There are so many different ways to make your picks for Week 9 of the NFL season on DraftKings and DraftKings Sportsbook. The DraftKings Pick ‘Em Pools are one of the best ways to get in on the action.
DraftKings has huge NFL Pick ‘Em Pools for Week 9. You can enter the $5 NFL Week 9 Spreads Pool with $5,000+ in prizes here. You can also enter the $100 NFL Week 9 Spreads Pool with $4,000+ in prizes here.
NFL Pick ‘Em Pools
These pools are really easy to use and allow you to have action for the entire NFL season with just one entry fee. For the season-long pools, each week you will go back to the pool and pick five games on the slate against the spread. Each correct selection is worth one point. You will also be given one “skip week” during the season, where you don’t need to make picks if you don’t have a good feel for that slate. That way, even if you have one bad week, you are still in contention in the contest. You can also play the weekly pools, where you pick every featured game against the spread.
Every week of the regular season, I will be giving out my five favorite selections, along with my leans for every other game on the slate.
Week 9 Picks
Texans -1.5 vs. Broncos — The Texans finally got back on track with a good win over the 49ers in Week 8. It seems unlikely that Houston will catch up to the Colts to win its third straight AFC South title. That means it will be in a tightly contested race for the AFC Wild Card spots. One of the teams it will likely be competing with is the Broncos, making this a massive game for both teams. Measuring by EPA/play, the Texans have the best defense in the NFL. They are a well-coached, disciplined defensive unit with stars at every level. That gives them a chance to win every game. The offense has been decimated by injuries for the second straight season, but it could be getting reinforcements this week. Both Nico Collins and Christian Kirk have a chance of getting back on the field this week.
This Denver offense has been spectacular at home, averaging 31.3 points per game. However, on the road, the Broncos are averaging just 20.5 points per game. Similarly, C.J. Stroud is a much better quarterback in Houston compared to on the road. In his career, he is 13-6 in Houston with a 32-11 TD-INT ratio. On the road, he is 9-11 with a 22-11 TD-INT ratio. In Houston, I will back C.J. Stroud to get the win with his top receiver hopefully returning to the field.
49ers -2.5 @ Giants — The 49ers could also be getting massive reinforcements back this week. Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall both have the potential to return to the field on Sunday. Mac Jones was doing a good job in Purdy’s stead for a while, but his play has tailed off over the last couple of weeks. If the 49ers can get back to an offense with Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings and George Kittle, they will be hard to stop. Kyle Shanahan has done a great job of keeping this team afloat, but it needs reinforcements.
This is the time to attack a Giants team that is reeling from the devastating injury to Cam Skattebo. Skattebo brought such a special energy to the Giants’ sideline and had a unique connection with Jaxson Dart. They will become a more one-dimensional offense without Skattebo, putting more pressure on Dart. Robert Saleh’s defense should come with some tricky looks to give Dart some issues. The Giants are regressing after the bump they got from Dart coming in, and the 49ers should be improving as they continue to get healthier.
Rams -13.5 vs. Saints — The Rams are arguably the most underrated team in the NFL. This offense has been a machine with Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford over the past few years. With Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, they have one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL. After the bye week last week, Nacua is expected to be back on the field this week. That will have the Rams back at full strength offensively.
This offense already ranks third in the NFL in success rate, and they should move it against a Saints defense that ranks 22nd in defensive EPA/dropback. Tyler Shough will be making his first career start for the Saints, and this is a tough matchup for him. The Rams rank second in the NFL in defensive EPA/play this season, and they should shut down Shough. This is a blowout spot for the Rams.
Chiefs -1.5 at Bills — The Chiefs and Bills face off in one of the most anticipated games of the NFL season. The Bills got back on track with a blowout win following the bye week. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have won three games in a row and look like the Super Bowl Chiefs once again. Patrick Mahomes has been remarkable. The Chiefs rank third in the NFL in offensive EPA/play and first in offensive success rate. Both of these teams have elite offenses, but the Chiefs are more trustworthy on defense. They rank fourth in the NFL in defensive EPA/dropback and should be able to slow down Josh Allen. This is a massive game, and the Chiefs have been the more consistent team this season, making them the team to back in this game.
Cowboys -2.5 vs. Cardinals — The Cowboys are a frustrating team to watch. Their offense is incredible, but their defense is as bad as their offense is good. Dallas ranks fifth in the NFL in offensive EPA/play, with good rushing and passing numbers. However, it ranks dead last in defensive EPA/play. Against teams like the Broncos, whom they played last week, it is tough for the Cowboys. Denver is elite on defense and can slow down the Cowboys’ offense. It is also competent enough on offense to exploit the Dallas defense.
However, the Cardinals are a team that the Cowboys can attack. Arizona ranks 20th in defensive EPA/play and 28th in defensive success rate. Dallas should put up a big number and make the Cardinals play catch-up. Arizona also ranks 28th in offensive success rate and should struggle to keep up with the explosive Dallas offense. Since starting the season 2-0, the Cardinals have lost five straight games. That losing skid should continue against the Cowboys.
Week 9 Leans
Ravens -7.5 at Dolphins
Steelers +3.5 vs. Colts
Packers -12.5 vs. Panthers
Vikings +8.5 at Lions
Chargers -9.5 at Titans
Patriots -5.5 vs. Falcons
Bears -2.5 at Bengals
Raiders +3.5 vs. Jaguars
Seahawks -3.5 at Commanders
