NFL Week 9 Picks & Predictions: Best Early Bets (2026)
We’re about halfway through this year’s NFL season! Let’s keep cashing in. Here are our early Week 9 NFL picks to consider.
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Early NFL Week 9 Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Cleveland Browns vs. New Orleans Saints
The Cleveland Browns might be 5-3, but on paper, they don’t look like a winning team. Deshaun Watson has 1,806 passing yards with only seven passing touchdowns in eight games. Additionally, the Browns just lost to the Steelers, on the road, 27-6, in what was expected to be a close game.
The Browns have won a lot of close games. But they might be coming back down to reality.
On the other hand, the Saints are coming off a bye week. They performed better against the Steelers a week before, despite losing 16-10. In fact, the Saints have lost four of their last five games but have allowed no more than 27 points in their last three. The defense has improved, and the offense should be in good hands with Tyler Shough running the show.
Plus, the Saints are still in the race for the NFC South. It’s a down year in that conference. Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Atlanta all have three wins. The Saints have two, but a win here would put them right back in the race.
Give me the Saints at -2.5 (-112).
Pick: Saints -2.5 (-112)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Chicago Bears
Baker Mayfield has the Buccaneers rolling right now. The Bucs have won two consecutive games behind Mayfield, despite the most recent game being played in a monsoon. Either way, his energy has touched the Bucs, and now they’re grooving.
Unfortunately, they’ll be running into a Chicago Bears team that is a Super Bowl contender. The Bears have been undefeated since Caleb Williams returned to the starting lineup. The defense has allowed no more than 24 points in any game, and the offense has added at least 30 points in each game.
The Bears might even get back Kyle Monangai, which will only help the offense moving forward.
Ultimately, the Bears haven’t been elite defensively. But adding Jeffrey Simmons should easily change that narrative.
I’ll roll with the Bears. They’re about to go on a huge run right now. Grab the Bears at -6.
Pick: Bears -6 (-108)