NFL Updates Express: Week 9 2018 & Midseason Predictions

Wow! We are already halfway through the NFL season. Time flies doesn’t it. The Rams, Chiefs, Saints, and Patriots look like the frontrunners to play in this year’s edition of the Super Bowl. Don’t count out sleepers such as the Chargers, Panthers, or Texans either. The MVP chase looks like it will be tight battle as Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees, Todd Gurley III, and Adam Thielen fight for league supremacy. Who will excel down the stretch and who will falter? It all starts with “NFL Updates Express: Week 9 2018!”

Week 8 Prediction Record: 11-3

Total Prediction Record: 76-43-2

Week 8 Awards:

Most Entertaining Game: Buccaneers vs Bengals

Upset of the Week: None

Player of the Week: Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans (239 yards passing, 5 TDs)

Team of the Week: Houston Texans

Rookie of the Week: Jessie Bates III, S, Bengals (6 tackles, 3 PDs, 21-yard pick-six)

Probably one of the worst Thursday Night Matchups in recent memory. None of these teams are in serious playoff contention which really hurts this games value. The Browns have more wins that both of these teams combined...yikes. The Raiders will play their second game this season without Amari Cooper so Jordy Nelson, Seth Roberts, and Brandon LaFell will take the lion’s share of the snaps. Both teams are struggling but one team has to win...or tie. San Fran receiver Marquise Goodwin may have a field day against the Raiders. He has three touchdowns in the last three games. Ultimately, the Raiders have shown they can put up a lot of points.

Oakland Raiders 24, San Francisco 49ers 20

For the Falcons, this is a must win game. Starting the season off at 3-4 isn’t a death sentence, but in a division with the Saints and Panthers surging ahead, it almost is. Calvin Ridley has been “quiet” in the last three games, not even surpassing fifty yards receiving. It was impossible to keep up his torrid pace so this slow down should come as no surprise. The Redskins run defense has been impressive. They currently rank second, locking down the likes of Christian McCaffrey, Ezekiel Elliott, David Johnson, and Saquon Barkley. This game could go either way but with the Falcons fresh off a bye, they should be able to snag a narrow win against Washington to halt their winning streak.

Atlanta Falcons 26, Washington Redskins 23

This division will almost guaranteed come down to the final week of the season. That means that this game could be a big deal in terms of who makes the playoffs and who goes home. The Lions are extremely inconsistent and can either dominate the Packers or fall flat on their faces against Seattle. Minnesota hasn’t quite lived up to the high marks that they were projected to reach up to this point. However, their next three matchups are divisional so it will be interesting to see how the division shakes out by Thanksgiving when we should have a clearer picture. Surprisingly enough, the Lions have won three out of the last four against Minnesota. However, I typically project a split in this season series so with the Vikings slated at home for this week, gimme Kirk and Co to keep pace with the Bears for first place in the NFC North.

Minnesota Vikings 27, Detroit Lions 17

The Ravens can almost always “get up” for a game against their division rivals. They’ll need to if they hope to end their two game skid. 2015 was the last time Baltimore swept Pittsburgh so I’m sure they’ll be motivated by that. Congrats to Lamar Jackson who threw his first touchdown to rookie tight end Hayden Hurst for his first receiving TD. It’s only a matter of time before Jackson takes over. Maybe not this year but by 2019, Jackson will almost certainly be under center for the Ravens. Bye Flacco. Speaking of players that won’t be returning to their respective teams, Le’Veon Bell everybody. James Conner has continued his dominance and will most likely keep the starting job, regardless of what happens. I predict that Conner has another 100 yard performance in a narrow win over Ravens.

Pittsburgh Steelers 34, Baltimore Ravens 30

Nope. Not happening. Sorry, Cleveland.

Kansas City Chiefs 40, Cleveland Browns 17

This game could end up being a 6-3 game or a 38-34 scoreline. I’m not sure which one. I’ll take something in the middle which the Dolphins edge out Sam Darnold for the win.

Miami Dolphins 19, New York Jets 12

Make no mistake. This SHOULD be an easy game for the Bears. However, Buffalo’s defense made life hard on Tom Brady in a game that was closer than the score indicated. The Bears have gone 1-2 against the AFC East so this game could be interesting. But just as I say this, guess who’s back? THE GOAT, NATHAN PETERMAN. It is unbelievable that he continues to find his way into the starting lineup. I don’t need to say much more. Peterman throws a pick-six as the Bears dominate.

Chicago Bears 20, Buffalo Bills 9

FITZMAGIC IS BACK! Tampa nearly rallied from deficits of 21-0 and 34-16 to escape Cinci with a win. Unfortunately, their “franchise” quarterback threw four horrific interceptions before being benched. In my opinion, this is Cam Newton’s best year of his career. Newton has tossed at least two touchdowns in every game since Week 1. His completion percentage is near 67% which is extraordinary for a quarterback whose career average is below 60%. The Bucs could be sneaky good as the team seems to rally behind Fitz. That being said, Carolina is on a roll and I can’t see it stopping at home.

Carolina Panthers 33, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24

0-3 to 5-3. The Texans have righted the ship and finally look like the team that many thought they could become this year. After receiver Will Fuller went down with another season-ending injury, Houston beat the trade deadline to acquire longtime superstar Demaryius Thomas from the Broncos for a 4th and 7th round pick. Ironically enough, the “DT Revenge Game” is coming this week. Denver has to win this game, otherwise they’ll be packing for next season. 3-6 is no bueno. If Houston can slow down the rushing attack, this should be an easy win.

Houston Texans 29, Denver Broncos 19

Two “under the radar” teams that probably shouldn’t be. I expected the Seahawks to be an 8-8 or 9-7 type team when several predicted doom and gloom. They look like they could surpass that if everything goes right. Seattle is once again near the top of NFL in the defensive rankings. They have forced 16 turnovers as well as allowing less than 19 points a game which ranks fourth in the league. They may not be the “Legion of Boom” that we used to know but they are getting the job done. They’ll be put to the ultimate test as they take on MVP candidate Philip Rivers and his high octane offense. Melvin Gordon should be back from an injury as his presence should help propel this offense. In a narrow one, the Bolts take it.

Los Angeles Chargers 24, Seattle Seahawks 23

The battle for the NFC! Both teams know what’s at stake here. If both teams scored 40, I wouldn’t be shocked. This is easily THE premier matchup of the season. If the Rams can go into New Orleans and knock off the vaunted Saints, I’d feel pretty good about their chances of reaching the Super Bowl. However, if Kamara and Brees can edge out LA, it will make the race for home-field advantage that much more intriguing. Todd Gurley is a tough man to stop but the Saints have the number one rush defense in the NFL. Stop Gurley, grab the win. It’s going to be a shootout but ultimately the Rams steal a close one in the final minutes.

Los Angeles Rams 31, New Orleans Saints 27

Aaron Rodgers vs Tom Brady. A matchup that has only happened once before is now a reality for the second time. This is such an intriguing matchup! The Patriots are a little banged up but they did see Sony Michel, Dont’a Hightower, and Marcus Cannon returned to practice on Wednesday. The Packers must steal a matchup between the Seahawks, Vikings, and Patriots contests. Lose all three and you’re sitting at home for the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers was robbed at the chance of ending the Rams undefeated winning streak. Now, will he get a chance to knock off the GOAT? Yes, Brady > Rodgers. Don’t @ me. This should be high scoring but the Pats are at home and in primetime. I can’t see this game going any other way.

New England Patriots 35, Green Bay Packers 24

Two teams with solid defenses but subpar offenses. I guarantee that this will be a low scoring game. Dak Prescott and Marcus Mariota have been underwhelming and I doubt it changes outside of a fluke game or two. Ezekiel Elliott will likely run the offense as Tennessee ranks in the top ten in regards to their passing defense. Amari Cooper will make his debut in Dallas but probably won’t be able to do too much. I wouldn’t be surprised if either team wins but I’ll take “America’s Team” to eat a W on this Monday Night.

Dallas Cowboys 20, Tennessee Titans 16

NFL Updates Express Midseason Power Rankings

Playoff Projections:

NFC:

#1. Los Angeles Rams (15-1)

The Rams are once again “The Greatest Show on Turf.” Through eight games, Los Angeles is without a blemish on their record. Assuming the core, (Goff, Gurley, Donald) can stay healthy, this is the clear frontrunner to represent the NFC in the big game.

#2. New Orleans Saints (12-4)

New Orleans looks “scary good.” Drew Brees is an MVP candidate, completing an outrageous 77.4 percent of his passes. If the Saints run the table and get home-field advantage, Sean Peyton’s squad could be marching all the way to Atlanta for the Super Bowl.

#3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

The Eagles have been subpar through the first half of the year. However, Carson Wentz has really begun to pick things up in the past few weeks. It’s only a matter of time before the rest of the team responds. If and when they do, expect Philly to repeat as division champs.

#4. Minnesota Vikings (9-6-1)

This division could be won by any team in the North. However, the Vikings have the most complete team in the division. Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs are playing out of their minds but they will need a better performance from their defense in the second half to hold on to the division.

#5. Carolina Panthers (12-4)

Carolina seems primed to go on another playoff run. Rookie WR D.J. Moore and CB Donte Jackson have turned weaknesses into strengths. OC Norv Turner has the Panthers offense looking good. When Cam is on, the Cats can beat anyone. They’ll need Cam to turn back the clock to 2015 if they want to take on the powerhouses of the Rams and Saints atop the NFC.

#6. Washington Redskins (10-6)

The Skins are the surprise team in the NFC. A team that was slated to be mediocre by many is on pace to finish with about 10-11 wins. They have shown that they can compete with some of the league’s best teams, shutting down Green Bay and Carolina. Can they sustain their momentum and reach the postseason? Assuming their offense can be a solid complement to a surging defense, Washington should find a way back into the playoffs.

BUBBLE:

Green Bay Packers (9-6-1)

Can Aaron Rodgers do it again? We’ve seen two sides of the Packers. Nearly losing to the 49ers at home and nearly beating the Rams on the road. Their schedule looks daunting with road games against Minnesota, Chicago, New England, and Seattle. If they can’t find a way to win at least a pair of those, the Pack will be sitting at home once again come January.

Chicago Bears (9-7)

The Bears team as a whole needs more consistency if Chicago is to sneak into the postseason. On the days where their offense is clicking, the defense is not. The Monsters of the Midway are built for the postseason. If they do manage to sneak in as a division winner, a team that can pound the ground with Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen could make for an intriguing upset. Whatever happens for the Bears, they will most likely exceed all expectations.

Seattle Seahawks (9-7)

Don’t look now but here comes the Seahawks. While I think they’ll fall just short of another playoff birth, they are peaking at the right time. They get SIX more home games counting this weekend so they have an opportunity with Russell Wilson to grab some more momentum heading into the home stretch of the season.

AFC:

#1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)

I don’t see the Chiefs choking this year. They look consistent and have a potent rushing attack to match a strong passing game under Mahomes. They’ll likely finish with home field advantage atop the AFC. Assuming Kareem Hunt shows up in case of a struggling passing game in the cold, the Chiefs have the right formula to play for the Lombardi in February.

#2. New England Patriots (14-2)

New year, same Patriots. Need I say more.

#3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5-1)

It was a shaky start for Pittsburgh but now they have seemed to settle into a rhythm. James Conner has made fans forget about disgruntled running back Le’Veon Bell. I’m not sure if the Steelers can take down both the Pats and Chiefs but a return to the AFC Championship game isn’t out of the question.

#4. Houston Texans (10-6)

It’s been a fantastic five weeks for the Houston faithful. Not only have their division rivals faltered but they have been the lone team to rise to the occasion. Eight or nine wins could be enough but the Texans probably won’t test it. They’ll have the division wrapped up by Week 15.

#5. Los Angeles Chargers (12-4)

LA has a real shot of doing some damage, even as a Wild Card, in 2018. They have the right formula in place that can rival the likes of Kansas City and New England. This is the classic “team that no one wants to play.” If the Chargers finish the season on a hot streak, we may be in for a real treat come January.

#6. Baltimore Ravens (9-7)

The Ravens are "an average team" from the words of Eric Weddle. However, I believe they are a lot better than their record indicates. They went toe-to-toe with New Orleans, collapsing down the stretch, as well as their clutch win in Pittsburgh. Prior to Week 8, they were regarded as the number one defense. It won't be easy with away games against Atlanta, Kansas City, and the Los Angeles Chargers but it can be done.

BUBBLE: Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)

It will come down to either the Bengals or Ravens for the final wild card spot. That makes the Week 11 contest in Baltimore a potential tiebreaker when it’s all said and done. My prediction is the winner of that game, ends up grabbing the sixth seed.

Wild Card:

Eagles def Redskins 23-20

Steelers def Ravens 27-23

Chargers def Texans 30-22

Panthers def Vikings 31-20

Divisional:

Chiefs def Chargers 37-27

Patriots def Steelers 34-20

Rams def Panthers 31-27

Saints def Eagles 20-17

Conference Championship:

Rams def Saints 23-20 (OT)

Chiefs def Patriots 34-31

Super Bowl:

Rams def Chiefs 45-42 (OT)

https://playoffpredictors.com/Football/NFL?L=IwZgTMxh2bfzqSKlXQ9EHdY1es82RBW0puUixRFhMJKVOux1bZ53+SFM1AgLadmTDoK70sXYEA

Awards Predictions:

MVP: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs

OPOY: Adam Thielen, WR, Vikings

DPOY: Aaron Donald, DT, Rams

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Philip Lindsay, RB, Broncos

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Darius Leonard, LB, Colts

Coach of the Year: Andy Reid, Chiefs

NFL Updates Express video schedule line-up

• NFL Updates Express: Thanksgiving 2018

• NFL Updates Express: Week 17-Super Bowl Final