The top 5 betting plays for Week 9

Todd Gurley bypassing a walk-in touchdown to go down inside the 5-yard line and keep last Sunday's game under the total was one of those losses that's tough to brush off. Eighteen backdoor touchdown wins in a row would only heal a quarter of the stomach ulcers that formed that afternoon.

The lesson, as always: Have a short memory, ladies and gentlemen. Here are Week 9's top betting plays. Be sure to shop around for the best numbers available.

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins

Wager: Jets +3

I'll continue to fade the Miami Dolphins' defense when they host the New York Jets for the second matchup of the regular season.

The unit seemed to be Miami's strength after holding the Titans, Raiders, and these Jets to 20 points or fewer in the each of the first three weeks. Then, the Dolphins started playing competent offenses (or non-rookie quarterbacks) and allowed 27 points or more in the next five.

In the last three games, they reached a whole new level of bad: The Dolphins allowed the most yards per play (7.5) and highest opposing quarterback rating (143.9) over that span.

On the offensive side, Brock Osweiler hasn't been awful in his three starts, but what might hurt him this week is his skill corps' lack of depth. Albert Wilson remains out and Kenny Stills has been hampered by a groin injury. The Jets' defense arguably presents the toughest test for the backup-turned-starter, since New York's 86.1 opposing QB passing rating is sixth in the NFL.

After a Week 2 loss in which the Jets outgained the Dolphins by more than 100 yards and were snakebitten by turnovers, we're banking on another thumbs-up performance from Sam Darnold against a below-average defense.

Los Angeles Chargers at Seattle Seahawks

Wager: Chargers' team total over 23.5

Over the rest of the season, good luck finding a better price on a team total for an offense that's tied for first in adjusted yards per play.

Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots

Wager: Patriots -5

The public loved Aaron Rodgers and the Packers getting more than a touchdown last week against the Rams, as they do this Sunday when Green Bay heads to Foxboro to take on New England. This time, we're fading the Packers against one of the hottest teams in the NFL.

Green Bay held the Rams to 5.5 yards per play while sacking Jared Goff five times. The Packers threw the kitchen sink at their opponent defensively and still came out with a loss. For their second straight road game, they're taking a long trip to the other side of the continent and one of the toughest places to play.

Extra PointsLos Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints

Recommended Pick: Over 58

It takes a lot of guts to go back to the well seven days after Gurley put a dagger into the hearts of over bettors. But with Rams receiver Cooper Kupp on track to return from injury, the Saints scoring at a torrid pace, and both offenses playing in a dome, we expect another barrage of points from two of the league's highest-powered offenses.

Houston Texans at Denver Broncos

Recommended Pick: Broncos -1

The 3-5 Broncos came oh-so-close to flipping that record in narrow losses against the Chiefs and Rams, two of the top teams in the NFL. Houston, on the other hand, is riding a five-game win streak, though two wins came in overtime and another pair over inferior competitors Buffalo and Miami. We'll take a shot on Denver breaking through in Week 10.

Top plays: 16-6-1 (72.7 percent)

Overall record: 26-12-1 (68.4 percent)

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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