Betting picks for every team total in Week 9
Here's a look at the team totals for all 26 teams playing in Week 9, along with our picks and confidence level on a scale of one to five stars:
Oakland Raiders at San Francisco 49ersRaiders' team total: 21.5 points
Oakland can score when games call for shootouts. Otherwise, this is still an offense that is averaging just 19.7 points per game, masked by a couple of inflated scores.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a
49ers' team total: 23.5 points
The Raiders' defense is quietly the worst in terms of opponents' yards per play this season. Watching Oakland last weekend against the Colts, we have no faith in it putting together a full four-quarter performance, even against a 49ers offense led by C.J. Beathard.
Pick: Over (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a
Lions' team total: 21.5 points
Matthew Stafford and the Lions' offense have had trouble in Minnesota as of late, averaging just 17.6 points in their last six trips. It'll also be the first week for the offense sans Golden Tate, taking away one of its biggest weapons for a tough road test.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a a
Vikings' team total: 27.5 points
Minnesota might finally be able to get its No. 25 rushing attack going against one of the worst run defenses in the league. The Vikings can put up plenty of points on a weekly basis, but at this number, we're leaning in the opposite direction.
Pick: Under (-125)
Confidence Level: a a
Chiefs' team total: 30.5 points
No one has an answer for how to slow down Kansas City, especially a Cleveland defense giving up more than six yards per play over its last three.
Pick: Over (-125)
Confidence Level: a a a
Browns' team total: 20.5 points
Out goes offensive coordinator Todd Haley, in comes Freddie Kitchens. It's difficult to gauge how the Browns will come out on offense with the coaching changes, but based simply on matchup and opportunities, we think there's enough there to get this one over.
Pick: Over (+100)
Confidence Level: a a
Steelers' team total: 22.5 points
The Steelers are the league's hottest road team, winning 15 of their last 16 and three straight when getting points. This is a revenge spot for Pittsburgh, which faces a Baltimore defense that has taken a step back in the last few weeks.
Pick: Over (-120)
Confidence Level: a a
Ravens' team total: 24.5 points
We'll take a shot on Pittsburgh's defense - which is allowing just 4.5 yards per play over the last three games - against a Ravens offense averaging only 18.5 points over its last four.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a a
Jets' team total: 19.5 points
Miami's defense has been the worst unit over the last three weeks, allowing opponents to post a gaudy 7.6 yards per play. This will be the second time Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold gets the Dolphins, and we believe he'll bounce back after falling to them back in Week 2.
Pick: Over (-138)
Confidence Level: a a a a
Dolphins' team total: 23.5 points
The Dolphins are still dealing with some injuries on offense and Brock Osweiler remains a wild card. Under, but not by much.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a
Bears' team total: 24.5 points
If Bills quarterback Nathan Peterman doesn't repeatedly throw the ball to opposing defensive backs for six, 24.5 is a lot against a defense that is still quite stout.
Pick: Under (-125)
Confidence Level: a a a
Bills' team total: 12.5 points
This is the week, ladies and gentlemen. The Bills are going to do the one thing on Sunday they've done in only half their games this season: score more than 12.5 points.
Pick: Over (-150)
Confidence Level: a a
Buccaneers' team total: 23.5 points
Ryan Fitzpatrick has free-rolled his way into the spotlight once again. Carolina should just drop 11 back in coverage and completely take away Tampa's offense.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a
Panthers' team total: 30.5 points
Forever fade a Tampa defense on the road, where it has given up an average of 39.2 points in four games this season.
Pick: Over (-125)
Confidence Level: a a a a
Falcons' team total: 23.5 points
The Falcons are averaging a shade over 20 points per game in 10 contests on the road since Steve Sarkisian became offensive coordinator in 2017. Atlanta also faces an underrated Washington defense allowing an average of just 18 points at home this season.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a a
Redskins' team total: 24.5 points
The Falcons' porous defense, or a Redskins offense that has scored more than 24 points just once this season? Take the former.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a
Texans' team total: 22.5 points
We don't think there's much to it, but it is interesting that defenses are giving up a ton of points the week after playing Kansas City. Houston should be able to feed a red-hot Lamar Miller to set up play-action, and the Texans now have another weapon on the outside in wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.
Pick: Over (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a a
Broncos' team total: 23.5 points
There's no more Thomas for Broncos quarterback Case Keenum, but there's still a capable rookie in Courtland Sutton, who's ready for a bigger role. We're a big fan of the over in this one in general, so Denver gets a vote of confidence.
Pick: Over (-110)
Confidence Level: a a a
Chargers' team total: 23.5 points
This is an extremely generous number for a team that is currently tied for first in the league in adjusted yards per play. Despite holding the Lions to 14 points last weekend, Seattle's defense is still not good enough to hold the Chargers under this number.
Pick: Over (-110)
Confidence Level: a a a a a
Seahawks' team total: 24.5 points
We love picking spots with the Seahawks' offense, especially when Russell Wilson is priced as an underdog. It's a toss-up in this situation, but we'll ride the hook for a cushion.
Pick: Under (-125)
Confidence Level: a a
Rams' team total: 29.5 points
New Orleans has cleaned up its defensive mess from the first half of the season but we're not ready to buy in against this Rams offense in a dome.
Pick: Over (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a a
Saints' team total: 30.5 points
It's not news that Drew Brees and the Saints can put up a boatload of points at home. Given the pace this game should be played at, we don't think L.A. can handcuff New Orleans for a full four quarters.
Pick: Over (-110)
Confidence Level: a a a
Packers' team total: 24.5 points
This feels like a good week to fade the Packers, who are coming off a heartbreaking road loss and play in a tough spot against a hot New England team at home in prime time.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a a
Patriots' team total: 31.5 points
Green Bay had a terrific game plan for the Rams last weekend and still allowed 29 points. Tom Brady should have his way in what we expect to be a full-on letdown for the Packers.
Pick: Over (-110)
Confidence Level: a a a
Titans' team total: 16.5 points
Tennessee's offense is still dragging despite a near-breakout against the Chargers in Week 8. It isn't one made for explosive plays, and we don't think the Titans can grind out this low number.
Pick: Under (+100)
Confidence Level: a a a
Cowboys' team total: 23.5 points
The Cowboys' offense still leaves a lot to be desired. Adding Amari Cooper will help down the stretch run, but we'll take a shot on Tennessee's defense limiting Dak Prescott and Co.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.
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