Week 9 AFC West predictions: Raiders pull off shocking 'Ugly Bowl' win

The Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders aim to bounce back after disastrous losses, while the Los Angeles Chargers look for a second straight win. (Denver is on a bye this week.) Here are Week 9 predictions in the AFC West.

Miami Dolphins (6-2) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (6-2): Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who played for Kansas City from 2015-21, faces the Chiefs for the first time. 

"It's just another game," he said after a Week 8 victory over the New England Patriots.

Regardless, expect Hill to have a dominant outing against his former team. He leads the NFL in receiving yards (1,014) and is on track to break the season record held by Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, who set the mark (1,964 yards in 16 games) with the Lions.

Meanwhile, the Kansas City offense has faltered over the past three weeks, only scoring 59 points overall. Surprisingly, the Chiefs made no bold moves before the trade deadline Tuesday. Since Kansas City has yet to solve its offensive woes, don't be surprised if Miami — 1.5-point underdogs, per OddsChecker as of Wednesday — upsets the defending Super Bowl champions in Frankfurt, Germany.

PREDICTION: Dolphins, 31-24

New York Giants (2-6) at Las Vegas Raiders (3-5): The Raiders are a mess. On Tuesday night, they fired head coach Josh McDaniels and named Antonio Pierce interim HC. Per NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the team is expected to bench QB Jimmy Garoppolo — who leads the league in interceptions (nine) — and start rookie Aidan O'Connell. The fourth-round pick out of Purdue started in a Week 4 loss to the Chargers, completing 24-of-39 passes for 239 yards and one pick.

New York isn't much better, though. It has lost five of its last six games and is last in the league in points per game (11.9). On Tuesday, Giants starting QB Daniel Jones told FanDuel's Kay Adams, "I'm cleared and ready to go" after missing three games with a neck injury. That may not be great news for New York. The former first-round pick has posted a below-average 39.3 QBR, 26th in the NFL.

Surprisingly, ESPN Analytics gives Las Vegas a 62.2 percent chance to win. If correct, the Raiders will pull off a staggering victory and avoid embarrassment in the "Ugly Bowl."

PREDICTION: Raiders, 17-16

Los Angeles Chargers (3-4) at New York Jets (4-3): Although the Jets have won three straight games, they must solve their O-line issues. Per Pro Football Reference, they're allowing the highest pressure rate in the NFL (34.1 percent). Expect Chargers LB Khalil Mack — who's seventh in the NFL in sacks (seven) — to wreak havoc. 

The Jets defense is eighth in the league in points allowed (18.4). It will face Chargers QB Justin Herbert, who has been hampered by a fractured left middle finger but seemingly regained rhythm in a Week 8 victory against the Chicago Bears (three TD passes, season-high 81.2 QBR). 

It's a must-win game for Los Angeles. The New York Times simulator notes its playoff chances will increase from 39 to 50 percent if the Chargers beat the Jets. As of Wednesday, OddsChecker lists the Chargers as a three-point favorite. Expect them to earn their second straight victory and bounce back into the playoff hunt.

PREDICTION: Chargers, 24-19