By Darin 
The 2025 NFL season has hit its halfway point, but don’t despair if your favorite team is struggling—there’s still half a season left! Darin Hayes and Ed Kleese are here to break down the surprising results of Week 9 and lay out their big, bold predictions for Week 10, including some major shifts in their quarterback rankings and playoff cuts.
🏈 Week 9: Quarterback Class of 2024 and Playoff Cuts
The Quarterback Conversation:
A major takeaway from Week 9 was the simultaneous start of all six drafted quarterbacks from the 2024 class. Ed Kleese believes this class has the potential to match or even surpass the legendary 1983 class in both quality and volume, noting that all six are already showing competence in their second year—a rare feat.
- Top Tier (Future Top 5): Drake May (now possibly ranked #1 due to availability and consistency) and Jayden Daniels (uber-talented but concerning injury history).
- The Gritty Wildcard: Bo Nix (unpredictable but shows clutch moxie, compared to a young Baker Mayfield).
- Developing Contenders: Caleb Williams (showing maturity and consistency beyond scripted plays) and J.J. McCarthy.
- Competent but Not Elite: Michael Penix Jr. (looks fine, but lacks the “wow” athleticism of the others).
Playoff Eliminations:
Ed is making two significant cuts from the playoff picture, bringing the total number of eliminated teams to ten:
- Cincinnati Bengals: Cut due to a disastrous 3-6 record and an unfixable defense. Ed praised the “awesome” and high-level play of quarterback Joe Flacco despite the losses.
- Washington Commanders: Cut for this season, despite having a strong, patient organizational structure now in place (Owner Josh Harris, GM Adam Peters, Coach Dan Quinn). Ed believes the team is rebuilding the right way after years of bad ownership, urging fans to remain patient despite the 3-6 record and recent injury woes (especially to QB Jayden Daniels).
📝 Week 9 Prediction Results
| Pundit | Prediction | Result (Points Earned) | Total Score (Season) |
| Darin | Bills beat Chiefs in a close game. | Bills won. (1 point) | 41 |
| Darin | Bears win easily, but Jamar Chase scores 2 TDs. | Bears won. (1 point) | |
| Darin | 49ers win late on a field goal. | 49ers won. (1 point) | |
| Darin | Steelers hold Jonathan Taylor to 120 yards or less. | Steelers won, held Taylor to 48 yards. (2 points) | |
| Darin | Lions beat Vikings; Jahmyr Gibbs has a huge game. | Incorrect. (0 points) | |
| Ed | Bills beat Chiefs (Allen wins with < 1 minute left). | Bills won. (1 point) | 35 |
| Ed | Raiders beat Jaguars. | Incorrect. (0 points) | |
| Ed | Cowboys/Cardinals combine for 60+ points. | Incorrect (Defense-dominated game). (0 points) | |
| Ed | Packers beat Panthers by 17+. | Incorrect (Panthers won). (0 points) |
🔮 Bold Predictions: Week 10
🏈 Upset Alerts and Stat Guarantees!
Here are the optimized, bold predictions for Darin Hayes and Ed Kleese for the upcoming week of NFL action:
| Pundit | Prediction | SEO Keywords |
| Ed Kleese | UPSET ALERT! The Minnesota Vikings, despite being home underdogs, will defeat the Baltimore Ravens outright. Ed believes the Ravens have significant internal cracks, and the Vikings’ defense is “nasty.” | NFL Upset Pick, Vikings Ravens Prediction, Minnesota Defense, Ravens Cracks |
| Ed Kleese | The Jets vs. Browns game will be surprisingly entertaining and fun, defying low expectations. An “alien that knew football” would think both are decent teams, suggesting a close, non-low-scoring affair. | Jets Browns Fun Game, Entertaining NFL Matchup, Abstract Pick |
| Ed Kleese | The Buffalo Bills will defeat the Miami Dolphins, but the Dolphins will keep the game tight (within seven points), benefiting from extra rest and the Bills’ emotional week. | Bills Dolphins Prediction, Miami Keep It Close, Bills Run D, AFC East |
| Ed Kleese | The Los Angeles Rams will get revenge against the San Francisco 49ers on the road. Quarterback Matthew Stafford will throw for 300 yards or more against the shorthanded 49ers defense. | Rams Upset 49ers, Matthew Stafford 300 Yards, Rams 49ers Revenge, NFC West |
| Ed Kleese | The Seattle Seahawks will defeat the Arizona Cardinals by a margin of 10 points or more, and their defense will hold the Cardinals offense to 17 points or less. | Seahawks Shut Down Cardinals, Seattle Defense, DVOA Teams, Seahawks Super Bowl Threat |
| Darin Hayes | UPSET ALERT! The Las Vegas Raiders will pull off a stunning upset against the Denver Broncos, winning on a late-game gamble or chance taken by Pete Carroll. | Raiders Upset Broncos, Las Vegas Gambling Win, Raiders Broncos Short Week |
| Darin Hayes | The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will defeat the New England Patriots, driven by Baker Mayfield slightly outplaying Mac Jones (referred to as May). Both quarterbacks will throw over 250 yards, but Mayfield will have one fewer turnover. | Buccaneers Patriots Prediction, Mayfield Outplays Jones, Bucs Turnovers, 250+ Passing Yards |
| Darin Hayes | UPSET ALERT! The New York Giants will defeat the Chicago Bears, with quarterback Jackson Dart having the best game of his young career to lead the G Men to victory. | Giants Upset Bears, Jackson Dart Best Game, G Men Victory, NFC North Race |
| Darin Hayes | The Philadelphia Eagles will run over and run through the Green Bay Packers. Running back Saquon Barkley will have his best game of 2025, contributing to a gaudy rushing yardage total as the Eagles win big. | Eagles Run Over Packers, Saquon Barkley Best Game, Eagles Rushing Yards, NFC Contender |