NFL Week 9 Pick’em Pool Predictions (2025)
Week 8 featured a lot of huge point spreads, so it's no surprise that 12 of the 13 games were decided by double digits. Week 9 promises much more drama, as nine games feature spreads of seven points or fewer. Below, I dive into four matchups, including the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Buffalo Bills, as I highlight key areas that could ultimately determine winners and losers. Below are my top NFL Week 9 pick’em pool predictions.
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
NFL Week 9 Pick’em Pool Predictions (2025)
Chicago Bears vs. Cincinnati Bengals
This game is being played in Cincinnati, but it's still surprising to see the Bears favored by less than a field goal. The Bears have won two of their last three road games, with their only loss during that span coming last week against a desperate Ravens team.
Many will write the Bengals off after a home loss to the Jets last week, but they led by 14 with under eight minutes remaining. The real reason I'm backing the Bears is because I simply trust their defense more. The Bengals have allowed at least 27 points in seven consecutive games, as they're allowing 31.6 points per game.
And while the Bears are allowing 26.4 points per game, the offense has been mostly good, averaging 24 points per contest. The Bengals have the worst rush defense in football, and the Bears are averaging over 124 yards on the ground. Even though the Bengals have scored at least 30 in back-to-back weeks, the Bears are simply more trustworthy as a team right now, even on the road.
Pick: Chicago Bears
San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Giants
One week after blowing a 19-0 fourth-quarter lead, things got even worse for the Giants, as they lost rookie running back Cam Skattebo to a dislocated ankle. The offense is now without its top receiver and top running back, as it takes on a defense allowing just 20.5 points per game.
The 49ers have suffered numerous defensive injuries this season, but they've still held all but one team to fewer than 30 points this year. And offensively, while there have been issues at quarterback due to an injury to Brock Purdy, the one constant has been Christian McCaffrey, who already has 1,049 total yards this season.
While the 49ers are averaging the third-fewest rushing yards per game, McCaffrey gets an incredible matchup against a defense allowing 148.9 yards on the ground per contest. McCaffrey will run all over the Giants, as 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh presents a game plan that Jaxson Dart is unable to decipher.
Pick: San Francisco 49ers
Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans
One week after being favored against the 5-2 49ers, the sub-.500 Texans once again find themselves favored over a team well over .500. Last week, the Texans dominated San Francisco, outgaining the 49ers 475-223 on their way to a 26-15 win.
Perhaps it's a bit more surprising to see them favored over a 6-2 Broncos team that doesn't have any key offensive injuries and just beat the Cowboys 44-24. But the Texans still have the No. 1 scoring defense in football (14.7 points per game), and they rank fourth in passing yards allowed per game and fifth in rushing yards per contest.
The Broncos have the third-ranked rushing attack in the league, thanks to both J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, which will help them stay in this game. And though their defense is allowing just 18.9 points per game, I expect the Broncos to lose a close road game to a team that has suddenly won three out of their last four.
Pick: Houston Texans
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills
The marquee matchup of the week features two AFC favorites, as the red-hot Chiefs travel to Buffalo to battle the 5-2 Bills. The Bills silenced doubters for at least one week, as they ended a two-game losing streak with a 40-9 beatdown of the Panthers. However, even after that game, the Chiefs are simply the better team right now.
The Chiefs have the third-best pass defense in football, and they're allowing just 16.4 points per game. And while the Bills are allowing just 20.9 points per game, their defense has had issues this year, as they're allowing 150.3 rushing yards per game.
The Chiefs' rushing attack has quietly become a top-10 unit in the league. And while I trust both Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes in a shootout, Mahomes' matchup is simply better on Sunday.
Pick: Kansas City Chiefs
For more of my picks and predictions all season long, subscribe to BettingPros. Right now, new subscribers receive a 20% discount that grants access to picks, predictions, and odds comparison tools.
Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.