Early bets for NFL Week 9: Bengals stay hot? Another Cowboys shootout?

Nov 2, 2026, 11:00 AM ET

Week 8 is in the books, save for Monday night's Seahawks-Bears matchup (8:15 ET on ESPN), and we're already looking ahead to Week 9. Which games grabbed our analysts' attention?

The Cincinnati Bengals are riding a three-game winning streak. Will they keep the good times rolling Sunday in Madrid against the Atlanta Falcons?

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a brutal loss at home to the Arizona Cardinals and will look to fix their defensive woes against an Indianapolis Colts team that just got wiped out by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Who do we like? Matt Bowen and Pamela Maldonado break down the games and share the bets they're backing before potential odds shifts later in the week.

Note: Odds by DraftKings and subject to change.

Check out the latest Super Bowl odds and major NFL awards futures.

Cincinnati Bengals -3 at Atlanta Falcons

Bowen: I don't love betting on road favorites, but the Bengals -- and their pass-heavy offense -- match up here in Atlanta. Joe Burrow has thrown at least four touchdowns in three straight games, and both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins can be schemed versus a Falcons defense that plays the second-highest rate of man-free coverage in the league.

Last week: Lions -3 vs. Vikings (Result: Lions 19-15)

Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts OVER 52

Maldonado: Dallas can't stop the run, which means Jonathan Taylor should keep getting the ball. That gives Daniel Jones, or whoever is at quarterback for the Colts, easier throws because Dallas has to worry about Taylor first. Indianapolis has the opposite headache. Lean into stopping Javonte Williams, and Dak Prescott gets chances with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Both defenses face choices that open something else up, giving this game a path to points.

Last week: Panthers-Packers OVER 47.5 (Result: Packers 27, Panthers 19)