Week 9 begins with a classic matchup of “who will lose but win the No. 1 pick,” as this year’s 49ers and Raiders squads are among the bottom-feeders of the league. However, this could be a fun, high-scoring game as Kyle Shanahan faces off against his former employer and boss Jon Gruden. Two creative offenses should have everyone betting the over for tonight’s game.

For the 1 o’clock slate on Sunday, a couple of fun division matchups highlight the first portion of games. Steelers and Ravens, a classic rivalry, kicks off in Maryland, while the Detroit Lions will try and slow down the offensive threats of Kirk Cousins, Adam Theilin and Stefon Diggs.

Elsewhere, two Texas Tech teammates at one point in their collegiate careers in Baker Mayfield and Pat Mahomes square off in Cleveland. Amid all the firings in the Browns organization, this is a tough first game for Greg Williams in his first game at the helm.

A red-hot LA Chargers team travels to Seattle to take on the run-first offense of the Seahawks and Chris Carson. Philip Rivers and crew will try to space out the Seattle D with their number of talented receivers and put points on the board. Deshaun Watson, looking in prime form as of late, hits a Denver team that’s 1-5 since starting the year off at 2-0.

One of the two outstanding games of the week pits possible the top two teams in the NFC, if not the entire league, against each other down in New Orleans. Sean McVay and his illustrious offense take on Sean Payton, Drew Brees and their own offensive greatness.

Everyone’s eyes have been glued to the main course of Week 9, where Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady will meet on the field for just the second time in their outstanding careers. Brady has an offensive scheme and coaching staff made to dissect the Packer defense, but Rodgers always has the magic to pull off the craziest of upsets.

Thank God for some of the amazing matches on Sunday, because Monday’s test between Tennessee and Dallas has the making of a snore-fest. The Cowboys are expected to debut newly acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper, but these two 3-4 teams have failed to find any consistency through the first half of the year.

Certainly an interesting week for game picks. With two staff members at the top and a few approaching a tie, let’s check out this week’s picks from your Stampede Blue staff.

Chris Shepherd: 67-38 / Brett Mock: 67-38 / Stephen Reed: 63-42 / Andrew Aziz: 63-42 / Chris Blystone: 62-43 / Elliot Denton: 60-45 / Jared Malott: 61-44 / Matt Danely: 43-33 / Zachary Hicks: 38-36 / Blake Pace: 19-9

Thursday 8:20 pm ET

Raiders (5) @ 49ers | Contrarians: Stephen Reed, Andrew Aziz, Chris Blystone, Zachary Hicks

Sunday 1:00 pm ET

Falcons (5) @ Redskins | Contrarians: Chris Shepherd, Brett Mock, Blystone, Hicks

Broncos @ Vikings

Steelers (8) @ Ravens | Contrarians: Blystone

Falcons (5) @ Redskins | Contrarians: Shepherd, Mock, Blystone, Hicks

Chiefs @ Browns

Jets @ Dolphins (5) | Contrarians: Shepherd, Blystone, Elliot Denton, Hicks

Bears @ Bills

Buccaneers @ Panthers

Sunday 4:05 pm ET

Chargers (7) @ Seahawks | Contrarians: Shepherd, Blystone

Texans @ Broncos (6) | Contrarians: Denton, Malott, Blake Pace

Sunday 4:25 pm ET

Rams (5) @ Saints | Contrarians: Aziz, Blystone, Malott, Pace

Sunday 8:20 pm ET

Packers @ Patriots (5) | Contrarians: Denton, Malott, Hicks, Pace

Monday 8:15 pm ET

Titans @ Cowboys (8) | Contrarian: Hicks

What are your picks for Week 9?