NFL SuperContest Picks: Fade Cardinals Without Kyler Murray In Week 9
'Chicken Dinner' is NESN's entry in the contest
Team NESN is a part of the historic Las Vegas Westgate SuperContest this season.
Betting analyst Sam Panayotovich and digital content editor Mike Cole are teaming up to pick five weekly NFL games against the point spread. Each winning selection receives one point and ties earn a half-point. The guys went 1-4 in Week 8.
The betting lines are released every Wednesday and selections are due by Saturday afternoon.
Here are Sam's and Mike's picks for Week 9 of the SuperContest:
New York Giants +3 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
MC: We just can't quit the Giants. They're getting healthier on offense with the return of receivers Kenny Golladay and John Ross this weekend, which is a big boost for quarterback Daniel Jones. New York's defense has really tightened things up over the last couple weeks, too. It allowed only 20 points to Kansas City and held Carolina to just three the week before. Don't be surprised if the Giants win this game outright against a Raiders team that continues to battle off-field issues.
New Orleans Saints -6 vs. Atlanta Falcons
SP: Defense, defense, defense. The Saints' D continues to slow opposing offenses and that song should remain the same against Atlanta. Matt Ryan's offensive line is far from great and wide receiver Calvin Ridley is out for the foreseeable future. There's not a big drop-off from Jameis Winston to Taysom Hill at all and we expect New Orleans to win by at least a touchdown.
Green Bay Packers +7 at Kansas City Chiefs
SP: Aaron Rodgers is an amazing football player, but is he really worth seven points? This line was a pick 'em Wednesday morning before it was reported that Rodgers was ruled out after a positive COVID-19 test. Jordan Love is a first-round draft pick that knows the playbook and spent almost the entire training camp with the Packers starting offense. Green Bay should be able to move the ball thanks to Aaron Jones and the running attack, plus the return of Davante Adams and Allen Lazard.
San Francisco 49ers +1.5 vs. Arizona Cardinals
SP: You have to take the free space here. The rumors about Kyler Murray's status got hot and heavy Thursday afternoon and the betting market tells you everything you need to know. San Francisco morphed from a 1.5-point underdog to a 3.5-point favorite because Arizona appears to be without Murray and star receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The contest lines get locked in on Wednesday, so we're able to capitalize on a bad number. You should too if you're in a similar situation.
Pittsburgh Steelers -6 vs. Chicago Bears
MC: Fading the Bears has become one of our go-to angles this season and we'll gladly go back to the well on Monday Night Football. Chicago's offensive line continues to be a problem and things could get real ugly against that vaunted Pittsburgh defensive front. The key to slowing Chicago is putting pressure on rookie quarterback Justin Fields and forcing him to make mistakes. The Bears won't be able to run the ball and the Steelers will pull away in the second half.
RECORD: (18-20-2, +19 points)
