Upset Special: Top 3 Underdog Picks of NFL Week 9

Kenny Ducey

Last Updated: November 3, 2021 9:10 AM EDT • 2 min 26 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

Check out our top three underdog picks for Week 9, including the Eagles (+115) over the Chargers.

There’s nothing more thrilling than bypassing the points offered to you every week on an undervalued team and heading straight for the moneyline.

With great risk comes great reward, and we will seek out those big paydays on a weekly basis with our top NFL underdog picks. This week, I’m seeing two teams that could very well be favored and one team that’s simply not getting enough love.

Here’s a look at my top three underdog picks for Week 9 (odds via DraftKings).

Underdog Picks Week 9

N.Y. Jets (+375)Philadelphia (+115)Green Bay (+260)

Jets (+375) vs. Colts

If you’ve watched every New York Jets game this season, as I have, you’ll know there's reason to believe the team we saw in Week 8 is here to stay.

The playcalling, with Mike LaFleur stationed in the booth for the first time this year, was wildly different than what we’ve seen all season. LaFleur has a great offensive pedigree and Mike White's execution was brilliant in his first career game. So why wouldn’t we believe LaFleur can scheme up a game plan to take down an Indianapolis Colts team ranked 20th in DVOA against the pass? A Colts team that's coming in on a short week, no less.

The Jets’ offensive line has had some great games this season, and Sunday was one of them. This is a talented bunch that continues to get better with each week. The front seven has been stout against the run for years now and should make life difficult on the Colts. The Jets will probably force Carson Wentz to beat them with his arm. With that, I’ll happily sign up for New York on the ML to kick off our underdog picks for Week 9.

Eagles (+115) vs. Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers are in a backslide while the Philadelphia Eagles made a statement last Sunday that they’re not to be included with the worst teams in the league. This team just ran all over the Lions behind Boston Scott, Jordan Howard, and Jalen Hurts. And the Chargers just so happen to be the worst defense in football against the run (judging by DVOA).

I think this matchup favors the Eagles. Los Angeles is lost on defense, having allowed 27 or more points in three straight weeks. The Chargers gave up 42 points to the Browns and 34 to the Ravens in an ugly Week 6 loss. There’s also the issue of the offense, which was flat against New England a game after scoring six points. For what it's worth, the SBR betting consensus is showing nearly 9/10 bettors backing the Eagles on the moneyline.

Packers (+260) vs. Chiefs

The Green Bay Packers proved in Week 8 that they can play shorthanded. This defense was a revelation and shut down one of the mightiest offenses in football in the Cardinals. Now they’ll have their sights set on an offense that has been a special kind of bad.

Are we really ready to lay seven points with the Kansas City Chiefs, who not only look vulnerable but are one of the worst teams in the AFC outside of the expected bottom-feeders? I don’t think they’re even going to win here. Not if the Packers' defense shows up, which it will have to do with QB Aaron Rodgers sidelined due to COVID.

The rushing attack is so good for the Packers and the Chiefs’ defense is so bad that I could see a way through for the Packers to win outright. Green Bay will likely be turning to some combination of Blake Bortles or Jordan Love under center — you could ask for worse backup options.