NFL Week 9 Tips: Back the Pack to end their historic losing run

The 2022 NFL season is as competitive as ever and multiple teams still have a realistic chance of making the postseason - here, expert Jack Goddard offers his week 9 predictions.

Minnesota Vikings (-3) @ Washington Commanders (+3)

Kick-off: 6pm Sunday GMT

Kevin O’Connell must be thinking that being head coach of an NFL team is the easiest job in the world. He’s taken the Vikings, who registered losing records in each of their last two seasons, to a 6-1 record and the current number two seed in the NFC.

Choppier waters could be ahead. Minnesota have only faced two sides with a winning record so far: the Eagles and the Dolphins. They won in Miami but the Fins were missing starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, while Philly thrashed the Vikes 24-7.

With the Bills and Cowboys on the horizon, this is a must-win game for Minnesota. The Commanders boast an underrated defence that has allowed just 14.7 points per game over their last three matchups. Those defensive performances were against Sam Ehlinger’s Colts, the misfiring Packers, and the Bears, however. Even with Chase Young potentially returning, Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson will get the job done. Just.

Prediction: Minnesota Vikings -2.5 @ 1.82

Miami Dolphins (-4) @ Chicago Bears (+4)

Kick-off: 6pm Sunday GMT

Miami effectively handed the Lions a 14-point head-start on Sunday, as Detroit led 21-7 two minutes into the second quarter. In the second half, however, the Fins got their act together. They scored 14 unanswered points of their own to take the game by four. I hope some of you were on my tip of the Dolphins -3.5!

Based on their late showing in Detroit, I fancy Miami again this week. They are available at juicy odds once more to take care of a below-par team and, with Tua back to his best and Bradley Chubb now on-board, the Fins need to be taken more seriously. Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill both surpassed 100 yards again last weekend, with the former catching his first touchdowns in six weeks (Hill’s dry spell continues).

The Bears are decent - they’ve put up serious points on the Patriots and the Cowboys in the last two weeks, and it will be interesting to see how Chase Claypool will be worked into the offence - but they’re not at the Dolphins’ level yet.

Prediction: Miami Dolphins -4.5 @ 2.04

Green Bay Packers (-3.5) @ Detroit Lions (+3.5)

Kick-off: 6pm Sunday GMT

Green Bay are now in real danger of missing the postseason for the first time since Matt LeFleur took over. Remarkably, the Cheeseheads have now lost four in a row, which is Aaron Rodgers’ worst losing streak in six years. The veteran quarterback hasn’t lost five on the bounce since 2008, his first year as a starter. The Packers’ current record of 3-5 is also Rodgers’ worst ever start to a season.

They finally have a shot at redemption as they travel to face the 1-6 Lions on Sunday. Detroit are on an even longer losing run than Green Bay, coming into this matchup with five consecutive defeats - it says a lot about the Packers’ sudden downfall that the spread is just 3.5!

I believe Rodgers and his team will rediscover their groove in this matchup. Both sides have an awful time defending the run - Green Bay’s giving up 141.3 rushing yards per game, while Detroit are allowing 154.9. DeAndre Swift is still not 100% for this game, which paves the way for Jamaal Williams, who faces his old team, to have another good day. 

On the other side, Aaron Jones is on fire at the moment. He ran for 143 yards against the Bills last week and is primed to lift his side to victory here.

Prediction: Green Bay Packers -3.5 @ 1.97

NFL Week 9 Predictions

Vikings @ Commanders: Minnesota -2.5 @ 1.82
Dolphins @ Bears: Miami -4.5 @ 2.04
Packers @ Lions: Green Bay -3.5 @ 1.97