NFL Week 9 Preview: Will Hill's Best Bets, Fagnano's First Start, and Injury Updates

The back-half of the NFL season has arrived for NFL Week 9, bringing fresh challenges, emerging injuries, and new faces under center. Analyst Will Hill has delivered his best bets and predictions for every game on the slate, highlighting key matchups and betting angles across the league.

Quarterback Shakeups

Rookie signal-callers will be a major focal point this week. Undrafted rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano will be making his first career start for the Ravens. Fagnano stepped into relief duty last week, finishing 10 for 21 with 91 passing yards and an interception. Elsewhere, it appears Shedeur Sanders will be getting the start at quarterback.

Veteran quarterbacks are also dealing with challenges. Matthew Stafford threw for just 157 yards last week, and there are currently whispers that he is dealing with a shoulder injury.

Momentum Shifts and Betting Lines

The Bengals enter the week with massive offensive momentum. They dismantled the Titans last week, racking up 41 points and 510 yards of total offense while averaging a staggering 7.3 yards per play.

Conversely, the Cowboys are looking to bounce back. Despite blowing a 17-3 home lead to the Cardinals in their previous outing, the Cowboys enter Week 9 favored by 5.5 points.

Late-game execution remains a critical factor across the league. The Broncos secured a dramatic victory last week after trailing the Chiefs by double-digits in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the Jets are struggling to close out tight matchups, carrying a frustrating 1-5 record in one-score games this season.

Injuries and Rest Advantages

Health and rest will play a significant role in several matchups. The Lions secured a crucial division win against the Vikings last week, but the victory came at a cost as they suffered key injuries on defense.

Star running back Saquon Barkley is reportedly not 100 percent healthy. He was contained to just 30 rushing yards in his last outing.

On the other side of the scheduling coin, the Panthers are well-rested. Having not played since the previous Thursday, Carolina will attempt to use the extra preparation time to snap a two-game losing streak as the second half of the season gets underway.