Week 9 NFL Picks Against the Spread (ATS): Yanotchko

Here are my Week 9 picks against the spread:

Arizona Cardinals +1 over Dallas Cowboys (4 units)

I love this week for the underdogs, and it starts with the not so much as mentioned marquee NFC matchup of the week in the Cowboys and Cardinals. Both of these teams have gotten off to impressive starts, the Cards at 6-1, while the Cowboys are 6-2, but I love Arizona’s history with the spread against Dallas, as they are 3-1 in their last four games. I am also leery on Tony Romo being limited, or not playing with that back injury, and I just don’t think Brandon Weeden could pull it off. I also like the matchup of the Cardinals front-seven against DeMarco Murray, as the Cards defense only gives up 77 yards per game, and 3.3 yards per carry. I am making this one a four-unit play, as Arizona will stuff the run, and just blitz Dallas right off the bus.

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New England Patriots +3 over Denver Broncos (5 units)

I am sure you have heard about the QB matchup in this game, and probably all of the arguments that go along with it, so I will spare you the details of my thoughts. I have to pick this game, being a Patriots homer, but it is very rare that you will see New England being a ‘dog at Gillette. The Patriots have history on their side, as Denver is 0-4 against the number in their last four trips to Foxboro. I also love that Belichick got cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner for this exact reason, which is to stop Peyton Manning. The Patriots secondary has solid numbers so far, giving up 211 yards passing, and they have 21 sacks on the year as well. I will take the Pats by 3, as these games are always close, and also Manning having to throw in 30 MPH winds that are gusting today in Foxboro spells trouble. This is a five-unit play, Omaha!

Pittsburgh Steelers +1.5 over Baltimore Ravens (4 units)

Because of the New England and Denver hype, here is yet another rivalry game that has been pushed to the back burner. We all know that these two teams hate each other, and Pittsburgh has gotten the better of the two spread wise recently, going 3-1-1 in their last five. The Steelers had a shaky start, but they have righted the ship, and Ben Roethlisberger has found his stride with an impressive passing attack. I love the matchup of the Steelers going against a Ravens secondary that gives up 256 passing yards per game, which should signal a big day for Antonio Brown. I am a big subscriber to small dogs at home theory, and I will take four units on this game.

Note: NFL lines are from sportsbook.ag

-> All of our 2014 NFL Weekly Picks Against the Spread will be tracked here.

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