NFL Week 9 Picks: Which Underdogs Are Locks to Cover Against the Spread?

The NFL landscape has changed mighty fast in the last two weeks.

The Week 7 byes (five winning teams and the Eagles) and the Week 8 byes (six winning teams) have left the last two weeks with less than stellar matchups and a number of upsets.

That changes in Week 9 and only four teams (three of which of have losing records) will be sitting out this week.

Thus, we have some much better football on tap for this weekend including divisional clashes with playoff implications, inter-conference battles between potential Super Bowl contenders and make-or-break conference matchups.

Here are some early week underdog locks to cover against the spread.

Bucs (+8) at Saints

The one thing plaguing the Bucs is their injury issues at running back. LeGarrette Blount is expected to be back in the lineup this week and they desperately need him.

This NFC South matchup, after the Saints' shocking loss to the previously winless Rams, would give the Bucs a head-to-head advantage against New Orleans in the division.

The Saints have the potential to explode any time, but are only 4-4 against the spread this year. Why this line has opened with so many points surprises me.

The trend sheet also favors the Bucs heavily.

They are 13-4 against the spread in their last 17 road games. They are 7-1 in their last eight against games in November. And they are 6-0 in their last six in a dome.

Giants (+8.5) at Patriots

Another surprisingly large spread for two teams with a lot in common.

Big Blue hasn't covered a spread in the previous three weeks are notorious for bombing out in the latter part of the season.

Thus, this is why the spread is so large.

The Giants are only 1-7 against the spread in their last eight November games.

Unlike the Bucs, the trend sheet is not favorable for this matchup.

But nothing has been favorable for the Giants this year. Despite a relatively weak early schedule, New York has dealt with injuries to several of its top players all year.

They are always sluggish after a bye week and they are a team that always plays to the level of their opponent.

Expect Eli Manning and the Giants to not only make a game out of this one, but even be in position to win.