CBS Sports has released a comprehensive betting guide for NFL Week 9, featuring expert picks, player props, DFS lineup recommendations, and fantasy football rankings from SportsLine's advanced model.
Key Trends and Matchups
The Denver Broncos visit the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Denver is a league-best 7-2 against the spread (ATS) with less rest than its opponent since 2024, posting an 8-1 straight-up record in such spots. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns face the New Orleans Saints with a rest disadvantage; the Saints are on an 0-8 ATS run following a bye. Shedeur Sanders will start at quarterback for Cleveland in place of the concussed Deshaun Watson.
SportsLine Model Projections
SportsLine's model, which simulates every game 10,000 times, has produced a five-team parlay for Week 9 paying nearly 30-1. One leg backs Over 44.5 points in Seahawks vs. Cardinals, with the model forecasting 52 combined points and the Over hitting 67% of simulations. The model enters Week 9 on a 60-51 run on top-rated picks dating back to 2024. It favors the Washington Commanders (+4.5) to cover against the Los Angeles Rams, a pick that cashes 59% of the time.
DFS and Fantasy Insights
For the main Sunday slate, the NFL DFS Optimizer highlights Rams running back Kyren Williams and Saints wide receiver Chris Olave as top plays. In fantasy rankings, the model projects Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis as a top-12 option for the week.
Expert Picks
Larry Hartstein (11-4 ATS over his last 15 NFL picks) backs the New York Giants (-3) to cover versus the Philadelphia Eagles, citing Philadelphia's poor yards-per-play differential and the Giants' bye-week rest. For Monday Night Football, R.J. White (39-17-3 ATS in his last 59 Vikings games) supports the Buffalo Bills (-3) over the Minnesota Vikings and leans under 44.5 total points.
Sunday Night Football Prop
SportsLine's AI Machine Learning Model, which has hit thousands of top-rated props, recommends Baker Mayfield under 18.5 pass completions (-102) in the Bears vs. Buccaneers matchup, a 5-star selection.
