The Oakland Raiders and St. Louis Rams both recorded big home wins in Week 8. The Raiders ripped the supposedly stellar Jets defense to shreds, while rookie Todd Gurley just continues to rack up insane rushing numbers. The two up-and-coming teams now go on the road in Week 9, where they will be sneaky sleepers to pull off some upsets.
Let’s take a look at out top five sleeper picks for Week 9 and weigh each team’s chances of coming away with a big win, if not straight up, then against the spread. Meanwhile, check out our preview of the Week 9 Monday Night Football showdown with the Eagles vs. Cowboys.
[sc:Football ]Top 5 NFL Week 9 Sleepers Predictions
Cleveland Browns (+10.5) at Cincinnati Bengals (Thurs, Nov. 5, 8:25 PM ET)
[sc:NFL240banner ]Why the Browns will win: The Browns are deservedly double-digit favorites against the unbeaten Bengals, but division games are often pretty close affairs. The Browns should know, seeing as they’ve lost by double-digits at Cincinnati just once in the last eight years. In fact, they’re just one year removed from winning 24-3 at Cincy, as their defense held Andy Dalton to a miserable 2.0 passer rating.
Why the Browns will lose: The Browns defense hasn’t quite reached last year’s impressive heights, and struggles to contain a Bengals offense eager to bounce back from their sluggish performances against the Steelers. Meanwhile, Josh McCown is hurt and can’t last much longer carrying the Browns offense on his shoulders, especially on a short week.
Writer’s Prediction: The Browns (+10.5) go down 21-14, but make it a bit closer than expected.
New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2.5) (Sun, Nov. 8, 4:05 PM ET)
Why the Bucs will win: If not for a back-breaking Redskins touchdown drive with less than 30 seconds remaining, the Bucs would have a three-game winning streak right now. Jameis Winston didn’t have the greatest numbers against the Falcons, but he made some timely plays, especially in overtime, to seal the big win. And as Drew Brees showed, this Giants secondary can be exposed.
Why the Bucs will lose: Winston isn’t quite ready to be slinging the ball in a shootout without making some turnovers. Manning isn’t averse to throwing bad picks himself, but after throwing six touchdown passes, it’s hard to see him losing to a rookie quarterback.
Writer’s Prediction: The Bucs (+2.5) pull off the big win as home underdogs, 30-27.
Oakland Raiders (+4.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sun, Nov. 8, 1:00 PM ET)
Why the Raiders will win: The Raiders offense is getting better and better each game. They threw (and ran) all over the Jets, who are one of the elite defenses in the league.
They have the explosive playmaking ability with Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree and Latavius Murray to hang with the Steelers, who will be missing a key cog in their high-powered offense after Le’Veon Bell’s season-ending knee injury.
Why the Raiders will lose: Carr still has some way to go on the road. Remember, he still lost to Jay Cutler and the Bears at Chicago. DeAngelo Williams played well in place of Bell in the first two weeks, and does so again. Meanwhile, Ben Roethlisberger finds his groove after shaking off the rust from his long layoff.
Writer’s Prediction: Carr keeps the Raiders (+4.5) to within a touchdown in a 31-28 road loss.
St. Louis Rams (+3) at Minnesota Vikings (Sun, Nov. 8, 1:00 PM ET)
Why the Rams will win: The Rams defense has been in lock down mode over the last couple weeks. They’ve given up just six points in each of their two games since their Week 6 bye. Meanwhile, Todd Gurley has been playing like the best running back in the league. He’s topped 128 rushing yards in each of his four starts.
The formidable Rams pass rush has the ability to cause Teddy Bridgewater all sorts of problems, while Gurley can do the same to a very suspect Vikings run defense that’s been of the worst in the league, per DVOA.
Why the Rams will lose: The Vikings pass rush is just as formidable and Nick Foles is susceptible to making some bad decisions under pressure. Adrian Peterson is also pretty good, and should be very motivated for this matchup with his heir apparent to prove that he is indeed the Jordan of football.
Writer’s Prediction: Gurley leads the way as the Rams (+3) upset the Vikings, 24-17.
Chicago Bears (+4) at San Diego Chargers (Sun, Nov. 8, 1:00 PM ET)
Why the Bears will win: The Bears have played four teams that are roughly in their level in terms of quality (the Raiders, Chiefs, Lions and Vikings) and played all four extremely close. (None were decided by more than a field goal.) Even with the loss of Matt Forte, the return of top wideout Alshon Jeffery Bears should help the Bears move the ball fairly well against an unconvincing Chargers defense.
Why the Bears will lose: Philip Rivers still has more weapons to turn to at the skill positions than Jay Cutler and will face a Bears defense that has been just as disappointing as the Chargers D this season.
Writer’s Prediction: The Bears (+4) lose another close one, 27-24.
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