NFL Week 9 odds, picks, best bets: Take the Over in Ravens-Seahawks, Bengals bounce Bills

The Josh McDaniels firing was once a “shock” in the sense you most likely did not see the timing of it coming. I undoubtedly did not, if most effective as a result of McDaniels was once two years right into a six-year contract and Raiders proprietor Mark Davis have been preaching endurance when it got here to his new proprietor and common supervisor. I’ve been working thru all the quite a lot of franchise machinations concerned over the remaining 48 hours, including live on an emergency Pick Six podcast after the firing was once introduced (watch under), and a pair further post-pod issues stood out to me. 

One — for those who in point of fact smash down all the strikes the duo of McD and Dave Ziegler made since arriving in Las Vegas, smartly, they are in point of fact dangerous. Even the Davante Adams industry — which netted them an elite receiver who produced large numbers right through his first 12 months — has been a large bust. Especially in comparison to the Tyreek Hill industry the Dolphins made with the Chiefs (everybody gained that deal, while the Packers seem to have fleeced the Raiders). 

Two — and I feel this one in point of fact stood out to me as a captivating hypothetical reason for the firings: What if Davis felt the ex-Pats working his franchise have been totally icing him out? Davis has been concerned in this franchise since taking on, similar to his father. He additionally owns the Las Vegas Aces and lately gained the 2d of back-to-back WNBA titles, dancing on the floor with the team. You can see how he likes to regulate a franchise. I’m *guessing* right here, however it might take a look at that McDaniels and Ziegler, coming from the Bill Belichick faculty of idea, are not looking for their proprietor to be fingers on. 

Again, it is only a bet. There was once numerous proof already fixed towards McDaniels and Ziegler (take a look at Vic Tafur’s viscous/honest breakdown at The Athletic if you haven’t —  he pulls 0 punches however does so in a well mannered way), so my little conspiracy is not essentially vital. 

But I feel it is smart. If they have been necessarily taking keep watch over of his crew and purposely distancing his involvement in the decision-making, it might undoubtedly have larger the force on his cause finger. Factor in all the dumb, dumb stuff they did with the roster, McDaniels’ earlier flameout in Denver and an enormous pile of embarrassing losses, and it would not be loopy for the Raiders proprietor to get uninterested and transfer on. 

Backing both Kenny Pickett or Mitch Trubisky towards Mike Vrabel as an underdog does not hassle me in step with se. What bothers me is backing Matt Canada, however obviously he is found out some never-ending provide of magic beans, offered his soul or is doing an unbelievable modern day replace of “Weekend at Bernie’s,” as a result of the Steelers have controlled to get a hold of some *stuff* on offense the previous few weeks that they’ve no industry in point of fact finding. My slump is it is most commonly Pickett freelancing right through no-huddle drives and Canada taking part in the (*9*) and pretending he isn’t shocked when his offense does one thing just right. Against the Titans, the Steelers will have to have the ability to transfer the soccer sufficient to win. 

Panthers (+2.5) vs. Indianpolis

Do you consider in miracles? No, OK, high-quality. Do you consider in Revenge Games™️ ? Great, as a result of that is the highest Revenge Game™️. Frank Reich was once fired midseason remaining 12 months as Colts trainer for Jeff Saturday. If you do not know the main points, here is a fast obtain: Reich gained a Super Bowl as an offensive coordinator, and Saturday hadn’t coached above the highschool stage previous to that 12 months. Jeff is not responsible, despite the fact that; Jim Irsay is responsible. And Lil’ Jimmy Irsay is lacking his quarterback and provided most effective with Gardner Minshew. The Panthers are not just right and the Colts are not dangerous, however Indy should not be preferred right here on the street. Bryce Young most certainly were given the sport ball remaining week, however even though Reich did I will simply image David Tepper handing him any other one, slapping him on the again and getting a just right guffaw in on Irsay’s behalf.

Ravens/Seahawks over (44)

This finally ends up being the highest-scoring sport of the week by some means. Both groups like to get bizarre and chuck it round in the 2d part. Lamar Jackson and this Todd Monken offense is beginning to click on. We’re going to look an explosive sport quickly, particularly with the Ravens protection being skinny on the backend. Eugene Cyril Smith III ( him higher as Geno Smith however I digress) is, and it is humorous to jot down this sentence, the highest foil, too. Think Seahawks-Lions the place this factor will get into the 70s. 

The Buffalo Bills are my Super Bowl select, so I’m OK being incorrect right here … I simply do not assume I’m. The Bengals are laying lower than a box purpose towards a banged-up rival in the AFC simply as Joe Burrow is getting totally wholesome, Tee Higgins is coming again, the protection is in point of fact beginning to mesh and the entirety goes proper for Cincy? Buffalo added Rasul Douglas (DNP — “just got here”) however did not make stronger the offense, or even with Douglas added this protection has been ravaged by means of harm. Play two prime, blitz aggressively, do no matter you wish to have — a cell Joey Burrrrr is gonna be locked in and carve up this injury-riddled unit. He will get up large time for Buffalo and Kansas City, and he’s going to do it at house on Sunday night time needless to say. 

The Saints are not just right? Or are they? Maybe it isn’t important in this model of the NFC South. If you listened to my Wednesday hit on Audacy’s “You Better You Bet” with my just right buddies Ken and Nick, you could possibly have heard Locky resolution my “who are the Saints” query with (paraphrasing right here): “a questionable team with bad coaching, good defense that will end up at like 8-9 and host a playoff game,” and MAN it’s tricky to overcome that description. Walk thru the Saints resume this season and you will not get a hold of a solution on how they paintings. But the Bears are rolling out Tyson Bagent and, regardless of his dad’s large muscular tissues and his cool nickname, he isn’t the resolution towards a top quality protection like New Orleans. This one will get out of hand in the first part and does not ever come again.