NFL Week 9 Picks: Deceptive Betting Lines to Stay Away from This Weekend

As much as people like to have action on games that they are watching, sometimes the smart move is to abstain from betting on certain games. Not every contest is easily readable, and much of the time the lines can trick us into seeing something that isn't actually there.

There is simply no shame in living to fight another day by avoiding a line you don't feel comfortable with. Here are three Week 9 games that are simply too close to call, and too close to risk your hard-earned money on.

Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans (-11)

The Houston Texans are officially back on track after a little two-game slide, and they have been rewarded by the linesmakers as they are 11-point favorites against the Cleveland Browns this week. The Browns are certainly short on talent, but they make up for it with determination and team play.

Cleveland doesn't have many weapons on offense, but it is capable of possessing the ball for fairly long stretches thanks to a committed running game and quarterback Colt McCoy's ability in the West Coast offense. The Browns also have an underrated defense that ranks as one of the league's best against the pass.

The Browns were able to hang around until the bitter end against the San Francisco 49ers last week and lost by just 10. There is reason to believe they will be able to do the same against the Texans this week. I fully expect Houston to win, but essentially having to beat Cleveland by three scores is a bit much in my mind.

New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills (-2)

As odd as it may seem to see the Buffalo Bills favored against the New York Jets, that is how it should be, particularly with Buffalo at home. A two-point line certainly seems fair as well, but even so, this game should prove to be an extremely dangerous one to bet.

Because of New York's struggles against the run and quarterback Mark Sanchez's penchant for turning the ball over, I think the Bills will win this game. Running back Fred Jackson should run wild, and the defense is very opportunistic when it comes to forcing turnovers. Still, the Bills have won a number of extremely tight games at home this season.

With that said, there is no guarantee that they won't win by a single point, giving New York a back-door cover. That isn't the type of hunch you want to risk money on, though, so I think the best bet in this game may be going with the over rather than taking the game itself.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (-3)

After defeating the New England Patriots last week, there is no question that the 6-2 Pittsburgh Steelers are the pre-eminent team in the AFC North right now. They will clash with their biggest rival on Sunday night, however, in the 5-2 Baltimore Ravens.

While the Ravens have struggled in recent weeks with a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and a narrow victory over the hapless Arizona Cardinals, they should very much be up for this game. The Ravens blew out the Steelers in the season's opening week, but Pittsburgh is much improved at this point.

Besides their Week 1 meeting this season, the Ravens and Steelers always seem to play extremely close games. Although the Steelers should be expected to win because of their recent play, it won't be easy. Pittsburgh could be without three starting linebackers in James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley and James Farrior. With that in mind, a outright win wouldn't be shocking for the Ravens, who are three-point dogs.

Check out more B/R picks here.