NFL WEEK 9 PRIMER
BYE WEEK: Cincinnati, Cleveland, L.A. Rams, Philadelphia
Giants (1-7) at Washington (2-5)
Sunday, 1 ET, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Washington by 2 1⁄2 Giants’ keys: As in the first game, take advantage of chunk plays. Washington is susceptible to giving up points.
Washington’s keys: Rely on DEs Montez Sweat and Chase Young to wreak havoc up front and force the Giants into mistakes. Give RB Antonio Gibson a bigger share of the workload.
– Zachary Neel, Washington Wire
Ravens (5-2) at Colts (5-2)
Sunday, 1 ET, CBS
BetMGM.com line: Ravens by 1
Colts’ keys: If the offensive line keeps QB Philip Rivers clean, the Colts can take some of the pressure off by getting RB Jonathan Taylor going.
Ravens’ keys: Get QB Lamar Jackson into open space to run. The Colts' defense has been susceptible to quarterbacks making plays outside the pocket.
– Kevin Hickey, Colts Wire
Panthers (3-5) at Chiefs (7-1)
Sunday, 1 ET, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Chiefs by 10 1⁄
2
Chiefs’ keys: Expect coach Andy Reid to flash creative looks and use motion to get Carolina's defense off balance and force it into mental mistakes. .
Panthers’ keys: Feed the run game, against which the Chiefs' defense has struggled. RB Christian McCaffrey should return from injury this week.
– Charles Goldman, Chiefs Wire
Bears (5-3) at Titans (5-2)
Sunday, 1 ET, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Titans by 6 1⁄2
Titans’ keys: Contain Chicago's pass rush. That starts with getting RB Derrick Henry going. On defense, keep the Bears' one-dimensional by shutting down RB David Montgomery.
Bears’ keys: Stop Henry, who can slow a pass rush and open up play-action. On offense, attack the Titans' secondary.
– Mike Moraitis, Titans Wire
Broncos (3-4) at Falcons (2-6)
Sunday, 1 ET, CBS
BetMGM.com line: Falcons by 4
Broncos’ keys: If Denver can run the ball early, it will give QB Drew Lock easy play-action opportunities to get WRs Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick the ball in space.
Falcons’ keys: Score TDs in the red zone instead of settling for field goals. Defensively, stop the run.
– Matt Urben, Falcons Wire
Lions (3-4) at Vikings (2-5)
Sunday, 1 ET, CBS
BetMGM.com line: Vikings by 4
Vikings’ keys: Get WRs Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson heavily involved. When QB Kirk Cousins can find both, the offense puts up a lot of points.
Lions’ keys: If Detroit's pass rush gets to Cousins, players like S Duron Harmon and CB Jeff Okudah will have ample opportunities for interceptions.
– Jack White, Vikings Wire
Texans (1-6) at Jaguars (1-6)
Sunday, 1 ET, CBS
BetMGM.com line: Texans by 7
Texans’ keys: Feed RB David Johnson against one of the worst run defenses. In the last meeting versus the Jaguars, he had 17 carries for 96 yards.
Jaguars’ keys: Rookie Jake Luton will start in place of injured Gardner Minshew (thumb). The sixth-round pick from Oregon State has yet to face a live NFL rush.
– James Johnson, Jaguars Wire
Seahawks (6-1) at Bills (6-2)
Sunday, 1 ET, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Seahawks by 3
Seahawks’ keys: Defensively, the way to slow QB Josh Allen after his hot start has been to take away his No. 1 option, WR Stefon Diggs.
Bills’ keys: Buffalo should have no problem getting Allen going. The Bills should use WR John Brown to open things up for Diggs.
– Nick Wojton, Bills Wire
Raiders (4-3) at Chargers (2-5)
Sunday, 4:05 ET, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Chargers by 1
Raiders’ keys: Put stress on a struggling Chargers run defense with RB Josh Jacobs. That would open up the passing game.
Chargers’ keys: LA is coming off a season-high performance on the ground (210 yards). Force the Raiders to have to worry about the run game while trying to hone in on QB Justin Herbert.
– Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire
Dolphins (4-3) at Cardinals (5-2)
Sunday, 4:25 ET, CBS
BetMGM.com line: Cardinals by 4 1⁄2
Dolphins’ keys: Rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa will have to do more than when he threw for 93 yards on 22 attempts in his first career start.
Cardinals’ keys: They benefit from coming off their bye and now have film on Tagovailoa. The Cardinals should be able to run the ball with RB Chase Edmond.
– Jess Root, Cards Wire
Steelers (7-0) at Cowboys (2-6)
Sunday, 4:25 ET, CBS
BetMGM.com line: Steelers by 13 1⁄2
Steelers’ keys: QB Ben Roethlisberger will have time to step up into the pocket and find rookie WR Chase Claypool against a secondary that too often gets caught with its eyes in the backfield.
Cowboys’ keys: Their offensive stars must shine at the same time, which has been rare this season.
– K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire
Saints (5-2) at Buccaneers (6-2)
Sunday, 8:20 ET, NBC
BetMGM.com line: Buccaneers by 4
Bucs’ keys: The Bucs have already bottled up some of the best running backs in the league, including Alvin Kamara in Week 1.
Saints’ keys: New Orleans beat the Buccaneers in Week 1 by taking advantage of their mistakes, so the Saints will have to force them into more of the same.
– Luke Easterling, Bucs Wire
Patriots (2-5) at Jets (0-8)
Monday, 8:15 ET, ESPN
BetMGM.com line: Patriots by 7 1⁄
2
Patriots’ keys: New England QB Cam Newton still has the ability to change a game with his legs, and the Jets have struggled against the run.
Jets’ keys: DT Quinnen Williams has been a disruptor in the backfield. WR Denzel Mims and RB La'Mical Perine, both rookies, have looked strong.
– Gary Phillips, Jets Wire