We're nearly halfway through the 2026 NFL season, which means Week 9 is here and our experts have no time to rest on their laurels.
The USA TODAY Sports staff is back around the roundtable with the best NFL bets for Sunday's action, hoping to put last week's hiccup firmly in the rearview mirror. The crew went just 1-4 in Week 8, with birthday boy Jaylen Warren finding the end zone as the lone bright spot. Not what we're striving for but there's plenty of football ahead, and with nearly half a season's worth of stats, trends and data to chew on, we're aiming to start some win streaks.
Only the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans are on bye, leaving us with a healthy 13-game Sunday slate. From spreads and totals to player props and anytime
touchdown scorers, our experts have scoured the board for betting value. Here are the best NFL bets for Week 9. Best of luck if you tail.
Best bets NFL Week 9
Participating analysts: Nick Brinkerhoff, Jack McKessy, Jacob Camenker, Adam Kaufman, Tom Viera
Eagles QB Joe Milton III anytime TD (+750)
Nick Brinkerhoff: Garrett Wilson had every chance to score a touchdown last week, but didn’t get the job done for us and snapped the winning streak at five. It’s fine. All good things must come to an end, which is the exact reason why we’re heading down the New Jersey Turnpike to the “City of Brotherly Love,” where no one appears to be loving the results in 2026.
The Eagles are teetering on the edge of a rebuild and Jalen Hurts is almost certainly done for the season with blood clots. It’s an unfortunate reality for Philly, but there is an opportunity for someone new to emerge.
Look no further than Milton. Everyone knows he has a cannon for an arm, which the Eagles will almost certainly look to use in his first start this weekend. In other words, say goodbye to those screen passes to Makai Lemon because they’re taking shots down the field now. Milton doesn’t have a lot of regular season history to look back on, but even his limited action has showcased his mobility.
And that’s what was missing with Tanner McKee – aside from everything else. Milton had a rushing touchdown in his best preseason effort earlier this year, stands at 6’5” and weighs in at 236 pounds. You’re telling me we’re getting the “tush push” team’s starting quarterback, who is bigger than Hurts, to score a touchdown at +750?
The Eagles haven’t had a lot to cheer for this year. On Sunday, they’ll get to cheer for Milton after he plunges into the end zone. And we’ll be right there with them – in spirit.
Dolphins TE Greg Dulcich anytime TD vs. Lions (+300)
Jack McKessy: Are we about to use the same logic that didn't work last week for another best-bet prediction? You're darn right we are. But this time, it's totally going to work.
Dulcich still hasn't scored a touchdown this season, but this might be his best chance yet. No team in the NFL is worse at defending opposing tight ends than the Detroit Lions. The NFC North contenders have allowed a touchdown to a tight end in every game this season except one. They'll still be missing safety Kerby Joseph as he works his way back from a knee injury.
Dulcich has been one of quarterback Malik Willis's favorite targets this year, especially recently. He's second on the team with 28 total targets and has gotten at least five in four of his last five outings. With the Lions keyed in on stopping Ollie Gordon on the ground, plus Malik Washington and Caleb Douglas in the passing game, Dulcich can take advantage of Detroit's poor defense against tight ends to get on the board for the first time this year.
Browns RB Quinshon Judkins anytime TD at Saints (+110)
Jacob Camenker: Well, it looks like the lads are getting touchdown-happy this week. I don't want to miss out on the fun, so I'll hop on board the touchdown train and back Judkins in this favorable spot.
Judkins hasn't been efficient this season, but it's worth noting five of his seven games have come against teams that rank top-six in EPA against the run this season, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats. By comparison, the Saints rank 31st in EPA against the run and have allowed a league-high 11 rushing touchdowns to running backs despite having already had their bye week.
Shedeur Sanders is also set to start in place of Deshaun Watson (concussion), so Todd Monken will likely be content to lean on his running game in this one. That should position Judkins not only to score but perhaps to have his best game of the season.
Detroit Lions -6.5 at Miami Dolphins (-110)
Adam Kaufman: We're getting a discount at some shops with this line inside of the key number of 7, but I'm still comfortable laying the full touchdown with Detroit. This shouldn't be particularly close.
Granted, Miami got a backdoor cover at home against New England last week, but the Patriots are littered with injuries and had to work to come from behind to take a lead. While they should've won by margin, the Pats were likely content to just get out of South Beach as healthy as possible.
If you've spent New Year's Eve in Miami, you can relate.
The Lions have won three straight, including handing the Vikings their first loss of the season last week. Detroit has a top-five offense, fueled by star power at every level, while the Dolphins struggle defensively in basically every way imaginable.
Dan Campbell is returning to the place his head coaching career began. It's his first trip back as Detroit's head coach after leading Miami in an interim role in 2015. He'll be motivated, and he'll have no trouble getting his team energized for this game. Couple that with the emotional component for the club in the wake of Jack Campbell's scary injury?
Pardon the pun, but the Lions will be ready to roar.
Lions TE Sam LaPorta anytime TD at Dolphins (+190)
Tom Viera: Just like that, the touchdown train has found its way back to the tracks. While we have other enticing anytime touchdown candidates on our radar today, like Drake London, Rashee Rice and even Rome Odunze, our best bet is headed to South Beach. Not as bold a pick as my colleague Jack McKessy's from this game, but we're lining up LaPorta.
This is a perfect get-right spot after two consecutive quiet outings. The 25-year-old has managed just four catches for 51 yards over his last two games, but his opportunity remains strong, playing about 90% of Detroit's offensive snaps.
The matchup for the Lions offense is worth salivating over. Detroit has been the NFL's worst defense against tight ends but Miami isn't far behind. That's a significant vulnerability LaPorta can exploit. To no surprise, the Lions boast one of the league's highest-scoring offenses, carrying the second-highest implied team total on the Week 9 slate at over 28 points. LaPorta already has three touchdowns this season, scoring in every road game he's played. As long as Jahmyr Gibbs doesn't hog all the touchdown goodness, LaPorta has a fantastic chance to find paydirt for the fourth time this season.
Best bets overall records:
- Nick Brinkerhoff: 5-3 (+11.55 Units)
- Jack McKessy: 5-3 (+3.39 Units)
- Jacob Camenker: 3-5 (-0.55 Units)
- Adam Kaufman: 2-6 (-4.0 Units)
- Tom Viera: 2-6 (-3.2 Units)
Super Bowl 61 odds
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL best bets Week 9 from our experts with top player props, anytime TDs
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