GERRY DULAC’S WEEK 9 FORECAST
LAST WEEK: 7-8 (.466) SEASON RECORD: 67-56 (.545)
Carolina Panthers (2-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-4) • 1 p.m.
How does the loss of Ja’Marr Chase affect the Bengals? Did you watch their 32-13 loss to the Browns? The Panthers have a catchy new big-play combo — PJ to DJ — that apparently can strike from anywhere. Just tell DJ to keep his helmet on. Prediction: Bengals, 24-15
Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) at Atlanta Falcons (4-4) • 1 p.m.
The first-place Falcons (that’s not a typo) were handed a gift by the Panthers with that bad penalty against DJ Moore for taking his helmet off. But they’ve won three in a row at home and four of the past six overall. Prediction: Falcons, 28-27
Miami Dolphins (5-3) at Chicago Bears (3-5) • 1 p.m.
Why would a 3-5 team with no great playoff aspirations give up a second-round draft choice for Chase Claypool? Believe me, the Steelers aren’t complaining. Miami doesn’t need receivers.
Prediction: Dolphins, 30-24
Green Bay Packers (3-5) at Detroit Lions (1-6) • 1 p.m.
The Packers may have found the key to getting out of their funk — run the ball. They did that with great success in Buffalo and took the pressure off Aaron Rodgers. The Lions have averaged 36 points at home, but are 1-3 in those games. Prediction: Packers, 40-36
Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) • 1 p.m.
Shut out by the Saints and Derek Carr benched. That got Josh McDaniels a vote of confidence from the owner, who said he will be the Raiders coach for years to come. Like to see the odds on the Vegas strip for that one. Prediction: Raiders, 20-17
Indianapolis Colts (3-4-1) at New England Patriots (4-4) • 1 p.m.
Did anyone notice that a team fired its offensive coordinator at the mid-point of the season? The Colts did, and they were averaging more yards and points than the Steelers. This would be an easy one if you knew which Patriots would show up. Prediction: Patriots, 26-16
Buffalo Bills (6-1) at New York Jets (5-3) • 1 p.m.
The Jets had their four-game winning streak ended with a bad INT from Zach Wilson against the Patriots. But their defense has been more than solid, which they will need vs. the Bills. Josh Allen is hands down the league’s midseason MVP. Prediction: Bills, 27-19
Minnesota Vikings (6-1) at Washington Commanders (4-4) • 1 p.m.
The Commanders have won three in a row, despite an offense that makes the Steelers look explosive. But the Vikings have won five in a row and have opened a surprising four-game lead in the division annually dominated by the Packers. Prediction: Vikings, 23-16
Seattle Seahawks (5-3) at Arizona Cardinals (3-5) • 4:05 p.m.
That’s three in a row and four of the past five for the Seahawks, who, unlikely at it sounds, find themselves in first place in the NFC West. They are 7-1-1 in the past nine games in Arizona. The Cardinals are as unpredictable as their QB. Prediction: Seahawks, 30-28
Los Angeles Rams (3-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5) • 4:25 p.m.
The past two Super Bowl champions have looked nothing like playoff teams, both struggling to score points. And it might not get any better for Tom Brady, who has lost five of his past six. The Rams haven’t been on the road in over a month. Prediction: Rams, 21-20
Tennessee Titans (5-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-2) • 8:20 p.m.
The Chiefs have lost five of the past six meetings with the Titans, but the victory was a big one — 35-24 in the 2019 AFC championship. The Titans are on a roll, winning five in a row, and so is Derrick Henry. But this isn’t the Texans. Prediction: Chiefs, 23-19
Baltimore Ravens (5-3) at New Orleans Saints (3-5) • 8:15 p.m. Monday
NFC teams have a hard time with the Ravens because they don’t see them enough to understand their intensity. The Saints shut out the Raiders one week after allowing 42 points to the Cardinals and a combined 62 the previous two weeks. Prediction: Ravens 34-24