Week 8 in the NFL featured several outcomes that could impact the rest of the season.

The Bengals had momentum after a win against the Steelers in Week 7, but it was quickly lost when the Jets secured their first victory of the season. The Bears entered their matchup with the Ravens with a four-game winning streak and were climbing up the NFC North, but Baltimore improved to 2-5 with a win despite Lamar Jackson being sidelined due to a hamstring injury. The 49ers’ offense was stagnant against the Texans, losing their third game in the past five.

This week officially ends the first half of the NFL season, and we’re seeing who the top contenders are. The Colts are the season’s biggest surprise and appear to be the best team in football, boasting a league-high seven wins and averaging the most points per game (33.8).

The Chiefs are returning to championship form, having won four of their last five games. Kansas City is second in the AFC West because the Broncos are red-hot, having won their fifth straight game and scored a total of 77 points in the last two. If we’re going to talk about five-game winning streaks, then we have to mention the Patriots, who sit in first place in the AFC East.

For the MVP, the rankings haven’t changed, with Patrick Mahomes (+150) still leading and Josh Allen (+450) behind him. The most notable increase comes from sophomore QB Drake Maye (+550), who now has the third-best odds, as he continues to help make the Patriots a contender.

NFL Week 9 Preview

For Week 9, there are several matchups to keep your eye on. Thursday night features the Ravens vs. Dolphins, with Lamar Jackson returning after missing the last three games. Even at 2-5, Baltimore is only two games behind the Steelers, so Jackson’s return could help put them back into contention.

Sunday features several important games, including the Steelers trying to snap their two-game losing streak, but they will have to do it against the top-seeded Colts. We get a pivotal NFC North matchup, with the Vikings trying to snap their three-game losing streak as they head to the Motor City to take on the Lions. Then, we get our yearly Chiefs vs. Bills matchup, with both teams again being playoff contenders.

BetSmart Player Prop Finder

BetSmart has been helping bettors throughout the NFL season. With trackers for Arbitrage Bets, Positive EV, and Middle Bets, you have guaranteed profit opportunities, and a ton of high-percentage wagers to choose from.

It also features the popular Prop Finder tool, which provides detailed information on all of the best available props. Each prop has data, including its positive EV percentage, the sportsbook with the best odds, and the frequency with which the player has hit the number in the last 5, 10, and 15 games, and the full season.

The BetSmart Prop Finder currently has valuable data for hundreds of player props in Week 9 of the NFL.

Here are 5 to consider:

1. Derrick Henry

Game: Baltimore Ravens vs. Miami Dolphins
Date: Thursday, October 30 @ 8 p.m. ET
Prop: Longest Rush Under 19.5
Odds: +105
Sportsbook(s): BetMGM
Trends: 80% in Last 5, 60% in Last 10

2. Alec Pierce

Game: Indianapolis Colts vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: Sunday, November 2 @ 1 p.m. ET
Prop: Total Receiving Yards Over 42.5
Odds: -110
Sportsbook(s): DraftKings
Trends: 100% in Last 5, 80% in Last 10

3. Tyjae Spears

Game: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Tennessee Titans
Date: Sunday, November 2 @ 1 p.m. ET
Prop: Total Receptions Over 2.5
Odds: -110
Sportsbook(s): BetMGM, Hard Rock
Trends: 100% in Last 5, 70% in Last 10

4. Travis Kelce

Game: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills
Date: Sunday, November 2 @ 4:25 p.m. ET
Prop: Total Receiving Yards Over 45.5
Odds: -110
Sportsbook(s): Fanatics
Trends: 100% in Last 5, 70% in Last 10

5. George Pickens

Game: Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys
Date: Monday, November 3 @ 8:15 p.m. ET
Prop: Total Receiving Yards Over 60.5
Odds: -110
Sportsbook(s): Fanatics
Trends: 80% in Last 5

Props & Middle Betting Opportunities

If you’re searching for the best way to find props, pay attention to the latest trends. This will help you identify middle bets that give you the chance to double your wins.

Props such as Total Pass Completions offer a fantastic chance to profit from Middle Bets. If one sportsbook has a player’s Total Pass Completions set at 21.5 and another at 22.5, you would bet the over 21.5 and under 22.5. If the final number is 22, you win both.

Using the Most Profitable Markets tool, we can see the Total Pass Completions prop market has consistently created excellent betting opportunities each week during the 2025 NFL season, as it offers a positive ROI.

Here is some data provided by the tool:

Last 7 Days: 219% ROI
Last 14 Days: 119% ROI
Last 30 Days: 78% ROI

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