The Week 9 NFL schedule concludes with a potential Super Bowl preview as the Minnesota Vikings host the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. Both teams enter at 6-1, though they have arrived there differently: Minnesota boasts arguably the league's top defense, while Buffalo leads the NFL in scoring and total offense.
Key Injuries
The Vikings will be without quarterback Kyler Murray due to a hamstring injury, making Carson Wentz the starter. Minnesota wide receiver Jauan Jennings (calf) and Buffalo wide receiver Joshua Palmer (hamstring) are also ruled out.
DFS Strategy
Daily fantasy sports lineups are expected to lean heavily toward the Bills, but Buffalo's defensive vulnerabilities could create value with undervalued Vikings players. SportsLine daily fantasy expert Mike McClure, a professional DFS player with more than $2 million in career winnings, has simulated every snap using a prediction model that accounts for matchups, statistical trends, and injuries.
Top Picks
McClure's top pick is Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen, who carries an over/under of 230.5 passing yards and 30.5 rushing yards. Despite a tough matchup against a blitz-heavy Minnesota defense, McClure expects Allen to produce, noting that pressure can force quarterbacks to run and create big-play opportunities.
McClure is also building around Minnesota running back Jordan Mason. While Aaron Jones has better season-long numbers, Mason has taken more carries over the past two weeks (23 vs. 13) and faces a Bills defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.
McClure has identified an additional undervalued player who could deliver huge numbers on Monday night, which he says could be the difference between winning tournaments and cash games.
