CBS Sports columnist Dajani Dimes enters Week 9 with a 62-57-2 record against the spread and a 72-48-1 straight-up mark after an 11-3 ATS performance in Week 8. The top five best bets for the upcoming slate are highlighted below, with odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Denver Broncos (-2.5) at Carolina Panthers
Bo Nix led the Broncos to a fourth-quarter comeback against the Chiefs, posting 9.1 yards per attempt when trailing by one score in the fourth quarter since 2000. Denver's defense ranks in the top five with 23 sacks, while Carolina has allowed 23 sacks (tied for second-most) and gave up 42.7 points per game at home this season. Projected score: Broncos 24-20.
Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints (-3)
The Saints return from a bye and could welcome back offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., guard Cesar Ruiz, and rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. Cleveland, playing its third straight road game, lost 27-6 to Pittsburgh and may start Shedeur Sanders with Deshaun Watson in concussion protocol. Projected score: Saints 23-17.
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks (-8.5)
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is out with a quad injury; Drew Lock, who threw three touchdowns in a 31-7 win over Arizona in Week 2, will start. Lock has a 73% completion rate, 8.8 yards per attempt, and a 127.3 passer rating this season. The Cardinals turn to Gardner Minshew after his three-touchdown comeback against Dallas. Projected score: Seahawks 24-13.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears (-6)
Caleb Williams has led the Bears to 30+ points with zero turnovers in three straight games, while D'Andre Swift leads the NFL with 10 rushing touchdowns. Baker Mayfield has thrown just 64 yards combined over the last two games and is 1-12 in prime time since 2021. Projected score: Bears 30-20.
Buffalo Bills (-3) at Minnesota Vikings
With Kyler Murray ruled out, Carson Wentz starts for Minnesota. Wentz threw three touchdowns in a Week 1 win over Green Bay, and the Vikings defense leads the league in points allowed (13.3 per game), passing yards allowed (154.9), red zone touchdown percentage (25%), and sacks per game (3.6). The pick is Vikings +3. Projected score: Vikings 24-23.
Additional Week 9 picks include Jaguars (-10) over Ravens, Falcons (+3) over Bengals, Chiefs over Jets, Lions over Dolphins, Cowboys over Colts, Rams over Commanders, Giants over Eagles, 49ers over Raiders, Texans over Chargers, and Packers over Patriots.
