NFL Weekly Preview Week 9 2024: Key Injuries, Difference Makers & Projected Upsets

Josh Allen (Erik Drost, Wikimedia Commons)

We are headed into the ninth week of the season. Here are the key injuries, fantasy stars and projected upsets.

Key Injuries

There are three players who are out for the rest of the season. They are wide receiver Christian Kirk of the Jacksonville Jaguars (broken collarbone), wide receiver Stefon Diggs of the Houston Texans (torn anterior cruciate ligament), and left tackle Christian Darrisaw of the Minnesota Vikings (knee injury that contained damage to his anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament).

The loss of Diggs is mighty significant because he is an integral part of a Texans team with Super Bowl aspirations. In 2024, he has 47 catches for 496 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

The loss of Darrisaw meant the Vikings went out and made a trade. They acquired left tackle Cam Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars as a result.

Fantasy Stars

The top rated quarterback is Josh Allen of Firebaugh, California. On Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, he is projected to get 264 yards passing, 35 yards rushing and two touchdowns for the Buffalo Bills.

The top rated wide receiver is Justin Jefferson of Saint Rose, Louisiana. On Sunday night against the Indianapolis Colts, he is projected to get six catches for 89 yards and one touchdown for the Minnesota Vikings.

The top rated running back is Derrick Henry of Yulee, Florida. On Sunday against the Denver Broncos, he is projected to get 104 total yards (95 rushing yards and nine receiving yards) and one touchdown for the Baltimore Ravens.

Projected Upsets

I am now a perfect 6 for 6 in picking upsets the last two weeks. In week nine, the underdogs I like are the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans. The Saints are expected to have Derek Carr back at quarterback, but their defense has been horrible the last three weeks as they have given up a total of 110 points. The Bears strength is their defense and have given up 86 fewer points this season than the Arizona Cardinals. The Browns looked strong last week against the Ravens, and have the capability of generating momentum into Sunday. Finally, the Texans (6-2) are four games up on the Jets (2-6), and they are the ones that should be favoured.

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