NFL Week 9 Picks Preview 2026
Week 9 opens Thursday night with Jacksonville visiting a Baltimore team that is down to its third quarterback, and the injury report shapes the rest of the slate too. The Giants walk into Philadelphia against an Eagles team that has lost six straight and has no Jalen Hurts. The 0-7 Chargers host Houston, and Monday night sends 6-1 Buffalo into Minnesota to face the league's stingiest defense. We shopped every line at BetOnline, Bovada and Lucky Rebel, and these are the five best spots on the board.
Pick | Bet Type | Line | Best Book | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jacksonville Jaguars | Spread | -9 (-108) | Lucky Rebel | High |
New York Giants | Moneyline | -170 | BetOnline | High |
Houston Texans | Spread | -4.5 (-112) | Bovada | Medium-High |
Buffalo Bills | Moneyline | -180 | BetOnline | Medium |
San Francisco 49ers | Spread | -10 (-105) | Bovada | Medium |
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore is down to its third quarterback. Lamar Jackson is headed for thumb surgery and injured reserve, head coach Jesse Minter says Tyler Huntley 'probably' won't play Thursday, and Joe Fagnano is nursing an ankle. The Ravens have lost three straight, including a 36-10 beating in Buffalo, and they're 0-3 against the spread at home.
Jacksonville is the opposite story: 5-2 with a +85 point differential, the best in the AFC, after a 42-7 win over Indianapolis. Take the Jaguars -9 at Lucky Rebel. You get the same number Bovada offers at cheaper juice (-108), and you get the half point BetOnline won't give you at -9.5.
The risk: it's a short-week Thursday game with steady rain in the forecast, and Jacksonville running back Bhayshul Tuten is questionable. Bad weather keeps scores down, but a Ravens offense this thin can't keep up.
New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia has lost six straight, scores 17.7 points per game (28th) and is 1-6 against the spread. The losses keep piling up: Jalen Hurts is out for the season, and DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks and right tackle Lane Johnson are all out this week.
The Giants are 4-2-1, lead the NFC East, and have covered seven of their last nine. Play the Giants moneyline at -170 at BetOnline. That's 13 to 15 cents cheaper than Bovada (-183) and Lucky Rebel (-185) on the same result.
Division games can get messy, and Cam Skattebo (hamstring) could be a game-time decision. The Eagles still don't have the passing game to take advantage.
Houston Texans @ Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are 0-7 straight up, 0-5-1 against the spread, 0-3 ATS at home, and last in the league at 15.0 points per game. Injuries have gutted the offensive line: Rashawn Slater, Trey Pipkins and Tyler Biadasz are all on injured reserve, and Trey Lance is out too.
Houston averages 23.6 points per game, which is middle of the pack and far better than the Chargers. Lay -4.5 (-112) at Bovada. BetOnline is dealing -5, and with a 40.5 total, that half point counts.
The risk is that Houston is 2-5 ATS itself, and running back David Montgomery (groin) is questionable. The Chargers haven't covered a single game yet, though, and we're not betting on them to start now.
Buffalo Bills @ Minnesota Vikings
Buffalo is 6-1 and 5-2 against the spread, with three straight wins capped by a 36-10 rout of Baltimore. Minnesota's quarterback situation is uncertain: Kyler Murray is getting a full evaluation on his hamstring, and left tackle Christian Darrisaw is questionable.
Take the Bills moneyline at -180 at BetOnline, the cheapest price among the books we checked (Bovada -183, Lucky Rebel -185). BetOnline is also the only book hanging Minnesota +3.5. That's another sign the market expects Buffalo to win by more than a field goal.
Minnesota has allowed a league-low 93 points, and Buffalo will be without right tackle Spencer Brown. That's why this is a moneyline play instead of the spread.
Las Vegas Raiders @ San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco comes off its bye at 6-1, with Christian McCaffrey, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel and Nick Bosa all trending toward a return. That's a rested team getting its stars back at home.
Las Vegas has given up 230 points, the most of any team at .500 or better. Lay -10 at Bovada at -105 juice, five cents cheaper than BetOnline's -110 on the same number.
The Raiders are a strong cover team at 5-2 ATS, and they just scored 38 on the Jets. Double digits is a big number, but a healthy 49ers roster off a week of rest is the right side.
Bonus Picks
- JAX/BAL Under Total 42.5 (-117) @ BetOnline - A third-string Ravens quarterback and steady Thursday-night rain set up a grind, and BetOnline is the only book hanging 42.5.
- Cleveland Browns Spread +2.5 (-105) @ Bovada - New Orleans is 0-4 at home, and Bovada gives you 1.5 more points than BetOnline's +1.
- Denver Broncos Moneyline -150 @ BetOnline - Denver has won four straight, Carolina is missing tackles Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton, and BetOnline is 10 cents cheaper than the field.
- Detroit Lions Spread -7 (-108) @ Bovada - Miami is 1-6, has scored just 117 points, and is playing without De'Von Achane.
All picks are for entertainment purposes only. Please gamble responsibly.