Tucker’s Top 5 NFL Games: Week 9
By Tucker Harlin
I’m giving myself a 3/5 for my performance last week, and that result probably looks better had I remembered the Commanders and Bears were playing.
A couple of division battles have caught my eye this weekend, but there is also a trio of other games that have drawn interest
5. BUCCANEERS (4-4) @ CHIEFS (7-0)- KC -9, 8:15 PM ESPN, MONDAY
Truthfully, this game shouldn’t excite viewers on Monday night. But I have a feeling it’s going to.
The Chiefs are sleep walking right now but are unbeaten. We’ll see how much DeAndre Hopkins’ usage increases with all of the recent injuries to the Chiefs’ receiving core.
Mahomes has been incredibly iffy throwing the ball this season, but that Tampa Bay secondary is weak.
The Bucs are also down bad at receiver right now. Trey Palmer, Jalen McMillan, and Sterling Shepard are the options at the position for Baker Mayfield.
I think the spread is too large, but I also don’t think the Chiefs lose this one.
4. RAMS (3-4) @ SEAHAWKS (4-4)- LAR -1.5, 4:25 PM FOX, SUNDAY
Every game in the NFC West at this point in the season can be considered a Top 5 game of the week with how open the division is.
The Rams getting both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back has allowed for them to insert themselves into the playoff conversation. The defense isn’t as stout as some of the ones that went on Super Bowl runs earlier in Sean McVay’s tenure, but the same is true for all of the NFC West.
The Seahawks ran into a buzzsaw against the Bills last week. Much like the Rams, Seattle will rely on its offense to outscore its opponents this season.
Expect points in this one.
3. BRONCOS (5-3) @ RAVENS (5-3)- BAL -9, 1 PM CBS, SUNDAY
I would not have said this was a Top 5 worthy game before the season, but here we are. Stylistically, these two are very different.
The Broncos are doing it with defense. Bo Nix hasn’t impressed much of the year, but Denver sits at 5-3 and is firmly in the playoff race.
The Ravens showcase two of the best offensive weapons in the league but aren’t quite as good as we’re accustomed to on the defensive end.
If Baltimore wins, it’s a blowout. The Broncos can only win in a close game.
2. COLTS (4-4) @ VIKINGS (5-2)- MIN -5.5, 8:20 PM NBC, SUNDAY
This game has the potential to make or break a playoff run for one of these two teams.
Do the Vikings still have magic left in them? They’ve lost a pair of close games and play in the toughest division in football in the year 2024.
The Colts have made a choice to start Joe Flacco at quarterback the rest of the season. It was obvious the Colts played better under Flacco, and he’s just come off a playoff run with the Browns.
This is the most excited I’ve been for a Sunday night game in awhile.
1. LIONS (6-1) @ PACKERS (6-2)- DET -3.5, 4:25 PM FOX, SUNDAY
This old school NFC North rivalry has major playoff implications.
The Lions dominated the Titans 52-14 in a game in which Jared Goff hardly needed to throw the ball. The defense hasn’t been amazing this season, but Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery’s tandem has spearheaded an incredible offense.
It appears the Packers may have to pivot back to Malik Willis, who showed he was much better than what his time in Tennessee suggested. They ran the ball very well in Jordan Love’s prior absence.
This is far and away the best game of the week.
