NFL Week 9 last — We're in the midst of one of the most hectic times of the year, both on the NFL calendar and in our regular, everyday lives. Week 9 is a pivotal slate because it's the last time teams will see their players on the field before Tuesday's trade deadline.

Key Developments and Main Event

This presents one final opportunity to gauge the on-field product before deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold before the trade window closes for good. As GMs and other front office personnel start warming up the phones, you and I are entering the holiday season.

We're picking through the remnants of our Halloween candy and starting to look ahead to the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, so there are a lot of balls in the air. Of course, that might result in you not being as dialed in on the comings and goings throughout the league as you may like, especially if you're making picks this weekend.

Core Facts and Essential Highlights

Well, let this be your first gift of the holiday season. Instead of combing through stats, allow these last-minute picks for Week 9 to be your guide to adding a little more cash into your holiday bankroll. Note: Tennessee and Pittsburgh are on the bye in Week 9. All lines via DraftKings; All times ET Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears • Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

(NBC, Stream: Fubo, try for free) The Bears look like bona fide Super Bowl contenders right now after rolling into Seattle and taking it to the defending champion Seahawks, with new defensive stud Jeffery Simmons showing out in his debut.

Broader Context and Market Implications

They head back home for another primetime matchup against a Bucs team that didn't complete a pass in a 16-0 win over the Falcons. Over the past two games, Tampa Bay's passing attack has completed 7 of 14 attempts for 64 yards and one touchdown.

That might be good enough to lock in two wins against NFC South rivals, but they'll need to chuck it to keep pace with Caleb Williams and keep this newly dominant defense honest. I don't believe they will be able to, which sets up Chicago to win its fourth straight game. The Bears are also 3-1 ATS at home this season.

Projected score: Bears 28, Buccaneers 20The pick: Bears -6 Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots • Sunday, 4:25 p.m. (Fox, Stream: Fubo, try for free) Weather was a factor, but I did find it noteworthy that the Patriots struggled to fend off the Dolphins in last week's win in Miami.

Sure, a divisional game will always be pesky, but it is sticking in the back of my head as I look towards this matchup with Green Bay. I think Drake Maye, who leads the NFL in total yards and total touchdowns from Week 4 to Week 8, will have some trouble against this evolving Packers defense, especially as A.J. Brown (knee) continues to be sidelined.

Over the past five games, Green Bay is allowing just 14.6 points per game, which ranks third in the NFL. Meanwhile, Jordan Love is first in the NFL in passing yards entering Week 8 and first in completions of 20-plus air yards. He's also fourth in passing touchdowns, so New England's defense will have its hands full and is firmly on upset alert.

Projected score: Packers 23, Patriots 21The pick: Packers +3 Los Angeles Rams at Washington Commanders • Sunday, 1 p.m.