The NFL season tips to its halfway point with only two teams on byes, the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The rest of the league will be in action with a schedule that starts with the Baltimore Ravens and their undrafted free agent starter Joe Fagnano meeting the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday.
A pair of the more interesting games on the schedule showcase NFC North squads at AFC East opponents. The Green Bay-New England contest will see another return of Tom Brady to Foxborough for FOX Sports. The Monday nighter has the Minnesota Vikings in Buffalo.
On to the rankings and predictions:
15. Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers, Nov. 8, CBS, 4:05 p.m.
Teams that combined for 23 wins last season have a combined two entering this one. Blah. Prediction: Texans 23, Chargers 16
14. New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, Nov. 8, FOX, 1 p.m.
The Giants seek to defend their
lead in the NFC East against the struggling Eagles. Tanner McKee vs. J.J. McCarthy as starting quarterbacks wasn't on anyone's radar at the start of the season. Prediction: Eagles 17, Giants 13
13. Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints, Nov. 8, CBS, 1 p.m.
A win would thrust the Saints into the picture for the NFC South title, mainly because the division is putrid. The Browns are in a rugged division and need to win every game they can. Maybe not this one. Prediction: Saints 27, Browns 23
12. Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts, Nov. 8, FOX, 1 p.m.
The Cowboys need to step their act up big time. They were embarrassed by the Arizona Cardinals. Now they meet a Colts team that is languishing to be kind. Prediction: Cowboys 33, Colts 20
11. Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins, Nov. 8, CBS, 1 p.m.
The Dolphins are starting to show signs of not being a pushover. Jeff Hafley is familiar with Dan Campbell and the Lions from his time in Green Bay. Could be more interesting than it sounds. Prediction: Lions 31, Dolphins 26
10. Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens, Nov. 5, Prime Video, 8:15 p.m.
Joe Fagnano gets fed to the Jaguars on Thursday night. This could be nasty. Prediction: Jaguars 27, Ravens 10
9. New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs, Nov. 8, CBS, 1 p.m.
The NFL schedule rewards the Chiefs with the Jets so they can get back on the winning track after two losses. Prediction: Chiefs 28, Jets 17
8. Cincinnati Bengals vs. Atlanta Falcons (Madrid), Nov. 8, NFLN, 9:30 a.m.
This has the potential to be a fun offensive game in Madrid. Just so long as it doesn't rain in Spain and torment Michael Penix Jr. and the Falcons. Prediction: Falcons 34, Bengals 31
7. Los Angeles Rams at Washington Commanders, Nov. 8, FOX, 1 p.m.
The Rams had best not take the Commanders lightly. No matter who LA plays there always seems to be intrigue in the game. Not a team specializing in blowouts. Prediction: Rams 26, Commanders 21
6. Las Vegas Raiders at San Francisco 49ers, Nov. 8, FOX, 4:25 p.m.
The Niners rebound against a Raider team that can move the ball but has trouble stopping opponents. Prediction: 49ers 35, Raiders 23
5. Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers, Nov. 8, CBS, 1 p.m.
The Panthers are in first place in one of the weakest divisions in football. The Broncos look to maintain their hold in the AFC West. Prediction: Panthers 27, Broncos 23
4. Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks, Nov. 8, FOX, 4:25 p.m.
Seattle needs to bounce back at home from being embarrassed by the Bears. The Cardinals go with Gardner Minshew II at QB. Prediction: Seahawks 30, Cardinals 21
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears, Nov. 8, NBC, 8:20 p.m.
Baker and the Buccaneers have started to rebound and they catch the Bears on a short week. Should make the game competitive at least. Watch out for Jeffery Simmons chasing Mayfield all around Soldier Field. Prediction: Bears 23, Buccaneers 20
2. Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots, Nov. 8, FOX, 4:25 p.m.
Tom Brady returns to Gillette Stadium to do analysis on a solid game. The Packers are playing better ball than early in the season. The Pats have seen Drake Maye bounce back from a slow start. FOX gets a nice game in the late Sunday window. Prediction: Patriots 30, Packers 27
1. Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, ABC/ESPN, Nov. 9, 8:15 p.m.
The Vikings are coming off their first loss, a tough one against the Detroit Lions. Their defense remains fierce. The Bills have the potent offense and shouldn't be too challenged by Minnesota's offense. Prediction: Bills 24, Vikings 20
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Game rankings and predictions for NFL Week 9
