NFL Week 9 Predictions 2021: Upset Picks, Straight Up Winners, Best Moneyline Bets

The NFL is coming off an unusual week. More underdogs than favorites won outright in NFL Week 8.

Entering Week 9, a couple of teams laying a touchdown at home are vulnerable to being upset.

Here are the best upset picks for Week 9 of the 2021 NFL season. Betting odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Houston Texans (+265) at Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are seven-point favorites over the visiting Texans, despite the teams being tied at the bottom of the AFC standings with a 1-7 record. Miami shouldn’t be laying a touchdown against anyone, even an opponent as bad as Houston.

Both teams enter Week 9 on a seven-game losing streak. The Texans have not been competitive since Tyrod Taylor suffered an injury in Week 2. The quarterback has a strong chance to return Sunday and replace Davis Mills, who has more interceptions than touchdown passes while averaging fewer than 200 passing yards per game. Taylor had 291 passing yards and two touchdown passes in a 16-point, Week 1 victory, and he posted a 144.3 passer rating in Cleveland before getting hurt.

The Texans average more yards per play than the Dolphins. Miami gives up more yards per game than Houston. The Dolphins have already been upset by the Jaguars, the conference’s only other one-win team.

Tennessee Titans (+290) at Los Angeles Rams

The Titans have already upset two of the AFC’s top teams, defeating the Chiefs and Bills in consecutive weeks. As nearly 3/1 underdogs, Tennessee is worthy of a moneyline bet for Sunday night’s game.

The loss of Derrick Henry undoubtedly hurts, but it doesn’t preclude Tennessee from winning. Henry only rushed for 86 yards on 3 yards per attempt as the Titans blew out the Chiefs 27-3. Tennessee didn’t even need Julio Jones to beat the Indianapolis Colts 34-31 in a pivotal AFC South matchup.

Part of the Rams’ dominance has been a weak schedule. Los Angeles trounced the NFL’s two worst offenses in the Bears and Texans. The Rams dismantled a Giants team that was ravaged by injuries on offense. L.A. also beat the winless Lions. Tom Brady and Kyler Murray combined to complete 75% of their passes for 700 yards, three scores and no interceptions against Los Angeles. Ryan Tannehill continues to be among the league’s most underrated players with a 24-10 record as Tennessee’s starter.