2018 Week 9 NFL Picks

By the Football Garbage Time Staff

If you followed last year, you won over 60% of your picks, and we aim to do even better this year.

And if you’ve been following us, you know that we here at Football Garbage Time have gone head to head against Wally, Will and Ray at Urban Sports Scene on our NFL Picks for the last 3 seasons.  Why?  Because they’re awesome competitors, they KNOW their sports, and, heck, they’re just good guys!  But this year we’ll have their picks up right HERE each and every week, so keep it tuned in, to both us and them, because we’ll be picking all season all long.

Without further to do, here we go:

Week 9 Games

Ha Kung Wong’s Picks

Ha Kung’s Thoughts:

Last year I ended up with a 62% record for the season, so that’s three years in a row with over a 60% pick rate.  I had a near perfect Week 8, only missing 1 pick, getting me to a gaudy 81-38 (68.1%).  And I intend to keep you at 62%+, as well as keep you ahead of Ryan.

If you’re interested in hearing Wally, Ray, Ryan and I make our Week 9 picks live, as a well as discuss why we picked who we did, check out the 50 minute mark of this week’s Urban Sport Scene Podcast.  Trust me, you won’t regret it.

So far this season I’m 7 for 8 on Locks of the Week and 4 for 8 for Upsets of the Week.  Let’s see what I can do for you for Week 9…

Lock of the Week => Kansas City Chiefs (-10) over Cleveland Browns

With HC Hue Jackson and OC Todd Haley fired, leaving former running backs coach, Freddie Kitchens, calling the plays.  The system is said to remain the same, but there’s always growing pains when a offensive play caller changes, particularly where a rookie QB is involved.  Kansas City is 13th against the pass, which should be plenty to slow down Baker Mayfield and company.  Strangely, the Browns are actually 1st against the pass, but only 27th against the run.  I doubt that does much to stifle Patrick “Superman” Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, but Kareem Hunt should feast.  The Chiefs look unstoppable, and doubt that changes this week.  Lock in the Chiefs.

Upset of the Week => Pittsburgh Steelers (+2.5) over Baltimore Ravens

Sure the Ravens have the 6th best defense in the league, and the Steelers have the 22nd ranked defense. But the Ravens defense was torched by the Panthers to the tune of 36 points, and the offense looked dysfunctional last week versus the Panthers being driven by the inconsistent, and overpaid, Joe Flacco.  The Steelers have the 8th ranked offense in the league sporting the 4th most offensive yards game (418.1) and the 5th most points per game (29.1).  With the Steelers coming off a bye week and having plenty of time to prepare, I think Big Ben has a rare decent start away from Heinz Field, and James Conner continues to get his.

Joanne Kong’s Picks

Joanne’s Thoughts:

In week 9, the favorites aren’t the favorites for no reason.  Teams have spent eight weeks earning wins and regretting loses.  Some teams that started off hot, seemed to have cooled, while others just haven’t taken off.  Then there are those teams that can’t help but come out of the gate as contenders.  One thing is for certain, whether those teams sitting at the top of the NFC/ AFC win or lose in week 9, it will take more than one bad game to take them out of contention.

What to expect in week 9:

  • Fitzmagic is Back. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will start Ryan Fitzpatrick in week 9.  Stepping in for Jameis Winston, who had four interceptions in week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals.  Fitzmagic entered the game to score 2 touchdown, coming back from an 18-point deficit to tie the score, the effort a little to late, losing to the Bengals by a last minute field goal. In week 9, the Buccaneers will hope to bring some of that Fitzmagic as they are hosted by the Carolina Panthers.  The Panthers have a 4-0 record at home, so they will need a lot of pixy dust (maybe even blow some into Can Newton’s eyes) to defeat this offensive powerhouse.

  • The New Orleans Saints do have a defense.

In week 8, the New Orleans Saints added former New York Giant Eli Apple.  Apple should only strengthen their defense as the Saints are on a six-game win streak with their only loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 1.  After slowing down the dominant Minnesota Vikings in week 8, the Saints are hosting the undefeated Los Angeles Rams.  The Saint’s defense will have their work cut out for them if they want to stop the Rams offense.  Todd Gurley II, who leads rushing yards in the league with 800 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns, not to mention having 351 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns.  But, home field advantage should help.

  • Cleveland Browns will have another tough week hosting the Kansas City Chiefs.

With a new interim coach, the Browns still need a game plane, and it’s doubtful they will get it together by Sunday.

Ryan Whitfield’s Picks

COMING SOON!

Ryan’s Thoughts:

Check Ryan’s live picks on this week’s Urban Sports Scene Podcast!

COMING SOON!

Follow me on Twitter – @RyanWhitfieldNE

Scott King’s Picks

Scott’s Thoughts:

Still grinding but lost ground in the leader this week.  Nothing unusual.  Still thinking about that redskins v falcons game.  I’ll be watching that down to kickoff.

Wally’s Picks
Ray’s Picks

49ers / Bears / Chiefs / Dolphins / Vikings / Falcons / Panthers / Steelers / Texans / Chargers / Saints / Patriots / Cowboys

George’s Picks

George’s Thoughts:

Looking at the key games of the week I will start with Atlanta at Washington and the Falcons are in desperate straits as they travel to Landover. Defensively they are in terrible shape but they face a Redskins offense that’s been carried by Adrian Peterson and not getting enough from the passing game. And the Atlanta offense hasn’t been the problem and the Redskins defense could find problems against them. Will the addition of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix make the difference? I say no and a Falcons upset.

And I like a lot of road teams this week like the Jets to get back on track with the running game and beat the struggling Dolphins. And the improving Steelers to avenge an earlier defeat against the Ravens whose offense has returned to its normal toothlessness. The Texans go to Denver, right after trading for the Broncos’ Demaryius Thomas. I think Thomas makes a big impact and Houston wins its sixth straight game.

And in Game of the Year Part I, I will back the Rams to go New Orleans and win. This will be a Todd Gurley game. Sean McVay and the Rams will control the clock to keep the Saints offense off the field and out of rhythm. For those of you still alive in the eliminator. Nathan Peterman is in and that means pick the Bears!

Week 8 Results

Current Standings

Check back next week for our Week 9 results and Week 10 picks!

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