🏈 Week 9 Thursday Night Football Preview

With the NBA season in full swing, now is the best time to start using the player prop evaluator in the WalterPicks app. You are able to filter the best NBA bets of the day by using WalterPicks’ +EV (positive expected value) modeling system. You can see what bets and what betting platforms give you the best edge.

To see +EV values for every prop, you can look in the NBA prop evaluator in the WalterPicks App.

Thursday Night Football Preview

Matchup: Baltimore Ravens vs. Miami Dolphins

Time: 8:15 PM ET

Where to Watch: Prime Video

Spread: BAL -7.5

Total: 51.5

Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Week 9 Sleepers and Fades

We're focusing on the borderline players who could make or break your Week 9 lineup. Last week, we recommended starting Oronde Gadsden II (18.7 PPR fantasy points) and Kimani Vidal (19.7 PPR fantasy points) and told fantasy managers to sit T.J. Hockenson (4.6 PPR fantasy points) and Quentin Johnston (0 PPR fantasy points)

So, let’s look at some fringe players and decide whether they should be in fantasy lineups or not in Week 9.

START: WR Zay Flowers

Zay Flowers hasn't exactly been a dominant fantasy option in recent weeks. He has finished outside the top-24 at the WR position in two of the past three games. However, with Lamar Jackson's return, fantasy managers can trust Flowers as a reliable WR2 this week.

Just two weeks ago, the Dolphins’ secondary allowed Ladd McConkey to score 23 PPR fantasy points in the slot behind a seven-catch, 100-yard, one-touchdown day. The slot is where Flowers plays the majority of his snaps, so a good game should be in store for the 25-year-old playmaker.

Walter's Rank: WR17

START: WR Jaylen Waddle

Since Tyreek Hill (knee) went down with a season-ending injury in Week 4, Jaylen Waddle has been a strong WR1 option. He has scored over 15.5 PPR fantasy points in three of the last four games and just caught five passes for 99 yards and one touchdown in last week's win.

That's good enough to start him in most formats this week against the Ravens. Baltimore has given up the second-most fantasy points and third-most receptions per game to opposing WRs this season. Rome Odunze just caught seven passes for 114 yards last week against this secondary.

Walter's Rank: WR19

SIT: QB Tua Tagovailoa

Tua Tagovailoa is coming off his best fantasy performance of the season. He threw a season-high four touchdown passes in Week 8 en route to a 24.2 fantasy point day. However, Tagovailoa should not be started in most formats this week.

Although the Ravens have given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season, Baltimore’s secondary in recent weeks. This defense held both Matthew Stafford (9.3 fantasy points) and Caleb Williams (12.8 fantasy points) to under 13 fantasy points in consecutive games. We have Tagovailoa ranked as more of a middle-of-the-pack/QB2 play.

Walter's Rank: QB20

SIT: TE Mark Andrews

It has been hard to trust Mark Andrews as a TE1 in fantasy this year. He has finished outside the top-16 at the TE position in six of seven games and hasn't played more than 60% of the team's offensive snaps in three of the last four contests.

Therefore, Andrews is more of a TE2 in fantasy for Week 9. The opportunities just haven't been there for the veteran this year, as he has been held to under 35 receiving yards in six different games. Additionally, the Dolphins have only allowed three receiving touchdowns to TEs through eight weeks.

Walter's Rank: TE13

Things to Watch Closely For Fantasy:

• Lamar Jackson’s Return: Will he run as much in his first game back?

• Isaiah Likely: Does he see more opportunities in the passing game?

• Miami Pass Catchers: Does anyone else step up besides Waddle?

Free TNF Prop Pick

Prop: De’Von Achane OVER 59.5 Rushing Yards (+120 on Hard Rock)

Reasoning: De’Von Achane has gone over this line in three straight games. He is averaging 75.7 rush yards per game since Week 3, and the Ravens are allowing 103.9 rush yards per game to opposing RBs this season.

With a 9.1% EV Edge at Hard Rock, Walter believes this is a bet worth taking on Thursday night. Achane is projected for 63.9 rush yards in our Player Prop Evaluator.

My Final Score Prediction

Winner: Ravens

Spread Winner: Ravens

OVER/UNDER: Under

Prediction: Ravens 30-20

Last week’s recap: We went 3-0 last week by correctly guessing the Chargers would win, cover the spread, and the over would hit.

Winner Record: 4-4

Spread Winner Record: 4-4

Over/Under Record: 5-3