NFL Week 9 Predictions: 15 Expert Picks for 2026

The 2026 NFL season enters Week 9 with 14 games remaining after the Jacksonville Jaguars comfortably defeated the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night. With several important matchups scheduled for Sunday and Monday, NFL analysts have shared 15 predictions covering potential upsets, player performances, Fantasy Football sleepers, touchdown scorers and unexpected storylines.

Betting analyst Pamela Maldonado identifies two underdogs she believes could win outright, while analytics writer Seth Walder projects statistical performances for three players. Fantasy football writer Eric Moody highlights three potential sleepers, and analyst Matt Bowen selects three players expected to score touchdowns. Finally, Ben Solak offers four additional predictions that could make Week 9 particularly interesting.

The predictions include the Green Bay Packers potentially upsetting the New England Patriots, the Cleveland Browns challenging the New Orleans Saints, and rookie running back Jonah Coleman producing another strong performance for Denver. Other players attracting attention include Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen, San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz.

Pamela Maldonado predicts two Week 9 upsets

Green Bay Packers to upset New England Patriots

Prediction: Green Bay Packers +3; moneyline +140 at New England Patriots.

Green Bay’s defense could create significant problems for New England quarterback Drake Maye by limiting the passing plays that have helped fuel his recent success. The Packers have been particularly effective against throws traveling at least 10 yards downfield, allowing only two touchdowns while recording seven interceptions on those attempts.

Maye could still challenge Green Bay with his mobility and ability to make plays outside the pocket. However, New England’s receiving group has injury concerns. The Patriots will again be without A.J. Brown, who has participated in only 26% of the team’s offensive plays this season.

On the other side, Packers quarterback Jordan Love has opportunities to create explosive plays through wide receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden. If Green Bay’s defense can disrupt Maye and Love connects with his receivers downfield, the Packers could leave New England with an outright victory.

Cleveland Browns to upset New Orleans Saints

Prediction: Cleveland Browns +3; moneyline +135 at New Orleans Saints.

The Browns could have an opportunity to secure an upset against the Saints, particularly because quarterback Tyler Shough has experienced a decline in production after an impressive opening stretch.

Shough led the NFL in passing yards during the first two weeks of the season, but much of that production came while New Orleans was trailing and relying heavily on passing volume. That volume has dropped considerably, and Cleveland’s defensive strengths could make it difficult for him to regain his early-season form.

The Browns have a strong pass defense and a top-10 pressure rate, giving them the ability to make life uncomfortable for the Saints quarterback. New Orleans has also been more vulnerable against the run, creating an opportunity for Cleveland running back Quinshon Judkins.

Judkins could help the Browns maintain a balanced offense and reduce the pressure on quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Cleveland’s offensive protection remains a concern, but its defense could keep the game competitive and create the conditions for an upset.

Seth Walder projects three player stat lines

Alim McNeill, defensive tackle, Detroit Lions

Projected performance: 1.5 sacks, five pressures and a 25% pass rush win rate.

Detroit defensive tackle Alim McNeill has recorded 4.5 sacks this season and currently leads all defensive tackles in pass rush win rate. His ability to generate pressure could translate into another productive performance against Miami.

Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis has been sacked on 9.3% of his dropbacks this season, the third-highest rate among qualifying quarterbacks. That figure suggests Detroit could find opportunities to pressure him throughout the game.

Miami’s offensive line could also face challenges on the interior. Even if guard Kadyn Proctor returns after dealing with a concussion, all three members of the Dolphins’ interior offensive line have recorded average or below-average pass block win rates.

Those factors give McNeill an opportunity to add to his sack total and make a significant impact against Miami’s passing game.

Jonah Coleman, running back, Denver Broncos

Projected performance: 15 carries, 79 rushing yards, four receptions, 29 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Denver rookie running back Jonah Coleman is projected to follow up his productive performance against the Kansas City Chiefs with another strong outing against the Carolina Panthers.

Carolina’s run defense has struggled in several important categories. The Panthers rank 26th in expected points added allowed per designed carry, 28th in yards allowed per carry, 24th in yards before contact allowed per carry and 28th in yards after contact allowed per carry.

These numbers suggest that Denver could find opportunities to establish its running game. Carolina’s defensive approach also encourages opponents to run the football. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Panthers have allowed the sixth-lowest pass rate over expected against them.

That tendency could lead to additional rushing attempts for Coleman. With opportunities to contribute both on the ground and as a receiver, the Broncos running back could deliver another valuable performance in Week 9.

Sauce Gardner, cornerback, Indianapolis Colts

Projected performance: 34 coverage snaps, four targets, two receptions allowed and 17 receiving yards allowed.

Indianapolis cornerback Sauce Gardner experienced a difficult beginning to the season, but his recent performances have shown improvement. NFL Next Gen Stats metrics and player-tracking analysis suggest that he was playing tighter coverage than some of his early results indicated, even though he allowed more catches than expected.

Gardner has been particularly effective over his past three games, allowing just 0.3 yards per coverage snap. He also came close to recording an interception last week, another indication of his improved form.

In Sunday’s matchup, Gardner is expected to spend much of his time covering Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens. Pickens is coming off a game against the Arizona Cardinals in which he caught only two passes.

The matchup could give Gardner another opportunity to demonstrate his improved coverage and limit one of Dallas’ important receiving options.

Eric Moody identifies three fantasy football sleepers

Keenan Allen, wide receiver, Indianapolis Colts

Rostered in 43.6% of ESPN leagues.

Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen could be a useful fantasy option against the Dallas Cowboys. He caught seven passes for a team-high 67 yards in Indianapolis’ previous game against Jacksonville and leads the team with 34 receptions this season.

Dallas has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, creating a potentially favorable matchup for Allen. Although he has scored only one touchdown this season, his consistent involvement in the passing game gives him value in deeper fantasy leagues.

Allen has recorded at least six receptions in four games and scored nine or more fantasy points in three of his past four appearances. One of those performances produced 16.2 fantasy points.

His reception volume makes him a possible flex option for fantasy managers who need a dependable source of catches and receiving yards.

Malik Willis, quarterback, Miami Dolphins

Rostered in 16.0% of ESPN leagues.

Despite Miami’s offensive struggles, quarterback Malik Willis has shown fantasy potential through his ability to contribute as a runner. He has scored at least 18 fantasy points in two of his past three games, making him an option for managers searching for a streaming quarterback.

Willis has accumulated 225 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns this season. His mobility gives him another route to fantasy production, particularly when the passing offense struggles to find consistency.

His Week 9 matchup against the Detroit Lions could offer additional opportunities. Detroit has allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, making Willis an interesting option for the weekend.

His potential value could also extend beyond Week 9. Miami is scheduled to face the Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets in upcoming games, matchups that could provide further opportunities for fantasy production.

Devin Singletary, running back, New York Giants

Rostered in 9.9% of ESPN leagues.

New York Giants running back Devin Singletary could see an increased workload against the Philadelphia Eagles because of injuries affecting the team’s backfield.

Singletary turned eight touches into 14.5 fantasy points against the Houston Texans in Week 7, including a two-yard touchdown run. His opportunities could increase with Tyrone Tracy Jr. on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury and Cam Skattebo doubtful to play after dealing with hamstring problems and fumbling issues.

The matchup against Philadelphia could also work in Singletary’s favor. The Eagles have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game and have given up 10 rushing touchdowns this season.

With uncertainty surrounding the availability of other Giants running backs, Singletary could become a useful flex option for fantasy managers in deeper leagues.

Matt Bowen predicts three Week 9 touchdown scorers

Tee Higgins, wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is projected to find the end zone against the Atlanta Falcons. He has caught at least one touchdown in each of his past two games and received a total of 18 targets during that stretch.

The Bengals’ offense has needed to rely more heavily on passing because of its limited rushing efficiency. That situation could create additional opportunities for Higgins, particularly against an Atlanta defense that frequently uses man-free coverage.

The Falcons have played man-free coverage, which combines man-to-man assignments with a safety positioned in the middle of the field, on 41.8% of opposing dropbacks. That is the second-highest rate in the league.

Quarterback Joe Burrow could look to exploit those one-on-one matchups by targeting Higgins, giving the receiver an opportunity to extend his recent touchdown streak.

Malachi Fields, wide receiver, New York Giants

Giants wide receiver Malachi Fields has recorded only one touchdown reception this season, which came against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4. However, his performance with quarterback J.J. McCarthy in Week 7 offered encouraging signs.

Fields caught four of five targets for 83 yards in that game. His physical attributes allow him to create favorable matchups against defensive backs on the outside, making him a potential red-zone threat.

He also received a target in the end zone from McCarthy during their last game before the bye week. Against the Philadelphia Eagles, Fields is projected to score on a fade route, using his size and positioning to create an opportunity near the goal line.

Kaelon Black, running back, San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black is another player projected to score a touchdown in Week 9. He recorded his first NFL touchdown in the team’s Week 7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons and has gradually earned a larger role behind Christian McCaffrey.

Black has received at least nine touches in each of his past two games, showing that his responsibilities as a change-of-pace running back are increasing.

His matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders could provide another opportunity to reach the end zone. The Raiders are allowing 146.4 rushing yards per game, the second-highest figure in the league.

With his recent increase in touches and an opponent that has struggled to stop the run, Black could become an important contributor to San Francisco’s offense.

Ben Solak makes four additional Week 9 predictions

Carson Wentz could create a quarterback controversy in Minnesota

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz could generate discussion about the team’s starting quarterback position with a strong performance against the Buffalo Bills.

Expectations were high for Kyler Murray in the previous game against the Detroit Lions, whose secondary had struggled earlier in the season. However, Detroit’s pass defense delivered a stronger performance than expected despite its difficult start to the campaign.

Murray is now dealing with a hamstring injury, giving backup Wentz an opportunity to start against Buffalo. The Vikings could need to throw frequently in that matchup, creating the possibility of a productive passing performance from the veteran quarterback.

Solak expects Wentz to produce better raw passing numbers than Murray has managed throughout the season. If that happens, questions could emerge about Minnesota’s quarterback situation and whether the team should consider making a change.

Justin Fields could attempt a quarterback sneak for the Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs backup quarterback Justin Fields could be used in a quarterback sneak during Week 9, according to Solak’s prediction.

The Chiefs have continued to avoid using traditional quarterback sneaks, a decision that has attracted renewed attention following their late short-yardage failures against the Denver Broncos.

Solak suggests that Kansas City could experiment with Fields in short-yardage situations. Fields’ size and athletic ability could make him an option for a quarterback sneak, while the Chiefs could also use unusual offensive packages involving nose tackle Khyiris Tonga.

The prediction also includes a longer-term possibility: Kansas City could put a quarterback sneak on film to influence how opponents prepare for its future short-yardage plays. The team could then use that expectation to create space for an outside running play later in the season.

An NFL trade could be announced during Sunday’s games

Solak also predicts that an NFL trade could be announced on Sunday, even though teams traditionally tend to keep deadline negotiations quiet while games are being played.

The 2026 season has already featured unusual developments in trade reporting. The Jacoby Brissett trade was reported two days before the official compensation details became public. The Marvin Harrison Jr. trade was also partially announced in anticipation of the Houston Texans’ Week 5 victory over the Tennessee Titans before head coach DeMeco Ryans officially confirmed it after the game.

Solak believes another conditional or if-then trade could emerge during Week 9. His specific prediction is that if the Los Angeles Rams defeat the Washington Commanders, they will trade for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs.

Such a deal would connect the result of Sunday’s game with a potential roster move before the trade deadline, adding another storyline to an already active period of NFL transactions.

Joe Milton could throw a 65-yard pass

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Joe Milton is projected to complete a 65-yard pass against the New York Giants. The prediction follows Philadelphia’s decision to bench Tanner McKee and start Milton for the matchup.

Milton’s physical size, speed and arm strength make him an entertaining quarterback to watch. Solak expects that his ability to throw the ball over long distances could produce one of the season’s most memorable passing plays.

The prediction imagines a situation in which Philadelphia needs a Hail Mary attempt, giving Milton an opportunity to launch a pass of approximately 65 yards. Such a play could become the longest pass recorded this season.

The matchup also features Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy, whose presence provides another interesting storyline. However, Milton’s potential long-distance throw is the central focus of this particular prediction.

Week 9 brings several key NFL storylines

The 15 predictions highlight the range of developments that could shape the remaining Week 9 games. The Packers and Browns are being considered as potential upset winners, while players such as Alim McNeill, Jonah Coleman and Sauce Gardner are expected to produce notable statistical performances.

Fantasy managers will also be watching Keenan Allen, Malik Willis and Devin Singletary for opportunities to deliver valuable points. Meanwhile, Tee Higgins, Malachi Fields and Kaelon Black have been identified as potential touchdown scorers.

Beyond individual performances, the predictions raise questions about Minnesota’s quarterback situation, Kansas City’s short-yardage strategy and the possibility of another trade announcement before the deadline.

These are expert predictions rather than confirmed outcomes. The remaining Week 9 games will determine which projections become reality and which unexpected performances change the conversation across the NFL.