There’s plenty of value on the board when looking at the NFL Week 9 picks. We’ve had plenty of action through the first seven weeks. I’ve had good calls, bad calls, and some that should have hit and didn’t. However, the best one to date was last week when we hit our +1180 parlay. I’ll look to keep that heat going. Here’s a look at my top bets and a parlay that plays!
2026 NFL Week 9 Picks, Bets, And A Parlay That Pays
Cincinnati Bengals (-3) Vs. Atlanta Falcons (Madrid)
Cincinnati is 5-2 and just had a 43-36 overtime win over the Titans, in which Joe Burrow threw for five touchdowns and ran one in. The Bengals’ offense has been almost unstoppable all year. They’re putting up points, and Burrow has the weapons to keep his drives alive. He leads the league in touchdown passes.
Atlanta is 3-5 and has been inconsistent. Some games, the offense looks great. Others, they fall flat. These two teams will face off in Madrid. With Atlanta only scoring 21.4 points per game, I’m not certain they can keep up with this Bengals team. The Bengals have a +48-point differential compared to the Falcons’ negative point differential.
I know these overseas games can get weird, but don’t overthink this one. Bengals should be a bigger favorite than this.
NFL Week 9 Best Bet: Bengals -3
Detroit Lions At Miami Dolphins Total: 49.5
The Detroit Lions are 5-2 and scoring a bunch of points. Jared Goff has 15 touchdowns to just one interception with a 110 passer rating. Meanwhile, Jahmyr Gibbs has been a dual-threat monster, rushing for over 700 yards already.
Miami is 1-6 and has struggled offensively. They’re only averaging 16.7 points per game. However, both teams’ defenses have been pretty bad. Detroit is allowing 25.7 points per game, while Miami is allowing 25.9 points per game.
Both of these teams will likely be able to put up points. Even though the last two games Detroit has played have hit the under, every game not against a divisional opponent has hit the over. Miami’s last three games have hit the over as they’ve let the Bengals, Jets, and Patriots put up a bunch of points. However, in all of those games, they’ve also stayed competitive.
Make sure the weather isn’t doing anything funky, but if it holds out to be a nice day, I love the over here.
NFL Week 9 Best Bet: Over 49.5 Points
Denver Broncos (-3) At Carolina Panthers
Denver is 6-2 and has been one of the best teams against the spread in the league so far (also 6-2). They are coming off a big game where they beat the Chiefs, 28-24. They continue to find ways to win games with a defense that holds opponents to 20.6 points per game. Bo Nix has enough around him to move the ball down the field. Even when they don’t get open, he’s capable of running the ball.
Carolina is 3-4 and has had defensive issues all year. They just fired their defensive coordinator, which could give them a one-game bump. However, this Broncos team is really good. The Panthers’ red-zone defense has been very leaky, and on offense, Bryce Young has been pressured heavily.
It’s a short number on the road, and one I’m willing to take. Denver’s ability to control the line of scrimmage and finish drives should be the difference maker here. They have the better coach and better quarterback, plus the better defense.
NFL Week 9 Best Bet: Broncos (-3)
LA Rams (-5.5) At Washington Commanders
The LA Rams are 4-4 and favored by 5.5 points as they hit the road and travel all the way across the country to take on the Commanders. Stafford has passed for 2,146 yards and 15 touchdowns. Puka Nacua is his main weapon. However, the Rams have been inconsistent and sit at just .500 against the spread. Keep in mind, this game kicks off at 10 AM West Coast time, which could come into play, especially after the long travel.
Washington is just 2-4-1, but they just put up 27 points against the Eagles. When Jayden Daniels has been healthy, they have been competitive. The Commanders have shown that they can hang around when the offense gets going, especially at home.
Getting 5.5 points at home against a Rams team that has looked far less than perfect this year is a sweet spot. I don’t see the Rams travelling across the country, having an early kick, and then dominating. I still think the Rams win. However, I think it’ll be a close margin. Maybe this one is for Moneyline Mac, but I feel good about it.
NFL Week 9 Best Bet: Commanders (+5.5)
Tampa Bay Bucs At Chicago Bears (-6)
The Chicago Bears are rolling. After defeating the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football and then the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football, they’ll welcome the Bucs to Chicago on Sunday Night Football.
Tampa’s strength these past two weeks has been the run game. Chicago’s run defense has been pretty solid. It’s getting even better with the addition of Jeffery Simmons. He showed immediate impact and elevation on Monday night against the Seahawks in his first game as a Bear.
Caleb Williams has been very efficient in an offense that runs a very balanced game. The warm-weather Bucs will have to come up to Chicago for a cooler night game and face a team that may be the hottest team in the NFL right now. You’d think this is a classic letdown spot for the Bears after two major wins. However, you’d be wrong. Ben Johnson has this team focused, and he’s on a mission.
NFL Week 9 Best Bet: Bears -6
The Parlay
For this week’s parlay, I’ll do a mix like I did last week, when we hit +1180. From our picks above, we’ll take the Denver/Miami game over 49.5, the Bengals -3, and the Bears -6. We’ll add in Moneyline plays for the Broncos, Jags, 49ers, and Chiefs for a nice +1844 parlay. We hit last week. Let’s hit again!
