Bye weeks seem like a great opportunity to take a breath, heal, recharge and be ready to go when two weeks later. But teams coming off bye weeks aren’t great follows when it comes to NFL betting. 

So far this season, teams are a rough 3-9 against the spread after their bye week. The previous two seasons, it’s been 50%. In 2021, far worse (11-19-2, 36.7%). 

The Under is 6-4 this season for teams coming off their bye (60%). Last year, the Under was a massive 9-23 (39.1%). In 2022, Under was 20-12 (62.5%). 

No teams are coming off a bye heading into Week 9, but with byes coming up in five of the next six weeks, it could be something to keep in the back of one’s mind. 

Bookies.com veteran NFL handicapper Adam Thompson has created the system that finds the matchups worth backing. Thompson has hit on over 60% of his NFL best bets in each of the last three years. Here are his two parlays for Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season:

Intriguing NFL Week 9 Parlays

Odds are current as of publication but subject to change. For the most updated NFL odds, please check the betting apps.

The “Big Pointers” Parlay

Leg 1: Eagles -7.5 over Jaguars  

The Eagles are starting to turn things around, winning their last two games by 20 and 25 points. The offense should keep it going against one of the bottom-tier pass defenses. Trevor Lawrence may have few options in his own pass game due to injury. If Philly gets ahead early, it pulls away big late. 

Leg 2: Ravens -9 over Broncos 

While Baltimore ranks No. 1 in the NFL in both rushing yards and rush yards allowed, it’s also dead-last vs. the pass. Some teams can exploit that, but the Broncos aren’t one of them. The Ravens need a get-right game after last week’s loss to the Browns. 

Leg 3: Panthers +7 over Saints 

Carolina actually played not-terrible football last week, still losing by two TDs to the Broncos. But New Orleans hasn’t been any better, dropping their last four all by at least 13 points. Bryce Young will find things easier and the Panthers have a huge advantage in the trenches. 

The “Defense The Home” Parlay

Leg 1: Bills ML over Dolphins 

Miami still didn’t have flow last week in a home loss to the Cardinals despite getting Tua Tagovailoa back. The Dolphins might improve here, but the Bills are playing as well as anyone. They just pounded the Seahawks 31-10 in Seattle and crushed this same Miami team (with Tua) by the same score in Week 2. 

Leg 2: Commanders -3.5 over Giants 

The Commanders should have lost to the Bears, but Chicago gifted them a win. They can get back on track here and exert some dominance against a Giants team that is playing like their season is over – which it is. Injuries are crushing NYG, and Washington should come out focused big-time here. 

Leg 3: Seahawks ML over Rams 

L.A. got more dangerous with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back for Matthew Stafford, but the defense and run game still isn’t enough. Seattle has been highly inconsistent and has dropped 3-of-4, but hammered a Rams-like Falcons team two weeks ago. L.A. is 0-3 ATS on the road.