NFL Week 9 Must Bet Games at the Halfway point of the 2024 Season

The midway point of the season is a good time to reflect on what has passed, and how all of that might shape the second half of the season.

It’s probably no real surprise that the 2-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs are the last team standing in terms of a perfect record, but you can also say that they perhaps haven’t looked as good in 2024 as they have in seasons past.

My NFL Betting Analysis in Week 9

You also have some preseasons favorites, such as the 49ers, Cowboys, and Bengals, who are not living up to the early hype, but can they be fully counted out with half the season still to come.

It is going to be interesting to see how it all plays out, but we are taking it one week at a time, which means turning our attention to Week 9 and the games that we like on the upcoming schedule.

Eight weeks down. How's your team doing? pic.twitter.com/7qugCkQMDU

— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2024

Dalla Cowboys +119 at Atlanta Falcons -146

Sunday, November 3, 2024, 1:00 PM, FOX | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA

We are bypassing the TNF game this weekend and jumping straight into the weekend.

We mentioned at the top of this piece that the Cowboys are failing to live up to expectations, and while there is time to get back into the playoff picture, they are well off the pace being set by the Commanders and Eagles at the top of the NFC East.

The Cowboys are 3-4 and are now in must win territory, which is not good news for this road trip, as they are facing a Falcons team that moved to the top of the NFC South with a big win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past weekend.

All of the Cowboys wins this season have come on the road, so perhaps there is some reason to be positive about their chances.

The Falcons are favored by 2 ½ at home and the total is set at 52.

Miami Dolphins +206 at Buffalo Bills -260

Sunday, November 3, 2024, 1:00 PM, CBS | Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY

Given the current records of these two teams, as well as the state of the AFC East, this is one that I might ordinarily have passed on.

The return of Tua Tagovailoa has changed my opinion, and while the Dolphins still lost in his first game back from another concussion, I think it’s fair to suggest that he needed that game to shake off the rust.

I think he will be better this week, and he is going to need to be against a Bills team that is currently running away with the division.

The Bills are on a 3-game win streak that has moved them to 6-2. Well clear of the Dolphins at 2-5.

A win for the Bills would not secure them the division title, but it would very much put them on the brink.

The Bills are favored by 6, with the point total set at 50.

Denver Broncos +360 at Baltimore Ravens -500

Sunday, November 3, 2024, 1:00 PM, CBS | M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD

It has taken some time, but the Denver Broncos are now showing some real signs of life and are looking like a team that could take a run at the postseason.

Bo Nix seems to be settling in as the starting QB, helping the Broncos win each of their last 3 games, moving them to 5-3 and 2nd spot in the West behind the high-flying Kansas City Chiefs.

While the Broncos are playing well at the moment, they are about to go against a Ravens team that is sure to still be upset after a loss to the Cleveland Browns, who scored late to take an unexpected win.

The Ravens have, for the most part, looked very good this season, but they have had a couple of moments where you have to question their ability to close games out. Baltimore is a 9 ½ point favorite, with the total set at 44 ½.

Detroit Lions -185 at Green Bay Packers +149

Sunday, November 3, 2024, 4:25 PM, FOX | Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI

For me, this is the best matchup on the Week 9 schedule, as it is beginning to look as though these guys are entering into a 2-horse race to win the NFC North.

The Lions are once again living up to preseason expectations, getting out to a 6-1 start to the season, which includes a perfect 3-0 record in road games.

They are in control of the division at the moment and could take a total stranglehold with a win this weekend, but winning at Lambeau Field is never easy.

The Packers are right on the heels of the Lions, sitting at 6-2 and coming into this game on a 4-game winning streak.

They are 3-1 in their own building and will like their chances of making this division race tighter than it already is.

The Lions are a 3-point road favorite, with the total set at 48 ½.

SNF Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings

Sunday, November 3, 2024, 8:20 PM / NBC, Peacock | US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN

There are several things that make this matchup interesting, not the least of which is that questions are starting to be asked of 4 teams.

In Indianapolis, fans are still scratching their heads after learning that QB Anthony Richardson took himself out of a play last weekend because he was tired.

That is not something you would expect to see from an elite QB, but is this a story that is being overhyped or is it a sign of a leadership problem for a team that is 4-4?

The Vikings were the feel-good story at the start of the season, winning each of their first 5 games, but with back-to-back losses, they are now down in 3rd place in the North and looking more like the team we expected. This is a must-win game for both teams.

The Vikings are favored by 6 and the point total is set at 45 ½.

MNF Kansas City Chiefs -461 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers +340

Monday, November 4, 2024, 8:15 PM / ESPN, Peacock | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO

As we mentioned at the top of this piece, the Kansas City Chiefs are the last of the unbeaten teams in the league, sitting comfortably at the top of the AFC West with a 7-0 record.

While you certainly cannot knock that record, the Chiefs have had a couple of close calls this season and have, at times, not looked like a championship winning team.

That said, the fact that they always seem to find a way to win has to be a concern for their opponents.

The Buccaneers have been one of the more exciting teams to watch this season, but you have to wonder how the loss of two of their offensive weapons is going to play out the rest of the season.

They have now lost 2 in a row and need a win in the worst way possible.

The Chiefs are favored by 9 and the total is at 44 ½.

Eight weeks down. How's your team doing? pic.twitter.com/7qugCkQMDU

— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2024

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