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A wild week within the Packers organization sees their longtime QB sidelined with COVID before a tough matchup with Kansas City. Will Jordan Love pull through, or should Aaron Rodgers have taken the advice of someone more qualified than Joe Rogan. Find out what Basel and Tondo think on this game and more in this Week's Sunday Spreads.
Basel's ATS 2021: 28-15-2 (3-2-1 Week 8)
Tondo's ATS 2021: 21-24 (3-3 Week 8)
Tondo's Week 9 Picks
1 PM Games
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
The battle of Ohio and the roles have been reversed. Bengals are coming in 5-3 covering the spread 50% of the time. The Browns are 4-4 and are in the middle of placing OBJ on waivers. Disappointing start for a promising team. I have been all for the Burrow and Chase combo this season, and I think they need a defiant win after their tumble against the Jets. Sorry Browns, Bengals -2.5.
Oakland Raiders at New York Giants
Speaking of receivers, the Raiders will be out Henry Ruggs III after an arrest was made due to an accident. The Raiders are in an interesting situation. Interim head coach Rich Bisaccia is 2-0 ATS for the Raiders, but I have to ride with the G-Men. They battled it out with the Chiefs and I feel a win is coming.
Giants + 3
Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens defense is concerning. They’ve allowed at least 490 yards three times this season. The offense is holding the team together, but their hot start has started to cool down. They come off a bye after getting stomped by the Bengals. The Vikings are in the same boat. Stellar offense, mediocre defense. They whiffed on the opportunity to stop the Dak-less Cowboys and they failed. Both teams, not good ATS. For some reason this game is a rat-line for me. I am going to talk myself out of this one but Ravens -6.
New England Patriots at Carolina Panthers
My $NE stock is high, my $CAR stock is low. They are both heading into the game 4-4 but they are both heading in opposite directions. If CMC remains on the sideline, then the Patriots have this locked up. The outlier for me is if this a Stephon Gilmore revenge game. Or a Bill Belichick tormentor game. Who knows?
Patriots -3.5
4 PM Games
Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs
Quite the controversial week! Our next contestant, Aaron Rodgers, who has been sidelined with COVID. Jordan Love gets the start, while the Chiefs hope to keep their streak alive. With Rodgers being out and Mahomes needing to turn things around, I’ll take Chiefs -7.
Los Angeles Chargers at Philadelphia Eagles
Another one. Am I impressed with the Eagles win over the Lions or am I disappointed in the Chargers fizzling out? Justin Herbert has caught up to reality. A below average game, but still improving the Chargers. The Eagles rush game looked prominent, even without Sanders. They rushed for almost 240 yards. However, I do think it was a anomaly. I’m taking the Chargers -1.
Basel's Week 9 Picks
1 PM Games
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
Just when the it looked like things were really clicking for the Saints offense, Jameis Winston goes down with a season with a torn ACL and some pretty serious damage in his MCL. However, even without Winston, I still feel like this Saints team can still be entertaining in this last stretch of the season via some funky offense built around guys like Taysom Hill, Trevor Siemian, and Alvin Kamara. Against the Falcons, the Saints can eke out a win, but will likely use their run game and defense to do so, making Falcons +6.5 the safest bet in this one.
Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars
What can be said outside of the obvious? The Jags have the worst passing defense in the league, and the Bills offense is the most diverse offense in all of football right now. I'd say the spread being more than two touchdowns could work in Jacksonville's favor, but at this point, there's nothing that would make me want to bet on this team.
Bills -14.5
Denver Broncos at Dallas Cowboys
The Broncos really disappointed me last week, man. Every time I try to back a bad team for once, they never come through. The Cowboys are pretty beat up, with CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper both listed as questionable, but considering how hot they are right now, I see no problem with Dak and Zeke ripping through this Denver defense all on their own. The Cowboys are perfect against the spread this season, and I don't think the Broncos will be the ones to end that streak.
Cowboys -10
Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins
Miami is an absolute dumpster fire right now. Winless at home, and likely without Tua, I really see no reason to bet on this game at all. I think the Texans can walk away with a much-needed win, but if I were you, I'd avoid this game at all costs.
Texans +5.5, but only if my life was on the line.
4 PM Games
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
I hate to play the Debbie Downer, but with JJ Watt out, as well as a handful of offensive ailments, I don't think Arizona's strong start will be enough to carry them all the way to a deep playoff run. That being said, I think they'll be able to cover as an away underdog against the Niners. Even with the Jimmy G-George Kittle combo back on for today, I don't think it will be enough to get the win.
Cardinals +3 for my lock of the week. Heck, I'd even take them down to +1 if you really want to cash in.
Sunday Night Football
Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Rams
This is beyond tough. I've loved the Rams this year, but the Titans have garnered a reputation for being an away spoiler this season against some pretty tough teams. I think the Rams have enough to get the win, but the Titans are going to make it tough for them. If they can contend without Derrick Henry against a team like LA, then I think they have a strong case for a high seed in the AFC.
Titans +7.5
See you next week!