Dawg Pound Daily bettor’s guide to NFL: Week 9

Nov 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina defeated Indianapolis 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

For those of you actually risking real money based on my advice, well, let’s hope you put it on my “Bargain of the Year” last week as the Denver Broncos – getting 3.5 points in the new Mile High – never looked back in trouncing the Green Bay Packers, 29-10.

I also crushed it with the Dallas Cowboys (+8.5) in their 13-12 heartbreaker to the Seattle Seahawks, amazingly won as the New York Giants (+3.5) scored 49 – and barely covered by a half point when the New Orleans Saints put up 52. Finally, the Baltimore Ravens (-3) “pushed” in getting their second win of the season at home against San Diego.

However, that “no loss” Sunday ended a week that started with two blowouts, as the New England Patriots walked over Dan Quinn’s Miami Dolphins on Thursday night, and the Detroit Lions missed their flight to London and some limeys off the street dressed in Honolulu blue fell to the Kansas City Chiefs, 45-10. Good news Browns fans: there’s a more dysfunctional franchise than ours north of Toledo. Bad news: I’m thinking we’re right behind them.

My teaser plays where you get an extra six points went a perfect 4-0, as Dallas, Denver, Baltimore and, of course, Arizona were never in doubt.

For Week 9, let’s start with the one game not to play: While Cleveland (+11.5) fits two of my “bettable” stipulations as a double-digit dog against a Cincinnati Bengals team that’s covered three or more games in a row, this could be 52-3 ugly. Or it could be a 17-13 snoozefest.

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As tempting as the Browns might look, stay away – and don’t touch the Bengals, even teased down to less than a touchdown. Just watch, hope it isn’t a train wreck and here’s what I will bet: If the Browns somehow pull off the upset, it won’t be Mike Pettine‘s last visit to Paul Brown Stadium as Browns head coach. If the Browns lose, it probably will.

Do bet the following, keeping in mind that the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets and New Orleans Saints vs. Tennessee Titans are currently off the board:

• Pittsburgh Steelers (-4.5) against the visiting Oakland Raiders, who resume their losing Eastern Time Zone woes in Heinz Field.
• Washington Redskins (+14) against the New England Patriots, who can’t win by double digits every week, can they?
• Now offensively coordinated by Rob Chudzinski (yep, former Browns head coach and offensive coordinator) the Indianapolis Colts (+6.5) are this week’s “Bargain of the Week.” The Colts will ruin the Denver Broncos hope for a perfect season and Peyton Manning’s homecoming to the Dome that He Built.

On the teaser front (where you get an extra six points) expect the St. Louis Rams (+2) to stay close with the Minnesota Vikings, the Buffalo Bills (-3) to beat the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants (-2.5) to do likewise on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On Sunday night, the Dallas Cowboys (+2.5) make it entertaining as they host the Philadelphia Eagles.

Season record: Straight 15-16-2; Teaser 20-8