As we head to Week 9, the NFL landscape is becoming clear: It's everyone chasing the New England Patriots. As Tom Brady continued his assault on the league's secondaries with another 315 yards and four scores in a big win over the Buffalo Bills last week, the next tier of teams--Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos--each won but struggled a bit against division opponents at home, while other top contenders--Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings--suffered ugly losses to sub-.500 teams. Things can change quickly in this league, but there is little debate about the top of the NFL hierarchy at this point. Of course, that doesn't make things any less interesting heading into Week 9, which features a number of important division matchups, headlined by the Broncos vs. Raiders on Sunday night. You can click here for the full list of odds and lines for the week, or you can click through the gallery for my favorite picks against the spread. (Getty)
Baltimore Ravens
Opponent: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Line: BAL (-2.5)
The popular bet here will be the Steelers getting points, especially with Ben Roethlisberger (knee) looking like a good bet to be under center. But consider this: With Big Ben at QB, the Steelers haven't won in Baltimore since 2010, losing by an average of 13.25 points. In his last four games there, he has completed 61.5 percent of his throws for 243.5 yards per game, 6.2 yards per attempt and a 3:6 TD:INT ratio, and with the Ravens sixth in the NFL in yards per play allowed and sixth in Football Outsiders' defensive efficiency rankings, things aren't likely to get much easier for Roethlisberger and Co. (Getty)
Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: at New York Giants
Line: PHI (+3)
Both teams are 4-3, but they are a very different 4-3. The Eagles have a point-differential of plus-62 and have lost each of their three games by a touchdown or less, while the G-Men have a point-differential of negative-8 and have scraped by with wins of one, three, four and seven points. While the Eagles are just 1-3 away from home, they are the better overall team and they're getting points. I think they win this one, but at the very least, they have the defense--No. 1 in Football Outsiders' rankings--to keep this projected low-scoring contest (over/under 43) close. (Getty)
San Diego Chargers
Opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans
Line: SD (-5)
The Chargers are 3-5, but their biggest margin of defeat has been eight points, which came at Denver--one of the most difficult places to play against one of the best teams in the NFL--last week. Even with all the key players they've lost to injuries, they are one of just two teams in the league (Green Bay being the other) to rank in the Top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, per Football Outsiders. Marcus Mariota is red-hot and the Titans have won three of their past four, but San Diego--outside of one ugly five-minute stretch against the Saints--has been excellent at home this year and should control this matchup. (Getty)
Dallas Cowboys
Opponent: at Cleveland Browns
Line: DAL (-7)
The NFL can be a weird place sometimes, but I'm still pretty confident betting on what has arguably been the second-best team in the league going up against a winless Browns squad. The 'Boys are 3-0 on the road this year with an average margin of victory of 8.3 points, and they should be able to continue that trend against the overmatched Browns. Sometimes it's that simple. (Getty)
New Orleans Saints
Opponent: at San Francisco 49ers
Line: NO (-3)
The Saints are a different team--in a bad way--on the road, and usually I like to stay away from them anytime they're away from the Superdome. Playing against San Francisco is an exception, though. The 'Niners have lost six in a row by an average margin of 17.17 points, they are last in the NFL in scoring defense and they're 24th in scoring offense. The Saints, meanwhile, fresh off a huge win over the Seahawks, have weapons all over the field on offense and are quietly playing a little better on defense. Even on the road, they should easily get the best of this matchup. (Getty)
NFL Week 9 Predictions: Best Picks Against the Spread