NFL Week 9 Free Pick: Chicago at Buffalo
Can Bears Avoid a Letdown When They Go on the Road to Buffalo?
Oddsmakers have set the Bears as -10 favorites in the NFL week 9 free pick, not giving the Bills much of a chance at home with Nathan Peterman getting the start at QB. Chicago started off the season great on defense and for all intents and purposes should dominate this game. That being said the Bears have been exposed a bit on D lately and have struggled on the road this year going 1-2. It’s going to be tough for Buffalo to pull off the win at home, but is 10 points too much?
Could It Actually Be Chicago’s Offense That Determines Today’s Outcome?
For all the attention that the Bears defense receives, it’s been their offense that has fueled the team’s rise back to the top of the NFC Central. Chicago actually sports a top 10 offense in the league in total yards, points scored, and rushing yards. QB Mitch Trubisky has tied an NFL record with 4 straight weeks of 200+ yards passing and 50+ yards rushing. The young signal caller has a rating of 120+ in 3 of the last 4 games as well although that may be put to the test as Buffalo has a top 6 defense in the league in total yards allowed. The Bears were more devoted to the run last week as Jordan Howard toted the rock 22 times. Tarik Cohen also led the win over the Jets with a 70 yard TD catch and 40 more yards on the ground.
Chicago will get theirs on offense which is why today’s total of 37.5 seems a bit low. The big question is how their defense will perform on the road in the NFL week 9 free pick? The Chicago defense was great last week, holding the Jets to 157 yards passing and 50 on the ground. In their last road contest however that unit allowed 540 yards in a loss to the Dolphins. Buffalo is last in the NFL scoring just 10.9 ppg but the Bears have to avoid a letdown today – especially with Khalil Mack being a game time decision.
Will Bills Generate Any Offense Today?
Buffalo will once again turn to the much-maligned Nathan Peterman after injuries to Josh Allen and Derek Anderson. This isn’t exactly a Bills unit that is clicking either as the highest point total that the team has put up in the last 5 weeks is 13. In total the Bills have scored just 11 points combined the last two weeks. Lesean McCoy had 12 carries for 13 yards last week vs. the Patriots and today is up against the Bears #3 rushing defense in the NFL. Overall Chicago is 7th in total yards allowed while the Bills are 31st in yards per game. As they say in fantasy football circles, today would be a sit ’em day for most of the Buffalo offense.
With the Buffalo offense possibly having limited success, that puts more pressure on the Bills defense in the NFL week 9 free pick. They’ve responded decently on that side of the ball with a #6 unit in total yardage and passing yardage. Tom Brady threw for 324 yards last week against Buffalo, but didn’t have a TD pass. Can the Bills stop the suddenly diverse Bears offense today and keep the game at least within 10 points?
NFL Week 9 Free Pick Betting
Simply put, there’s no threat that the Bills offense puts on the field today. It’s possible that Buffalo could limit the Chicago offense a bit, but eventually the field position game is going to catch up with the Bills.
NFL Free Pick: Chicago Bears -10
