With the Jacksonville Jaguars securing an easy victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, attention turns to the fourteen remaining games in NFL Week 9. A panel of experts has provided fifteen predictions for the upcoming weekend, covering upset picks, projected statistical performances, fantasy football opportunities, and specific touchdown scorers.
Betting analyst Pamela Maldonado identified two underdogs capable of outright victories. She favors the Green Bay Packers plus three points against the New England Patriots. Maldonado noted that Green Bay’s defense has limited long passes, allowing only two touchdowns on throws of ten yards or more while recording seven interceptions. Although Patriots quarterback Drake Maye can utilize his legs, his receiving corps is depleted, with A.J. Brown missing significant time. In the second upset pick, Maldonado supports the Cleveland Browns plus three points at New Orleans. She cited the cooling of Saints quarterback Tyler Shough’s passing volume and Cleveland’s strong pass defense as key factors, suggesting the Browns can lean on running back Quinshon Judkins to balance the offense.
Analytics writer Seth Walder offered projected stat lines for three players. For Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill, who leads all defensive tackles in pass rush win rate, Walder predicted 1.5 sacks, five pressures, and a 25% win rate against a Miami offensive line that struggles with pass blocking. Denver Broncos rookie running back Jonah Coleman is expected to record 15 carries, 79 rushing yards, four receptions, 29 receiving yards, and a touchdown. Walder highlighted the Carolina Panthers' poor run defense and their tendency to induce runs as reasons for Coleman’s increased workload.
Walder also projected a solid defensive performance for Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner against the Dallas Cowboys. The prediction includes 34 coverage snaps, four targets allowed, two receptions, and 17 receiving yards. Walder noted that Gardner has played better recently, allowing minimal yardage per snap, and will primarily face Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens.
Fantasy football writer Eric Moody suggested three sleepers for the week. Indianapolis wide receiver Keenan Allen is a viable flex option, facing a Cowboys defense that has allowed high fantasy points to wide receivers. Miami quarterback Malik Willis is recommended as a streamer due to his rushing ability and a favorable matchup against a Lions defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks. New York Giants running back Devin Singletary is another candidate, as injuries to Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cam Skattebo may increase his touches against a Philadelphia defense that has allowed significant rushing production.
Analyst Matt Bowen predicted three players to find the end zone. Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins is expected to score against the Atlanta Falcons, who rely heavily on man coverage. New York Giants wide receiver Malachi Fields is projected to score against the Philadelphia Eagles, leveraging his physical profile on the boundary. San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Kaelon Black is also predicted to score, benefiting from an expanded role and a matchup against a Las Vegas Raiders defense that has allowed high rushing yards per game.
Analyst Ben Solak provided four additional predictions. He expects Vikings backup quarterback Carson Wentz to generate controversy with strong numbers against the Buffalo Bills. Solak also predicted that Chiefs backup quarterback Justin Fields will run a quarterback sneak, a formation Kansas City has historically avoided. In a unique trade prediction, Solak suggested that if the Los Angeles Rams defeat the Washington Commanders, they will trade for Colts wide receiver Josh Downs. Finally, he predicted that Eagles quarterback Joe Milton will throw a pass of at least 65 yards against the Giants, potentially in a Hail Mary situation, given his arm strength and the game’s competitive nature.
