Week 9 of the 2022 NFL season brings us the thinnest NFL odds slate of the year due to bye weeks, with six teams sitting idle. But there’s still a copious amount of wagering opportunities, which I’ve combed over to bring you the best bets you can make this Sunday.
I’m keen on four road teams this week — two favorites, and two underdogs. I’ve grouped them into two separate NFL parlay picks, which I’ll outline below.
Week 9 NFL parlay picks
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Parlay Pick 1
PARLAY: Panthers +7.5 (-115) + Seahawks +2 (-110) = +257 at BetMGM
Panthers +7.5 (-115)
It’s been a tumultuous year for the Panthers, who have turned to third-stringer PJ Walker at quarterback, traded away Christian McCaffrey, and fired head coach Matt Rhule. Most teams would go into the tank in such a scenario, but Carolina has played inspired football over the last two weeks. Grabbing a full touchdown with them this week against the Bengals is incredibly appealing.
The Panthers handed the Buccaneers a stunning 21-3 loss in Week 7 before taking the Falcons to overtime in Week 8. If DJ Moore had kept his helmet on after scoring the game-tying touchdown with 12 seconds left in regulation, or if kicker Eddy Pineiro put one of his final two kicks through the uprights, they would have won last week, too.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati is fresh off a blowout loss to the Browns on Monday Night Football. Joe Burrow never looked comfortable in the pocket that night and was sacked five times. Brian Burns is still in Carolina and could have a big day against the Bengals’ shaky offensive line.
Seahawks +2 (-110)
It’s hard to fathom why the Seahawks aren’t favored over the Cardinals in this spot, but we won’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
Seattle has won three straight games to climb to the top of the NFC West, and it started with a 19-9 triumph over Arizona in Week 6. The Seahawks also beat the Chargers and the Giants during this streak, two teams who are likely playoff-bound.
Geno Smith has defied all expectations this year, ranking ninth in passing yards (1,924) with a 13-3 touchdown-interception ratio. Running back Kenneth Walker III has risen to the fore as well, rushing for 5.75 yards per carry over his last four games (70 attempts) with five touchdowns. They’ll match up with a Cardinals defense that’s 22nd by yards allowed per game this season (362.4) and 30th in points allowed per game (26.3).
On the other side of the ball, the Seahawks defense is rapidly improving, as it’s allowed an average of only 289.7 yards per game over their last three contests. Kyler Murray & Co. — who have lost three of their last four overall and have failed to cover in seven of their last nine home games — are not to be trusted as favorites.
Parlay Pick 2
PARLAY: Vikings -3 (-115) + Packers -3.5 (-105) = +265 at PointsBet
Vikings -3 (-115)
It’s fair to wonder if the 6-1 Vikings are legitimate Super Bowl contenders considering their defense has allowed the fifth-most yards per game (383.1), but there should be little doubt that they’re better than the Commanders at this point in the season.
Minnesota exited their bye week with a victory over the Cardinals thanks in no small part to Dalvin Cook, who rushed for a season-high 111 yards. He matches up with a Washington defense that’s 20th in rushing yards allowed per attempt (4.6).
The Kirk Cousins-Justin Jefferson connection is working just fine, as Jefferson is averaging 126.5 receiving yards over his last four contests. Cousins also has a new target this week in tight end T.J. Hockenson, brought in from the Lions on Tuesday. Hockenson is on pace for a career year, with 395 yards and three touchdowns to his credit through seven games.
The Commanders’ offense is one of the least threatening in football, as it’s 26th in yards per play (5.0). Taylor Heinicke has represented a slight upgrade under center over the injured Carson Wentz, but his limitations, combined with a stunted running game, make Washington an easy fade.
Packers -3.5 (-105)
If you can find Packers -3 again by Sunday morning, even at a high vig of -125, it would be worth it to avoid the hook. But odds are against the extra half-point coming into play against the Lions’ atrocious defense.
Detroit is last in the NFL in both yards allowed per game (421.3) and points allowed per game (32.1). Opposing passers have the best rating in the league (108.5), as they’re averaging 8.4 yards per attempt (also the highest mark in football), and have been picked off only twice.
All of this bodes well for Aaron Rodgers, who hasn’t looked like a back-to-back MVP winner in 2022, but hasn’t been horrible either. He’s fifth in touchdowns thrown (13) and 13th in yardage (1,800), and figures to improve those marks on Sunday against a Lions team against whom he owns a career passer rating of 108.8.
Green Bay tailbacks Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon have combined for only two rushing touchdowns despite averaging five yards per carry, but Detroit has surrendered an NFL-high 1.86 rushing touchdowns per game in 2022.
Meanwhile, Lions quarterback Jared Goff had one of his best offensive weapons in Hockenson dealt away at the trade deadline, and has a 1-3 touchdown-interception ratio over his last three games. Don’t count on Detroit matching scores on Sunday.
