Week eight had it all. Blowouts, upsets, close games, and Russell Wilson. Week nine is sure to bring some heat after the biggest trade deadline in NFL history. Chase Claypool to the Bears, Roquan Smith to the Ravens, and Bradley Chubb to the Dolphins are just some of the huge moves that were made. Will those players excel? Or fall short of what will be very high expectations. As always, Nader and myself will be making our picks for this week’s statistical standouts.

Passing Leader

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs, Quarterback – Dash

Mahomes is playing a Titans team that has overperformed so far this season. At 5-2, their record puts them on par with the Chiefs, but on the football field? Two very different teams. Mahomes has a shiny new toy in Kadarius Toney that could absolutely turn into a home run under Andy Reid’s tutelage. I expect Mahomes to dominate this Titans offense and keep on the gas pedal. I am expecting 320 yards and three scores in a dominant Chiefs win.

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback – Nader

Jalen Hurts has been proving every single one of his haters wrong this year, showing fans that he’s the franchise guy in Philadelphia. For a prime time matchup, the Eagles are facing a team that is quite literally in an opposite situation to them. While the Texans have one win, the Eagles are yet to take a loss, and are contending for a ring. To sum it up, Philly is dominating this game, and Hurts is showing the millions watching how good he really is. I see 320 passing yards and three touchdowns for the Sooner product tonight in Houston.

Rushing Leader

Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks, Running Back – Dash

Walker has been on an absolute tear since taking over as the starting back in Seattle. Last time they played the Cardinals, Walker broke the 100 yard mark and brought in one score. Against a team that struggled to stop the run against the Vikings last week, look for another big day from Walker. I could see him reaching 125 yards and finding the end zone twice this go around.

Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals, Running Back – Nader

Joe Mixon has been having himself a nice season, helping the Bengals on both the rushing and receiving aspects of the offense. A favorable matchup against Carolina should allow him to have one of his better showings of the season, at a time where Cincinnati needs to have a gem of a game to continue to prove themselves as contenders. I predict that Mixon eclipses 100 rushing yards for the first time this season in a single game, reeling in one rushing and one receiving touchdown on Sunday. 

Receiving Leader

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings, Wide Receiver – Dash

Jefferson hasn’t been the scoring machine we expected him to be after his dominant week one performance. However, he’s been able to consistently put big games together yardage wise and this week will be no different. The Commanders just parted ways with William Jackson, one of their top cornerbacks, which is exactly what a guy like Jefferson wants to hear. I could see him reeling in 10+ catches for 160 yards and I expect to see him return to the endzone once as well.

A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles, Wide Receiver – Nader

A.J. Brown has quietly been putting up fantastic numbers. Week in and week out, the former Tennessee Titan has shown everyone why he’s considered to be a premier pass catcher in the NFL, helping Hurts and the Eagles march to 8-0. Jalen Hurts is going to have a huge game, and so will Brown, with a predicted stat-line of eight receptions, 110 yards, and two touchdowns. 

Sacks Leader

Von Miller, Buffalo Bills, Edge Rusher – Dash

The Bills are taking on the surprising New York Jets this week. A divisional game with potential playoff implications is when you need your best players to play their best. Von Miller will do just that against a mediocre Jets offensive line. Going up against guys like Mike Remmers or Duane Brown is exactly what Miller wants to do. They can’t stop him. Miller will drag the quarterback down for a two and a half sack day as the Bills cement themselves as the best team in the AFC East.

Bradley Chubb, Miami Dolphins, Edge Rusher – Nader

The new million dollar man, Bradley Chubb, is going to immediately make an impact with his new squad. Chubb is an elite pass rusher to put it in simple terms, and knows how to exploit any offensive line. Expect two sacks for the new Miami Dolphin this week.