NFL Week 9 Swinger’s Best Bets: Chargers Are Electric on Sunday
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Swinging Johnson
- October 31, 2024
Top NFL Pick: Chargers -1 (-115) for 4 units at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Swinger cashed with his top bet of the week last week, the Buffalo Bills, who went on to crush the Seahawks in their own sandbox, which gave our man four units. Let’s see what he’s got for us in Week 9.
Swinger’s 2024 NFL Record: 8-15-1 ATS (-26.27 units using a 1-to-5-unit system)
Don’t forget to join BMR Forum’s Free $20K NFL 2024 Pick’em Pool contest for a shot at huge prizes throughout the regular season.
And if you’re looking for more value picks, make sure to take a look at our YouTube channel! For this week, our expert has covered the Chargers vs. Browns and Lions vs. Packers matchups.
Week 8 Recap (1-2 ATS, -2.39 units)
Here is what I wrote about my Packers pick last week: “I’m assuming Packers’ quarterback Jordan Love will go unscathed and the gambling gods will take pity on my recent spate of unfortunate player injuries whilst on the field of battle, and he will go on to torch this loathsome Jacksonville secondary.”
Well, I should’ve kept my mouth shut because Jordan Love did get injured (groin) in the third quarter, and naturally I laid a bad number (-3.5) as the Packers edged the Jaguars, 30-27, and I lost three units by a hook. The gambling gods are having quite a laugh at my expense this year.
The other three-unit money burner turned out to be the Giants on Monday night, who dropped a 26-18 decision to the Steelers, which meant my +6.5 on Big Blue went right down the drain for three units.
The only relief we got turned out to be my biggest wager of the week when I happily collected four units on a no-sweat bet with the Bills, who cruised to a 31-10 win over the slightly overrated Seahawks.
Overall, 1-2 ATS and down 2.39 units. We are overdue to do better at the online sportsbooks.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Cleveland Browns
Sunday, November 03, 2024 – 01:00 PM ET at Huntington Bank Field
The Browns had their Super Bowl last week when they defeated the Ravens, and now it’s time for their inevitable return to earth.
Let’s understand that the Browns are still a 2-6 club, and although Jameis Winston is an upgrade over Deshaun Watson (I never thought I’d utter those words), he is prone to costly errors. You may recall his final season in Tampa Bay when he threw 33 touchdowns, but the only problem was, he had 30 freakin’ interceptions. Yeah, he’s that guy, and remember the Chargers defense is ranked No. 1 in points allowed, surrendering just 13 points per game.
We should also note that the Browns will be without two of their three best defensive players, who were both injured last week. Denzel Ward will likely sit with a concussion while linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is out with a neck injury. That’s nothing but good news for Justin Herbert, who will be free to pick and choose his targets as long as Myles Garrett is double-teamed.
The Bolts are in a good spot this week, and we’ve got an excellent number thanks to the public overreacting to Cleveland’s win over Baltimore last week. I say the Browns come out flat and never rally. Go Bolts!
NFL Pick: Chargers -1 (-115) for 4 units at BetOnline
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, November 03, 2024 – 01:00 PM ET at Paycor Stadium
Although the Bengals got trounced 37-17 by the Eagles last week, they may still be overlooking their divisional opponent this week because a far more dangerous foe awaits them on Thursday night the following week when they battle the Ravens.
Let’s not forget that the Raiders are ranked seventh against the pass, allowing only 189 yards per game, while the Bengals’ defense is of the bottom-third variety. Maxx Crosby is getting healthier by the day, and that’s bad news for a poorly protected Joe Burrow.
Lastly, Tee Higgins didn’t practice on Wednesday, and it’s quite possible he sits for this one so he’s completely healthy for the Ravens next Thursday night. That’s more good news for the Raiders, and the fact that the oddsmakers are giving us +7.5 makes this a solid bet on the road dog here.
NFL Pick: Raiders +7.5 (-115) for 3 units at BetAnySports (visit our BetAnySports Review)
Indianapolis Colts vs. Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, November 03, 2024 – 08:20 PM ET at U.S. Bank Stadium
Anthony Richardson may have cost himself a place in the NFL last week when he removed himself from the game because he was tired. Really? I’ve been critical of Richardson for being too careless with his passes and refusing to slide, which has led to injuries for the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. But announcing he needed to leave the field because he was tired was just one hurdle too high for the Colts. He’s been benched, and rightfully so.
Enter the ageless Joe Flacco. If there’s one thing Flacco has always been able to do is throw the ball, and he will connect this week, unlike Richardson, who has been regressing weekly and is flustered when a team blitzes early and often, like the Vikings.
One huge injury to report for the Vikings is their blindside tackle, Christian Darrisaw, who has blossomed into one of the best offensive linemen in the league. He tore ligaments in his left knee and will be out for the remainder of the season. Minnesota traded a third-round pick to Jacksonville for Cam Robinson, who will be just getting acclimated to his new team for this game against the Colts.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold will experience major pressure from DeForest Buckner, and that could lead to sacks and poor field position. Let’s grab the points and back what should be a motivated Colts team under a tried-and-true leader like Flacco.
NFL Pick: Colts +5.5 (-108) for 4 units at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
The Woodman’s Corner (2-6 ATS)
In another example of how bad we’re running this season, consider for a moment that the Woodman went 13-3 against the number last week in a handicapping contest.
One of those three clunkers he brought to these pages was his pick of the week, the New Orleans Saints, who went down in flames against the LA Chargers and failed to cover as 7.5 point road hounds.
This week he’s back in the ring to take another swing with the Broncos getting nearly double digits against the Ravens. Do you have any faith left? If so, grab the points!
Woodman’s Pick: Broncos +9.5 (-108) at Heritage Sports
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
