15 games before the trade deadline: week 9 NFL picks and predictions, straight-up and ATS, Bills outshine Vikings; Chiefs, Seahawks bounce back

Trade deadline shapes Week 9

The Week 9 schedule arrives just before the NFL Trade Deadline. The article notes that deals could also happen before Thursday or Sunday, as general managers work the phones.

Bills-Vikings, Buccaneers-Bears, Packers-Patriots and Raiders-49ers are among the matchups highlighted. The slate includes 15 games, with predictions offered straight-up and against the spread.

Bills favored over Vikings

The pick is Buffalo over Minnesota on Monday night, with the Bills expected to win by more than a field goal. The Vikings are coming off their first loss, though their defense held Detroit to 19 points.

The reasoning points to Josh Allen and a Buffalo offense described as more dangerous and healthier. Minnesota’s offense, led by Kyler Murray, is not expected to exploit the Bills’ defensive weakness or keep pace, even if the Vikings slow Allen.

San Francisco expected to pull away

The Raiders are described as a team that can beat weaker opponents but struggles against playoff contenders. That assessment makes their road game against the 49ers a difficult matchup.

San Francisco is 6-1 and is coming off a bye, despite injuries that have left the team shorthanded. The prediction expects its defense to slow Las Vegas and Brock Purdy and the 49ers’ offense to produce a decisive home win.

Season records and Dallas caution

The season record entering Week 9 is 71-52 straight-up and 54-66-3 against the spread. Last week’s results were 8-6 straight-up and 7-7 ATS. The writer warns against picking Dallas on the road at Indianapolis after the Cowboys lost a two-score lead in the fourth quarter to Gardner Minshew the previous week. The available discussion does not provide the full prediction for that matchup.