit. Kyler Murray played through a hamstring injury in that game, but he has been ruled out and is week to week, so Carson Wentz starts. Minnesota is 2 and 0 in Wentz starts this season. Allen against a backup is the edge in this matchup of 6 and 1 teams.
Pick: Bills
NFL Week 9 Picks 2026: Quick Recap Table
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV | Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | Jaguars (5-2) at Ravens (4-4) | 8:15 PM | Prime Video | Jaguars (won 33-10) |
| Sun, Nov 8 | Bengals (5-2) at Falcons (3-5), Madrid | 9:30 AM | NFL Network | Bengals |
| Sun, Nov 8 | Browns (5-3) at Saints (2-5) | 1:00 PM | CBS | Saints |
| Sun, Nov 8 | Broncos (6-2) at Panthers (3-4) | 1:00 PM | CBS | Broncos |
| Sun, Nov 8 | Jets (2-6) at Chiefs (5-2) | 1:00 PM | CBS | Chiefs |
| Sun, Nov 8 | Lions (5-2) at Dolphins (1-6) | 1:00 PM | CBS | Lions |
| Sun, Nov 8 | Cowboys (3-5) at Colts (2-6) | 1:00 PM | FOX | Cowboys |
| Sun, Nov 8 | Giants (4-2-1) at Eagles (2-6) | 1:00 PM | FOX | Giants |
| Sun, Nov 8 | Rams (4-4) at Commanders (2-4-1) | 1:00 PM | FOX | Rams |
| Sun, Nov 8 | Texans (2-5) at Chargers (0-7) | 4:05 PM | CBS | Texans |
| Sun, Nov 8 | Raiders (4-4) at 49ers (6-1) | 4:25 PM | FOX | 49ers |
| Sun, Nov 8 | Packers (5-3) at Patriots (5-3) | 4:25 PM | FOX | Packers |
| Sun, Nov 8 | Cardinals (3-5) at Seahawks (4-4) | 4:25 PM | FOX | Seahawks |
| Sun, Nov 8 | Buccaneers (3-5) at Bears (6-2), SNF | 8:20 PM | NBC | Bears |
| Mon, Nov 9 | Bills (6-1) at Vikings (6-1), MNF | 8:15 PM | ESPN, ABC | Bills |
Home teams: 5. Road teams: 10. Upset: Saints over Browns. Strongest calls: Bengals over Falcons, Lions over Dolphins and Texans over Chargers. Closest calls: Packers at Patriots, Rams at Commanders and Bills at Vikings. Bye: Steelers and Titans. Week 9 so far: 1 and 0.
Week 9 has 15 games because only the Steelers and Titans are on bye. See where every team stands in our NFL power rankings, check all 32 dates in the NFL bye weeks guide and find channels for Monday Night Football.
How Our Week 8 Picks Did
We went 12 and 2 in Week 8. Correct: Packers, Lions, Bills, Steelers, Bengals, Jaguars, Buccaneers, Rams, Broncos, Patriots, Commanders and Bears. Wrong: Cowboys and Jets. Our Lions upset pick hit with a 19 to 15 win that ended Minnesota’s unbeaten start, and Broncos over Chiefs came down to a fourth and goal stop on the final play. Our season record is 80 and 39 with one tie. For a full game by game review, read what we learned from Week 8 on NFL.com.
Week 9 Injury Watch: Statuses That Shape the Picks
- Quarterbacks: Kyler Murray (MIN, hamstring) is out and Carson Wentz starts Monday. Shedeur Sanders starts for Cleveland with Deshaun Watson (concussion) questionable. Sam Darnold (SEA, quad) is out and Drew Lock starts. Joe Milton III starts for Philadelphia, and Gardner Minshew is Arizona’s starter.
- Out: Garrett Wilson (NYJ), A.J. Brown and TreVeyon Henderson (NE), David Montgomery (HOU), Zachariah Branch and Brian Robinson Jr. (ATL), Kyle Dugger (CIN). Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel (SF) are likely out.
- Questionable or uncertain: Christian McCaffrey and Nick Bosa (SF), Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith (PHI), Jack Campbell and Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET), Hunter Henry (NE), Jake Ferguson, Caleb Downs and George Pickens (DAL), Emeka Egbuka (TB, game time decision).
- Out for the season or on injured reserve: Lamar Jackson (BAL, thumb), Jalen Hurts (PHI), Tyler Huntley (BAL), Braxton Jones (CHI), Javon Kinlaw and Daron Payne (WAS), Jaylen Watson (LAR), Jeremiyah Love (ARI), Jaxson Dart (NYG).
- Trades: Baltimore completed its trade for Jacoby Brissett on Friday, and DeForest Buckner (to SF), Quenton Nelson (to SEA) and Jeffery Simmons (to CHI) are in new homes. The trade deadline is Tuesday, November 10 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Teams file final reports for Sunday games on Friday afternoon, and the Bills and Vikings file Saturday for Monday night. Check the NFL.com Week 9 injury report before you lock your picks.
FAQs About NFL Week 9 Picks 2026
What are the NFL Week 9 picks for 2026?
Our winners are the Jaguars, Bengals, Saints, Broncos, Chiefs, Lions, Cowboys, Giants, Rams, Texans, 49ers, Packers, Seahawks, Bears and Bills.
What is the upset pick for NFL Week 9?
Saints over Browns. New Orleans is rested after its bye, while Cleveland starts Shedeur Sanders with Deshaun Watson in the concussion protocol.
How many games are in NFL Week 9 2026?
Fifteen. Only the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans are on bye.
When does NFL Week 9 start and end in 2026?
Week 9 starts Thursday, November 5 with Jaguars at Ravens at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video and ends Monday, November 9 with Bills at Vikings at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC.
What time is the Week 9 Madrid game?
Bengals at Falcons kicks off at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, November 8 at Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, on NFL Network. Atlanta is the designated home team.
Who won Thursday Night Football in Week 9?
The Jaguars beat the Ravens 33 to 10 in Baltimore. Trevor Lawrence threw for 242 yards and a touchdown, and Ravens rookie Joe Fagnano threw two interceptions in his first start.
Is Kyler Murray playing Monday against the Bills?
No. Murray has been ruled out with a hamstring injury and is week to week, so Carson Wentz starts for Minnesota.
What is our NFL picks record in 2026?
We went 12 and 2 in Week 8, and our season record is 80 and 39 with one tie. Week 9 started 1 and 0 with the Jaguars win.
NFL Week 9 picks 2026 are all about backup quarterbacks. The Bengals, Lions and Texans are our strongest calls, Saints over Browns is the upset, and Bills at Vikings on Monday night is the game of the week. Check Deshaun Watson, Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley on the final injury reports before you lock in your sheet.
Catch up on our Week 8 picks and Week 7 picks. We add each Week 9 result here as games finish.
