Week 9 brings a wave of quarterback changes and injury updates across the league. In New Orleans, rookie QB Tyler Shough will take over under center, replacing Spencer Rattler. Meanwhile, the Jets continue to be without their top weapon, WR Garrett Wilson.
Arizona QB Kyler Murray is on track to return for Monday Night Football after missing the last two games. Atlanta’s first-round pick QB Michael Penix Jr. remains questionable for Week 9, which could result in another start for veteran QB Kirk Cousins. In San Francisco, QB Brock Purdy's status remains up in the air which leaves QB Mac Jones projected for yet another start. Lastly, Washington’s top WR Terry McLaurin, who briefly returned in Week 8, has been ruled out again for Week 9.
With all these quarterback changes and injury updates heading into Week 9, a handful of new opportunities emerge. Backups are stepping into favorable game scripts, while other healthy stars find themselves in elite matchups against struggling defenses. This week offers a perfect blend of injury-driven value and exploitable mismatches across multiple positions.
Our NFL Week 9 predictions and matchups to target is your ultimate resource for the top player picks for NFL DFS, projections to target, and matchup insights for the Week 9 main slate.
Just go to the PrizePicks NFL board, pick your players, and predict if they’ll have More or Less than their projected stats to get in on all of the Week 9 action.
NFL Week 9 Predictions & Cheat Sheet for PrizePicks, NFL DFS
Find the top Week 9 predictions, picks, matchups to target, and players to target for NFL Week 9 below in the PrizePicks Cheat Sheet, including player picks for NFL DFS.
Best RB Matchups to Target: Week 9
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey vs Giants Defense
Christian McCaffrey continues to prove why he’s one of the league’s most dangerous weapons on the ground. He ranks top-15 in rushing yards with 490, has logged 13 explosive runs of 10+ yards, and continues to show consistency with a solid 3.5 yards per attempt. The 49ers’ rushing success starts up front, and left tackle Trent Williams has been dominant, ranking fifth among all NFL tackles in run blocking, per PFF.
He now faces a New York Giants defense that has been shredded in the run game, allowing the third-most rushing yards per game (148.9) and a league-worst 5.73 yards per carry. They also rank fourth in yards after contact allowed (558), McCaffrey and San Francisco own the advantage on the ground game.
Week 9 PrizePicks Pick: Christian McCaffrey 74.5 Rush Yards
Bears RB D’Andre Swift vs Bengals Defense
D’Andre Swift has been one of the bright spots for the Bears’ offense. He currently ranks top-15 in both rushing yards (464) and rushing touchdowns (4), while also sitting fifth in the league in explosive runs with 17 carries of 10+ yards. His 4.6 yards per carry is good for 16th in the NFL, and much of his success stems from the offensive line’s interior strength — center Drew Dalman ranks sixth out of 34 NFL centers in run blocking, according to PFF.
Swift gets a favorable matchup against a Bengals run defense that’s been one of the worst in football, allowing a league-high 151.9 rushing yards per game. Cincinnati is also giving up 5.0 yards per carry (fifth-worst) and has allowed the third-most yards after contact (570) this season. If Chicago commits to the run, Swift could be in for a big night.
(If D'Andre swift doesn't play RB2 Kyle Monangai gets the touches)
Week 9 PrizePicks Pick: D'Andre Swift 39.5 Rush Yards
Best WR vs. CB Matchups to Target: Week 9
Chargers WR Ladd McConkey vs Titans CB Amani Hooker
Justin Herbert’s favorite target this season has been rookie standout Ladd McConkey, who ranks fifth in the NFL in targets (64) and eighty in receptions (43). He’s averaging 10.9 yards per reception and has strung together three consecutive strong performances with 79 yards on 6 receptions per game over that span.
He draws a favorable matchup in the slot against Titans CB Amani Hooker, who has allowed a 103.3 passer rating when targeted and is giving up 11.6 yards per reception. According to PFF, Hooker ranks 71st out of 86 slot corners in coverage, making him one of the weaker links in Tennessee’s secondary.
Week 9 PrizePicks Pick: Ladd McConkey 60.5 Receiving Yards
Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte vs Falcons CB Mike Hughes
Kayshon Boutte is enjoying a breakout year for the Patriots, ranking fifth in the NFL with 5 receiving touchdowns while averaging an explosive 19 yards per reception. When targeted, he owns an elite 143.8 passer rating, and over his last three games, he’s posted 93, 55, and 75 receiving yards, establishing himself as a reliable big-play threat.
Across from him will be Falcons CB Mike Hughes, who has struggled mightily this season, allowing a 90.1 passer rating when targeted and 11.6 yards per reception. He has surrendered 23 receptions in just 230 coverage snaps, and will be under pressure to contain Boutte's vertical explosiveness.
Week 9 PrizePicks Pick: Kayshon Boutte 32.5 Receiving Yards
Best OL/DL Matchups to Target: Week 9
Broncos Defensive Line vs. Texans Offensive Line
The Denver Broncos' defensive front has quietly become one of the most disruptive units in the NFL. EDGE Nik Bonitto has racked up 33 total pressures, ranking 8th among all defenders, and his 10 sacks place him second league-wide. On the other side, DE Jonathan Cooper has been just as impactful, ranking fifth in sacks with 7 and also contributing 33 pressures, making him another top-10 disruptor. On the interior, DJ Jones has emerged as an elite run-stopper, grading 8th out of 131 interior linemen in run defense according to PFF.
This aggressive front will square off against a struggling Texans offensive line. LT Aireontae Ersery ranks 61st out of 77 qualifying tackles via PFF, allowing 17 pressures, 4 sacks, and 4 penalties this season. C Jake Andrews has surrendered 6 pressures and 3 penalties, while veteran LG Laken Tomlinson has given up 8 pressures and 2 sacks. It’s a matchup that strongly favors the Broncos' pass rush to dominate the trenches.
Week 9 PrizePicks Pick: CJ Stroud 224.5 Pass Yards
Rams Defensive Line vs. Saints Offensive Line
The Los Angeles Rams’ pass rush has become a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. DE Jared Verse is tied for sixth in the NFL in total pressures and sits 15th in quarterback hurries with 20. Across from him, DE Byron Young has tallied 30 pressures (14th in the league) and 10 sacks, tying him for second overall. On the interior, Kobie Turner has provided additional chaos, registering 25 total pressures (seventh among all interior linemen) and ranking fourth in QB hurries with 18.
This dominant line faces a shaky Saints offensive line that has struggled to protect rookie QB Spencer Rattler. First-round pick Kelvin Banks has already allowed 28 pressures and drawn 5 penalties at left tackle. RT Taliese Fuaga has allowed 21 pressures and 2 flags, while former first-round LG Trevor Penning ranks just 66th out of 82 guards per PFF.
Week 9 PrizePicks Pick: Tyler Shough 189.5 Pass Yards
Best QB Matchups for Week 9
Chargers QB Justin Herbert vs Titans Defense
The Tennessee Titans have been one of the league’s most vulnerable defenses against the pass, ranking 29th in the NFL in EPA per dropback and allowing an average of 229 passing yards per game to opposing quarterbacks. While that ranks middle of the pack (16th), the context shows a defense that can't apply pressure or force mistakes. Tennessee is averaging just 4.3 sacks per game, among the lowest in the league, giving quarterbacks ample time in the pocket to pick apart their weak secondary.
This sets up a favorable environment for Justin Herbert, who has been in rhythm the past two games, throwing 3 touchdowns in each against much tougher defenses like the Vikings.
Week 9 PrizePicks Pick: Justin Herbert 242.5 Passing Yards
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence vs Raiders Defense
The Las Vegas Raiders continue to be a defensive liability, ranking 26th in EPA per dropback and 21st in the NFL in passing yards allowed at 239.6 yards per game. A glaring issue in the secondary is safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, who ranks dead last (87th of 87) among qualifying safeties in coverage, per PFF. He’s become a major target for opposing quarterbacks to exploit.
Trevor Lawrence enters this matchup in strong form, having surpassed his passing yards projection in two straight games, including 258 yards against the Rams and nearly 300 in the following outing. With the Raiders’ secondary allowing chunk plays Lawrence should be in a position to extend his hot streak and produce another high-volume performance.
Week 9 PrizePicks Pick: Trevor Lawrence 231.5 Passing Yards
Play NFL DFS on PrizePicks in Week 9
Week 9 is here, bringing us another opportunity to possibly win real money on PrizePicks.
Use this NFL Cheat Sheet and predictions to sharpen your takes and build out your chance at a winning lineup for Sunday's Week 9 slate.
PrizePicks is the simplest way to possibly win real money with your NFL predictions all season long. Pull up the PrizePicks NFL board, pick at least two players, prediction More or Less on their projections — like yards or receptions — and win real money when you’re right.
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