Howard Bender's NFL Best Bets for Week 9: Picks, Predictions & Player Props
UPDATED: Sunday, Nov. 3 at 8:30am ET
Welcome back to my NFL Best Bets & Prop Bets blog! We’ve got some really interesting spreads and totals this week – some seemingly suspicious lines if you know what I’m saying. With only two teams on a bye we have plenty of games from which to choose, so let’s get to the action and my NFL Week 9 Best Bets and Props.
Before we get to this week’s action, allow me to share last week’s results for my NFL picks. I believe in transparency and while Week 7 was fun, Week 8 came in about even. Actually lost a few bucks, but 6-6 on the bets posted here. Should have been 7-5 with a small profit, but I used Wan’Dale Robinson’s receiving yards instead of his receptions prop like I gave out on the Fantasy Alarm Show on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. I was on the fence with both props and should have just stuck with the one. As for the rest of the week, it started off well with the Rams, but my Sunday action was all about the props and not the games which is an odd one for me. Looks like I need to spend more time in the lab, which has already begun, so it’s time to put the past in the past.
Let’s get to the start of my NFL Week 9 Best Bets and Props.
UPDATE 11/3: I have been dealing with a family emergency the last few days and have not had the opportunity to properly research the best this week. The weather has pulled me off the Lions/Packers game as well. I apologize for the lack of bets this week, but as we always say here – family first – we have to take care of our own and I am very much needed here at home right now. Thank you for your understanding.
NFL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets for Thursday Night Football, 10/31
Texans vs. Jets Best Bet: Thursday, October 31st
As you all know, I hate betting the Jets, but the spread, coupled with the money line, has me on them to win this game. Everything about them screams “hot mess” but this is also a make-it-or-break it game for them and dropping to 2-7 on the year would be considered an epic disaster. Especially facing a team that has now lost its two best wide receivers and whose quarterback is notorious for playing worse on the road. If Sauce Gardner and company can’t stifle the passing attack, then there is more to blow up this team than I thought. The secondary should be strong enough to sell out a little to stop the run and if they can pull it off, they’ll give Aaron Rodgers enough to work with to eke out the victory. Just keep your fingers crossed it doesn’t have to come down to Greg Zuerlein.
- Pick: Jets -1.5 (-110 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
NFL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets for Sunday, 11/3
Lions vs. Packers Best Bet: Sunday, November 3rd
Not that any veterans practice on a Wednesday, but Jordan Love sitting out and staying on an exercise bike has me really wondering if he’s going to play. That makes this a “bet it now” for me. If Love is declared out, this spread is going to jump, so I’d rather just lay the 3.5 than see it jump to 4.5 or even 5. If they declare Love active, I don’t see the line really moving at all. Maybe we lose the hook, but I’m not playing for the push
- Pick: Lions -3.5 (-105 on BetMGM Sportsbook)
UPDATE 10/31: Love returned to practice in limited fashion on Thursday. We'll keep watching how this shakes out. I'm still in on the Lions, but if Love plays, maybe take the alt spread to get rid of the hook or do a teaser and knock it down even more.
UPDATED 11/3: Heavy rain throughout this game and this line has moved away from the Lions currently at -2.5 so it becoems a NO BET.
Best NFL Week 9 Player Prop Bets
- Xavier Hutchinson over 19.5 receiving yards (-115 on BetMGM Sportsbook)
- Ka'imi Fairbairn over 7.5 kicking points (+100 on BetMGM Sportsbook)
Just as I am doing with the game bets, I will be adding in more player props as the week rolls on.
Get the Best Sportsbook Offers & Promo Codes Through Fantasy Alarm
If you are new to the betting space or looking to lay your action with a different book, then check out the latest offers and promo codes for matched deposits, bonus bets and free picks exclusive to Fantasy Alarm subscribers. Just click here to see our full list and be sure to match up the right promo code to get the most out of your deposits and bets.
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Beat reporter John Hendrix reports that free agent WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is among the 16 players that the Saints will host for their rookie minicamp.
Peoples-Jones last played regular season snaps with the Lions back in 2023, when he caught 13-of-24 targets for 155 yards. He is highly unlikely to return to fantasy relevance at this point but could perhaps sign on as a special teams contributor.
Titans signed fourth-round pick WR Elic Ayomanor to a four-year contract.
Ayomanor will now begin learning behind Calvin Ridley. Although Ayomanor is unlikely to find a meaningful role in year one, dynasty managers should note his status as training camp gets underway this summer. The former Stanford receiver flashed big-play ability in his two college seasons.
Buccaneers signed seventh-round pick WR Tez Johnson to a four-year contract.
Johnson will serve as a rotational deep-threat option for Baker Mayfield. His thin frame (5'10/154) simply does not lend itself to the repeated hits one incurs in a full-time role. Johnson did earn 100-plus targets in his two seasons at Oregon, though. His big-play style make him a better fit in best ball for now, pending any major on-field breakthroughs.
Giants waived DT Casey Rogers.
Rogers was a 2024 undrafted free agent and logged 33 defensive snaps for the Giants in his rookie season. He is credited with zero tackles and/or sacks. He may find his way onto another roster as a practice squad option.
Vikings signed third-round pick WR Tai Felton to a four-year contract.
Felton is quietly in play to challenge Vikings No. 3 WR Jalen Nailor in training camp. Nailor (5'11/190) caught 28-of-42 targets for 414 yards and six touchdowns in his first season as a starter last year, with the latter category buoying his fantasy productivity. Felton (6'1/183), meanwhile, caught 96-of-143 targets for 1,119 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 2.32 yards per route run in his final college season. Fantasy managers should monitor Felton’s training camp reports this summer, as he could have a matchup-based WR5 role if everything falls into place.