2026 NFL Season ~ Week Nine
Emmie and Canasta with Bob… offering up the Golden Choices
Some events took place with deep significance to our season last week.
Baltimore is facing injuries that should pretty much end their ability to compete for the playoffs against a strong AFC field. Denver has regained a bit of swagger, leveled the head-to-head in the AFC West, and moved back into position to challenge for a division title. And Dallas… well… the less said, the better.
More on the games in a second.
A few weeks ago, I mentioned that all it might take is a couple of decent weeks and one explosive one from Canasta to narrow the gap. 11-3 for me last week. 8-6 for Emmie. 9-5 for Canasta. Nothing explosive from Canasta, but as we begin passing the mid-point of the season, the gap has closed to six games from Emmie at the top to Canasta in third.
Only two teams off this week, so we have fifteen games to consider. Odds from USA Today.
JACKSONVILLE (-10) AT BALTIMORE
Starting quarterback Joe Fagnano.
Yes, to all of you asking “Who?” about the opener for this game: Baltimore is starting a rookie that wasn’t drafted in week nine. And they’re playing a team with a defense that hasn’t allowed a rusher to clear 75 yards in a game in over two dozen consecutive contests.
Bob: Jacksonville
Emmie: Jacksonville
Canasta: Jacksonville
CINCINNATI (-3) AT ATLANTA
Yes, the Bengals looked true to their 2025 form last week against the Titans. They had to overproduce on offense to overcome a massive surrendering of points. I understand your concern.
But right now, the Bengals are averaging about 7 points more each week than their opponents. Offense is putting up barely shy of 30 per game.
The Falcons, on the other hand, are smoke and mirrors. Some impressive victories, yes. And perhaps they are better than you might think considering their schedule. But – and this is a big one – they got shut out last week.
This game is in Spain. Take the team you expect to win it outright.
Bob: Cincinnati
Emmie: Cincinnati
Canasta: Cincinnati
DENVER (-2.5) AT CAROLINA
Following losses to Tampa Bay and Green Bay, it’s hard to find room to be excited about Carolina in this matchup. True, they are 3-4 and leading the pitiful NFC South, and they have a good shot at the playoffs because of that. But every team except Atlanta and Philadelphia has scored more than 21 against them. Take out Cleveland, and the other four have scored 59, 26, 43, and 27. If Denver is clearing 25 against them, Denver is winning.
Broncos have won four in a row, and last week they outlasted the Chiefs.
Bob: Denver
Emmie: Carolina
Canasta: Carolina
DALLAS (-5.5) AT INDIANAPOLIS
Last week I noted that the Cowboys just felt off this year. Completely off. I basically said they are a Jekyll and Hyde case study. Dallas faced a game in week eight where they played at home with absolutely no visible reason to expect a loss. None. Even the bandwagon was revving up for a walk to the division title. I took Arizona. Arizona won.
Every so often great and very good teams do trip up. It happens. We’ve already witnessed many times this season where it’s happened. But honestly, if a team is any good – and this is a really good marker for good organizations – the first rule is that they do not lose the games they must have. Even when they underperform and struggle, they find a way to get a mark in the win column and worry about what needs to be addressed second.
Last week? New England won. Cincinnati won. Even Las Vegas won. Dallas lost.
And before you try to debate the Cardinals and their road magic this season in defense of the Cowboys, think for a few seconds about the other losses they have. Say, the Giants. The Buccaneers.
And yet, the scheduling wheel gives them a freebie. A Colts team selling everything off, and has scored 10 and 7 points in the past two weeks. Yes, I can see the upset. But there’s zero chance I’ll bet on the upset.
Bob: Dallas
Emmie: Dallas
Canasta: Indianapolis
NEW YORK (JETS) AT KANSAS CITY (-10)
For Kansas City, they’ve lost two in a row, but honestly, they've looked good in every game except when playing Seattle on the road.
The spread is high, and they’ve been competitive in their three straight losses, but I cannot make a case for the Jets.
Bob: Kansas City
Emmie: New York
Canasta: Kansas City
DETROIT (-7) AT MIAMI
Three victories in a row, including defeating a somehow reborn Green Bay and the previously unbeaten Minnesota. Detroit may be back, folks.
I get that Miami played well against New England. Fine. But Miami almost always gives New England fits in Miami.
Bob: Detroit
Emmie: Detroit
Canasta: Miami
CLEVELAND AT NEW ORLEANS (-3)
Each of these teams played Pittsburgh their last time on the field. Both lost. Both looked bad.
So, I get the Cleveland doubters. Heck, I was beginning to write “New Orleans” as my selection before I looked a bit deeper.
Both of these clubs are being outscored on the year, and yet somehow the Browns are 5-3. The problem is, New Orleans delivered their most impressive game when they lost to Detroit in week one.
Bob: Cleveland
Emmie: New Orleans
Canasta: New Orleans
NEW YORK (GIANTS) (-3) AT PHILADELPHIA
Saying “the less said, the better” is already saying five words too many.
Giants are 4-2-1 and playing superbly with house money and unexpected twists. That is not to say they are playing superbly, but no one expected this from them. And certainly not with J.J. McCarthy as their quarterback.
Strange things can happen when divisional rivals meet, and that is even more true in this contest. But it’s hard to see any way – admit it, you thought after Joe Fagnano there was no other “What?” moments of extreme disbelief that might top that, but I’m going to – Joe Milton leads the Eagles to victory.
Bob: New York
Emmie: Philadelphia
Canasta: Philadelphia
LOS ANGELES (RAMS) (-5.5) AT WASHINGTON
Washington did what they needed to do and beat Philadelphia last week. Even looked ok in the loss to San Francisco. But essentially, if they don’t win, they have problems scoring. And despite their entire team being injured, Los Angeles has been doing ok scoring.
Neither team is great so far. Rams are trying to stay relevant while hoping for a late-season run of good health. I think they do ok here.
Bob: Los Angeles
Emmie: Washington
Canasta: Washington
HOUSTON (-2.5) AT LOS ANGELES (CHARGERS)
Yuck. Yuck on a stick.
As much as I think Los Angeles is due to break out – always a dangerous thing to wager on, as teams that are due never do – I like what C.J. Stroud is doing this year. 11 touchdowns against 1 interception, while completing a somewhat ho-hum 65% of his passes at a clip of 260+ yards each week. Not too hideous.
Chargers have played seven games, and even with what was hyped as an offense ready to explode in 2026 preseason chest thumping, they have yet to cross the mark of 100 points for the year. They are the only team in that exclusive club of misery.
Bob: Houston
Emmie: Houston
Canasta: Houston
LAS VEGAS AT SAN FRANCISCO (-10)
For a team that had no real expectations, the Raiders have been a lot of fun to watch, and consistent. Kirk Cousins has been exactly the steady hand they hope to be getting. I don’t expect it to last into a playoff possibility, but check out the results. While the defense isn’t playing well, the team is at 4-4, and technically has more points scored than anyone else in the league.
Yes, in two losses the Patriots and Rams delivered solid performances. But… hold on, new paragraph…
There was a time during the Tom Brady run when all the Patriots did was win. They rarely covered the spread. They just won. I do not expect the 49ers to take a Super Bowl title this year. But I can see them winning week after week and moving on. This spread is too high, and an upset is very possible.
Bob: Las Vegas
Emmie: Las Vegas
Canasta: San Francisco
GREEN BAY AT NEW ENGLAND (-3)
I’ll say it. The Packers looked laughably bad to start the year. An overtime victory over the Jets was the only thing separating them from a “Who’s worse?” comparison to the Chargers. But since narrowly getting past the Bucs in week four to even their record, they’ve gone 3-1 and changed their season.
New England lost a tough game to the Bears, then rebounded by taking care of the Dolphins. The bigger trouble though is that they haven’t looked impressive beyond the 45-17 victory over the Raiders.
If Micah Parsons had returned a week or two ago, I’d likely take the Packers. He didn’t. And I won’t. Worth noting that even at 5-3 in a remarkable division this year, the Packers aren’t much more than middle of the pack for points scored and points allowed. Jordan Love? I mentioned Stroud earlier, and Love has a lower completion percentage and more interceptions.
Bob: New England
Emmie: New England
Canasta: New England
ARIZONA AT SEATTLE (-8.5)
The Cardinals got hammered by the Seahawks in week two. The differences between this game and that one? The game is in Seattle and this is week nine.
Bob: Seattle
Emmie: Seattle
Canasta: Seattle
TAMPA BAY AT CHICAGO (-6)
Chicago is beginning to look like the best team in the NFL.
Yes, sure, there are the Bills and Jaguars and 49ers.
They’re playing the Buccaneers.
Bob: Chicago
Emmie: Tampa Bay
Canasta: Chicago
BUFFALO (-3.5) AT MINNESOTA
Minnesota’s defense has been brilliant this year. Brilliant. And they have absolutely needed to be because that offense has talent and nothing else. Other than an explosion in week one (see above, Green Bay, laughably bad), they haven’t been able to score more than 23 points in a game. Happened twice. The other games? 9, 15, 16, and 15 scored. I don’t think that holds up against a second half of the season that is pretty loaded.
While the Bills could use some help from the defense, the offense is doing above and beyond its share of the lifting. Josh Allen is doing everything possible to stay out front as an MVP candidate. The team looks very good, with only the defense preventing them from looking like the leader in thoughts about next February.
Bob: Buffalo
Emmie: Buffalo
Canasta: Buffalo
WEEK SEVEN RESULTS
Bob: 11-3
Emmie: 8-6
Canasta: 9-5
OVERALL
Bob: 58-58-5
Emmie: 60-56-5
Canasta: 54-62-5