Nat Coombs’ NFL Week 9 Tips

Nat Coombs is an NFL writer & broadcaster who has been anchoring TV and radio coverage in the UK for over 15 years, working with a range of networks including BBC, TalkSPORT, FIVE, ESPN, and Channel 4. 

He also hosts his own NFL podcast The Nat Coombs Show and writes a column for The Times. Nat has joined The Panel to share his three best selections for the weekend’s NFL action.

Nat Coombs' NFL Week 9 Predictions:

• Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 1: Commanders -3.5 To Beat The Giants - 5/6 With Unibet
• Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 2: Bears & Cardinals Over 44 Total Points - 5/6 With Coral
• Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 3: Rams -1.5 To Beat The Seahawks - 6/5 With Unibet

Commanders @ Giants Prediction: Daniels & Co To Cover

Forget Offensive Rookie of the Year, which is surely locked in, Jayden Daniels is getting traction in the MVP race. He's among the favourites for the big prize on betting apps.

The only rookie ever to win the MVP award is Jim Brown, so that’s a pretty high bar, but just being in the conversation, and the market, indicates just how impressive his first year has been. 

The Madhouse in Maryland – the sensational finish to the Commanders win over the Bears last week - will undoubtedly be a galvanising force in an already swaggering Washington season, but they’ve cause for concern against the Giants this weekend.

Injury concerns with their offensive line, notably to vet Cornelius Lucas (foot), and rookie Brandon Coleman (concussion) – isn’t ideal up against this ferocious New York front that leads the NFL in sacks with Dexter Lawrence, their All-Pro defensive tackle, racking up nine of them.

Giants apologists will also point to the efficient handling of Daniels and the Commanders in Week 2, in a game Big Blue should have won.

But even with the injury doubts – including Daniels, who slung his Hail Mary with banged up ribs, making it all the more remarkable – this feels like a spot for the Commanders to further enhance their playoff creds.

They are against a team that despite the pressure up front, can be run on – allowing 5.4 per clip, dead last in the NFL, and an O-Line is ranked 28th by PFF that will give the Washington front opportunity to harass Daniel Jones, as they did Caleb Williams the week before.

Nat Coombs' Panel Tip 1: Commanders -3.5 To Beat The Giants - 5/6 With Unibet

Bears @ Cardinals Odds: Points Expected In The Desert

Speaking of Caleb Williams, he leads the Bears offense into a nice bounce back spot against an Arizona D that is fallible. 

The Cardinals rank 27th in both rushing yards allowed, and passing yards allowed, giving up 25.6 points per game (24th). Buddha Baker, the vet safety, has been standout, but there’s not enough consistency around him.

Williams has improved solidly through his rookie season, with a strong receiving corp surrounding him, and a ground game led by Deandre Swift who is rolling, averaging 7.2 per carry against Washington, including his 56-yard TD run that swung the momentum back towards the Bears 

If Arizona have been erratic defensively, they’ve been dazzling at times with the ball, as we thought they might be. 

And they’ll need to be against a Bears D that’s stout, allowing only 11 TDs all season through Week 8 (2nd in the NFL) and one that’s only allowed over 20 points once this season (21, in Week 3 to the Colts).

Rookie Marvin Harrison Jr has (somewhat harshly) garnered mixed reviews so far, due to the boom or bust contributions so far, but he’s gaining traction and could have a big game particularly if the Cardinals target Tyrique Stevenson.

Stevenson is the Chicago corner who was notably caught smack talking during the Hail Mary play against Washington. 

Veteran James Conner is running hard, and Kyler Murray has the ability to freewheel out of danger and extend plays, which lends me to believe that they can land a few punches. And they’ll need to, to keep up here.

Nat Coombs' Panel Tip 2: Bears & Cardinals Over 44 Total Points - 5/6 With Coral

Rams @ Seahawks Betting: Rams Revival To Continue

The Los Angeles Rams are quietly building up some mojo, in what’s becoming an increasingly winnable division. 

If they beat Seattle to move to 4-4, they’ve got the Dolphins, Patriots, Eagles and Saints up next – so could be rolling into December quite conceivably 8-4 and quite possibly top of the West.

Wide receivers Puca Nacua and Cooper Kupp are both back and firing, and that’s worrying for Seattle who are on tilt, with their defense regressing, particularly their pass defense, which is in freefall although Tariq Woolen is a welcome return. 

Seattle gave up 31 points and 432 yards against the Bills last week and Matthew Stafford will look to have similar success, particular with a rounded offense, despite an indifferent O-line.

The Rams ground game led by Kyren Williams can exploit a fragile Seattle run defense with the Hawks ranked 30th in total rushing yards allowed. 

Life after Aaron Donald hasn’t exactly been rosy for the Rams, but they’re trending in the right direction, with the form of their 2023 first round draft pick former FSU standout Jared Verse most notable. 

As per PFF, Verse sits fourth in the NFL with a pass-rush win percentage of 22.1% through the first eight weeks of the season. Even though their giving points up on the road, the Rams momentum continues, and LA move to 4-4.

Nat Coombs' Panel Tip 3: Rams -1.5 To Beat The Seahawks - 6/5 With Unibet

Nat Coombs' NFL Week 9 treble pays just over 9/2 (5.67/1)with Bet365