NFL Week 9 predictions, fantasy sleepers, upset picks, buzz - ESPN

We're headed into Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season and we're sure you are fully prepared for the loaded slate. But just in case you need some last-minute intel, our NFL analysts have you covered at the 11th hour.

First, analytics writer Seth Walder breaks down five stat trends that could be pivotal this weekend. Fantasy football writer Eric Moody runs through five players who are rostered in under 50% of ESPN fantasy football leagues as of Saturday and who could be picked up and started in a jam this weekend. That's followed by NFL analyst Matt Bowen pointing to five potential surprises that could happen and NFL analyst Ben Solak picking one team on upset watch. Finally, insider Jeremy Fowler gives the latest buzz, rumors and news you might have missed.

Jump to a topic:
Stat trends | Fantasy sleepers
Potential surprises | Upset watch
Latest buzz

Is Dorance Armstrong primed for a huge game against the Giants?

After the Giants lost Andrew Thomas for the season to a Lisfranc injury, they first turned to Joshua Ezeudu. Then they signed Chris Hubbard off the 49ers' practice squad and started him against the Steelers. It did not go great.

Hubbard put up an abysmal 63% pass block win rate (average is 88% for a tackle) against T.J. Watt and the rest of the Steelers' edge rushers. To be fair, he is an experienced player with an 88% career PBWR, but there's a reason he was available for the Giants to pick up.

This should be great news for Armstrong. The Commanders' pass rusher is having a sneaky nice season despite only three sacks. He has a 24% pass rush win rate at edge, which would rank sixth at the position if he had played enough to qualify.

Can the Commanders slow Malik Nabers?

Let's stick with the same game since Nabers has