NFL WEEK 9 GAME PREVIEWS
Bye: Bengals, Falcons, Rams, Saints
Texans (5-3) vs. Jaguars (4-4) London International Series game TV: 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday, NFL Network
Line: Texans by 11⁄2
Texans’ keys: If QB Deshaun Watson is allowed to play from the pocket, look for a big day from WR DeAndre Hopkins.
Jaguars’ keys: The offense can’t afford to start slowly. It would behoove the Jaguars to win the turnover battle. They’re 4-0 when they do so and 0-4 when they don’t.
Who wins? Wembley Stadium feels like a home away from home for the Jags, and the crowd will be on their side.
Jaguars, 24-21
Redskins (1-7) at Bills (5-2)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: Bills by 101⁄2
Redskins’ keys: They have to control the clock with their backfield: Adrian Peterson on the ground and RB Chris Thompson through the air.
Bills’ keys: Offensively, QB Josh Allen has yet to hit 300 yards in his career, but Washington allows 240.6 passing yards per game and 14 passing TDs, tied for seventh worst.
Who wins? The Bills should round out their three-game homestand. Bills, 31-13
Titans (4-4) at Panthers (4-3)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Line: Panthers by 31⁄2
Titans’ keys: Since replacing Marcus Mariota, QB Ryan Tannehill has provided a spark as his accuracy and efficiency have been a massive upgrade.
Panthers’ keys: RB Christian McCaffrey has accounted for a disproportionate amount of the team’s yards and TDs. Other offensive playmakers need to step up, such as 2018 first-round WR D.J. Moore.
Who wins? The Panthers should have an edge thanks to home-field advantage and underrated rookie K Joey Slye.
Panthers, 20-17
Vikings (6-2) at Chiefs (5-3)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: No line
Vikings’ keys: Bring defensive pressure. DEs Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen need to force quick Kansas City decisions and mistakes. The Vikings’ offense has averaged 468.5 yards per game the last four weeks.
Chiefs’ keys: No matter who starts at quarterback, the Chiefs need to find ways to get the ball in the hands of their best skill players, TE Travis Kelce and WR Tyreek Hill.
Who wins? The Chiefs are at a disadvantage, even at home, until QB Patrick Mahomes returns healthy. Vikings, 27-13
Jets (1-6) at Dolphins (0-7)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Line: Jets by 3
Jets’ keys: On defense, stopping the Dolphins’ running game. Offensively, the Jets need to give Miami a heavy dose of RB Le’Veon Bell.
Dolphins’ keys: Victory will depend on forcing Jets QB Sam Darnold into mistakes and turnovers. Miami intercepted six of his passes in two games last year, winning both.
Who wins? The Dolphins aren’t overly talented, but they’re disciplined. Despite trading leading rusher Kenyan Drake this week, they pull this one out.
Dolphins, 20-17
Bears (3-4) at Eagles (4-4)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: Eagles by 41⁄2
Bears’ keys: QB Mitchell Trubisky will be playing his third game since injuring his left shoulder, and he needs to be patient and efficient while taking his shots against an Eagles secondary that can be vulnerable to the big play.
Eagles’ keys: Coming off a win in Buffalo where Philadelphia used the nohuddle offense to perfection at times, look for coach Doug Pederson to continue to try to establish a fast-paced tempo.
Who wins? The Eagles finally might have found a rhythm on defense. Eagles, 31-14
Colts (5-2) at Steelers (3-4)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Line: Colts by 11⁄2
Colts’ keys: Thanks to a dominant offensive line and running game powered by RB Marlon Mack, the Colts have found a way to control the football and keep games close.
Steelers’ keys: Look for the Colts to run right at Pittsburgh’s defense, meaning LB Devin Bush and S Terrell Edmunds will have to be on point. Steelers QB Mason Rudolph must take shots downfield to keep Indy honest.
Who wins? The Steelers are tough at home, and with their defense emerging this game is primed for an upset. Steelers, 21-17
Lions (3-3-1) at Raiders (3-4) TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: Raiders by 21⁄2
Lions’ keys: If they can protect QB Matthew Stafford, he should post big numbers.
Raiders’ keys: Despite a number of injuries, the offense has been fairly efficient under QB Derek Carr.
Who wins? Oakland is returning home for the first time since mid-September. Given how dominant the Raiders’ running game has been, they should be able to move the ball and win late. Raiders, 23-21
Buccaneers (2-5) at Seahawks (6-2) TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: Seahawks by 61⁄2
Buccaneers’ keys: Mere weeks removed from a game in which he turned the ball over six times, QB Jameis Winston can exploit Seattle’s young secondary and a defensive line that has been subpar.
Seahawks’ keys: Russell Wilson continues his bid for MVP (17 TD passes, one interception). He doesn’t throw for gaudy numbers – he averages 265.9 yards per game, which ranks eighth – but he has been consistent.
Who wins? Two home losses in the season’s first half are enough for Seattle. Seahawks, 37-9
Browns (2-5) at Broncos (2-6)
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Line: Browns by 31⁄2
Broncos’ keys: QB Joe Flacco (neck) will sit out, and Brandon Allen will make his first start. Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman will need to get the run game working to help him.
Browns’ keys: The Broncos have been leaning on CB Davontae Harris, who became a first-time starter when Bryce Callahan and De’Vante Bausby were hurt. Either WR Odell Beckham Jr. or WR Jarvis Landry would prove to be a mismatch against Harris.
Who wins? Both teams probably will struggle to move the ball in a game that’s poised to be a defensive struggle. Broncos, 17-13
Packers (7-1) at Chargers (3-5)
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Line: Packers by 31⁄2
Packers’ keys: Facing a Chargers defense that is averaging 117.1 rushing yards allowed, Green Bay could benefit from giving the ball to RB Aaron Jones.
Chargers’ keys: QB Philip Rivers has thrown six interceptions but could have a big performance facing a defense that has allowed an average of 337 passing yards the last three games. WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and TE Hunter Henry could stretch Green Bay’s defense.
Who wins? Although the Chargers are coming off a victory and are hoping to keep their playoff hopes alive, their lack of playmakers, including S Derwin James, will be exploited. Packers, 27-17
Patriots (8-0) at Ravens (5-2)
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC Line: Patriots by 31⁄2
Patriots’ keys: Contain Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson, who has been finding large chunks of yards with his legs to sustain drives. New England will need to take advantage of a Ravens defense starting to come together but has occasional lapses in coverage.
Ravens’ keys: Win the battles for turnovers and time of possession. Baltimore needs at every opportunity possible to score points. The Ravens also will need to play with far more discipline and limit the penalties that have plagued them this season.
Who wins? The Patriots are arguably the best team in the NFL, the Ravens talented but not at New England’s level yet. Patriots, 30-28
Cowboys (4-3) at Giants (2-6)
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN Line: Cowboys by 71⁄2
Cowboys’ keys: They will face a Giants unit that looks very different from what they saw in Week 1, highlighted by New York rookie QB Daniel Jones. The Cowboys can capitalize on some of Jones’ turnover issues by taking away the middle of the field and disguising coverages and pressures.
Giants’ keys: They will need their Oline, particularly Nate Solder and Mike Remmers, to protect Jones. On defense, CBs Deandre Baker, Grant Haley and Sam Beal must prevent Dallas WR Amari Cooper from running down the field unimpeded.
Who wins? Unless the Cowboys play down to the level of their opponent, it shouldn’t be close. Cowboys, 33-19