NFL Picks Week 9: 3 Locks to Beat the Spread

Odds makers are very careful about setting the odds for football games, so the point spreads are generally a pretty good barometer of how games will play out.

But sometimes the odds makers get it wrong, and bettors capitalize on their foolishness.

In Week 9 of the NFL season, there are three games in particular you should be putting your Monopoly money on.

Here are the three teams that will beat the odds.

3. St. Louis Rams (4.5)

The Rams are expected to lose by more than a field goal, according to VegasInsider.com.

This is despite them scoring perhaps the upset of the season against the New Orleans Saints in Week 8.

I'm not saying the Rams are all of a sudden a good team (because they aren't), but they're obviously showing signs of getting better and they face the 1-6 Arizona Cardinals in Week 9.

Rams quarterback Sam Bradford could return to the field in Week 9 and Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb may not play with a turf toe injury, saying he's never had such an injury "near this severe."

If Kolb doesn't start, expect the Rams to actually win this one. Even if he plays, they won't lose by more than a field goal.

2. Denver Broncos (8)

There are plenty of teams better than the Broncos, and their Week 9 opponent, the Oakland Raiders, are one of these teams.

But, I gotta say, I'm not a big believer in new quarterback Carson Palmer and I actually liked the Raiders much better with the unspectacular but effective Jason Campbell under center.

In his 2011 debut in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Palmer went 8-of-21 for 116 yards while tossing three interceptions. I don't expect him to be that bad the rest of the season, but I also don't think he's the answer for the Raiders.

I expect the Raiders to beat the Broncos by a touchdown and no more come Sunday.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8)

Even after the Saints' shocking blowout loss to the Rams, I still consider them better than their Week 9 foe, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But the Buccaneers have played the Saints well the last two seasons and they beat the Saints in Week 6, 26-20.

This game is being played in New Orleans, and I expect the Saints to come out red-hot after their embarrassing loss to the Rams, but I still believe the Buccaneers are going to put up a fight.

This game should be close throughout and I highly doubt the Saints are going to beat the Bucs by more than a touchdown.