2023 NFL Week 9 Tips & Preview

2023 NFL Week 9 Tips & Preview

Week 9 is here, the trade deadline has passed and two of the most exciting teams in the league are off to Germany

Guten Tag Spieler (Google translate tells me that means G’day Punters), we’ve got another week of monster NFL Matchups.

Daylight savings has also officially ended in the US which means that we get an extra hour of sleep on a Monday morning! How Good!

I’ve run my eyes over each market, simulated each game in Madden and checked the waiver wire for fantasy studs.

Here is my preview of Week 9 of the NFL.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS VS TENNESSEE TITANS
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Getting us started on TNF we have the Steelers taking on the Tennessee Titans.

The Steelers have opened as $1.68 favourites but the debut of Will Levis last week has me looking towards the Titans here.

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett has been limited at practice with a rib injury, combine that with the least efficient running back room in the league and a dismal offensive coordinator like Matt Canada – honestly it’s hard to get excited about Pittsburgh here.

Will Levis torched the Falcons last week, the rookie out of Kentucky threw for 19/29 for 238 Yards and a whopping four touchdowns, three of those were to DeAndre Hopkins.

The Titans are the upside pick in prime time, I can see them building on that performance last week. I haven’t even mentioned yet that they gave Derrick Henry 22 carries and he ran for over 100 yards.

The Titans have lost each of their last six road games but they’re a team moving in the right direction.

Titans H2H @ $2.20

SGM $4.03

  • Will Levis 225+ Passing Yards $2.30
  • Derrick Henry 60+ Rushing Yards $1.38
  • DeAndre Hopkins 45+ Receiving Yards $1.46
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS VS MIAMI DOLPHINS
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Tyreek Hill will take on his old teammates for the first time but it won’t be at Arrowhead or Hard Rock.

These two 6-2 sides will battle it out at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt.

Not Frankfurt, Kentucky… Frankfurt, Germany.

Mahomes and the Chiefs are $1.70 favourites to the Dolphins $2.15, while the Chiefs are coming off their first loss to the Broncos in Pat’s tenure, the Dolphins have not beaten a team with a positive record in over 400 days.

I’m not a hater, I love what the ‘Phins are doing this year but their six wins this year were against the Chargers, Patriots, Broncos, Giants, Panthers and the Patriots again.

Only one of those sides have a chance of making the playoffs.

Germany should strap themselves in for fireworks, the points line is set at 50.5 and both these sides can score on you at the drop of a hat.

The Chiefs head to head is the pick for me but I will be having plays at Tyreek for 100 yards and a score.

My Bets

  • Chiefs H2H @ $1.70 OR Chiefs 1-12 @ $2.50 if you’re feeling spicy
  • Patrick Mahomes 250+ Passing Yards
  • Rashee Rice Anytime Touchdown
  • Tyreek Hill 90+ Receiving Yards
  • Tyreek Hill Anytime Touchdown
BALTIMORE RAVENS VS SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
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We’ve got ourselves another Bird Bowl Punters!

It’s getting less controversial every week but I think the Ravens are the most likely team to make the Super Bowl from the AFC.

It was a big day for the Ravens ground game last week which just shows how versatile Baltimore is.

Take away Freak L’s pass catchers, they’ll get you on the ground, stack the box and target the run game and the likes of Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers will rip you to shreds.

Seattle escaped with a late win over the Browns last week and while its a win against an AFC North team, this AFC North team is a cut above.

The line is set at 5.5 and I like the Ravens to cover that comfortably here.

My Bets

  • Ravens -5.5 @ $1.36
  • Mark Andrews 60+ Receiving Yards
  • Zay Flowers Anytime Touchdown Scorer
HOUSTON TEXANS VS TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
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The Texans handed Bryce Young his first ever win as an NFL player but I don’t believe they played poorly in that matchup.

CJ Stroud and the Texans will host the 3-4 Buccaneers who put up a late fight against Buffalo on TNF but are very beatable.

Stroud had his “worst” game as a professional last week, finishing with just 140 yards but he only threw for eight incompletions and I wouldn’t call 16/24 bad.

The Texans are 2-1 at home this year and I’m with them head to head here. This game could go either way but The Buccaneers have lost each of their last six games against AFC opponents and that’s the stat I’m sticking to.

My Bets

  • Texans H2H @ $1.65
  • CJ Stroud 200+ Passing Yards
  • Tank Dell 40+ Receiving Yards
ATLANTA FALCONS V MINNESOTA VIKINGS
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I’m officially in mourning.

Kirk Cousins is out for the year with an achilles injury and I am not ok.

The Vikings have traded for the Cardinals’ Josh Dobbs who has been serviceable for Arizona this year but it is a massive downgrade from the hardest working, most inspirational and best human being in the league.

The Vikings are subsequently $2.75 underdogs against the Falcons and they are a wait and see team once again.

It’s going to take Dobbs some time to pick up the playbook but he is a different style QB to Cousins and as I’ve already said, a massive downgrade.

The Falcons to cover could be the play here, ATL have failed to cover the line in each of their last four games as favourites but this Vikings team could be a bit disjointed.

My Bets

  • Falcons -5.5 @ $1.90
  • Bijan Robinson 60+ Rushing Yards
  • Bijan Robinson Anytime Touchdown
CLEVELAND BROWNS VS ARIZONA CARDINALS
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The Browns will host the Cardinals and the downside of having to write my tips so early in the week is really coming to a head here.

The Cards have traded away Josh Dobbs and have said that Kyler Murray will return from his ACL if everything goes well this week.

If it doesn’t, Rookie Clayton Tune will get the nod which makes this a nightmare to tip.

The Cardinals are $3.75 underdogs, I like having something on every game but this could be the one to stay away from.

That being said I’m paid to give tips and I think the Cardinals are willing to have a crack on and hope that K1 returns. I’ll look like a genius if it gets up too.

My Bets 

  • Cardinals H2H @ $3.75 (I’m banking on Kyler Murray returning, realistically there are a lot of better bets to put on in this article that I am a lot more confident in)
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS VS CHICAGO BEARS
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Derek Carr could be the worst QB I’ve ever seen that consitenly racks up 300+ yard games.

On paper he’s balled out the last three games but if you watched the games you would not use those words to describe the Saints offense.

Tyson Bagent will continue to be the Bears QB and didn’t they come crashing back to earth last week against the Chargers.

The Saints are a crazy short $1.28 to get it done but thinking about these two teams gives me both a headache and upsets me.

Saints to cover and I’m moving on.

My Bets

  • Saints -7.5 @ $1.90
  • Alvin Kamara 70+ Rushing Yards
  • Alvin Kamara Anytime Touchdown Scorer
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS V WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
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Eww. Just Eww.

The Pats are very short favourites here at $1.55 and after the Commies traded away their entire defensive line at the deadline, it’s hard to look past the Pats run game here.

The Commanders have allowed the 11th most rush yards this year and now they’re going up against Rhamondre Stevenson & Ezekiel Elliot without Montez Sweat or former second overall pick Chase Young.

I think the Pats run riot here (literally).

My Bets

  • Patriots -3.5 @ $1.90
  • Rhamondre Stevenson 40+ Rushing Yards
  • Ezekiel Elliot 40+ Rushing Yards
GREEN BAY PACKERS VS LOS ANGELES RAMS
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The Packers are coming off a loss to the Vikings and will now open as favourites against a Rams side that could be without Super Bowl champion quarterback, Matt Stafford.

Stafford hurt his thumb in the Rams’ 43-20 loss to Dallas last week and could potentially be go on IR and miss at least four games.

The Packers have been really let down by their running game. Aaron Jones has been nursing a hamstring injury and AJ Dillon has simply not been efficient this year.

Just like the Cardinals game, this is another one to monitor if Stafford plays, the Rams get the W here but for now,

I’m treating this like Stafford isn’t playing and I’m taking Green Bay head to head

My Bets

  • Packers H2H @ $1.70
  • Jordan Love 225+ Passing Yards
  • Christian Watson 50+ Receiving Yards 
CAROLINA PANTHERS VS INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
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I’m aware I’m incredibly biased towards Bryce Young because I drafted him in my Dynasty Fantasy Football league this year.

Because I’ve done that, however I have watched a lot of his games and gone back and rewatched every single one of his dropbacks this year. (I can’t tell if I’m just a great Dynasty GM or if I’ve lost the plot)

What I’ve seen from Bryce is steady improvement every week.

There has been massive overreactions to his play to start his career and he showed all the doubters last week against the Texans that not only he does belong in this league but he’s a certified baller.

22/31 for 235 Yards and a touchdown isn’t a stat line that will win him any awards but Young made some incredible reads and the drive he lead last week that lead to the winning field goal made him look like an eight year vet rather than an 8 game rookie.

The Panthers are $2.25 underdogs against the Colts but I’m with Carolina to build on last weeks win, the Colts have put up a lot of points with Gardner Minshew under centre but are yet to win a game with him.

My Bets

  • Panthers H2H @ $2.25
  • Bryce Young Over 250+ Passing Yards
  • Adam Thielen Over 70+ Receiving Yards
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES VS DALLAS COWBOYS
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Easily one of the best games of the Week.

The City of Brotherly Shove will host America’s team for their first of two scheduled meet ups this year.

Despite making the Super Bowl last year, Dallas has had Philly’s number in recent memory.

In their last five get-togethers Dallas has a 4-1 record, but do they have an answer for the tush push?

I doubt it and defensive coordinators were sent back to the drawing board last week after the Eagles set up for their famous play and instead faked it to a hand off to RB D’Andre Swift who punched in a touchdown instead.

Dallas are doing a lot of good things this year but Philly are special at the moment (pun intended) not only are they just beating up teams but the favourites have covered the line in eight of the Cowboys’ last nine games.

Philly to cover.

My Bets

  • Eagles -3 @ $1.90
  • AJ Brown 90+ Reciving Yards
  • AJ Brown Anytime Touchdown
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS V NEW YORK GIANTS
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The Raiders last week against the Lions put on the worst offensive display I have ever seen in my time watching the NFL.

This week they try and turn their luck around against the Giants who have also been quite stinky.

It looks like Danny Dimes will be returning this week, it doesn’t matter though the Giants live and die through Saquon Barkley.

The big fella had 36 Carries last week, yes you read that correctly.

This Raiders side gave up a massive rushing game to rookie Jahmyr Gibbs last week and now they have to try and slow down Saquon?

I think the Giants win this game.

My Bets

  • Giants H2H @ $2.15
  • Saquon Barkley 80+ Rushing Yards
  • Saquon Barkley Anytime Touchdown
CINCINNATI BENGALS V BUFFALO BILLS
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You thought the mentions of Taylor Swift at the Chiefs was bad, wait until you see what broken record the commentators will put on for this game.

For those that don’t remember last season, Bengals v Bills was the infamous game that was called off due to a certain injury to a certain Bills safety.

The Bengals looked to have had their regular poor first few games of the year and look back on track. Despite still being at the bottom of the AFC North they had a huge win over the 49ers last week.

Buffalo just don’t look as threatening as they have in previously years, they got out of the gates well against the Buccs last week but put the kettle on in the second half and allowed Baker and the boys to come back in and cover the line when they really should’ve been decimated.

Burrow and the Bengals should torch the Bills here, that 2.5 line will look crazy short at about 1pm on Monday.

My Bets

  • Bengals -2.5 @ $1.90
  • Joe Burrow 275+ Passing Yards
  • Ja’Marr Chase 80+ Receiving yards
  • Dalton Kincaid 50+ Receiving Yards
NEW YORK JETS V LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
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Zach Wilson and the Jets will host Herbert and the Chargers on MNF.

The Jets are third in the AFC East but at 4-3 have looked much better than I thought they would without Aaron Rodgers.

Despite the big win last week, Herbert and the Chargers have really disappointed this year. At 3-4 in their division, they need to string some wins together.

Herbert is another week removed from his hand injury and even though it was strapped up heavy last week, didn’t seem to bother him a heap, he started the game going 15/15 and finished with a stat line of 31/40 for 298 yards and 3 TDs.

Just like the Bills above though, they put their feet up in the second half and really should’ve twisted the knife in.

Chargers -3 is the play here.

My Bets

  • Charger -3
  • Justin Herbert 250+ Passing Yards
  • Austin Ekeler 40+ Receiving Yards
FOGS' FANTASY TEAM
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The hunt for another winning fantasy multi continues, Lamar fell 100 yards short for us last week and all though Breece Hall finished with 93 yards, only 17 of those were rush yards.

As always, I’ve studied the matchups for my Fantasy team multi and let me tell you, there are some serious studs with great matchups this week.

Just to recap in Week 8 we had:

  • Quarterback: Lamar Jackson Over 250+ Passing Yards vs The Cardinals X
  • Runningback: Travis Etienne 60+ Rushing Yards vs The Steelers
  • Runningback: Breece Hall 60+ Rushing Yards vs The Giants X
  • Wide Receiver: Ja’Marr Chase 70+ Receiving Yards vs The Eagles
  • Wide Receiver: Keenan Allen 70+ Receiving Yards vs The Bears X
  • Multi: $6.30

Week 9’s Fantasy team looks like this:

  • Quarterback: Lamar Jackson Over 225+ Passing Yards vs The Seahawks
  • Runningback: Saquon Barkley 60+ Rushing Yards vs The Raiders
  • Runningback: Alvin Kamara 60+ Rushing Yards vs The Bears
  • Wide Receiver: Ja’Marr Chase 70+ Receiving Yards vs The Bills
  • Wide Receiver: AJ Brown 70+ Receiving Yards vs The Cowboys