As the NFL's 2026 season reaches Week 9, several bold predictions highlight potential upsets and standout performances. The Baltimore Ravens' defense, which had not allowed a 50-yard play in 12 games, surrendered two in the first half of a 33-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, while running back Derrick Henry has rushed for under 60 yards in four straight games despite moving seventh on the all-time rushing list.
The Philadelphia Eagles (2-6), losers of six consecutive games, are predicted to snap their skid against the first-place New York Giants (4-2-1). New starting quarterback Joe Milton III, acquired from the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad, will make his debut after Tanner McKee lost all three starts. Milton completed 29 of 43 passes (67.4%) for 378 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in the 2026 preseason, posting a 118.2 passer rating. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer compared Milton's arm strength to Hall of Famer Brett Favre.
In a Monday Night Football matchup, the Minnesota Vikings' defense, leading the NFL in scoring defense (13.3 points per game), red zone defense (25% touchdown rate allowed), and blitz rate (73.6%), is forecast to sack Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen more than five times. Allen has been sacked five or more times only four times in his nine-year career, including a career-high eight sacks against the Houston Texans in Week 12 last season. The Bills' offensive line allows a 38% quarterback pressure rate, 11th-highest in the league.
The Dallas Cowboys (3-5), who have allowed 20-plus points in 15 straight games since trading edge rusher Micah Parsons, are predicted to hold the Indianapolis Colts (2-6) under 20 points. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones owns the league's worst passer rating at 68.7, and Indianapolis has scored 10 or fewer points in back-to-back games for the first time since 2022.
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen, who has rushed for 504 yards in five games since Breece Hall's quadriceps injury, is expected to exceed 100 scrimmage yards for a fifth consecutive game against the Kansas City Chiefs. That would make him the first Jet with five straight 100-plus scrimmage-yard games since Thomas Jones in 2008, despite the Chiefs allowing the eighth-fewest rushing yards per game (96.3).
Finally, the Miami Dolphins (1-6) are projected to limit Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff to under 200 passing yards. Goff, averaging 280.6 yards per game with 15 touchdowns and one interception, has only been held below 200 yards once this season by the Vikings. Dolphins rookie edge rusher Chop Robinson leads the NFL in quarterback pressure rate (20.6%) among players with at least 100 pass-rush snaps.
