Schrock's Week 9 picks: Can 49ers stun Rodgers, Packers?
No Jimmy G. No George Kittle. Do the 49ers have a chance against Aaron Rodgers? Josh schrock makes his picks for every Week 9 game.
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Week 8, for the most part, belonged to the underdogs. Underdogs went 10-4 last week with a number of dogs claiming the outright win.
The 49ers weren't one of those dogs, as they went into Seattle and were rolled by the Seahawks. Adding injury to insult, the 49ers also lost Jimmy Garoppolo to a re-sprained ankle and George Kittle to a fracture in his foot.
At 4-4, the curtains are about to be drawn on the 2020 49ers.
Elsewhere, the Pittsburgh Steelers undefeated run kept going, the Raiders picked up a marquee win against the Cleveland Browns and Joe Burrow continues to impress.
The playoff picture is getting clearer by the week. It wasn't a great week for us on the betting board, but 7-7 is hard to complain about with underdogs owning the weekend. Time to get to the picks.
Record: 50-52 ATS (70-32-1 SU)
Line: Chiefs -10.5
The Chiefs have been on cruise control all season. They flicked the switch to put the Baltimore Ravens in their place in Week 3, but otherwise have been going through the motions.
Matt Rhule's Panthers have been plucky all season and should get Christian McCaffrey back for this one. Chiefs never sweat but Panthers get a back door cover.
Pick: Chiefs 31, Panthers 24
Line: Seahawks -2.5
The Seahawks' defense showed up against the 49ers, and now Carlos Dunlap should make his debut in Week 9.
Josh Allen has been trending downward and I don't see the Bills being able to slow down Russell Wilson. West Coast team traveling East is always tricky, but the Seahawks should have enough to cover.
Pick: Seahawks, 28, Bills 24
Line: Texans -6.5
The Jaguars are turning to sixth-round pick Jake Luton to start with Gardner Minshew ailing.
Even Romeo Crennel and the Texans can't mess this up. Deshaun Watson off a bye delivers a win.
Pick: Texans 28, Jaguars 14
Line: Vikings -4
Mike Zimmer had the ideal day Sunday as all he had to do was ask Kirk Cousins to hand the ball off to Dalvin Cook and let the star running back do the rest.
I don't see Cook going for four touchdowns two weeks in a row and the Lions desperately need a win after getting shellacked by the Colts. Matthew Stafford digs deep into his late-game magic bag again and keeps Detroit alive in the playoff race.
Pick: Lions 24, Vikings 23
Line: Washington -3
These two teams already played once, with the Giants getting the win and the Football Team covering.
Daniel Jones is too turnover prone for me to put money on him, and Washington needs a win to keep pace with the Eagles.
Don't watch it. Don't bet it. Football Team gets the win.
Pick: Washington 20, Giants 17
Line: Ravens -3
Lamar Jackson has had a disappointing follow-up season to his MVP campaign from a season ago. His accuracy has dropped and the Ravens' rushing attack -- outside of last week's explosion against the Steelers -- has been held in check.
The Ravens have been exciting with Jackson under center and excelled at beating up bad teams. The problem is they haven't beaten many good teams.
They get another chance Sunday against a Colts team that looks playoff-worthy when Philip Rivers is right and looks like a one-and-done when he's off.
Still, Indy's defense should give Jackson issues, but I'll back the reigning MVP over Old Man Rivers.
Pick: Ravens 23, Colts 17
Line: Titans -5.5
The Bears can't score. The Titans can't stop anyone. If the Bears can stop Derrick Henry, they will give their offense a chance to beat a flawed Titans team.
Troy Aikman wants the Bears to go to Mitchell Trubisky. I'm not sure that's going to happen, but I'm going to ride with the Bears on this one. Follow me into the abyss if you must.
Pick: Bears 23, Titans 21
Pick: Cardinals -4
Tua Tagovailoa threw for 93 yards in his debut and still got the win. He'll have to do a little more to beat Kyler Murray in the desert.
Miami's defense has been impressive this season. Xavien Howard and Byron Jones should be able to at least made DeAndre Hopkins work.
I'm just not sure the Dolphins' offense can do enough to keep up.
Pick: Cardinals 27, Dolphins 20
Line: Falcons -4
Drew Lock was pretty terrible for three quarters against the Chargers, but then turned it one and tossed a game-winning touchdown pass to K.J. Hamler as time expired.
The Falcons have played well since ejecting Dan Quinn. Atlanta has more talent than the Broncos, but never plays a normal game.
Falcons win, but Denver covers in a weird one.
Pick: Falcons 28, Broncos 27
Line: N/A
Ben DiNucci vs. the Steelers' defense? If the number is anywhere south of 13 give me the Steelers.
The Cowboys are a complete mess and unless Ben Roethlisberger plans on turning the ball over like Carson Wentz, this should be quick and painful for Dallas.
Pick: Steelers 31, Cowboys 10
Line: Bucs -5.5
Tompa Bay slept walked through Monday's win against the Giants. Now, they get their second shot at the Saints.
New Orleans has been unimpressive all season and the Bucs are a much more dangerous team than they were in Week 1. Brady doesn't throw a pick-six this week and the Bucs take control of the division.
Pick: Bucs 30, Saints 24
Line: Patriots -7
The Patriots' run officially is over, and Bill Belichick seems resigned to the fact that it's time to get back to neutral and rebuild.
That all can be true, but the Jets still suck and the Patriots won't be the first notch on Adam Gase's 2020 belt.
Cam Newton and his rag-tag group of receivers make enough plays and Sam Darnold hands the Patriots 10 points with a few ghastly turnovers.
Pick: Patriots 24, Jets 13
Line: Chargers -1.5
Vegas isn't sold on the 2020 Raiders. A win over the Browns in a windstorm doesn't earn you a lot of points.
The Chargers have blown four-straight 16-point leads as Anthony Lynn continues to prove he should find a new line of work. This is a kitchen-sink game for the Chargers. Their defense can play better and the Raiders' secondary won't hold up against Justin Herbert and the Bolts' weapons.
Line: Chargers 28, Raiders 24
Pick: Packers -5.5
No Jimmy Garoppolo or George Kittle for the 49ers. The Packers might be trotting out their fourth-string running back. Great game for national television.
The 49ers embarrassed the Packers twice last season, but this defensive front isn't what it was a year ago.
Still, it's a short week and the Packers are short-handed. Rodgers and Davante Adams do enough to get the win but Nick Mullens keeps it close.
Pick: Packers 30, 49ers 27
