We’re more or less at the halfway point of the NFL season, which means we’re starting to get a better idea of who the contenders and pretenders are.
In the Westgate SuperContest for Team OddsShark, however, it’s a little fuzzier. Just eight points separate first and last place on the Team OddsShark standings with the Team NESN representation of Mike Cole and Ricky Doyle right in the middle of the pack, tied for 17.5 points.
Here are their Week 9 picks.
Detroit Lions (+5) vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 1 p.m.
U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
That’s a pretty big spread to cover, especially for a Vikings team that can’t protect the quarterback. Opposing defenses have sacked Sam Bradford 10 times in the last two weeks. Speaking of getting after the QB, the Vikes have only one sack of their own in those two games. If Matt Stafford gets time to operate, Detroit could even pull the upset.
New York Giants (-3) vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, 1 p.m.
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
Carson Wentz is having a fine rookie season, but that’s due in large to Philly keeping it simple. The Eagles are among the worst teams in the NFL in passing yards per completion, and the Giants are not only getting healthy. But they also do a good job against those short passes the Eagles love. We’ll take NYG, especially coming off a bye.
Miami Dolphins (-3.5) vs. New York Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
The Jets arguably are the biggest disappointment in the NFL through the first eight weeks. They’re a mess offensively and the pass defense is atrocious. They can’t get after the quarterback, and Ryan Tannehill proved in his last two games that he can be effective when he has time to throw.
Pittsburgh Steelers (PK) vs. Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, 1 p.m.
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
We leaned toward the Steelers even if Landry Jones was playing quarterback for Pittsburgh. If Ben Roethlisberger is under center as reports indicate, we like this pick even more.
Tennessee Titans (+5) vs. San Diego Chargers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
Both of these teams share a win over the Jaguars in common. Both teams put a whooping on Jacksonville (big surprise). Other than that, though, they’ve displayed a tendency to play close games, which has us siding with the Titans, especially given Marcus Mariota’s recent hot streak with a 121.9 passer rating over his last three games.
Thumbnail photo via Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports Images
