NFL Week 9 Preview

NFL Week 9 is set to get under with the Ravens and Dolphins kicking things off at Hard Rock Stadium. The Ravens had lost four in a row before beating Chicago, and the Dolphins had lost three in a row before a big win over Atlanta.

Unfortunately for one of these teams, they’ll go back to losing ways.

Tua Tagovailoa finally got into the swing of things and found his receivers in the endzone. Throwing for 205 yards, he had four touchdowns on the day and no interceptions.

Above and beyond the expectations of head coach Mike McDaniels, who said, “as long as we don’t throw 10 picks.”

I’m guessing it will be much of the same for the Dolphins’ signal caller this week.

If you’re thinking those odds are rather skewed for two teams that have been struggling, it’s because Lamar Jackson is set to start for Baltimore for the first time since Week 4.

He had been balling out with nine passing touchdowns in three games, one rushing touchdown and plenty of rushing yards. If Lamar is back, I’d imagine they don’t want to rely too much on his legs and let him do a job through the air.

With Lamar back in the fold, opposing defences won’t be able to have as many eyes on Derrick Henry, who should see a huge boost in production on the back of a decent game last week.

As for the Dolphins,  they’re starting to get Ollie Gordon into the game more, which means fewer carries for De’Von Achane. However, he is still very capable of clearing this line. His explosiveness and the Ravens’ poor defence give me confidence he can record at least 62 yards on the ground.

My Bets:

• Lamar Jackson to have 3+ Passing Touchdowns @ $2.70
• Derrick Henry Over 88.5 Rushing Yards @ $1.88
• De’Von Achane Over 61.5 Rushing Yards @ $1.88

The Vikings head to Ford Field for a divisional showdown against the Lions.

The Vikings are last in the NFC North, and last season’s battle of the North that came down to the final game of the season feels like a loooooong time ago for Vikings fans.

J.J. McCarthy is set to start this week for Minnesota, and if he does, then I’d expect him to get a nice reception from the Michigan fans, and then the Lions will proceed to tear off his kneecaps like Dan Campbell loves to do.

Things have gotten bad in Minnesota, and I’d rather show some faith in Jared Goff over a second coming this season of McCarthy. Two scores isn’t enough to save the Vikings away from home.

Amon-Ra St. Brown has hit his over in receiving yards in his last seven of nine home games. He hasn’t had fewer than 70 yards at home this season. He’s loved this matchup too, recently having 77, 112, 144 and 106 yards in the last four times he’s faced them, scoring a touchdown in three of those games.

McCarthy struggled in his first few games for the Vikings and throwing for 301 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in two games.

Divisional opponent, away from home and trying to turn things around… I think he’ll struggle again.

My Bets:

• Detroit Lions to Win by 14+ @ $2.35
• Amon-Ra St. Brown to have 80+ Receiving Yards @$1.77
• J.J. McCarthy Under 214.5 Passing Yards @ $1.88

We’re in for a treat come 10 a.m. Monday morning.

Whenever Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes meet, there are always fireworks, and we quite often see a potential game of the year!

Both teams are coming off sizable wins last week and are rolling into Highmark Stadium.

In the regular season, Josh Allen has beaten Mahomes four times to Mahomes’ one win, BUT in the playoffs, Mahomes has a 4-nil advantage. I can’t tell you why, but when it matters most, Mahomes just has Allen’s number.

I’m expecting yet another shootout with the quarterback who has the ball in their hands last winning. But I’m looking at Josh Allen’s completions prop. It’s set at 31.5, which he hasn’t covered in his last five games.

But against Kansas City, he’s gone over that total six games in a row. So where do we go? If we’re expecting a shootout, with both teams needing to move the ball quickly, I think we back Allen to use his arm talent a lot more than he has been in previous weeks.

Will Mahomes force-feed Rashee Rice again? Probably but his line at 7.5 receptions feels a little too high. In a tight one, although he’s had some costly mistakes, Mahomes is always going to rely on old faithful, Travis Kelce.

Kareem Hunt has been the man on short downs for KC this year. He’s got an amazing record at completing those short downs and keeping the chains moving or getting in the endzone. When KC find themselves inside the 5 yard line, you know who’s getting the ball.

My Bets:

• Josh Allen Over 31.5 Passing Attempts @ $1.87
• Travis Kelce Over 4.5 Receptions @ $1.92
• Kareem Hunt Anytime Touchdown Scorer @ $1.98

Two NFC teams vying for playoff hopes meet on SNF, with the Seahawks sitting in a prime spot in the division.

Washington will be happy to have their star QB back. Jayden Daniels returns from injury, and he’ll be hoping to turn the Commanders’ season around.

He’s coming back from a hamstring injury, though, and he might have some limitations around what he can and can’t do. His passing line is set at 227.5, and in his five games so far this season, he’s only cleared that twice.

The Seahawks are no joke either, and it will be a tough welcome back for JD.

Speaking of how good the Seahawks are, it’s been on the back of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He’s been a top-three receiver all season, and we have a Super Boost on JSN to have 100+ yards. He’s only gone and done it three games in a row.

If we’re backing JSN it makes sense to back his QB, Sam Darnold. He had a quieter game last week only passing for 213 yards but before then he’d gone for 242, 341 and 295, clearing his passing line. Against the Commanders, I think he can dice it up once again.

My Bets:

• Jayden Daniels Under 227.5 Passing Yards @ $1.88
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba To Have 100+ Receiving Yards (Super Boost) @ $2.80
• Sam Darnold Over 240.5 Passing Yards @ $1.88

We round off Week 9 with the Arizona Cardinals heading to Arlington, Texas, to take on the Cowboys.

Jacoby Brissett is expected to start again for the Cardinals while Kyler Murray nurses his foot injury. They’re fresh off a bye, so what can they do against Dallas, who just got dog walked by the Broncos?

Head coach Jonathan Gannon did say Murray might play a role, but whichever quarterback is under centre, their tight end, Trey McBride, is going to play a large role regardless.

He leads the team in most offensive stats, including four TDs, and he has taken his game to another level.

Since CeeDee Lamb returned from injury he hasn’t missed a beat but he also hasn’t taken away from George Pickens who was WR1 while Lamb was out. Lamb has 100+ yards in three of five games, but one was when he had zero after he left injured. Pickens has had two 100+ yard games in his last five but has cleared 50 yards on each occasion.

This double threat is lethal!

Back on the other side of the ball, there aren’t many scenarios where Jacoby Brissett doesn’t clear 250 passing yards. He has at least 279 in both his starts so far, and they are either getting blown out, and he needs to sling the rock.

Or they get out to fast lead thanks to Brissett’s arm. Either way, this is a very getting target.

My Bets:

• Trey McBride Anytime Touchdown Scorer @ $2.10
• CeeDee Lamb / George Pickens to have 150+ Receiving Yards Combined @ $2.05
• Jacoby Brissett to Have 250+ Passing Yards @ $1.95