Player Props: Week 9
If you took my five Week 8 picks and went the opposite way, congratulations because you had a perfect week! I wanted to go hide under a rock after Week 8, but the sad part of my 0-5 week is that I really believed I had made five good picks! I guess I believe in my process and to be fair I’m a bit delusional, but here I am again with another five picks for Week 9! Let’s see if I can improve upon my 13-13 season long win/loss total.
Please remember that gambling is super risky and you should only use funds that you can afford to lose.
Kimani Vidal, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Over 75.5 rushing yards
At least for the time being, Vidal is Chargers’ primary RB. Vidal only has 54 rushing attempts this season, but he’s averaging 5.2 YPC and his rushing yards after contact per rush is a fifth best 2.3. Vidal has a great Week 9 matchup against the Tennessee Titans who have given up the third most rushing yards to RBs so far this season.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Over 228.5 passing yards
Rodgers takes on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9, and they’ve given up an average of just over 320 passing yards per game to QBs over their last five games. I guess part of that stat is due to their opponents having to play from behind because Jonathan Taylor has been running wild all season long. The Colts have outscored their opponents by a league leading 116 points this season and if guys like Cam Ward (259 passing yards) and Jacoby Brissett (320 passing yards) can light up the Colts’ pass defense, then Rodgers has a shot at hitting his over passing prop.
Roman Wilson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Over 1.5 receptions
If I’m going to pick on the Colts pass defense, I might as well take the over on Wilson’s receptions in Week 9. Wilson has had an expanded role in the Steelers’ offense of late and he’s has had at least two catches in each of his last two games. If Rodgers is going to feast in Week 9, he’s likely to throw a few scraps Wilson’s way.
Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Under 16.5 rushing attempts
For the season Williams is averaging just over 15 carries per game and since Week 4 he’s only averaging 13 carries per game. Those stats alone back up my taking the under on Williams’ rushing attempts but I’m also basing this pick on expected game script. I’m expecting the Rams to jump out to a big early lead over the New Orleans Saints. If that’s the case, then by the fourth quarter they’ll probably start taking their starters out of the game. Williams should be effective while he’s playing (at least I hope so, for my fantasy team’s sake) but I don’t see him getting any more than 15 carries in this game.
Kyle Monangai, RB, Chicago Bears
Over 76.5 rushing yards
With D’Andre Swift out in Week 9, Monangai should get the majority of carries from among the Bears’ running backs. He’s got a great matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals who entering Week 9, had given up the most rushing yards to RBs this season.