Last week, our Fantrax fantasy football contributors hit on bold predictions like a top-tier performance from Gus Edwards and even a decent bounceback from Calvin Ridley! So, let’s keep the momentum heading into Week 9! These bold predictions won’t always have a 100% success rate, but should at least help sway decision-making for your dynasty, redraft, or even Daily Fantasy Sports lineups.
2023 NFL Week 9 Bold Predictions for Fantasy Football
Brandin Cooks, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Bold Prediction: 7 receptions, 110 yards, 1 touchdown
24.0 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Colin McTamany, @Colin_McT
Colin’s Breakdown: It pains me to have a bold prediction against my hometown team, the Philadelphia Eagles, but I can’t deny Brandin Cooks is in a position to succeed in Week 9. Teams are flat out struggling to run against the Birds. No singular player has rushed for more than 59 yards against the Eagles this season. Teams are more likely to pass against the Eagles. As a result, Philadelphia’s secondary is allowing the most receptions as well as second-most yards and touchdowns to opposing wide receivers this season.
This is the first meeting between the Eagles and Cowboys this season, but cornerback Darius Slay should have most of his attention on wide receiver Ceedee Lamb. I foresee Brandin Cooks running plenty of routes against James Bradberry. Sooner or later, Dak Prescott is going to try a deep shot downfield to Cooks where he commands most of his points. Aside from his big play potential, I think Cooks can record a season-high receptions, targets, and find the end zone in this matchup.
Brandin Cooks has a touchdown in each of his last two games with Dallas. Getting into the end zone is a bonus to my Week 9 bold prediction. With four teams on bye, I think Cooks can be trusted, at a minimum, as a flex option with a massive ceiling based on the matchup.
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Bold Prediction: 16 carries, 112 yards, 2 touchdowns; 3 receptions, 35 yards
29.7 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Meng Song, @FFA_Meng
Meng’s Breakdown: The over/under for Indianapolis at Carolina currently sits at 44.0 points, the fourth-highest total of Week 9. This game could be an absolute barnburner with shootout potential, as the Colts’ defense leads the league in points allowed per game thus far in 2023. On the other side, the Panthers’ defense has also given up the third-most points per game.
In particular, the Panthers’ run defense has been abysmal. They currently rank second-worst in rushing success rate allowed and are dead last in expected points added (EPA) allowed per rush. That doesn’t bode well for Carolina, as they’ll face an Indianapolis offensive line this week that currently ranks ninth in run block win rate.
And while the Colts’ backfield has been a frustrating split between Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss in recent weeks, Taylor’s snap share has continually increased since his return in Week 5. Despite having logged just one carry in the second half against New Orleans last week, Taylor saw season-highs in both snap share (61%) and rush share (52%) in that game. It’s also encouraging that he exploded for a signature 42-yard run early against the Saints, showing that his burst and acceleration have returned after an early-season stint on the PUP list.
Even on the road, this should be a get-right spot for the Colts coming into town on a three-game losing streak. In what projects to be a back-and-forth, high-scoring affair, Indianapolis should be able to lean on their run game, and that starts with riding Taylor and my Week 9 bold prediction. It’s worth noting, though, that I do also like Moss to vulture a touchdown at some point in this game.
Mac Jones, QB, New England Patriots
Bold Prediction: 300 yards, 2 passing touchdowns
20.0+ fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Michael Reedy, @MikeReedyFF
Michael’s Breakdown: Mac Jones has multiple touchdowns in each of the last two games. This week, the Patriots play the Washington Commanders who give up the second most fantasy points to opposing teams’ quarterbacks. Quarterbacks average 270 yards and two touchdowns per game against the Commanders. Washington is also good defending the run and just traded away their best defensive player in Chase Young. It’s been a roller coaster of a season for Mac Jones, but I feel good about this very prediction if you need to stream a quarterback in Week 9!
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills
Bold Prediction: 7 receptions, 100 yards, 1 touchdown
23.0 fantasy points
Brandon’s Breakdown: Dalton Kincaid has taken over the TE1 spot for the Buffalo Bills and has been thriving. He has finished as a TE1 in consecutive weeks and now has the best possible match-up that a tight end can have. In Week 9, Kincaid faces the Cincinnati Bengals, the team giving up the most points per game to the position and the fourth most total points.
The Bengals have also given up four touchdowns to tight ends, tied for second most. In a Sunday night primetime match-up, Kincaid will post his third consecutive TE1 week, but this time, he will be the overall TE1. My bold prediction for Kincaid is a stat line of seven catches with his first century mark game and a touchdown in what should be one of the highest-scoring games of Week 9.
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Bold Prediction: 115 rushing yards, 1 touchdown; 4 receptions, 45 yards, 1 touchdown
32.0 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Ray Kuhn, @ray_kuhn_28
Ray’s Breakdown: I really want Bijan Robinson to do well. The rookie running back is highly talented and to say that he entered his career with a buzz surrounding him would be an understatement. To this point, we have seen flashes of success from Robinson, but there have been more bad performances than good ones.
Through eight weeks, Robinson has broken the century mark twice in rushing yards. However, in the other six weeks, Robinson hasn’t gained more than the 62 he did last week. Robinson was quite efficient as he did so on just 11 carries. Perhaps of more importance, Robinson picked up his first rushing touchdown of his career.
Early in the season, he had a steady role in the receiving game. However, in the last two weeks, the rookie has failed to catch a pass. With Taylor Heinicke under center for Week 9, the Falcons offense should have a little more polish and comfort. That is not to say Heinicke is an elite option. After all, he was sitting behind Desmond Ridder for seven and a half weeks, but he is a capable veteran. Heinicke can run an offense with comfort. That will open up some space for Robinson and the Falcons figure to take advantage of both facets of his skill set.
Good or bad, you’re starting Bijan Robinson in every format possible for fantasy football. My bold prediction is for those setting DFS lineups to make him a Week 9 priority start.
Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty