Week 9 NFL Best Bets: Allen vs. Mahomes Fills Halloween Bag Of Treats
Halloween arrives with a bag of full-sized candy bars to highlight our Week 9 NFL Best Bets. The biggest treat of the weekend comes at Sunday on 4:25 p.m. on CBS when Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen resume hostilities in Buffalo. The Chiefs and Bills last met in the AFC Championship Game in January as Kansas City scored a referee-aided, come-from-behind, 32-29 victory.
Taylor Swift and Park Avenue were thrilled.
The Chiefs and Bills each endured early-season struggles. Neither team finds itself in first place division-wise this week. But the Chiefs top the Super Bowl futures betting market as +550 favorites at DraftKings. The Bills are the No. 2 pick out of the AFC at +750.
The more things change, the more . . .
Our Week 9 NFL Best Bets begin on Thursday night with the NFL’s version of a haunted house as the Ravens (and maybe Lamar Jackson) visit Miami. Scott Hanson breaks out the RedZone Octo-Box during the 1 p.m. window. The Sunday night game sends Seattle to Washington. And the Cardinals visit Jerry World Monday night.
The high-flying Jets, Eagles, Browns and Buccaneers are on the bye.
Promo Code: BOOKIES
NFL First-Half Season Betting Trends
The biggest betting storyline thus far in 2025 has been uncertainty.
The best teams in the NFL against the spread thus on top sports betting sites? Indianapolis and New England. Both are 6-2. You all saw that coming when Daniel Jones got the QB 1 spot in Inday, and the Patriot began the season with their third coach in three seasons.
Among the teams with just 2 wins on the line: the Baltimore Ravens. Ravaged by injuries this season, the Ravens began the year among the top 5 picks to win the Super Bowl.
Favorites began the season the on a heater, winning outright at nearly an 80% clip going back to last season. And while the favorites went 12-2 (80%) in Week 8, the full-season run has cooled to where the favorites are winning outright 71.4% of the time. That’s close to the norm of the past 5 seasons. Favorites are hitting at 57.1% ATS, that’s slightly above the norm. And totals are leaning slightly toward the over (at 54.7%).
Week 9 NFL Best Bets: Odds & Picks
| DATE | MATCHUP | BEST BET | TIME TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Oct. 30 |  Baltimore Ravens at  Miami Dolphins | MIA +7.5 | 8:15 p.m. (Prime) |
| Sun., Nov. 2 |  Indianapolis Colts at  Pittsburgh Steelers | IND -3 | 1 p.m. (CBS) |
| Sun., Nov. 2 |  Chicago Bears at  Cincinnati Bengals | CHI ML | 1 p.m. (CBS) |
| Sun., Nov. 2 |  Minnesota Vikings at  Detroit Lions | DET -9.5 | 1 p.m. (FOX) |
| Sun., Nov. 2 |  LA Chargers at  Tennessee Titans | LAC -10 | 1 p.m. (CBS) |
| Sun., Nov. 2 |  Denver Broncos at  Houston Texans | HOU ML | 1 p.m. (FOX) |
| Sun., Nov. 2 |  Atlanta Falcons at  New England Patriots | NE -5.5 | 1 p.m. (CBS) |
| Sun., Nov. 2 |  San Francisco 49ers at  N.Y. Giants | SF -2.5 | 1 p.m. (CBS) |
| Sun., Nov. 2 |  Carolina Panthers at  Green Bay Packers | CAR +11.5 | 1 p.m. (FOX) |
| Sun., Nov. 2 |  Jacksonville Jaguars at  Las Vegas Raiders | JAX -3 | 4:05 p.m. (FOX) |
| Sun., Nov. 2 |  New Orleans Saints at  Los Angeles Rams | LAR -13 | 4:05 p.m. (FOX) |
| Sun., Nov. 2 |  Kansas City Chiefs at  Buffalo Bills | KC -1 | 4:25 p.m. (CBS) |
| Sun., Nov. 2 |  Seattle Seahawks at  Washington Commanders | SEA -3 | 8:20 p.m. (NBC) |
| Mon, Nov. 3 |  Arizona Cardinals at  Dallas Cowboys | AZ +2.5 | 8:15 p.m. (ABC) |
Favorite Underdog / Value Total (O/U)
Week 9 NFL Best Bets: Game-By-Game Breakdown
Thursday, October 30
Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins, 8:15 p.m. (Prime)
Buzz: The Dolphins are not who we thought they were in Week 8 with a 34-10 win over the Falcons. Miami won outright as 7-point road dogs off a +280 money line. The Ravens, their fans and bettors, expect to see Lamar Jackson play in what is a homecoming for the Pompano Beach, Florida, native. The NFL said it will investigate the discrepancies on the Ravens’ official practice report that let to many believing Jackson would play this past weekend. Baltimore’s defense has begun to heal and was nearly at 100% in a dominant 30-16 win over Chicago. The Dolphins have yet to win back-to-back games this season. So don’t bother staying up all night waiting for the Great Pumpkin here. But they'll grab a backdoor cover.
Best Bet: Dolphins +7.5 (-115) ESPN BET via OddsJam
Promo Code: BOOKIES20X
Sunday, November 2
Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Buzz: Indiana Jones brings the smash hit sequel of the season to Pittsburgh. The Colts 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS Colts own the best record in the NFL in both categories. (They’re tied with New England at 6-2 ATS). The Steelers’ secondary got wrecked by the Packers in a 35-25 loss. The Colts can beat Mike Tomlin’s shell of a defense. He can stack up against Jonathan Taylor or try to take away the middle and deep ball. It won’t matter. Aaron Rodgers may be ready to tap out after Sunday’s night embarrassment against his former team.
Best Bet: Colts -3 (-105) BetMGM via OddsJam
Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Buzz: The Bengals defense did its best Bart Scott on Sunday. It couldn’t “stop a nosebleed” in an unforgivable 39-38 loss to the previously winless Jets. The Bengals allowed 23 points in the final quarter. To. The. Jets. That offers the perfect cure for Caleb Williams and the Bears, who managed just one TD in garbage time against the Ravens. Meanwhile, Ageless Joe Flacco continues to deal. But even he cannot throw the ball and stop the other team from throwing the ball.
Best Bet: Bears ML (-125) ESPN BET via OddsJam
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Buzz: The Lions have become human this season – at least when it comes to the spread. Detroit enters this week just 5-2 on the line. The Lions own the best number ATS of any NFL team since 2021. Minnesota hasn’t been the same since Sam Darnold left town. And Minnesota’s defense has begun to fade, as well. The Lions hit the bye following a decisive 24-9 over Tampa Bay. They’re ready to roar at home and deliver a good old Ford Field beatdown. Not to mention grab a large cover against an NFC North foe among our Week 9 NFL Best Bets.
Best Bet: Lions -9.5 (+100) ESPN BET via OddsJam
Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Buzz: This number offers a perfect example of recency bias on both side. The Panthers and Andy Dalton (who replaced an injured Bryce Young) got smoked at home by the Bills. The Panthers expect Young to play this week. The Packers demolished Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers Sunday night. Jordan Love tore up the Steelers’ battered defense. Neither team will be as good or bad as it was last week. The Panthers are 5-3 ATS and have yet to get a double-digit number this season.
Best Bet: Carolina +11.5 (-110) ESPN BET via OddsJam
Los Angeles Chargers at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Buzz: The Titans got their lone win of 2025 last month. They got wrecked 38-14 by the Colts in Week 8 as 15-point dogs. The 5-3 Chargers continue to flirt with first place in the AFC West and a potential playoff spot. This is about as must-win as it gets for Jim Harbaugh and the Bolts. LA failed to cover for 5 straight weeks before a 37-10 win at -3 over Minnesota Thursday night. But 21 points gets them the cover here.
Best Bet: Chargers -10 (-110) DraftKings via OddsJam
Denver Broncos at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Buzz: Sean Payton and the 6-2 Broncos have come alive these past two weeks. Since trailing the Giants 26-8 with less than 7 minutes to play in Week 7, the Broncos outscored both Big Blue and Dallas (on Sunday) by a combined score of 69-31. C.J. Stroud threw for 318 yards and 2 TDs in Houston’s get-right 26-15 win over San Francisco. The Broncos and Bo Nix struggle against front pressure, and the Texans boast that in abundance. Both defenses flex here. But this total seems off at 39.5. Houston scores a close win at home.
Best Bet: Texans ML (+100) ESPN BET via OddsJam
Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Buzz: Can’t the Patriots get some love from the oddsmakers? New England shares the best record in the NFL at 6-2 ATS. The Patriots have covered lines of 5.5, 6.5 and 7.5 already this season. Sunday, the Patriots tore up one of the NFL’s top defenses with a 32-13 over Cleveland. And Myles Garrett still grabbed 5 sacks. The Falcons are not nearly as bad as they looked Sunday against the Dolphins, a team New England beat earlier this year in Miami. This number tells us Michael Penix returns this week to face fellow 2024 first-round pick Drake Maye. Still, ride the Maye Day Express until further notice.
Best Bet: Patriots -5.5 (-110) ESPN BET via OddsJam
San Francisco 49ers at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Buzz: Week 8 shattered the Giants. Big Blue got walloped by 38-20 by the Eagles. And New York lost rookie RB sensation Cam Skattebo likely for the season due to an ankle injury. San Francisco continued its consistent run of inconsistency in losing 26-15 to the host Texans. The 49ers are just a game out of first place in the anything-goes NFC West. The Giants are on to 2026. Look for lots of CMC and George Kittle from San Francisco, whenever Mac Jones isn't fumbling the ball or throwing a pick.
Best Bet: 49ers -2.5 (-115) BetMGM via OddsJam
Jacksonville Jaguars at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
Buzz: The Jaguars and Raiders come off the bye. Jacksonville dropped two straight after its upset, come-from-behind win over Kansas City. That included a 35-7 loss to the Rams in London before the break. They’re a mess, committing too many penalties, missing too many kicks, and allowing too many sacks. Still, the 4-3 Jaguars remain in the AFC Wildcard chase. First-year coach Liam Coen remains confident in his key parts. The 2-5 Raiders continue their journey to nowhere. Not even Tom Brady can fix this mess. Jacksonville takes advantage of a get-right opportunity here.
Best Bet: Jaguars -3 (-115) BetMGM via OddsJam
New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
Buzz: Spencer Rattler. Tyler Shough. Drew Brees. Archie Manning. It doesn’t matter who the Saints slot in as QB. New Orleans (1-7) moved into the express lane for the No. 1 overall pick with a moribund 23-3 home loss to Tampa Bay. The Rams are part of a log jam atop the NFC West in which three teams are within a game of first place. The Rams come off the bye having won 3 of 4 and allowed just 10 points combined in their previous 2 games. This is a big number, but as we saw with the Colts (-15) and Titans in Week 8, these games between playoff contenders and those aiming for draft position can get ugly. This one has a 24-7 feel for our Week 9 NFL Best Bets.
Best Bet: Rams -13 (-115) Hard Rock Bet via OddsJam
Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Buzz: Jim Nantz and Tony Romo voice the 10th chapter in the Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen Saga. This chapter’s storyline offers a rematch of January’s AFC Championship Game. The Chiefs and the refs won that one 32-29 in a thrilling fashion. Allen and the Bills hold a 4-1 edge in the regular season. (The lone KC win came in 2020.) But Mahomes, the Chiefs, and Park Avenue have won each of the 4 playoff matchups. Kansas City faced Washington Monday night. The 5-2 Bills served notice with a 40-9 bludgeoning of host Carolina Sunday. But that carried a mirage feel given they smashed a depleted Panthers squad without Bryce Young. Meanwhile, Mahomes suddenly has a top-tier group of targets on his radar. Kansas City’s defense continues to cover for whatever shortcomings remain on offense. Ahead of Monday night, the Chiefs allowed just 17.7 points and 174.6 yards per game, both 3rd in the NFL.
Best Bet: Chiefs -1 (-110) BetMGM via OddsJam
Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Buzz: NBC pulled the short straw this week. Coming off what’s likely to be another instant classic between Kansas City and Buffalo, the Sunday Night Football audience gets a 6-7 mid-season matchup. Think Katy Perry playing a 4,500-seat venue following a Taylor Swift stadium show. The always-up-for-grabs NFC West includes the Seahawks as part of its three-way traffic jam. Seattle QB Sam Darnold continues to deliver in the regular season. Any issues concerning the East Coast travel are mitigated by the prime-time kickoff.
Best Bet: Seahawks -3 (-110) BetMGM via OddsJam
Monday, November 3
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m. (ABC)
Buzz: The 2-5 Cardinals come off the bye. The 3-4 Cowboys played like they were on the bye Sunday in their 44-24 loss at Denver.Arizona tends to overperform well when getting points. Three of its four covers this season came as the underdog, and they’ve covered three of four times when getting points. Kyler Murray remains questionable with a mid-foot strain but appears to on track to return this week after missing two games. He could reintroduce himself with some big numbers against Dallas’ tattered defense.
Best Bet: Cardinals +2.5- (+100) ESPN BET via OddsJam
Fanatics Indiana Promo: Get Up to $2,000 In No Sweat FanCash for Sports Equinox Today (Oct. 27) 
Fanatics Sportsbook Illinois Promo: Get Up to $2,000 In No Sweat FanCash for Sports Equinox Today (Oct. 27) 
Fanatics Sportsbook CT Promo: Get up to $2,000 in FanCash for Sports Equinox Today (Oct. 27) 
Fanatics Sportsbook CO Promo Code: Get Up to $250 FanCash for Sports Equinox Today (Oct. 27) 
Fanatics Sportsbook Arizona: Get Up to $2K in FanCash for Sports Equinox Today (Oct. 27) 
BetMGM VIP Program: Get BetMGM Rewards, Benefits, and Perks
Comments