The NFL season reaches its midpoint with a captivating Week 9 slate featuring several teams jockeying for playoff positioning. As divisional races heat up, which squads are poised to make a statement? Here’s a deep dive into the matchups that will shape the week.
Lions Offense Keeps Roaring in Green Bay
The Detroit Lions boast the NFL’s most prolific offense, averaging a league-best 32.5 points per game. Fresh off dropping 52 on the Tennessee Titans, can Jared Goff and Co. maintain that blistering pace against the Green Bay Packers?
Fueling the Lions’ success is a balanced attack led by a resurgent Goff, who ranks top-five in the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns. His chemistry with star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has proven nearly unstoppable, especially against zone defenses like the Packers deploy.
St. Brown is Goff’s go-to target versus zone looks, commanding a whopping 33.6% target share in those situations this season.
NFL Next Gen Stats
With Green Bay potentially missing key defenders like Jaire Alexander, expect Goff to pepper St. Brown early and often. The dynamic receiver is a strong bet to eclipse 100 yards for the fourth straight game.
While inclement weather could hinder the downfield passing game, the Lions can pivot to a punishing ground attack. D’Andre Swift is hitting his stride, eclipsing 90 rushing yards in three of the last four outings. No matter how they move the ball, the Lions should have little trouble scoring at Lambeau Field.
The Pick: Lions Team Total Over 24.5 Points
Bears Bounce Back vs Cardinals
Don’t let last week’s shocking loss to the Washington Commanders fool you – the Chicago Bears still boast one of the NFL’s elite defenses. Prior to allowing a miraculous Hail Mary, the Bears had not surrendered more than 21 points in 12 straight contests.
That smothering unit gets a golden bounce-back opportunity against the erratic Arizona Cardinals offense. Kyler Murray has been boom-or-bust all season, relying on scramble-drill magic that is unlikely to be sustainable. The Bears’ disciplined approach is well-equipped to contain Murray’s improvisational style.
Offensively, Justin Fields should feast on an Arizona defense allowing the most passing yards per game. Even with a depleted receiving corps, Fields has been remarkably efficient during the Bears’ October surge. Another stellar outing could be in the cards at home.
The Cardinals surrender the highest catch rate and fourth-most yards per route run to opposing wideouts this season.
Pro Football Reference
In a battle of inconsistent attacks, trust the Bears’ top-flight defense to be the difference. Chicago has been undervalued in the betting market for weeks – that trend continues in a very winnable matchup.
The Pick: Bears -2.5
Prop Plays to Target
Every week, enticing player props emerge that can offer value to bettors. Here are a few that caught my eye for Week 9:
- Amon-Ra St. Brown Over 6.5 Receptions (-120): The Lions’ alpha receiver has commanded at least eight targets in every full game he’s played. In a potential shootout, expect Goff to look his way all afternoon.
- Kyler Murray Under 25.5 Rushing Yards (-114): The Bears have yet to allow a QB run longer than 16 yards and No defense has been stingier to opposing signal callers on the ground.
- Saquon Barkley Over 15.5 Receiving Yards (-105): With the Giants likely to struggle running on the stout Seahawks front, look for them to utilize Barkley in the short passing game early and often.
As the weather turns, rushing attacks and defensive battles will take center stage. But Week 9 still provides ample opportunities to capitalize on favorable matchups and exploit developing trends. Trust the Lions to light up the scoreboard at Lambeau, bank on the Bears’ defense returning to form, and keep a keen eye on in-game props as the action unfolds. By kickoff, you’ll be primed to turn pigskin prognostications into profits.
