NFL Weekly Preview Week 9: Key Injuries, Player Statistical Projections & Projected Upsets

Josh Allen (Erik Drost, Wikimedia Commons)

Week nine of the 2022 NFL season will start on Thursday with Houston playing Philadelphia. While the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies are playing game five of the World Series from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Eagles will try to improve to 8-0 when they face the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Key Injuries

Heading into week nine of the NFL season, three teams have issues when it comes to their quarterback situation. The Carolina Panthers are once again starting their third-string quarterback in P.J. Walker against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday as Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield are both out with high ankle sprains. Walker has started the last three Panthers games and was their quarterback when they upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21-3 on October 23.

In Tennessee, Ryan Tannehill has been dealing with an ankle injury himself, as well as an illness, and is questionable in primetime to play against the Kansas City Chiefs. Meanwhile, in Indianapolis, Matt Ryan has a grade two sprain to his right shoulder and is out long term, (possibly the rest of the season) which means Sam Ehlinger is the starting quarterback for the Colts.

Player Statistical Projections

Buffalo Bills starting quarterback Josh Allen is the top-rated quarterback of the week. The native of Firebaugh, California is projected to get 292 passing yards, two touchdown passes and 41 rushing yards against the New York Jets, in an intriguing battle in the AFC East. The Bills lead the division at 6-1, while the Jets are tied with the Miami Dolphins for second place at 5-3.

The top rated running back is Dalvin Cook of the Minnesota Vikings. On Sunday in Washington against the Commanders, his early projections are 101 total yards (79 rushing yards and 22 receiving yards) and one touchdown. Meanwhile, the top wide receiver is another Viking as Justin Jefferson is projected to get seven catches for 106 yards and one touchdown.

Possible Upsets

The Los Angeles Chargers may have the better record at four wins and three losses, but have been mighty inconsistent lately and have injury issues to their wide receiving group heading into their game in Atlanta. Mike Williams is out with an ankle injury and Keenan Allen is having a setback to his hamstring ailment. When you consider the fact that Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson is out with a season-ending knee injury, one needs to sincerely ask why the Chargers are three point favourites.

I also like the Seattle Seahawks to beat the Arizona Cardinals. At the beginning of the season, there would be no way I would have picked Seattle. But so far this season, you can genuinely make the claim that Geno Smith has outplayed Kyler Murray. Remarkable, but true.

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