NFL Week 9 Sunday Early Games Preview: Odds, DFS Sleepers, Injuries, Player Props, Parlays and Teasers

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Sunday football is here, and Week 9's early slate is loaded: a game in Madrid to start the day, a pair of 50-point totals, injury replacements all over the board, and plenty of betting angles.

The biggest mistake bettors and fantasy players make every Sunday is chasing last week's production instead of finding this week's opportunity. We're looking at matchups, offensive volume, injury replacements, DFS value, player props, touchdown candidates and the numbers that matter for teasers.

Every line below is from our board as of Saturday evening, every stat from our own box scores, and every injury from our NFL injury report and Friday's official reports. Let's get into it.

9:30 AM ET (Madrid): Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons

From our board: Cincinnati -3, total 52.5 (the highest on the early slate). Moneyline Cincinnati -166, Atlanta +140. simulator | our pick | Bengals depth chart | Falcons depth chart

This one kicks off in Madrid at Santiago Bernabéu. Cincinnati (5-2) comes in hot after a 43-36 shootout win over Tennessee, when Joe Burrow threw for 462 yards and five touchdowns. Atlanta (3-5) is coming off a 16-0 shutout loss at Tampa Bay.

DFS targets:

• Joe Burrow: 2,115 yards and 20 touchdowns in seven games.
• Ja'Marr Chase: 43 catches, six touchdowns, 141 yards last week.
• Tee Higgins: leads Cincinnati with 726 receiving yards.
• Bijan Robinson: 60+ rushing yards in all eight games.
• Drake London: Atlanta's top receiver with 624 yards.

Sleeper watch: With backup Brian Robinson Jr. ruled out, Bijan Robinson should see even more of Atlanta's backfield work. If the Falcons fall behind, Michael Penix Jr. and the passing game get volume.

Injury report: Falcons: Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) and WR Zachariah Branch (hamstring) are OUT. Bengals: S Kyle Dugger (quad) is OUT.

Props to check: Burrow passing yards, Chase and Higgins receiving yards, Bijan rushing yards, Penix pass attempts.

The bottom line: Cincinnati has the offensive edge, and the 52.5 total makes this the early slate's top stacking game. Note the 9:30 AM start for DFS slates. Our side and total are on our pick, and the simulator plays it out 10,000 times.

1:00 PM ET: Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts

From our board: Dallas -4.5, total 51.5. Moneyline Dallas -230, Indianapolis +190. simulator | our pick | Cowboys depth chart | Colts depth chart

Both teams can put up numbers, and the 51.5 total makes the passing game especially interesting. Dallas (3-4) lost a 33-30 thriller to Arizona last week. Indianapolis (2-6) was blown out 42-7 at Jacksonville.

DFS targets:

• Dak Prescott: 2,046 passing yards and 14 touchdowns.
• CeeDee Lamb: 92 targets, 709 yards, the safest volume on the slate.
• George Pickens: high upside if active.
• Javonte Williams: eight rushing touchdowns.
• Jonathan Taylor: eight rushing touchdowns for the Colts, against a Dallas defense that allows 152.8 rushing yards a game, the most in the league.

Sleeper watch: If Pickens can't go, Dallas' secondary receivers and tight ends pick up targets. For the Colts, Keenan Allen has four or more catches in five of seven games.

Injury report: Cowboys: WR KaVontae Turpin (ribs) is OUT. WR George Pickens (hamstring), TE Jake Ferguson (ankle) and TE Luke Schoonmaker (groin) are QUESTIONABLE.

Props to check: Prescott passing yards, Lamb receiving yards, Taylor rushing yards, Daniel Jones passing yards.

The bottom line: This is the early slate's best DFS environment, with production available on both sides. Our side and total are on our pick, and the simulator plays it out 10,000 times.

1:00 PM ET: Los Angeles Rams at Washington Commanders

From our board: Los Angeles -4.5, total 47.5. Moneyline Los Angeles -235, Washington +194. simulator | our pick | Rams depth chart | Commanders depth chart

The Rams (4-4) have the more attractive side on paper, and Washington (2-4-1) could be pushed into a pass-heavy script if Los Angeles controls the scoreboard. One correction to a common assumption: Davante Adams is NOT playing. He's on injured reserve with a hamstring injury and expected to miss 6 to 10 weeks.

DFS targets:

• Matthew Stafford: 2,146 yards and 15 touchdowns, against a defense that allows the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
• Puka Nacua: 56 catches on 74 targets. With Adams out, he's the focal point.
• Kyren Williams: 33 catches and scored in six of eight games.
• Jayden Daniels: 236 rushing yards gives him a fantasy floor.

Sleeper watch: Washington is thin at receiver with Dyami Brown and Treylon Burks out, which concentrates targets on Terry McLaurin and the backs if the Rams build a lead.

Injury report: Rams: TE Terrance Ferguson (ankle/hamstring) is OUT. WR Jordan Whittington (back) and TE Colby Parkinson (ribs) are QUESTIONABLE. Commanders: WR Dyami Brown (calf) and WR Treylon Burks (foot) are OUT.

Props to check: Stafford passing yards, Nacua receptions, Kyren Williams receptions, Daniels rushing yards.

The bottom line: With Adams out, Nacua is the play. Washington's passing volume could create opportunities even in a loss. Our side and total are on our pick, and the simulator plays it out 10,000 times.

1:00 PM ET: Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints

From our board: New Orleans -3, total 42.5. Moneyline Cleveland +140, New Orleans -166. simulator | our pick | Browns depth chart | Saints depth chart

This doesn't have Cincinnati-Atlanta's offensive appeal, but sometimes the best DFS value comes from the game everyone ignores. The big news: Deshaun Watson is questionable with a concussion and isn't expected to start, which puts Shedeur Sanders in line to start for Cleveland (5-3). The Saints are 2-5.

DFS targets:

• Quinshon Judkins: 101 carries, Cleveland's lead back.
• Tyler Shough: 13 touchdown passes.
• Kendre Miller: New Orleans' leading rusher.
• Alvin Kamara: a pass-catching back (22 catches) with a limited rushing role.
• Both defenses as tournament options, especially against a quarterback making a spot start.

Sleeper watch: With CJ Donaldson out, the Saints' backfield touches concentrate on Miller and Kamara. Check the confirmed depth chart before you assume a bigger role.

Injury report: Browns: DT Maliek Collins (elbow) is OUT; QB Deshaun Watson (concussion) is QUESTIONABLE. Saints: RB CJ Donaldson (shoulder, concussion) is OUT; rookie WR Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) is QUESTIONABLE after being activated from IR.

Props to check: Rushing attempts, Judkins and Miller rushing yards, Kamara receptions.

The bottom line: With a quarterback change in Cleveland, I'd rather chase rushing production than force an expensive passing stack. Our side and total are on our pick, and the simulator plays it out 10,000 times.

1:00 PM ET: New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs

From our board: Kansas City -9.5, total 48.5. Moneyline New York +400, Kansas City -520. simulator | our pick | Jets depth chart | Chiefs depth chart

The Jets (2-6) have a tough assignment in Kansas City (5-2). The Chiefs lost 28-24 at Denver last week, but Patrick Mahomes threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns in it.

DFS targets:

• Patrick Mahomes: coming off a 321-yard, three-touchdown game.
• Travis Kelce: 29 catches for 410 yards.
• Kenneth Walker III: Kansas City's lead back with 141 carries.
• Rashee Rice: back in the lineup with 7 catches and a touchdown last week.

Sleeper watch: Garrett Wilson is OUT with a concussion, which opens targets for the remaining Jets receivers. Look at routes and snaps, not just the cheapest price, especially with Geno Smith throwing from behind as a 9.5-point underdog.

Injury report: Jets: WR Garrett Wilson (concussion), LB Joseph Ossai (ankle) and LB Trevin Wallace (groin) are OUT. Chiefs: WR Nikko Remigio (hip) is QUESTIONABLE.

Props to check: Mahomes passing yards, Kelce receptions, Walker rushing yards, Jets pass attempts.

The bottom line: Kansas City is the clear favorite on the board. The real question is the margin, and the Jets allow just 194 passing yards a game. Our side and total are on our pick, and the simulator plays it out 10,000 times.

1:00 PM ET: Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins

From our board: Detroit -6.5, total 49.5. Moneyline Detroit -330, Miami +265. simulator | our pick | Lions depth chart | Dolphins depth chart

This is one of the most interesting fantasy games on the early slate. Detroit (5-2) has the weapons, and Miami (1-6) could be forced to throw if it falls behind. Detroit's defense is banged up, though: five players are out, including LB Jack Campbell and S Kerby Joseph.

DFS targets:

• Jared Goff: 15 touchdowns and one interception.
• Amon-Ra St. Brown: questionable with a rib injury but expected to play; 10.9 targets a game.
• Jahmyr Gibbs: 151.1 scrimmage yards a game and 10 total touchdowns.
• Jameson Williams: five touchdowns, the fallback if St. Brown sits.

Sleeper watch: Miami's receivers face a short-handed Lions secondary. Malik Washington draws the best matchup. Detroit allows the most passing yards in the league (276.6 a game), and Malik Willis will be throwing from behind.

Injury report: Lions: C Cade Mays, EDGE D.J. Wonnum, LB Jack Campbell, CB D.J. Reed and S Kerby Joseph are OUT; WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (rib) and RBs Jacob Saylors and Sione Vaki are QUESTIONABLE. Dolphins: RBs Kaytron Allen and Jaylen Wright (quad) are QUESTIONABLE.

Props to check: Gibbs rushing and receiving yards, Goff passing yards, St. Brown receptions if active, Dolphins receiving yards.

The bottom line: Detroit has the edge, and this is a serious tournament-stacking game, especially if St. Brown is cleared. Our side and total are on our pick, and the simulator plays it out 10,000 times.

1:00 PM ET: Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers

From our board: Denver -2.5, total 44.5. Moneyline Denver -142, Carolina +120. simulator | our pick | Broncos depth chart | Panthers depth chart

Denver (5-2) is the favorite, but Carolina (3-4) has a chance to keep it closer than the number suggests. The Broncos' pass rush (2.9 sacks a game) faces a Carolina line that allows 3.3 sacks a game, second-most in the league.

DFS targets:

• Bo Nix: 1,493 yards and nine touchdowns.
• J.K. Dobbins: Denver's lead back with RJ Harvey on injured reserve.
• Courtland Sutton: 221 yards on 37 targets, a lower-volume option.
• Tetairoa McMillan: Carolina's top receiver with 569 yards.
• The Denver defense, against a quarterback who's been sacked often.

Sleeper watch: If Denver's defense forces a pass-heavy script, Carolina's receivers become contrarian plays. Chuba Hubbard gives the Panthers a steady 20 touches a game.

Injury report: Broncos: S Brandon Jones, CB Kris Abrams-Draine and DL Eyioma Uwazurike are OUT; WR Pat Bryant (ankle) is QUESTIONABLE but practiced fully. Panthers: G Damien Lewis, LB Jaelan Phillips, LB Bobby Okereke and CB Will Lee III are OUT.

Props to check: Nix passing yards, Dobbins rushing yards, McMillan receptions, Bryce Young pass attempts.

The bottom line: A short number with a defensive story. Check the price before you lay it. Our side and total are on our pick, and the simulator plays it out 10,000 times.

1:00 PM ET: New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

From our board: New York -3, total 38.5 (the lowest on the board). Moneyline New York -174, Philadelphia +146. simulator | our pick | Giants depth chart | Eagles depth chart

The Giants (4-2-1) are favored on the road against an Eagles team (2-6) that has lost six straight. Philadelphia starts Joe Milton at quarterback for the first time, with Jalen Hurts on injured reserve and Tanner McKee benched. On the other side, J.J. McCarthy starts for New York.

DFS targets:

• Saquon Barkley: cleared after three limited practices with a hamstring and back issue.
• Malik Nabers: 100+ yards in three straight games, and cleared from his knee issue.
• Makai Lemon: the rookie should be one of Milton's top targets with DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks out.
• Joe Milton: rushing upside in his first start.

Sleeper watch: With Cam Skattebo doubtful, Devin Singletary becomes the Giants' lead back and a salary-saving DFS option.

Injury report: Giants: RB Cam Skattebo (hamstring) is DOUBTFUL; WR Charlie Jones (hand) is QUESTIONABLE. Eagles: WRs DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks and Britain Covey are OUT, along with LB Jihaad Campbell, CB Jonathan Jones and DB Michael Carter II; QB Tanner McKee (rib) is QUESTIONABLE.

Props to check: Singletary rushing attempts, Nabers receptions, Milton rushing yards, Lemon receptions.

The bottom line: The injury report matters more than the opening line here. Verify the starters before you touch the total. Our side and total are on our pick, and the simulator plays it out 10,000 times.

FantasyDailies DFS Value Board

The goal is production without spending your whole cap on five players. Check prices against workloads on the NFL DFS value board, NFL volume board and NFL start/sit board, and stack the right teammates with the DFS correlation calculator.

These are player pools to research, not salary rankings. Build your lineups with our NFL DFS lineup tools.

Sunday Player Prop Targets

Compare every number on our NFL player props page and the NFL Projection Board, and see the other side on NFL prop unders.

Don't blindly play the over. Compare each player's production with the actual line.

FantasyDailies Parlay Corner

Every game leg below comes from our pick, so each ticket agrees with the house call. Open each game's pick, then build the ticket in the NFL Parlay Builder or the NFL slip builder, or let the AI Parlay Generator do it.

Early-window sides ticket

• Our side on Bengals-Falcons (our pick)
• Our side on Cowboys-Colts (our pick)
• Our side on Jets-Chiefs (our pick)

Madrid passing ticket

• Our side on Bengals-Falcons (our pick)
• Joe Burrow passing yards
• Ja'Marr Chase receiving yards

Detroit offense ticket

• Our side on Lions-Dolphins (our pick)
• Jahmyr Gibbs rushing + receiving yards
• Jared Goff passing yards

Check the actual lines and player availability before you place anything, then confirm the payout on the parlay calculator.

Teaser Strategy

Teasers work when they move a spread through 3 and 7, the two most common NFL margins. Here's where the early-slate numbers sit on our board:

• Bengals-Falcons: Cincinnati -3.
• Browns-Saints: New Orleans -3.
• Giants-Eagles: New York -3.
• Broncos-Panthers: Denver -2.5.
• Rams-Commanders: Los Angeles -4.5.
• Cowboys-Colts: Dallas -4.5.
• Lions-Dolphins: Detroit -6.5.

Six points moves any of these through both key numbers. Start from the side on every NFL pick, then move it with the NFL Teaser Generator. Avoid teams with real quarterback uncertainty: Cleveland is starting a backup and Philadelphia a first-time starter. Watch the numbers move on the line movement board and NFL odds heat map.

FantasyDailies Sunday Cheat Sheet

The Final Word

Week 9 offers plenty of opportunity, but the edge comes from preparation. Don't chase yesterday's points, don't pay premium salaries for uncertain workloads, and don't build parlays just to make the payout look impressive.

Watch the injury report, confirm the inactives (posted about 90 minutes before kickoff, so 8:00 AM for Madrid and 11:30 AM for the 1:00 games), compare the lines and look for players whose opportunities are growing. A player doesn't have to be a superstar to win your DFS tournament.

Get the full slate on the Week 9 hub and Week 9 matchups, check NFL weather and the NFL player news, and follow every drive live in the NFL Game Zone. Final numbers land in each game's box score, and the playoff race is on the NFL standings.

Watch FantasyDailies TV on Roku and Amazon Fire TV, or in the FantasyDailies app on iPhone and Android. Talk it over in the forum.

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