Sportsbozos NFL Week 9 Analysis

49ers Surprise Backup QB a Winner

The big story in the NFL was first time SF QB Nick Mullins successful debut in a convincing win against the crosstown Raiders on Thursday Night in Santa Clara, 34-3. The (1-7) Raiders are a disaster, losing for the 4^th straight time. They showed zero ability to stop the Niners on defense and failed miserably on offense. Derek Carr was sacked 7 times. John Gruden has his work cut out for himself. SF could start Moon Mullins against the Giants next week and win.

Sportsbozos Guarantee of the Week- the New York Football Giants will not lose this weekend!!!

Week 9 Matchups

There are three games with early season playoff implications, if there is such a thing. These matchups are the focus of Week 9.

The first game (1pm), Pittsburgh (4-2-1) at Baltimore (4-4) is the best divisional matchup of the weekend. The Ravens soundly beat the Steelers Week 4 at Heinz Field and since then, Pittsburgh has turned it around, winning its’ last three, while Baltimore has struggled, losing 3 of 4. Look for the Steelers, Big Ben, James Connor and AB to continue their charge to again conquer the AFC North to take out their revenge on the less talented Ravens. Take Pitt +3.

The second game, the 4:25pm contest, is the NFC Game of the Week. The undefeated (8-0) LA Rams visit the Big Easy to face the (6-1) New Orleans Saints. This game could decide home field in the playoffs. Saints are home dogs by a point. The Rams barely edged the Packers 29-27 last Sunday and are tested once again against a balanced NO offense and Drew Brees. The Rams, although undefeated, have struggled on the road, besting Denver by 3 and Seattle by only 2 points. The Saints must successfully defend MVP candidate Todd Gurley the same way they did last season to secure this home win. This is such a difficult game to pick, and since I’ll be rooting for the Saints because of my future bet for them to win the NFC and the home field advantage, I’ll take New Orleans to extend their winning streak to seven.

One for the Ages

Sunday Night Football is the place to be as the GB Packers (+5 ½) head to Bradytown to challenge the Patriots (6-2) in a matchup of two Hall of Fame QBs for most likely the last time in their careers. GB is coming off an excruciating loss in LA last week when Aaron Rodgers was deprived of his chance for a miraculous comeback when now-traded Ty Montgomery fumbled a KO with less than two minutes to play as the Pack (3-3-1) lost to the Rams 29-27 in a game in which they had dominated the first half.

Rodgers (13) and Tom Brady (16) have combined for 29 TD passes this season and arguably two of the best QBs in NFL history. Both teams are fighting for the [playoffs, more so GB of course. You have to figure on the ultimate drama until the end here with the last HOF-er with the ball winning the game by a FG. In that case we’ll take the Packers with the 5 ½ and sit back and watch this historically significant NFL contest. One for the Ages!

In other games we like the Vikings to rebound after a tough loss to the Saints last week. They are home again in a division game against their old nemesis, the Lions. Detroit laid an egg last week home vs. Seattle. Minnesota (-5) over Detroit in a huge NFC Norris beatdown in almost must-win game for both teams.

KC (-8 ½) should overpower the dysfunctional Browns in Cleveland.

The Bozos are going to take Tampa Bay, with the league’s best offense (I kid you not) with 6 ½ points in Carolina vs. the Panthers.

Bozos also are banking on the Falcons, with their superior talent, to beat the Skins in Washington, taking the 1 ½ points. The Redskins are bound to come back down to earth.

Da Bears visit Buffalo, another dysfunctional franchise with injury and other problems. Trubisky and Cohen have found a rhythm in Chicago that hasn’t been there for decades. I hate to give 10 on the road, but this is the 2018 Bills we are talking about.

The Jets (3-4) fly down to sunny Miami (4-4) where rookie Sam Darnold faces perennial retread Brock Osweiler. New York and Miami are both coming off two losses, so something has to give. Since the Fins have so many injury problems, we’re going to take a stab on the Jets (+3). Two very lackluster teams play in a game that’ll be tough to watch.

AFC South leader Houston Texans travel to Mile High to face Denver (3-5). Houston has won its last five after a horrendous (0-3) start. Former Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas has switched teams. Denver is struggling but they always play better at home and laying only a point, we’ll figure on the visiting dome team to suffer a little in the second half due to the altitude. Broncos!

Seattle surprised everybody last week by the way they clobbered the Lions in Detroit. In an expected competitive game against the Chargers, we like the Hawks (-1) and the 12^th Man to rattle Phillip Rivers enough to eke this one out with a late FG.

Monday Night Boredom

Tennessee Titans (+5 ½) at Dallas Cowboys-Both teams are (3-4) and at the crossroads of their season. Both teams last their most recent game with a stupid error by the Coach. The Titans by going for two and failing in London and the Cowboys setting up a long (missed) FG against the Skins. Titans are a mess, Dallas has won all three at home. Cowboys win as Tennessee folds up the tent on another season.

Bozos Best Bets

Atlanta (+1) over Washington

Tampa Bay (+6 ½) over Carolina

Chicago (-10) over Buffalo

Enjoy

-HB