Previewing the NFL’s Week 9 Schedule
It’s hard to believe that we’re roughly halfway through the NFL season, but the NFL’s week 9 got underway Thursday night when the New York Jets beat the Houston Texans. There’s an exciting slate of games queued up for Sunday and Monday, and we’ve got you covered with the fantasy tips, betting tips, and other facts you need to be sure you’re ready for all the action.
Dallas Cowboys (3-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (5-3)
1 PM ET | Fox | Falcons -3
Key Cowboys Storyline
Who are the Dallas Cowboys? The season hasn’t gone the way Dallas wanted, as Jerry Jones recently acknowledged. If they’re going to try to make a playoff push in the second half of the season, they need to find an identity on both sides of the ball.
Key Falcons Storyline
Is this the real Kyle Pitts? Over the last two weeks, Pitts has put up 11 receptions on 14 targets, good for 156 yards and two scores. If Pitts is finally becoming the playmaker Atlanta thought they were getting when they drafted him, this Falcons’ offense is going to the next level.
Key Stat
The Cowboys haven’t lost more than five games since 2020. If they drop this game, they’ll match that total at the halfway point of the season.
Bold Prediction
CeeDee Lamb will come down from his explosive game last week, but will still have eight or more receptions and will top 90 yards.
Fantasy Tip
Bijan Robinson is always a must-start, but he’s in line for a great game against a Dallas defense that often looks lost against the run.
Betting Tip
Dallas is 0-5 against the spread in its last five games. That should continue in Atlanta.
Prediction
Falcons 27, Cowboys 23
Miami Dolphins (2-5) @ Buffalo Bills (6-2)
1 PM ET | CBS | Bills -6
Key Dolphins Storyline
Mike McDaniel was recently asked about Jaylen Wright getting the fewest touches of any of Miami’s running backs even though he leads the team in yards per carry. McDaniel said the team would be making adjustments. While Tua is back and Miami’s passing game looks good, it will be interesting to see how they adjust their rushing offense in a divisional matchup.
Key Bills Storyline
The last two weeks have been an extended coming out party for rookie Keon Coleman who has nine catches for 195 yards in that span. With the addition of Amari Cooper to the Bills’ receivers room, Buffalo’s offense may be even more dangerous this week.
Key Stat
Miami has been terrible on the road this season, scoring only 28 points in three road contests. They’ll need to turn that around quick to keep pace with Buffalo’s offense.
Bold Prediction
With Amari Cooper questionable with a wrist injury, Keon Coleman will have the best game of his young career, including 90+ receiving yards and a touchdown.
Fantasy Tip
Dalton Kincaid will have a great game, as the Bills give up more targets to tight ends than any other team in the league.
Betting Tip
The O/U is set at 48.5 in this one, but with Tua back as of last week, Miami’s offense looked much better. Take the over against a potent Bills offense.
Prediction
Bills 31, Dolphins 24
Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-5)
1 PM ET | Fox | Bengals -7
Key Raiders Storyline
The Raiders are expected to star their fifth different combination along the offensive line in their week nine matchup with the Bengals. Cohesion is so important along the offensive line, so it’s no wonder that the Raiders have struggled to protect Minshew this season.
Key Bengals Storyline
The Bengals’ offensive line has a big question to answer, too. LT Orlando Brown is playing through a leg injury and he’s going to face Maxx Crosby a lot in this one. If Brown is hampered, Crosby may torture Burrow all day.
Key Stat
Joe Burrow hasn’t thrown for more than 250 yards in his last three games, tying the longest streak of his career. Historically, he doesn’t play great against the Raiders, so that trend may continue.
Bold Prediction
Jakobi Myers will be the heart and soul of the Raiders’ offense on Sunday, as he’ll be guarded by Cam Taylor-Britt, who is statistically below average when lined up on the outside.
Fantasy Tip
Chase Brown has taken the starting running back role in Cincy and doesn’t appear to be giving it up. While the Raiders can count on Crosby to rush the passer, their run defense is questionable. Brown should have a big day.
Betting Tip
Antonio Pierce is 12-5 in his career against the spread, the best record of any coach with at least 10 games under his belt.
Prediction
Bengals 24, Raiders 18
Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) @ Cleveland Browns (2-6)
1 PM ET | CBS | Chargers -1.5
Key Chargers Storyline
The Chargers’ offense has gotten into a groove over the last three weeks, with Justin Herbert averaging 288 yards in that span. He will look to keep that momentum going against a team that has allowed more than 200 passing yards in half their games this year.
Key Browns Storyline
The Browns’ offense looked better last week with Jameis Winston than it has looked at any point during the Deshaun Watson era. The story in Cleveland revolves around just how much better that offense will continue to be.
Key Stat
Dating back to 2015, the Chargers have beaten the Browns in five of their last six meetings.
Bold Prediction
As electric as he can be, Jameis Winston still gets a bit reckless. He’ll have two or more interceptions this week.
Fantasy Tip
David Njoku and Jameis Winston established a chemistry as soon as Watson went down. Look for Winston to feed Njoku early and often.
Betting Tip
When facing teams with losing records this season, the Chargers are 3-0 against the spread.
Prediction
Chargers 27, Browns 20
New England Patriots (2-6) @ Tennessee Titans (1-6)
1 PM ET| Fox | Titans -3.5
Key Patriots Storyline
The Patriots’ offense, while not great at any point this season, has looked better with Drake Maye under center. If he’s good to go after a concussion last week, it’s a huge deal for New England.
Key Titans Storyline
The Titans have to win a game in Nashville at some point this season, right? If they lose this one, their next best opportunity will come in week 14 against the Jags.
Key Stat
Tennessee hasn’t lost three straight games by 20 or more points since 2009, a streak they hope to keep alive Sunday.
Bold Prediction
Tony Pollard will have the best game of his Titans career against the Pats’ defense.
Fantasy Tip
See the previous statement. Pollard is in line for a great day against a Patriots’ defense that’s giving up the fifth most points to running backs in PPR leagues.
Betting Tip
The O/U is only 37.5, but if Maye can’t get into the action or gets knocked out early, it’s completely possible that these two lethargic offenses hit the under.
Prediction
Titans 17, Patriots 13
Washington Commanders (6-2) @ New York Giants (2-6)
1 PM ET | Fox | Commanders -4
Key Commanders Storyline
Jayden Daniels’ legs have been a major part of the Commanders’ offense this season, as he averages 53 rushing yards per game. As he continues to nurse a rib injury, it will be interesting to see how much time he spends running.
Key Giants Storyline
Malik Nabers has been the lone bright spot in the Giants’ offense this season, but he had two key drops in last week’s loss. There’s no reason to think that Nabers is struggling, but if he is, a sketchy Giants’ offense gets worse.
Key Stat
The Giants are currently 0-4 at home this season and haven’t started 0-5 on their home turf in 50 years.
Bold Prediction
Jayden Daniels torches the Giants’ defense for three touchdown passes without turning the ball over.
Fantasy Tip
Terry McClaurin has 16 points in five of his last six games in PPR leagues. He should exceed that total on Sunday.
Betting Tip
With the struggling Giants’ offense, it’s tempting to take the under on 44.5 points. The Commanders should make up for it. Go over.
Prediction
Commanders 31, Giants 17
New Orleans Saints (2-6) @ Carolina Panthers (1-7)
1 PM ET| CBS | Saints -7
Key Saints Storyline
Derek Carr is back, so the Saints are hoping that their offense looks like it did during their first two games when they were near the top of the league in points. They haven’t won a game since he went down with an injury.
Key Panthers Storyline
The Panthers have turned back to Bryce Young, announcing that he would remain the starter after last week. The Panthers need Young to show any sign of progression, regardless of their plans to trade him before the November 5 deadline or keep him for another season.
Key Stat
If the Panthers lose, Young will become just the third QB since 1950 to lose 18 of his first 20 starts.
Bold Prediction
Bryce Young will become just the third QB since 1950 to lose 18 of his first 20 starts. Sorry Panthers fans; there’s just not a lot of hope right now.
Fantasy Tip
Start Chris Olave. The Saints’ offense hasn’t been great, but Olave put up solid numbers last week and has his QB1 back in action.
Betting Tip
The Panthers are a league worst 1-7 against the spread this season.
Prediction
Saints 24, Panthers 9
Denver Broncos (5-3) @ Baltimore Ravens (5-3)
1 PM ET | CBS | Ravens -9.5
Key Broncos Storyline
The Broncos are off to their best start since 2018, but it has to be acknowledged that they’ve had a relatively weak schedule. This will be their biggest test since the Pittsburgh game in week two, which they lost.
Key Ravens Storyline
Nate Clemons and Marlon Humphrey missed last week’s loss to the Browns. The Ravens will need at least one of them in action this week against Bo Nix.
Key Stat
Derek Henry has a rushing touchdown in every game this season. Denver is improving, but you can expect Henry to get into the end zone again.
Bold Prediction
Bo Nix hasn’t thrown for more than 250 yards since week 1 in a loss to the Seahawks. He will break that streak tomorrow against a Ravens’ D that struggles against the pass.
Fantasy Tip
As we just discussed, Baltimore isn’t great against the pass. Even if it’s not enough to get the win, Courtland Sutton should have a good game.
Betting Tip
Baltimore has been involved in more games that hit the over than any other team in the league. The O/U of 46.5 seems ridiculously low.
Prediction
Ravens 30, Broncos 24
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) @ Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)
4:05 PM ET | CBS | Eagles -7.5
Key Jaguars Storyline
Doug Pederson would love nothing more than to win in his return to Philly. If he does, it’s going to be because of the offense, which has actually trended up this season.
Key Eagles Storyline
Jalen Hurts has 0 turnovers in his last three games after committing seven in his first four. He’s facing a bad Jaguars defense that doesn’t force a lot of turnovers.
Key Stat
Jalen Hurts has rushed for five touchdowns in the Eagles’ last two games, the most in a two-game span since 1951. If he gets one tomorrow, he’ll become the third QB ever with six rushing scores in three games joining Johnny Lujack and Cam Newton.
Bold Prediction
The Jaguars traded their starting left tackle, and he’ll be replaced by Walker Little who hasn’t been great in his career. The Eagles will sack Lawrence five times.
Fantasy Tip
Evan Engram may be the only healthy starting pass-catcher on the Jags’ roster this weekend with Christian Kirk out and Brian Thomas questionable.
Betting Tip
As bad as Jacksonville has been in recent years, they haven’t closed as 7-point underdogs since 2022 in the AFC Divisional Playoffs against the Chiefs. Take Philly to cover the spread.
Prediction
Eagles 31, Jaguars 14
Chicago Bears (4-3) @ Arizona Cardinals (4-4)
4:05 PM ET| CBS | Cardinals -1.5
Key Bears Storyline
The Bears are coming off the most heartbreaking loss of the season. We’ll see how this young team responds to the sort of adversity that they’ve faced this week.
Key Cardinals Storyline
Arizona has won three of its last four games, and has the Jets on the schedule for next week. They’re in a great position to compete for the NFC West, and a win on Sunday would help significantly.
Key Stat
Including Sunday’s game, the Bears remaining games are all against teams that are at or over .500 on the season except for one.
Bold Prediction
DJ Moore will have two touchdowns and 100 yards against a Cardinals defense that isn’t great against the pass.
Fantasy Tip
James Conner is averaging 14.5 points in PPR leagues this season, and he’s in a good position to thrive Sunday.
Betting Tip
Kyler Murray is only 6-12 against the spread as a home favorite in his career, a number he’ll look to improve on this week.
Prediction
Cardinals 21, Bears 20
Detroit Lions (6-1) @ Green Bay Packers (6-2)
4:25 PM ET | Fox | Lions -3.5
Key Lions Storyline
The Lions are off to their best start since 1956, and they’ll look to continue that in a divisional game in Green Bay, where they’ve won their last two games. Jared Goff is firmly in the MVP debate, and he can build his case this week.
Key Packers Storyline
Jordan Love left last weeks’ win with a strained groin and has shared his plans to play. If he can’t go, Malik Willis will look to add another win to his 2024 resume.
Key Stat
Why is Goff an MVP candidate? Because he’s completed 83% of his passes over Detroit’s last five games, the best five-game streak in league history.
Bold Prediction
Josh Jacobs will end the game with two or fewer receptions. The Lions don’t allow a lot of passes to backs.
Fantasy Tip
Jared Goff is a must-start against a team that may be without two of its starting DBs in Jaire Alexander and Evan Williams. Erik Stokes has struggled and may be forced to cover Amon-Ra St. Brown this week.
Betting Tip
Matt LaFleur is 6-1 at home as an underdog against the spread. He’ll have Green Bay ready to go.
Prediction
Lions 27, Packers 24
Los Angeles Rams (3-4) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-4)
4:25 PM ET | Fox | Rams -1.5
Key Rams Storyline
The Rams’ offense looks to be back after getting Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back in the fold. They’re still in contention in the winnable NFC West, but can’t afford to drop a divisional game.
Key Seahawks Storyline
The Seahawks will be without wide receiver DK Metcalf. They’ll need to find a source of offense to keep up with the Rams ability to put up points quickly.
Key Stat
Geno Smith had 0 touchdown passes last week, and hasn’t put up back-to-back games with no TD passes in a decade.
Bold Prediction
Kyren Williams will have two touchdowns for the third time this season.
Fantasy Tip
Matthew Stafford is a must-start this week. He has his receivers back and looked great last week.
Betting Tip
The O/U is at 48.5, but should move closer to game time with the announcement that Metcalf is out. Unless it comes down by more than four, take the under.
Prediction
Rams 28, Seahawks 17
Indianapolis Colts (4-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (5-2)
8:20 PM ET | NBC/Peacock | Vikings -5
Key Colts Storyline
Unless you’ve somehow dodged all sprots media this week, you’ve heard about the controversy surrounding Anthony Richardson, who admitted to taking himself out of the game because he was tired. The Colts are now starting Joe Flacco for the foreseeable future.
Key Vikings Storyline
TJ Hockenson is expected to return after tearing multiple ligaments in his knee last season. It will be interesting to see how Minnesota eases him back into the gameplan.
Key Stat
According to ESPN Analytics, the Colts chances to make the playoffs went up by 18% when they switched from Richardson to Flacco.
Bold Prediction
Adonai Mitchell will have his best game as a Colt and will end the game with more than 60 receiving yards.
Fantasy Tip
While Mitchell will have a good game, Josh Downs is in position to reap the most benefits of the QB change. He’s a great WR2 or flex option, especially in leagues with 10 teams or more.
Betting Tip
Minnesota is 0-2 in its last two games against the spread.
Prediction
Vikings 26, Colts 23
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4) @ Kansas City Chiefs (7-0)
Monday, 8:15 PM ET | ESPN/ABC | Chiefs -8.5
Key Buccaneers Storyline
Will the Bucs have any kind of offensive output without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the latter of which is out for the season? They’ll have a tough matchup with a solid Chiefs defense on Monday.
Key Chiefs Storyline
The Chiefs added Josh Uche in a trade with the Patriots. The offense has never been a problem during the Reid/Mahomes era, and a good defense got a lot better.
Key Stat
Tampa Bay’s defense is giving up 387 yards per game, good for 30th in the league. This is a nightmare matchup for a unit that’s struggled all season.
Bold Prediction
Tampa Bay will get into the end zone once, but it’s going to be tough to get much more than that going without any proven playmakers on the outside.
Fantasy Tip
Start Cade Otten. It sounds counterintuitive to start anyone on the Bucs’ offense, but Otten has a good connection with Baker Mayfield and should get more than his fair share of targets. If KC goes up early, Otten should rack up some garbage-time stats.
Betting Tip
Take the Chiefs giving the points. They should win by more than two scores as Tampa tries to find a new offensive identity
Prediction
Chiefs 30, Bucs 19